bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solvent effect on kinetics of appearance of haemorphins in the course of peptic hydrolysis of bovine haemoglobin
Authors: Lignot Brigitte , Froidevaux Renato , Nedjar‐Arroume Naima , Guillochon Didier
Published: October 2023

The effect of the composition of the solvent on the peptic hydrolysis of bovine haemoglobin was studied to improve the preparation of two opioid peptides. Peptic hydrolysis was performed for 24 h at 23 °C in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.5. A HPLC method was reported for isolating LVV‐haemorphin‐7 and VV‐haemorphin‐7 in one step. The kinetics of appearance of haemorphins was investigated in the presence of 20% (v/v) ethanol, a stabilizing solvent of haemoglobin or urea, a denaturant agent. Ethanol improved the yield of VV‐haemorphin‐7, whereas urea improved the yield of the two haemorphins. Because the amounts of haemorphins observed in urea were greater than in ethanol, the denatured state of haemoglobin is more favourable to obtaining LVV‐haemorphin‐7 and W‐haemorphin‐7. The peptide bonds that give rise to haemorphins would be more accessible to the pepsin.
Oligonucleotide and plasmid DNA packaging into polyoma VP1 virus‐like particles expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Braun Helene , Boller Klaus , Löwer Johannes , Bertling Wolf Martin , Zimmer Andreas
Published: October 2023

The drug delivery system described here is based on the properties of the capsoid or capsid‐like structure resulting from the assembly of polyoma virus capsid protein VP1 expressed in Escherichia coli. The capsid protein VP1 was expressed as a fusion protein with a completely removable N‐terminal His6 affinity tag. The pentameric morphology of the recombinant VP1 protein was confirmed by electron microscopy after affinity chromatography and factor Xa cleavage under conditions of low ionic strength. The self‐assembly of VP1 capsoids can be induced from purified VP1 pentamers by increasing the ionic strength with (NH4)2SO4. These VP1 capsoid particles were packed in vitro with anti‐sense oligonucleotides and plasmid DNA. The loading with DNA was pH‐dependent. We observed the highest efficiency at pH 5. DNase I treatment of particles with encapsidated material showed that 37–55% of the bound oligonucleotides and fragments of 1.5–1.8 kb double‐stranded DNA were protected against degradation.
Analysis of analyte–receptor binding kinetics for biosensor applications: an overview of the influence of the fractal dimension on the surface on the binding rate coefficient
Authors: Ramakrishnan Anand , Sadana Ajit
Published: October 2023

An overview of fractal analysis is presented for analyte–receptor binding kinetics for different types of biosensor application. Data taken from the literature can be modelled by using (1) a single‐fractal analysis, (2) a single‐ and a dual‐fractal analysis, and (3) a dual‐fractal analysis. Cases (2) and (3) represent a change in the binding mechanism as the reaction progresses on the surface. Predictive relationships developed for the binding rate coefficient as a function of the analyte concentration are of particular value because they provide a means by which the binding rate coefficients can be manipulated. Relationships are presented for the binding rate coefficients as a function of the fractal dimension, Df, or the degree of heterogeneity that exists on the surface. The binding rate coefficient is rather sensitive to the degree of heterogeneity, Df, that exists on the biosensor surface. For the examples analysed, the order of dependence of the binding rate coefficient on Df ranges from 1.4770 (k1), for the binding of intercalators and metabolites in solution to DNA immobilized at a positively charged surface, to 4.9434 for the binding of 5 nM nucleotide+GroEL in solution to GroES immobilized on a Ni2+‐nitriloacetic acid sensor chip [Nieba, Nieba‐Axmann, Persson, Hamalainen, Edebratt, Hansson, Lidholm, Magnusson, Karlsson and Pluckhun (1997) Anal. Biochem. 252, 217–228]. GroEl and GroES are two proteins (chaperones) which facilitate protein folding in the cell in an ATP‐dependent manner [Hemmingson, Woolford, van der Vies, Tilly, Dennis, Georgopoulos, Henfrix and Ellis (1988) Nature (London) 333, 330–334]. The overview provides an overall analysis of the reaction parameters of importance observed and how they are influenced in antigen–antibody‐binding kinetics for different biosensor applications. The predictive relationships presented provide further physical insights into the binding reactions on the surface, and should assist in enhancing biosensor performance. In general, the technique and the overview presented are applicable for the most part to other reactions occurring on different types of surface, for example cell‐surface reactions.
Band‐3 crosslinking‐induced targeting of mouse carrier erythrocytes
Authors: Jordán José A. , Javier Alvarez F. , Tejedor M. Cristina , Díez José C.
Published: October 2023

Mouse band‐3 crosslinked carrier erythrocytes have been prepared. [125I]Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been encapsulated into mouse erythrocytes. Then, loaded erythrocytes were labelled with 51Cr. Eventually, these doubly labelled cells were crosslinked with band‐3 crosslinking reagents. [125I]CA was shown to have cytosolic localization in crosslinked carrier erythrocytes. Estimation of the action of band‐3 crosslinkers on mouse carrier‐erythrocyte membranes rendered values around 17–21% of band‐3 monomer reduction. Crosslinked carrier erythrocytes were in vivo targeted to liver, as shown by chromium‐labelling localization. Also, encapsulated CA radioactivity was localized in vivo predominantly in liver, which is clearly in contrast with the behaviour shown by free CA injected into animals. These results support this model as a feasible system for the analysis of carrier‐erythrocyte survival and targeting as well as the in vivo efficacy of release and targeting of encapsulated compounds.
Purification of catalase from human placenta
Authors: Maimoni Gonçalves Viviane , Cezar de Cerqueira Leite Luciana , Raw Isaias , Cabrera‐Crespo Joaquin
Published: October 2023

The therapeutic use of an antioxidant complex containing superoxide dismutase and catalase has been proposed for the treatment of several diseases in which reactive oxygen species have an important role. Although superoxide dismutase for human use is commercially available, methods for the production of catalase for human use have not been described. An industrial process was developed for the purification of catalase for human use as a by‐product of albumin production from human placenta, comprising two parts: (1) albumin and catalase co‐purification steps, including blood extraction from ground placentas, precipitation of haemoglobin with ethanol/chloroform, concentration/diafiltration by tangential filtration and anionic chromatography, by which non‐adsorbed catalase was separated from albumin; and (2) catalase purification steps after albumin separation, including a second anionic chromatography step and dye‐affinity chromatography. This method provided a final recovery of 27% (70–100% in each step) with 670‐fold purification of catalase (85% pure) and a specific activity of 49000 units/mg, which is higher than that of commercially available human catalase. This process permits the co‐purification of catalase and albumin and can easily be scaled up.
Ex vivo photodynamic purging in chronic myelogenous leukaemia and other neoplasias with rhodamine derivatives
Authors: Villeneuve Luc
Published: October 2023

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a cancer treatment already used early in this century, has distinctive advantages over conventional chemotherapy, namely its often observed preferential accumulation in cancer cells and its low intrinsic toxicity. Aggressive therapeutic modalities using high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are now commonplace treatments for leukaemia, lymphoma and various non‐haematologic malignancies. These intensive approaches have often been used in association with haematopoietic‐progenitor‐cell support and have induced major responses and remissions in patients with relapsed and refractory diseases, ultimately contributing to improve the disease‐free survival of patients with high risk. This has encouraged Theratechnologies, a Montreal‐based pharmaceutical company, to develop photodynamic ex vivo purging procedures, including the development of new photosensitizers and irradiation devices for the safe eradication of neoplastic cells from autologous grafts. Our first specific objective, therefore, was to design, synthesize, purify and test photoactive rhodamine derivatives. We have also selected a gas and phosphorus coating characteristic of an efficient scanning fluorescent source for extra‐corporeal PDT using rhodamine derivatives. 4,5‐Dibromorhodamine 123 (TH9402) was selected because of its photophysical properties, low toxicity and stability. TH9402 photodynamic‐cell‐therapy process conditions recognized as safe for normal human haematopoietic stem cells and progenitors demonstrated the efficacy of the purging procedure on various leukaemias (including chronic‐myelogenous‐leukaemia as well as non‐Hodgkin‐leukaemias and metastatic‐breast‐cancer cell lines.
Cholesterol oxidase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus and Brevibacterium sterolicum: effect of surfactants and organic solvents on activity
Authors: Pollegioni Loredano , Gadda Giovanni , Ambrosius Dorothea , Ghisla Sandro , Pilone Mirella S.
Published: October 2023

We have studied systematically the effect of the non‐ionic surfactants Thesit and Triton X‐100, and of propan‐2‐ol (used as a substrate solubilizer) on the activity of the cholesterol oxidases from Streptomyces hygroscopicus (SCO) and Brevibacterium sterolicum (BCO). Low concentrations of Thesit lead to an activity increase with both enzymes; at higher surfactant concentrations the opposite effect occurs. Triton X‐100 inactivates both enzymes at all concentrations. It is deduced that these surfactants exert their effects by interaction with the enzymes and not by affecting micellar phenomena. The effect of propan‐2‐ol on SCO, in contrast with that on BCO, depends on the buffer concentration (potassium phosphate). Other organic solvents induce results similar to those obtained with SCO and propan‐2‐ol. A significant difference between the two cholesterol oxidases emerges when stability is tested at 25 °C and in the presence of different concentrations of propan‐2‐ol: BCO activity is rapidly inactivated, whereas SCO still has 70% of the initial activity after 5 h in the presence of 30% propan‐2‐ol. From our results, SCO seems to be the catalyst of choice in comparison with BCO for the exploitation of cholesterol oxidases in biotechnology and applied biochemistry.
Anchorage‐dependent and suspended baby‐hamster kidney cells on three‐dimensional non‐woven polyester fabric discs: comparison of growth characteristics
Authors: Aslankaraoǧlu Esin , Gürhan S. Ismet , Gümüşderelioǧlu Menemşe
Published: October 2023

Two types of baby‐hamster kidney (BHK) cell line, anchorage‐dependent BHK‐An32 and suspended BHK‐An48 cells, were cultivated on non‐woven polyester fabrics (NWPF) that were prepared from non‐woven polyethylene teraphthalate sheets with different void fractions in three‐dimensional configuration. The attachment and growth characteristics of both cell lines were investigated in stationary and submerged cultures, containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with fetal‐calf serum. All cultures displayed rapid attachment (<120 min) of inoculated cells to the discs. The growth of BHK cells on NWPF discs in stationary cultures was similar to that observed in tissue‐culture dishes; however, the denser discs showed better results in terms of final cell density, especially in the case of BHK‐An48 cells. Spinner‐flask cultures indicated that higher cell yields were obtained than in stationary conditions. Microscopic observation showed that anchorage‐dependent BHK‐An32 cells spread through the interfibre spaces of NPWF discs to form three‐dimensional structures whereas BHK‐An48 cells proliferated on fibres.
The Role of γ/δ T‐Cell Receptor‐Positive Cells in Pregnancy: Part II
Authors: Barakonyi A. , Polgar B. , Szekeres‐Bartho J.
Published: October 2023

PROBLEM: We have previously demonstrated a significantly increased ratio of γ/δ T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐positive progesterone receptor(PR)‐positive cells in the peripheral blood of healthy pregnant women compared to that of recurrent aborters or non‐pregnant individuals. Treatment of pregnancy lymphocytes with a pan anti‐γ/δ TCR antibody inhibits progesterone‐induced blocking factor (PIBF) production, increases natural killer (NK) activity, and alters the cytokine profile. The present study was aimed at investigating the role of the different γ/δ subpopulations in these phenomena.

METHOD OF STUDY: Peripherial blood lymphocytes from healthy pregnant women were incubated with either anti‐γ1.4 and δ1, or anti‐γ9 and δ2 antibodies. The effect of these treatments on PR induction and interleukin (IL)‐10 and IL‐12 expression were tested by immunocytochemistry. NK activity of anti‐γ/δ treated lymphocytes was also determined.

RESULTS: In peripheral blood of healthy pregnant women, the most frequently occurring chain combination was γ1.4/δ1, whereas in recurrent aborters, the γ9/δ2 combination was predominant. Treatment of normal pregnancy lymphocytes with a mixture of γ1.4 and δ1 antibodies resulted in a significantly reduced NK activity and increased PR and IL‐10 expression, whereas treatment with a mixture of γ9 and δ2 antibodies significantly reduced IL‐10 production and slightly increased IL‐12 production and NK activity. These data suggest the presence of two functionally distinct subpopulations in the peripheral blood of pregnant women.
The Possible Role of Classical Human Leukocyte Antigens in Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Christiansen Ole B.
Published: October 2023

PROBLEM: If immunological factors play a role in the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage (RM), it is likely that associations between alleles of classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and RM exist. Our aim was to investigate HLA‐C alleles in RM couples and HLA‐DR and ‐DQ polymorphism in women with unexplained RM.

METHOD OF STUDY: HLA‐C alleles were investigated in 35 RM and 30 control couples and HLA‐DR and ‐DQ allogenotypes were investigated in 234 RM patients and 360 controls. All HLA investigations were undertaken by DNA based methods.

RESULTS: We found no difference between the RM and control couples in the degree of paternal incompatibility for maternal HLA‐C alleles and the distribution of the two HLA‐C supertypic specificities that are recognized differently by p58 killer cell inhibitory receptor (KIR) positive natural killer (NK) cells was similar in the two groups. In 97 women with at least four previous miscarriages, significantly higher frequencies of the HLA‐DR1, DQ5 and ‐DR3, DQ2 haplotypes were found compared with 360 controls (P < 0.05 after correction for multiple comparisons). Among 94 RM patients followed prospectively, those with HLA‐DR1 and/or ‐DR3 had a 62% miscarriage rate compared with only 29% among those without these alleles (P < 0.05). A large family study indicated that HLA‐DR1 and/or ‐DR3 positive sisters and brothers' wives of probands with RM had an odds ratio of 5.0 for miscarrying their pregnancies compared with corresponding HLA‐DR1 and ‐DR3 negative relatives. Finally, a meta‐analysis of relevant studies based on a MEDLINE search showed that HLA‐DR1, ‐DR3, and ‐DR4 were significantly increased in Caucasian women with RM.

CONCLUSIONS: HLA‐DR1, ‐DR3, and maybe ‐DR4 show association to RM in Caucasian women whereas no association to classical HLA class I genes including HLA‐C can be detected in RM couples. The mechanism by which class II alleles confer susceptibility to RM might be by predisposing to hypersecretion of certain cytokines, e.g., tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α at the feto‐maternal interface.
Inhibition of Trophoblast Adhesion to Endothelial Cells by the Sera of Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions
Authors: Bulla R. , Guarrini F. de , Pausa M. , Fischetti F. , Meroni P.L. , Seta F. De , Guaschino S. , Tedesco F.
Published: October 2023

PROBLEM: May anti‐phospholipid or other autoantibodies interfere with trophoblast‐endothelial cells interaction in women with unexplained pregnancy losses?

METHODS OF STUDY: The sera of 72 women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) containing antibodies to endothelial cells (28), trophoblast (14), and cardiolipin (10) or lacking antibodies (25), and 26 controls were examined in an inhibition assay of trophoblast adhesion to endothelial cells using an ELISA based on the recognition of trophoblast by antibodies to cytokeratin.

RESULTS: Adhesion of trophoblast to endothelial cells was time‐ and dose‐dependent. Patients and control sera inhibited trophoblast adhesion with mean values of 37% and 7%, respectively. Inhibition above 2SD of the mean control value was still observed in 58% of the patients sera and 8% of the control sera. Sera containing antibodies to endothelial cells had higher inhibitory effect (38%) than those with antibodies to trophoblast (23%) and cardiolipin (28%) or lacking antibodies (26%).

CONCLUSIONS: Antibodies and other undefined factors in the sera of women with RSA inhibit adhesion of trophoblast to endothelial cells.
TGFβ2 mRNA Expression and Pregnancy Failure in Mice*
Authors: Gorivodsky Marat , Torchinsky Arkady , Zemliak Ilona , Savion Shoshana , Fein Amos , Toder Vladimir
Published: October 2023

PROBLEM: We describe here a pattern of transforming growth factor (TGF) β2 mRNA expression at the fetomaternal interface in mice with high rate of resorptions as well as its expression following maternal immunopotentiation.

METHOD OF STUDY: TGFβ2 mRNA expression was evaluated in the uteroplacental units of mice with spontaneous (CBA/J × DBA/2J mouse combination) or cyclophosphamide (CP)‐induced pregnancy loss. The effect of immunopotentiation on TGFβ2 mRNA expression was determined in CP‐treated females who underwent nonspecific immunostimulation with xenogeneic (rat) leukocytes. A quantitative analysis of TGFβ2 mRNA level was performed using RNase protection assay. Distribution of TGFβ2 mRNA transcipts at the fetomaternal interface was studied by in situ hybridization analysis.

RESULTS: RNase protection analysis revealed four TGFβ2 specific mRNA forms (330, 270, 230, and 170 bp) in the uteroplacental units of mice with either normal or decreased reproductive performance. A significant decrease (about 50%) in the level of TGFβ2 mRNA was registered in the uteroplacental unit of mice with pregnancy loss as compared to the control mice. TGFβ2 transcripts were abundant in the uterine epithelium and stroma. A specific hybridization signal was detected also in metrial gland cells and it was found to be substantially lower in CP‐treated as compared to intact mice. In the resorbing uteroplacental unit, the expression of TGFβ2 mRNA was completely lost in the uterine epithelium, and the number of TGFβ2 mRNA‐positive metrial gland cells was lower as compared to the control. Immunopotentiation decreased the resorption rate in mice with CP‐induced pregnancy loss and caused a dramatic increase in TGFβ2 mRNA expression: the level of TGFβ2 mRNA was found to be higher by 2.0–3.2 fold in the uteroplacental unit of immunized as compared to nonimmunized CP‐treated mice.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that distortion of TGFβ2 expression at the fetomaternal interface may be associated with pregnancy failure. It seems that beneficial effect of maternal immunostimulation may at least partly be due to the strong increase in TGFβ2 mRNA expression at the fetomaternal interface.
Personality Types and Suicidal Behavior: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Rudd M. David , Ellis Thomas E. , Rajab M. Hasan , Wehrly Thomas
Published: October 2023

This study used cluster analysis to explore prominent personality traits among a sample of suicidal psychiatric patients (n = 86), with a goal of identifying distinct clusters based on descriptive personality traits as measured by the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory‐II (MCMI‐II). Three clusters were identified, accounting for 97% of study participants with available data. Additional analyses were conducted to explore differences and similarities among the three groups. The three clusters were comparable with respect to symptomatology (i.e., depression, anxiety, hopelessness), psychiatric diagnoses, and negative life stress, suggesting that cluster differences were not due to severity of disturbance (i.e., symptom severity) or diagnosis. Although all three clusters evidenced prominent negativistic and avoidant traits and two of the clusters showed prominent borderline traits, each was characterized by a distinct trait with implications for interpersonal functioning. Results are discussed in terms of implications for treatment and future research, particularly the importance of the therapeutic relationship with suicidal patients.
Writing Projects: Lessening Undergraduates' Unique Suicidal Bereavement
Authors: Kovac Stacey H. , Range Lillian M.
Published: October 2023

To assess if writing projects lessen undergraduates' grief following a loved one's suicide, 40 students whose loved one died by suicide in the past 2 years wrote on four occasions over 2 weeks about profound topics (e.g., events and emotions surrounding the death) or trivial topics (e.g., description of the previous meal). All participants completed pre‐ and posttest measures of grief and self‐reported health visits, and 75% completed the same measures at 6‐week mailed follow‐up. As expected, individuals in the profound condition reported less grief associated with suicide at follow‐up than those in the trivial condition. However, the trivial and profound groups were not significantly different in general grief or health visits. Writing about grief associated with the suicide of a loved one appeared to reduce suicidal grief associated with this event. However, this benefit did not extend to general grief or physical health.
Suicidal Behavior in the Municipality of Bærum, Norway: A 12‐Year Prospective Study of Parasuicide and Suicide
Authors: Dieserud Gudrun , Loeb Mitchell , Ekeberg ØIvind
Published: October 2023

The present 12‐year (1984–1995) surveillance study includes all hospitalized parasuicide patients (n = 1,031) as well as all suicides (n = 161) in the municipality of Bærum, a suburb of Oslo. The parasuicide rate decreased from 170 per 100,000 in 1984 to 79 per 100,000 in 1995 (53.5%). The parasuicide rates were lower than those in several comparable studies. Rates were higher for divorced females and separated males compared to married and other marital states, and the pattern of relative risk of parasuicide with respect to marital status was stable. Unemployment and substance abuse were positively correlated with parasuicidal behavior for both males and females. Approximately 33% reported one or more previous parasuicidal acts, and 21% repeated the parasuicide during the observation period. Ninety‐four percent used self‐poisoning as parasuicide method. A total of 2.4% of the parasuiciders committed suicide during the observation period. The mean annual suicide rate in Bærum was 19.0 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 14.7. The results support the notion of parasuicide and suicide being two different but overlapping populations. The implementation of a follow‐up system for parasuiciders may have contributed to the reduced parasuicide rate during the study period.
Suicide Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Cross‐National Comparison of 34 Countries
Authors: Johnson Gregory R. , Krug Etienne G. , Potter Lloyd B.
Published: October 2023

Few cross‐national reports have examined suicide rates among adolescents and young adults. A survey of suicides among 15–24‐year‐olds in 34 of the wealthiest nations demonstrated that 15,555 youths killed themselves in a 1‐year study period. Thirty‐four percent of these suicides were firearm‐related. Finland led the participating nations in total and firearm‐related suicide rates. An association was found between divorce rates and youth suicide rates, firearm‐related suicide among youths, and suicide rates among young males. For a smaller sample of countries, an association was found between firearm availability and firearm‐related suicide rates among youths and suicide rates among young males.
The Relationship Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology and Suicidal Behavior in School‐Based Adolescents
Authors: Mazza James J.
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and suicidal behavior, specifically suicidal ideation and suicide attempt history, while controlling for depression and gender in 106 adolescents in an urban high school. Participants completed self‐report measures of the Adolescent Psychopathology Scales‐Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Subscale (APS‐PTS), the APS‐Suicide Attempt History (APS‐SAH), the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire‐Junior (SIQ‐JR), and the Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale (RADS). Analyses were conducted using a hierarchical multiple regression design to account for the relationship between PTSD symptomatology and depression. Regression results showed that after controlling for depression and gender, PTSD symptomatology was significantly related to suicidal ideation and showed a trend toward suicide attempt history. In addition, adolescents with high levels of PTSD symptomatology were more likely than peers with “average” levels of PTSD symptomatology to be currently thinking about suicide and to have made a past suicide attempt. These findings show that PTSD symptomatology has a unique relationship to adolescent suicidal behavior that cannot be explained by depression or gender. The importance of these results and their implications for future research are discussed.
Predictors and Correlates of Bereavement in Suicide Support Group Participants
Authors: Callahan Jay
Published: October 2023

A sample of 210 survivors of suicide, all participants in suicide support groups, was studied. Associations between demographic factors, circumstances surrounding the suicide, and overall levels of grief (using the Grief Experience Questionnaire) were calculated. Results showed that seeing the body at the scene of the death was the most significant predictor of high levels of distress, and support from family and friends was the strongest protective factor. Time since the death (for women) and attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (for those participating in nonsuicide support groups) were also significantly related to level of grief. For men, a moderate level of participation in other support groups, as compared with none, was associated with higher levels of grief. All other variables were not significant. Results suggest that a model that combines posttraumatic reactions and grief is most appropriate for the aftermath of suicide.
Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Suicidal Ideation Among Central American Immigrants
Authors: Hovey Joseph D.
Published: October 2023

No previous studies have examined suicide risk among Central American immigrants. The present study explored the relationship between acculturative stress, depression, and suicidal ideation among Central American immigrants. Also examined were variables that predict depression and suicidal ideation. Elevated levels of acculturative stress were significantly correlated with high levels of depression and suicidal ideation. Family dysfunction, ineffective social support, nonpositive expectations concerning the future, low levels of religiosity, low levels of education and income, and lack of agreement with the decision to immigrate were significantly associated with high levels of depression and suicidal ideation. The overall findings suggest that Central American immigrants who experience elevated levels of acculturative stress may be at risk for experiencing heightened levels of depression and suicidal ideation. The findings highlight the importance of using culturally relevant clinical methods when assessing and treating depressed and potentially suicidal acculturating individuals.
Suicide: A 15‐Year Review of the Sociological Literature Part I: Cultural and Economic Factors
Authors: Stack Steven
Published: October 2023

Cultural and economic patterns from 130 sociological works on suicide from 1981 to 1995 are reviewed in this article. The traditional Durkheimian perspective on suicide was often questioned by research on the impact of the mass media, alcohol, class, modernization, religion, and politics. Major theoretical developments included the application of differential identification theory to Phillips's model of copycat suicide, the application of criminology's opportunity theory to suicide, and new explanations for the link between alcohol and the social suicide rate. Explanations are reviewed for the major new suicide trend: after half a century of convergence, male and female suicide rates are diverging. Finally, the review notes patterns of continued stability in suicide research findings in areas such as racial differences and economic strain.
A Cross‐Cultural Study of Suicide Intent in Parasuicide Patients
Authors: Hjelmeland Heidi , Nordvik Hilmar , Bille‐Brahe Unni , Leo Diego De , Kerkhof Ad JFM , Lönnqvist Jouko , Michel Konrad , Renberg Ellinor Salander , Schmidtke Armin , Wasserman Danuta
Published: October 2023

As part of the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study on Parasuicide, the level of suicide intent among female and male parasuicide patients from various European regions was compared. From nine regions, a total of 1,212 parasuicide patients, 752 females and 460 males, were included in the study. Although some statistical significant differences in level of suicide intent between the regions and genders were found, the effect sizes of these relationships were so small that the differences have neither theoretical nor practical significance. As far as level of suicide intent is concerned, the WHO study has succeeded in recruiting a relatively homogeneous group of self‐harming patients across borders of region, culture, and country.
Correctional Suicide Prevention in the Year 2000 and Beyond
Authors: Bonner Ronald L.
Published: October 2023

Although the problem of suicide in jail and prison historically has been ignored, significant insight has been gained over the past several decades due primarily to increasing litigation. This article provides a brief overview of the progress in research, programming, and policy. The new millennium offers exciting opportunities for continued growth in correctional suicide prevention. The key areas of process research, risk assessment, and public and penological policy changes are reviewed and considered vital for the field's advancement.
The cardiorespiratory system of miniature frogs
Authors: Carrasco‐Medina Andres Santiago , Salla Raquel Fernanda , Sebben Antonio , da Silva Hélio Ricardo , Passos Flávio Dias , Toledo Luís Felipe , Rebouças Raoni
Published: October 2023

Anurans of the genus Brachycephalus are among the smallest vertebrates in the world, due to an extreme process of miniaturization. As an example of this process, Brachycephalus species show loss of fingers, loss of the eardrum and middle ear, bone fusions, and the presence of paravertebral plates and parotic plaque. However, no studies addressing the consequences of miniaturization on internal organs, such as the lungs and heart, are currently available. Thus, this study aimed to investigate if overall small body size has affected the cardiorespiratory system. We investigated, via dissections, individuals of four Brachycephaloidea species: Brachycephalus rotenbergae, B. pitanga, Eleutherodactylus johnstonei, and Ischnocnema parva. We observed that B. rotenbergae and B. pitanga present a reduction of the atrial septum and absence of the carotid body. On the other hand, despite being a member of the sister genus to Brachycephalus (both genera belong to the Brachycephalidae), individuals of Ischnocnema present a heart with a complete septum and carotid body; this is also observed in E. johnstonei (Eleutherodactylidae). We observed that B. rotenbergae and B. pitanga have thin skin with a one to two cell thick germ layer, and their lungs likely exhibit lower blood supply when compared to individuals of the E. johnstonei and I. parva species. Based on the observed structures, we suggest that in species of Brachycephalus, respiration is performed mainly through the skin, and their lungs may have a reduced respiratory function.
Differential survival of Staphylococcal species in macrophages
Authors: Bayer Janina , Becker Janna , Liu Xiao , Gritsch Lisa , Daiber Ellen , Korn Natalya , Oesterhelt Filipp , Fraunholz Martin , Weber Alexander , Wolz Christiane
Published: October 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is considered an extracellular pathogen, yet the bacterium is able to survive within and escape from host cells. An agr/sae mutant of strain USA300 is unable to escape from macrophages but can replicate and survive within. We questioned whether such “non‐toxic” S. aureus resembles the less pathogenic coagulase‐negative Staphylococcal (CoNS) species like S. epidermidis, S. carnosus, S. lugdunensis, S. capitis, S. warneri, or S. pettenkoferi. We show that the CoNS are more efficiently killed in macrophage‐like THP‐1 cells or in human primary macrophages. Mutations in katA, copL, the regulatory system graRS, or sigB did not impact bacterial survival in THP‐1 cells. Deletion of the superoxide dismutases impaired S. aureus survival in primary macrophages but not in THP‐1 cells. However, expression of the S. aureus‐specific sodM in S. epidermidis was not sufficient to protect this species from being killed. Thus, at least in those cells, better bacterial survival of S. aureus could not be linked to higher protection from ROS. However, “non‐toxic” S. aureus was found to be insensitive to pH, whereas most CoNS were protected when phagosomal acidification was inhibited. Thus, species differences are at least partially linked to differences in sensitivity to acidification.
Bacterial second messenger cyclic di‐AMP in streptococci
Authors: Wright Michael J. , Bai Guangchun
Published: October 2023

Cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate (c‐di‐AMP) has been well studied in bacteria, including those of the genus Streptococcus, since the first recognition of this dinucleotide in 2008. Streptococci possess a sole diadenylate cyclase, CdaA, and distinct c‐di‐AMP phosphodiesterases. Interestingly, cdaA is required for viability of some streptococcal species but not all when streptococci are grown in standard laboratory media. Bacteria of this genus also have distinct c‐di‐AMP effector proteins, diverse c‐di‐AMP‐signaling pathways, and subsequent biological outcomes. In streptococci, c‐di‐AMP may influence bacterial growth, morphology, biofilm formation, competence program, drug resistance, and bacterial pathogenesis. c‐di‐AMP secreted by streptococci has also been shown to interact with the mammalian host and induces immune responses including type I interferon production. In this review, we summarize the reported c‐di‐AMP networks in seven species of the genus Streptococcus, which cause diverse clinical manifestations, and propose future perspectives to investigate the signaling molecule in these streptococcal pathogens.
Bedform evolution along a submarine canyon in the South China Sea: New insights from an autonomous underwater vehicle survey
Authors: Sun Yue , Wang Dawei , Canals Miquel , Alves Tiago M. , Wang Weiwei , Zhu Yousheng , Qin Yongpeng , Zeng Fanchang , Zheng Yu
Published: October 2023

Traditional mapping of bedforms in submarine canyons relied on vessel‐mounted and towed sensors, but their fine‐scale geomorphology and shallow structure requires higher resolution datasets. This study utilizes a high‐resolution dataset obtained from an autonomous underwater vehicle, combined with seismic reflection profiles and sediment cores, to analyse bedform sets within a 25.6 km long submarine canyon (canyon C14) in the northern South China Sea. A train of crescent‐shaped axial steps, indicative of cyclic steps formed by supercritical turbidity currents, is imaged along the canyon. Axial steps in the upper course show erosional truncations and sub‐horizontal reflectors on the lee and stoss sides, respectively, pointing to erosional–depositional cyclic steps formed by confined flows with high erosional capacity. This is facilitated by canyon narrowness and steeper axial gradient. After a transition segment, the lower course widens, with a gentler axial gradient, resulting in increased asymmetry and wavelength of axial steps. Backset bed deposits on the stoss sides of these steps indicate depositional cyclic steps with higher aggradation. Sediment filling, almost padding each cyclic step associated scour suggests the reworking of previously formed bedforms by gravity flows fed by destabilization processes on the canyon sidewalls and upstream lee faces and, possibly, by shelf‐edge and uppermost slope spillover into the canyon. At the lowermost course, cyclic steps transition to a furrow field, likely associated with flow velocity reduction facilitated by canyon floor widening and a further decrease in slope gradient. Flow braiding and re‐convergence, related to the erosion of fine‐grained deposits within the canyon floor, should have played a role to produce furrows under supercritical conditions. This work enhances our understanding of the detailed morphology and shallow relief configuration of bedforms in deep‐water submarine canyons, providing insights into their causative processes and evolution.
An Introduction to Predictive Processing Models of Perception and Decision‐Making
Authors: Sprevak Mark , Smith Ryan
Published: October 2023

The predictive processing framework includes a broad set of ideas, which might be articulated and developed in a variety of ways, concerning how the brain may leverage predictive models when implementing perception, cognition, decision‐making, and motor control. This article provides an up‐to‐date introduction to the two most influential theories within this framework: predictive coding and active inference. The first half of the paper (Sections 2–5) reviews the evolution of predictive coding, from early ideas about efficient coding in the visual system to a more general model encompassing perception, cognition, and motor control. The theory is characterized in terms of the claims it makes at Marr's computational, algorithmic, and implementation levels of description, and the conceptual and mathematical connections between predictive coding, Bayesian inference, and variational free energy (a quantity jointly evaluating model accuracy and complexity) are explored. The second half of the paper (Sections 6–8) turns to recent theories of active inference. Like predictive coding, active inference models assume that perceptual and learning processes minimize variational free energy as a means of approximating Bayesian inference in a biologically plausible manner. However, these models focus primarily on planning and decision‐making processes that predictive coding models were not developed to address. Under active inference, an agent evaluates potential plans (action sequences) based on their expected free energy (a quantity that combines anticipated reward and information gain). The agent is assumed to represent the world as a partially observable Markov decision process with discrete time and discrete states. Current research applications of active inference models are described, including a range of simulation work, as well as studies fitting models to empirical data. The paper concludes by considering future research directions that will be important for further development of both models.
Information, Digital, and Socio-Psychological Technologies in the Training of Specialists in the Social Sphere
Authors: Mialkovska Liudmyla , Cherneta Svitlana , Sushyk Iryna , Martyniuk Yaroslava , Maiboroda Oksana , Savchuk Nadiia
Published: October 2023

The article is devoted to the application of various educational technologies in the process of training specialists in the social sphere. It is shown that one of the important aspects of professional training is the formation of a generalized orientation in the future social work specialist in terms of goals, subject, means, composition of future professional activity, and this, in turn, represents a problem, since complex types of professional activity are not amenable to rigorous analysis, always leave a person space for creative search. As a guideline on the path of addressing this problem, the importance of didactic design of the training of specialists in the social sphere is emphasized, based on the combination of socio-psychological and information-digital technologies in the educational process, including with the aim of motivating students to adopt the paradigm of life-long learning.
Acute hypoxia impairs posterior cerebral bioenergetics and memory in man
Authors: Ando Soichi , Tsukamoto Hayato , Stacey Benjamin S. , Washio Takuro , Owens Thomas S. , Calverley Thomas A. , Fall Lewis , Marley Christopher J. , Iannetelli Angelo , Hashimoto Takeshi , Ogoh Shigehiko , Bailey Damian M.
Published: October 2023

Hypoxia has the potential to impair cognitive function; however, it is still uncertain which cognitive domains are adversely affected. We examined the effects of acute hypoxia (∼7 h) on central executive (Go/No‐Go) and non‐executive (memory) tasks and the extent to which impairment was potentially related to regional cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery (CDO2). Twelve male participants performed cognitive tasks following 0, 2, 4 and 6 h of passive exposure to both normoxia and hypoxia (12% O2), in a randomized block cross‐over single‐blinded design. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) blood velocities and corresponding CDO2 were determined using bilateral transcranial Doppler ultrasound. In hypoxia, MCA DO2 was reduced during the Go/No‐Go task (P = 0.010 vs. normoxia, main effect), and PCA DO2 was attenuated during memorization (P = 0.005 vs. normoxia) and recall components (P = 0.002 vs. normoxia) in the memory task. The accuracy of the memory task was also impaired in hypoxia (P = 0.049 vs. normoxia). In contrast, hypoxia failed to alter reaction time (P = 0.19 vs. normoxia) or accuracy (P = 0.20 vs. normoxia) during the Go/No‐Go task, indicating that selective attention and response inhibition were preserved. Hypoxia did not affect cerebral blood flow or corresponding CDO2 responses to cognitive activity (P > 0.05 vs. normoxia). Collectively, these findings highlight the differential sensitivity of cognitive domains, with memory being selectively vulnerable in hypoxia.
A cosmic-ray database update: CRDB v4.1
Authors: Maurin David , Ahlers Markus , Dembinski Hans , Haungs Andreas , Mangeard Pierre-Simon , Melot Frédéric , Mertsch Philipp , Wochele Doris , Wochele Jürgen
Published: October 2023

The cosmic-ray database, , has been gathering cosmic-ray data for the community since 2013. We present a new release,  , providing many new quantities and data sets, with several improvements made on the code and web interface, and with new visualisation tools. relies on the MySQL database management system, and libraries for queries and sorting, and PHP web pages and AJAX protocol for displays. A REST interface enables user queries from command line or scripts. A new (pip-installable) CRDB python library is developed and extensive jupyter notebook examples are provided. This release contains cosmic-ray dipole anisotropy data, high-energy $$\bar{p}/p$$

p

¯

/
p

upper limits, some unpublished LEE and AESOP lepton time series, many more ultra-high energy data, and a few missing old data sets. It also includes high-precision data from the last three years, in particular the hundreds of thousands AMS-02 and PAMELA data time series (time-dependent plots are now enabled). All these data are shown in a gallery of plots, which can be easily reproduced from the public notebook examples. contains 316,126 data points from 504 publications, in 4111 sub-experiments from 131 experiments.
Isospin violating decays of vector charmonia
Authors: Geng Chao-Qiang , Liu Chia-Wei , Zhang Jiabao
Published: October 2023

We study the isospin violating decays of vector charmonia to$$\Lambda \overline{\Sigma }^0$$ΛΣ¯0and its charge conjugate. They are dominated by the single photon annihilation and can be evaluated reliably with timelike form factors. We utilize the quark-pair creation model, which is valid for the OZI suppressed decays, to evaluate the form factors. We obtain the branching fractions of$$\mathcal{B}(J/\psi \rightarrow \Lambda \overline{\Sigma }^0+c.c.)=(2.4\pm 0.4)\times 10^{-5}$$B(J/ψ→ΛΣ¯0+c.c.)=(2.4±0.4)×10-5and$$\mathcal{B}(\psi (2\,S)\rightarrow \Lambda \overline{\Sigma }^0+c.c.)=(3.0\pm 0.5)\times 10^{-6}$$B(ψ(2S)→ΛΣ¯0+c.c.)=(3.0±0.5)×10-6, which are compatible with the measurements by the BESIII collaborations, respectively. The decay asymmetries are found to be$$\alpha _{J/\psi }=0.314$$αJ/ψ=0.314and$$\alpha _{\psi (2S)}=0.461$$αψ(2S)=0.461, which can be examined at BESIII in the foreseeable future.
Study of four-body decays $$B_{(s)} \rightarrow (\pi \pi )(\pi \pi )$$ in the perturbative QCD approach
Authors: Yan Da-Cheng , Rui Zhou , Yan Yan , Li Ya
Published: October 2023

In this work, we make a systematical study on the four-body $$B_{(s)} \rightarrow (\pi \pi )(\pi \pi )$$

B

(
s
)

→

(
π
π
)

(
π
π
)

decays in the perturbative QCD (PQCD) approach, where the $$\pi \pi $$

π
π

invariant mass spectra are dominated by the vector resonance $$\rho (770)$$

ρ
(
770
)

and the scalar resonance $$f_0(980)$$

f
0

(
980
)

. We improve the Gengenbauer moments for the longitudinal P-wave two-pion distribution amplitudes (DAs) by fitting the PQCD factorization formulas to measured branching ratios of three-body and four-body B decays. With the fitted Gegenbauer moments, we make predictions for the branching ratios and direct CP asymmetries of four-body $$B_{(s)} \rightarrow (\pi \pi )(\pi \pi )$$

B

(
s
)

→

(
π
π
)

(
π
π
)

decays. As a by-product, we extract the branching ratios of two-body $$B_{(s)} \rightarrow \rho \rho $$

B

(
s
)

→
ρ
ρ

from the corresponding four-body decay modes and calculate the relevant polarization fractions. We find that the $$\mathcal{B}(B^0 \rightarrow \rho ^+\rho ^-)$$

B
(

B
0

→

ρ
+

ρ
-

)

is consistent with the previous theoretical predictions and data. The leading-order PQCD calculations of the $$\mathcal{B}(B^+\rightarrow \rho ^+\rho ^0)$$

B
(

B
+

→

ρ
+

ρ
0

)

, $$\mathcal{B}(B^0\rightarrow \rho ^0\rho ^0)$$

B
(

B
0

→

ρ
0

ρ
0

)

and the $$f_0(B^0\rightarrow \rho ^0\rho ^0)$$

f
0

(

B
0

→

ρ
0

ρ
0

)

are a bit lower than the experimental measurements, which should be further examined. It is shown that the direct CP asymmetries are large when both tree and penguin contributions are comparable to each other, but small for the tree-dominant or penguin-dominant processes. In addition to the direct CP asymmetries, the “true” and “fake” triple-product asymmetries (TPAs) originating from the interference among various helicity amplitudes in the $$B_{(s)}\rightarrow (\pi \pi )(\pi \pi )$$

B

(
s
)

→

(
π
π
)

(
π
π
)

decays are also analyzed. The sizable averaged TPA $$\mathcal{A}_{\text {T-true}}^{1, \text {ave}}=25.26\%$$

A

T-true

1
,
ave

=
25.26
%

of the color-suppressed decay $$B^0\rightarrow \rho ^0\rho ^0 \rightarrow (\pi ^+\pi ^-)(\pi ^+\pi ^-)$$

B
0

→

ρ
0

ρ
0

→

(

π
+

π
-

)

(

π
+

π
-

)

is predicted for the first time, which deviates a lot from the so-called “true” TPA $$\mathcal {A}_\text {T-true}^1=7.92\%$$

A
T-true
1

=
7.92
%

due to the large direct CP violation. A large “fake” TPA $$\mathcal {A}_\text {T-fake}^1=24.96\%$$

A
T-fake
1

=
24.96
%

of the decay $$B^0\rightarrow \rho ^0\rho ^0 \rightarrow (\pi ^+\pi ^-)(\pi ^+\pi ^-)$$

B
0

→

ρ
0

ρ
0

→

(

π
+

π
-

)

(

π
+

π
-

)

is also found, which indicates the significance of the final-state interactions. The predictions in this work can be tested by LHCb and Belle-II experiments in the near future.