bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FOXL2 regulates the expression of the Col4a1 collagen gene in chicken granulosa cells
Authors: Du Hongting , Guo Yan , Wu Xiaohui , Gong Yanzhang
Published: February 2022

Forkhead box L2 (FOXL2), one member in the superfamily of forkhead transcription factors, is a core transcription factor specifically expressed in ovarian granulosa cells and is essential for the development of follicles. FOXL2 has been shown to regulate the transcription of genes encoding enzymes that synthesize steroid hormones and estrogen receptors and regulate the expression of collagen genes in granulosa cells. This study explored the effect of FOXL2 on collagen gene expression in granulosa cells by overexpressing Foxl2 in pregranulosa cells, prehierarchical follicles and preovulation follicle granulosa cells. The results showed that FOXL2 regulated the expression of several genes encoding collagens in chicken granulosa cells and that overexpression of Foxl2 significantly reduced the messenger RNA and protein levels of Col4a1 in different granulosa cells. Moreover, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to study how FOXL2 regulates the expression of collagen genes, and the results showed that FOXL2 directly regulated the expression of Col4a1 by binding to the motif of CAGCAGCACCAGCAG between −640 and −625 bp upstream of the coding region. The results indicated that FOXL2 could regulate the components of the extracellular matrix; however, the biological significance of this regulation needs further clarification.
Guidelines for ethical behavior relating to clinical practice issues in neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic medicine
Authors:   American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine Ethics Committee
Published: February 2022

The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) developed guidelines to formalize the ethical standards that neuromuscular and electrodiagnostic (EDX) physicians should observe in their clinical and scientific activities. Neuromuscular and EDX medicine is a subspecialty of medicine that focuses on evaluation, diagnosis, and comprehensive medical management, including rehabilitation of individuals with neuromuscular disorders. Physicians working in this subspecialty focus on disorders of the motor unit, including muscle, neuromuscular junction, axon, plexus, nerve root, anterior horn cell, and the peripheral nerves (motor and sensory). The neuromuscular and EDX physician's goal, working with other allied health professionals, is to diagnose and treat these conditions to mitigate their impact and improve the patient's quality of life. The guidelines are consistent with the Principles of Medical Ethics adopted by the American Medical Association and represent a revision of previous AANEM guidelines.
Stanniocalcin 1 is a serum biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HBV‐associated liver fibrosis
Authors: Chan Kristy Kwan‐Shuen , Hon Tsz‐Chun , Au Kwan‐Yung , Choi Hiu‐Lam , Wong Danny Ka‐Ho , Chan Albert Chi‐Yan , Yuen Man‐Fung , Lai Ching‐Lung , Lo Regina Cheuk‐Lam
Published: February 2022

Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1), a secreted protein, is upregulated in human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While most HCCs develop from chronic liver disease, which involves progressive parenchymal injury and fibrosis, the role of STC1 in this preneoplastic stage remains poorly understood. In this study we investigated the clinical relevance and functional significance of secreted STC1 in liver fibrosis. To this end, the STC1 level was determined in the serum samples of chronic hepatitis B patients and correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis. Diagnostic performance of STC1 was analysed by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The results were compared with other well‐characterised serum biomarkers for liver fibrosis: Aspartate transaminase to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4). The functional role of STC1 was interrogated by in vitro experiments using cell line models. Expression of fibrogenic markers was quantified by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blotting. Our results showed that the serum STC1 level in chronic hepatitis B patients was positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis and showed a stepwise increase in accordance with the severity of fibrosis. The AUROCs for detecting significant fibrosis (>9.0 kPa) and cirrhosis (>12.0 kPa) was 0.911 and 0.880, respectively. STC1 demonstrated a superior specificity and positive predictive value when compared to APRI and FIB‐4. Consistent with this, STC1 was elevated in the liver tissues and sera of CCl4‐treated mice showing marked liver fibrosis. In vitro, STC1 was secreted by the human hepatic stellate cell line LX2. Human recombinant STC1 (rhSTC1) induced expression of fibrogenic markers in LX2 cells. The profibrogenic phenotype conferred by rhSTC1 or TGF‐β1 in LX2 cells could be attenuated using anti‐STC1 antibody. Taken together, STC1 is a specific serum biomarker for HBV‐associated liver fibrosis. STC1 functionally promotes liver fibrogenesis and is a potential actionable target. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Carbonized sunflower core based strain sensor for monitoring human motion
Authors: Liu Liang , Li Siyu , Zhao Chunxia , Chen Yunxin , Han Jin , Li Yuntao , Xiang Dong , Li Hui , Guo Min
Published: February 2022

Strain sensors with high flexibility and sensitivity have gained significant research attention for wide applications in real‐time monitoring, human‐machine interactions and robot arms. Herein, the carbonized natural sunflower core (SFC) was encapsulated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to fabricate a highly flexible strain sensor. In addition to the low‐cost and facile synthesis, the as‐prepared strain sensor demonstrated large sensitivity (maximum GF value of 48.1 at 40%–50% strain), excellent response range (0.5%–100%), and high stability and durability (more than 1000 cycles under repeated loading/releasing of 0.1% tensile strain). The excellent sensing performance could be realized under both compression and stress/strain format. Moreover, the as‐prepared flexible strain sensor could measure human movements, including tiny expression and vigorous joint motions, displaying great potential and promising applications in wearable devices.
Response to intravenous racemic ketamine after switch from intranasal (S)‐ketamine on symptoms of treatment‐resistant depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder in Veterans: A retrospective case series
Authors: Bentley Sean , Artin Hewa , Mehaffey Eamonn , Liu Fred , Sojourner Kevin , Bismark Andrew , Printz David , Lee Ellen E. , Martis Brian , De Peralta Sharon , Baker Dewleen G. , Mishra Jyoti , Ramanathan Dhakshin
Published: February 2022

Background

Racemic (R,S)‐ketamine is a glutamatergic drug with potent and rapid acting antidepressant effects. An intranasal formulation of (S)‐ketamine was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in individuals with treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). There are no data directly comparing outcomes on depression or other comorbidities between these two formulations of ketamine. However, recent meta‐analyses have suggested that IV racemic ketamine may be more potent than IN‐(S)‐ketamine.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes in 15 Veterans with comorbid TRD and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who underwent ketamine treatment at the VA San Diego Neuromodulation Clinic. All Veterans included in this analysis were given at least 6 intranasal (IN)‐(S)‐ketamine treatments prior to switching to treatment with IV racemic ketamine.

Results

Veterans receiving ketamine treatment ( across both IN‐(S)‐ketamine and IV‐(R,S)‐ketamine) showed significant reductions in both the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), a self‐report scale measuring depression symptoms (rm ANOVA F(14,42) = 12.6, p < 0.0001), and in the PTSD checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5), a self‐report scale measuring PSTD symptoms (rm ANOVA F(13,39) = 5.9, p = 0.006). Post hoc testing revealed that PHQ‐9 scores were reduced by an average of 2.4 ± 1.2 compared to baseline after (S)‐ketamine treatments (p = 0.1) and by an average of 5.6 ± 1 after IV‐ketamine treatments (p = 0.0003) compared to pretreatment baseline scores. PCL‐5 scores were reduced by an average of 4.3 ± 3.3 after IN (S)‐ketamine treatments (p = 0.6) and 11.8 ± 3.5 after IV‐ketamine treatments (p = 0.03) compared to pretreatment baseline scores.

Conclusions

This work suggests that off‐label IV‐(R,S)‐ketamine could be considered a reasonable next step in patients who do not respond adequately to the FDA‐approved IN‐(S)‐ketamine. Further double‐blinded, randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess whether IV racemic ketamine is more effective than IN‐(S)‐ketamine.
Relationship between perceived social media addiction and social media applications frequency usage among university students
Authors: Allahverdi Fatima Zehra
Published: February 2022

The study adds to the literature by analyzing data from Kuwait University, a public university in the Gulf region of the Middle East, where research in the area of social media is relatively new. The study is the first to quantify the relationship of different social media applications frequency usage with perceived social media addiction among university students. Specifically, the relationship between gender, area of study, social media applications frequency usage, and the social media addiction as self‐perceived were quantified. A total of 380 university students were asked how often they use the following applications: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. The response rate was 85%, with 322 students responding to the survey that was handed out as a hard copy. The data were collected by picking random classes to implement random sampling. Descriptive results indicated that around 70% of students believed they were addicted to social media somewhere between 75 and 100%. This was followed by utilizing multiple hierarchical regression for data analysis. Results indicated a significant relationship between the area of study (science, engineering, and social sciences), gender, and social media applications of Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Female students perceived themselves as about 5% more addicted to social media. Social science and engineering students perceived themselves as about 17% and 12% more addicted than science students, respectively. Furthermore, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter contributed up to about 12%, 11%, and 10%, respectively, to the perceived social media addiction.
School engagement and self‐esteem among Turkish secondary school students: A moderated‐mediation model for academic achievement and gender
Authors: Karababa Ali
Published: February 2022

The study aimed to examine the direct relationships between school engagement, academic achievement, and self‐esteem, and whether academic achievement mediated the relationship between school engagement and self‐esteem among Turkish secondary school students. An additional aim of the study was also to test whether these associations were moderated by gender. The study sample consisted of 402 adolescents (207 female–195 male) studying at the secondary school, aged from 11 to 14 years old. The study findings showed both the significant direct positive associations among the studied variables and the mediating role of academic achievement in the relationship between school engagement and self‐esteem. It also found that the direction, strength, and structure of the direct and indirect relationships among the studied variables did not differ between the two gender groups. In conclusion, students who have higher levels of school engagement tend to show improvements in their academic achievement, and achieving better educational performance promotes higher self‐esteem. Directions for future research and application were discussed.
Formation of genus vesicles in dilute aqueous solution by PtBAx‐b‐PS130‐b‐PEO90‐b‐PS130‐b‐PtBAx amphiphilic pentablock terpolymers
Authors: Gao Jia , An Kun , Lv Chao , Nie Jingjing , Xu Junting , Du Binyang
Published: February 2022

A series of linear symmetrical ABCBA pentablock terpolymers, poly(tert‐butyl acrylate)‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐polystyrene‐b‐poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) with constant lengths of PS and PEO blocks but different degree of polymerization x of PtBA block, namely PtBAx‐b‐PS130‐b‐PEO90‐b‐PS130‐b‐PtBAx (x = 40, 75, 100, 165, and 200), were found to form various vesicular nanostructures in dilute aqueous solution as observed by conventional transition electron microscopy (TEM), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Genus vesicles with nanometer sizes and various genus values (g), including individual spherical vesicles, tubular vesicles (g = 0), toroidal vesicles (g = 1) and the vesicles with even larger g values (g > 1) were observed, respectively. The g value of genus vesicles formed by PtBAx‐b‐PS130‐b‐PEO90‐b‐PS130‐b‐PtBAx pentablock terpolymers decreased with the increasing length of PtBA block. The formation mechanism of genus vesicles was preliminarily discussed by the combination of membrane bending energy, the area‐difference‐elasticity and the edge effect.
Atomic structure of the Leishmania spp. Hsp100 N‐domain
Authors: Mercado Jonathan M. , Lee Sukyeong , Chang Changsoo , Sung Nuri , Soong Lynn , Catic Andre , Tsai Francis T. F.
Published: February 2022

Hsp100 is an ATP‐dependent unfoldase that promotes protein disaggregation or facilitates the unfolding of aggregation‐prone polypeptides marked for degradation. Recently, new Hsp100 functions are emerging. In Plasmodium, an Hsp100 drives malaria protein export, presenting a novel drug target. Whether Hsp100 has a similar function in other protists is unknown. We present the 1.06 Å resolution crystal structure of the Hsp100 N‐domain from Leishmania spp., the causative agent of leishmaniasis in humans. Our structure reveals a network of methionines and aromatic amino acids that define the putative substrate‐binding site and likely evolved to protect Hsp100 from oxidative damage in host immune cells.
Role of conserved arginine in HadA monooxygenase for 4‐nitrophenol and 4‐chlorophenol detoxification
Authors: Pimviriyakul Panu , Pholert Patipan , Somjitt Supamas , Choowongkomon Kiattawee
Published: February 2022

HadA monooxygenase is involved in the initial step of the biodegradation pathway of toxic nitrophenols and halogenated phenols. HadA catalyzes the O2‐dependent denitration of nitrophenols and dehalogenation of halogenated phenols via the hydroquinone pathway. Based on bioinformatics and structural analysis, Arg208 of HadA is located at the proper position for substrate stabilization. This arginine is conserved among hydroquinone pathway‐specific enzymes for toxicant detoxification. In this study, the function of Arg208 in HadA was determined by a single‐point mutation creating HadAArg208 variants. 4‐Nitrophenol was mineralized by HadAArg208 variants that contain side chains as a positive charge and hydrogen‐bond donor, whereas 4‐chlorophenol strictly required a positively charged environment for detoxification. Transient kinetic results indicated that the biodetoxification ability of HadAArg208 variants was diminished due to the slowing down of denitration/dehalogenation. The substrate‐binding mode and affinity energy were evaluated by molecular docking. The findings were consistent with the experimental results indicating that arginine is the most fit for both 4‐nitrophenol and 4‐chlorophenol binding, whereas the active mutants provide a weaker interaction correlated with their denitration/dehalogenation activities. Altogether, Arg208 plays a role in providing proper chemical interactions to the substrate for binding at an appropriate orientation in the active site of hydroquinone pathway‐specific enzymes. In addition, it is proposed to stabilize nitro groups and halide ions that are released in denitration/dehalogenation reactions. This conserved arginine might be the essential feature for related biocatalysts, which could be fundamental knowledge regarding this enzyme family.
Visible Light Illumination Effects on Instability of MoS2 Thin‐Film Transistors for Optical Sensor Application
Authors: Seo Seung Gi , Ryu Jae Hyeon , Lee Won Young , Jin Sung Hun
Published: February 2022

With the advent of the trillion sensor era, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) offers intriguing future optical device opportunities due to qualities such as its novel optoelectronic properties and preferable form factors. However, while a fundamental understanding of device reliability under illumination is significantly important, most of the previous research has focused on persistent photocurrent (PPC) effects. For this reason, understanding of a clear mechanism remains elusive. Herein the work reported, electrical‐bias‐dependent device instability and net optical illumination effects of MoS2 thin‐film transistors (TFTs) are experimentally evaluated to decouple the origins of device instability coming from either net electrical bias stress or illumination stress. In addition, time‐dependent monitoring of relaxation behaviors under illumination at different wavelength hints that excess carrier generation and remnant electrons after annihilation during illumination play a key role in determination of photo‐initiated instability of a device. For practical suppression of device instability under ambient light, an operation scheme (using trapping time increase under positive bias) is adroitly utilized to provide reliable device performance. Systematic understanding of device instability of MoS2 TFTs, and of their suppression principles, is potentially beneficial for the design of next‐generation devices on the basis of 2D materials.
Experimental and Theoretical Core Level and Valence Band Analysis of Clean Perovskite Single Crystal Surfaces
Authors: García‐Fernández Alberto , Svanström Sebastian , Sterling Cody M. , Gangan Abhijeet , Erbing Axel , Kamal Chinnathambi , Sloboda Tamara , Kammlander Birgit , Man Gabriel J. , Rensmo Håkan , Odelius Michael , Cappel Ute B.
Published: February 2022

A detailed understanding of the surface and interface properties of lead halide perovskites is of interest for several applications, in which these materials may be used. To develop this understanding, the study of clean crystalline surfaces can be an important stepping stone. In this work, the surface properties and electronic structure of two different perovskite single crystal compositions (MAPbI3 and CsxFA1–xPbI3) are investigated using synchrotron‐based soft X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), molecular dynamics simulations, and density functional theory. The use of synchrotron‐based soft X‐ray PES enables high surface sensitivity and nondestructive depth‐profiling. Core level and valence band spectra of the single crystals are presented. The authors find two carbon 1s contributions at the surface of MAPbI3 and assign these to MA+ ions in an MAI‐terminated surface and to MA+ ions below the surface. It is estimated that the surface is predominantly MAI‐terminated but up to 30% of the surface can be PbI2‐terminated. The results presented here can serve as reference spectra for photoelectron spectroscopy investigations of technologically relevant polycrystalline thin films, and the findings can be utilized to further optimize the design of device interfaces.
New Insights into Phase‐Mechanism Relationship of MgxMnO2 Nanowires in Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Zhongzhuo , Pan Xuelei , Shen Yuanhao , Chen Renpeng , Li Tianzhao , Xu Lin , Mai Liqiang
Published: February 2022

In response to the call for safer energy storage systems, rechargeable aqueous manganese‐based zinc‐ion (Zn‐ion) batteries using mild electrolyte have attracted extensive attention. However, the charge‐storage mechanism and structure change of manganese‐based cathode remain controversial topics. Herein, a systematic study to understand the electrochemical behavior and charge storage mechanism based on a 3 × 3 tunnel‐structured MgxMnO2 as well as the correspondence between different tunnel structures and reaction mechanisms are reported. The energy storage mechanism of the different tunnel structure is surface faradaic dissolution/deposition coupled with an intercalation mechanism of cations in aqueous electrolyte, which is confirmed by in situ X‐ray diffraction, in situ Raman and ex situ extended X‐ray absorption fine structure. The deposition process at the cathode is partially reversible due to the accumulation of a birnessite layer on the surface. Compared to smaller tunnels, the 3 × 3 tunnel structure is more conducive to deposit new active materials from the electrolyte. Therefore, pristine MgxMnO2 nanowires with large tunnels display an excellent cycling performance. This work sheds light on the relationship between the tunnel structure and Mn2+ deposition and provides a promising cathode material design for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries.
Disease prevention efforts on Welsh cattle farms are influenced by farm demographics
Authors: Paton Neil , Schaefer K. Aleks , Armitage‐Chan Elizabeth A. , Cooper Hannah , Buggiotti Laura
Published: February 2022

Background

This research seeks to understand how the transition to a new generation of younger, more diverse farmers affects disease prevention efforts on UK farms.

Methods

We apply multivariate regression analysis to analyse survey responses from 112 Welsh cattle farm operators.

Results

Our results indicate that young farm operators (less than 40 years of age) receive less frequent visits from veterinarians. Further, farm operators who identify as female are less likely to screen and vaccinate against a range of diseases. Finally, both young farmers and female farm operators are less likely to achieve disease‐free certification for various economically meaningful livestock diseases.

Conclusion

One possible explanation for these outcomes is that female farm operators and young farmers may feel excluded from long‐standing social networks in the farm animal health sector.
Seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in Arabian horses
Authors: Lotfi Zahra , Pourmahdi Borujeni Mahdi , Ghorbanpoor Masoud , Ghadrdan Mashhadi Ali Reza
Published: February 2022

Background

Brucellosis, as a zoonotic disease, mainly occurs in horses byBrucella abortus, Brucella canisandBrucella suis. The disease in equines is often asymptomatic, but the clinical signs in horses are mostly characterized by bursitis, arthritis and tenosynovitis.

Objectives

This study, thus, aimed to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its associated risk factors in the Arabian horses of Khuzestan province, South‐west Iran.

Methods

To that end, the blood samples randomly collected from 180 Arabian horses were analyzed for the presence of anti‐Brucellaantibodies by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), 2‐mercaptoethanol test (2‐ME) and a commercial i‐ELISA kit.

Results

The ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut‐off point forS/Pvalues in i‐ELISA turned out to be 26.25%. The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis based on parallel interpretation of the test results was 12.22% (Positive/Tested = 22/180). The prevalence of acute and chronic brucellosis was 8.3 and 3.9%, respectively. The seroprevalence of brucellosis with RBPT and i‐ELISA methods was 1.11% (2/180) and 7.22% (13/180), respectively. According to what SAT revealed, 9.44% (17/180) of sera had a titer of 40 or greater, and at 2‐ME, 7.22% of samples (13 out of 180 samples) depicted a titer of 40. The results of i‐ELISA, SAT and 2‐ME were significantly different from those of RBPT (p < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference between i‐ELISA, SAT and 2‐ME in findings (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this study recommend that i‐ELISA be used for screening purposes of brucellosis in horses. The findings confirmed that Arabian horses are natural hosts for the Brucellae. It is, thus, necessary to adopt appropriate prevention and control programs by health authorities and horse owners so as to reduce the distribution and transmission of the infection in the regions where brucellosis is prevalent.
Voltage stability improvement of an Egyptian power grid‐based wind energy system using STATCOM
Authors: Abdelsattar Montaser , Arafa Hafez Wessam , A. Elbaset Adel , Kamel Salah , H. Kasem Alaboudy Ali , Khan Baseem , A. Zaki Diab Ahmed
Published: February 2022

The increase in electricity demand places its focus on renewable energies as sustainable energy resources. Wind energy is one of the most important green energy sources. The doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)‐based wind farm has now gained prominence due to its many advantages, such as variable speed operation and autonomous control of active and reactive power. When the DFIG stator windings are directly connected to the power grid, when a grid fault occurs, some unwanted high current may be produced in the rotor windings, and the protection system will prevent the rotor side converter (RSC) from operating. Therefore, voltage stability is a significant factor in maintaining the DFIG‐based wind farm in operation during grid faults and disturbances. This paper applies a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to restore the voltage levels of the Egyptian power grid connected to Al Zafarana‐5th stage wind farm, which is made of 100 Gamesa G52/850 kW DFIG machines. In this paper, the STATCOM is controlled by a proportional integral (PI) and is compared with a STATCOM controlled by fuzzy logic control (FLC). For simulation, the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment is used. Moreover, the simulation results show that STATCOM devices with fuzzy logic controllers improve the effects of grid faults and disturbances such as a single line to ground fault, a line to line fault, voltage sag, and voltage swell as compared with STATCOM with PI controllers. Also, STATCOM devices based on FLC improve the stability and power quality of the system and the power system restoration procedures for the existing and future‐planned wind farms.
The Neuroanatomical Organization of Hypothalamic Feeding Circuits
Authors: Gruber Tim , Woods Stephen C. , Tschöp Matthias H. , García-Cáceres Cristina
Published: February 2022

Based on early experimental lesion findings, the hypothalamus was historically identified as fundamental for balancing energy intake versus expenditure. Research over the last decades has identified considerable detail of the functional specialization of the hypothalamic neurocircuitry, and how it integrates multiple energy status signals and issues output commands for controlling endocrine and behavioral responses that collectively govern energy balance. This knowledge must now be harnessed to develop therapeutics to counter disorders of energy homeostasis; i.e., the current obesity pandemic demands acquiring further understanding of the functional and neuroanatomical organization of feeding circuits with the help of new advances in the modern systems neuroscience methodologies. This chapter reviews the current understanding of the anatomical and functional organization of hypothalamic feeding circuits while covering some more recent conceptual and technological milestones in the research of energy homeostasis.
Scale and conformal invariance in higher derivative shift symmetric theories
Authors: Safari Mahmoud , Stergiou Andreas , Vacca Gian Paolo , Zanusso Omar
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The critical behavior of infinite families of shift symmetric interacting theories with higher derivative kinetic terms (non unitary) is considered. Single scalar theories with shift symmetry are classified according to their upper critical dimensions and studied at the leading non trivial order in perturbation theory. For two infinite families, one with quartic and one with cubic interactions, beta functions, criticality conditions and universal anomalous dimensions are computed. At the order considered, the cubic theories enjoy a one loop non renormalization of the vertex, so that the beta function depends non trivially only on the anomalous dimension. The trace of the energy momentum tensor is also investigated and it is shown that these two families of QFTs are conformally invariant at the fixed point of the RG flow.
Properties of Motzkin triangle and t-generalized Motzkin sequences
Authors: Németh László , Szalay László
Published: February 2022

We consider the Motzkin triangle as the zero-free part of a well-defined plane array. The right diagonal leg of the triangle is the Motzkin sequence, which satisfies a second order linear recurrence with linear polynomial coefficients. We extend this relation to the parallel diagonals to the line of Motzkin sequence. More generally, we prove the existence of a recursive formula for the formation of three arbitrary elements in the triangle, and construct the corresponding formulae for three connected entries, among them diagonal triples, of twenty possible formations. These recursive formulae have bivariate polynomial coefficients of higher order. We describe the columns of the Motzkin triangle as polynomial values, and reveal nice non-trivial factorization properties of these polynomials. The results essentially depend on an initially derived recursive rule of three consecutive horizontal elements provided by the definition of the triangle, and on a construction method which creates recurrence rules for other structures.
Lipopolysaccharide acting via toll-like receptor 4 transactivates the TGF-β receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Afroz Rizwana , Kumarapperuma Hirushi , Nguyen Quang V. N. , Mohamed Raafat , Little Peter J. , Kamato Danielle
Published: February 2022

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognise pathogen‑associated molecular patterns, which allow the detection of microbial infection by host cells. Bacterial-derived toxin lipopolysaccharide activates TLR4 and leads to the activation of the Smad2 transcription factor. The phosphorylation of the Smad2 transcription factor is the result of the activation of the transforming growth factor-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1). Therefore, we sought to investigate LPS via TLR4-mediated Smad2 carboxy terminal phosphorylation dependent on the transactivation of the TGFBR1. The in vitro model used human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells to assess the implications of TLR4 transactivation of the TGFBR1 in vascular pathophysiology. We show that LPS-mediated Smad2 carboxy terminal phosphorylation is inhibited in the presence of TGFBR1 inhibitor, SB431542. Treatment with MyD88 and TRIF pathway antagonists does not affect LPS-mediated phosphorylation of Smad2 carboxy terminal; however, LPS-mediated Smad2 phosphorylation was inhibited in the presence of MMP inhibitor, GM6001, and unaffected in the presence of ROCK inhibitor Y27632 or ROS/NOX inhibitor DPI. LPS via transactivation of the TGFBR1 stimulates PAI-1 mRNA expression. TLRs are first in line to respond to exogenous invading substances and endogenous molecules; our findings characterise a novel signalling pathway in the context of cell biology. Identifying TLR transactivation of the TGFBR1 may provide future insight into the detrimental implications of pathogens in pathophysiology.
Almost Radial Gauge
Authors: Herdegen Andrzej
Published: February 2022

An almost radial gauge $$A^\mathrm {ar}$$

A
ar

of the electromagnetic potential is constructed for which $$x\cdot A^\mathrm {ar}(x)$$

x
·

A
ar

(
x
)

vanishes arbitrarily fast in timelike directions. This potential is in the class introduced by Dirac with the purpose of forming gauge-invariant quantities in quantum electrodynamics. In the quantum case, the construction of smeared operators $$A^\mathrm {ar}(K)$$

A
ar

(
K
)

is enabled by a natural extension of the free electromagnetic field algebra introduced earlier (represented in a Hilbert space). The space of possible smearing functions K includes vector fields with the asymptotic spacetime behavior typical for scattered currents (the conservation condition in the whole spacetime need not be assumed). This construction is motivated by a possible application to the infrared problem in QED.
Acclimation response and ability of growth and photosynthesis of terrestrial cyanobacterium Cylindrospermum sp. strain FS 64 under combined environmental factors
Authors: Bahavar Nadia , Shokravi Shadman
Published: February 2022

This investigation tested the hypothesis that the native cyanobacteria can acclimatize and grow under the combination of environmental factors and/or how does their process change with the age of culture? Here, we tried to combine multiple factors to simulated what happens in natural ecosystems. We analyzed the physiological response of terrestrial cyanobacterium, Cylindrospermum sp. FS 64 under combination effect of different salinity (17, 80, and 160 mM) and alkaline pHs (9 and 11) at extremely limited carbon dioxide concentration (no aeration) up to 96 h. Our evidence showed that growth, biomass, photosystem II, and phycobilisome activity significantly increased under 80 mM salinity and pH 11. In addition, this combined condition led to a significant increase in maximum light-saturated photosynthesis activity and photosynthetic efficiency. While phycobilisomes and photosystem activity decreased by increasing salinity (160 mM) which caused decreased growth rates after 96 h. The single-cell study (CLMS microscopy) which illustrated the physiological state of the individual and active-cell confirmed the efficiency and effectiveness of both photosystems and phycobilisome under the combined effect of 80 mM salinity and pH 11.
Chlordecone: development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic tool to support human health risks assessments
Authors: Emond Claude , Multigner Luc
Published: February 2022

Chlordecone (CD; Kepone™) is a carcinogenic organochlorine insecticide with neurological, reproductive, and developmental toxicity that was widely used in the French West Indies (FWI) from 1973 to 1993 to fight banana weevils. Although CD has not been used there for more than 25 years, it still persists in the environment and has polluted the waterways and soil of current and older banana fields. Today, human exposure to CD in the FWI mainly arises from consuming contaminated foodstuffs. The aims of this study were to develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model in the rat and extrapolate it to humans based on available pharmacokinetic data in the literature. A comparison of simulations using the rat model with published experimental datasets showed reasonable predictability for single and repetitive doses, and, thus, it was extrapolated to humans. The human PBPK model, which has seven compartments, is able to simulate the blood concentrations of CD in human populations and estimate the corresponding external dose using the reverse dosimetry approach. The human PBPK model will make it possible to improve quantitative health risk assessments for CD contamination and reassess the current chronic toxicological reference values to protect the FWI population.
Feces consumption by nominally herbivorous fishes in the Caribbean: an underappreciated source of nutrients?
Authors: Rempel Hannah S. , Siebert Abigail K. , Van Wert Jacey C. , Bodwin Kelly N. , Ruttenberg Benjamin I.
Published: February 2022

Parrotfishes and surgeonfishes are major Caribbean herbivores that primarily graze reef algae and thereby play an important functional role in indirectly promoting coral recruitment and growth. Yet, an emerging body of research suggests that these nominal herbivores graze on a diverse array of other food sources and researchers have questioned whether they may target more nutrient-dense foods growing within or upon algae, such as cyanobacteria. In this study, we investigated the species-specific foraging rates of parrotfishes and surgeonfishes on Brown Chromis (Chromis multilineata) fecal pellets compared to other major dietary items. We found that almost 85% of observed fecal pellets were ingested by fishes and that over 90% of ingested fecal pellets were consumed by parrotfishes and surgeonfishes alone. While there were species-specific differences in the levels of feces consumption (coprophagy), we found that all three surgeonfishes (Acanthurus chirurgus, A. coeruleus, and A. tractus) and six of the nine of parrotfish species surveyed (Scarus coeruleus, S. iseri, S. taeniopterus, S. vetula, Sparisoma aurofrenatum, and S. viride) consumed C. multilineata feces. To better understand the nutritional value of this behavior, we analyzed the composition of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, total calories, and micronutrients in C. multilineata fecal pellets and compared these to published values for other food sources targeted by these fishes. Our findings suggest that these fecal pellets may have higher values of proteins, carbohydrates, total calories, and important micronutrients, such as phosphorus, compared to various macroalgae and the epilithic algae matrix, though comparable or lower values compared to cyanobacteria. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document coprophagy by tropical herbivorous fishes in the Caribbean region. This research advances our understanding of the foraging ecology of nominally herbivorous fishes and highlights the importance of fish feces as a nutritional resource on coral reefs.

Graphical abstract
Novel concept of routine total arterial coronary bypass grafting through a left anterior approach avoiding sternotomy
Authors: Dörge Hilmar , Sellin Christian , Belmenai Ahmed , Asch Silke , Eggebrecht Holger , Schächinger Volker
Published: February 2022

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via full sternotomy remains a very invasive procedure, often requiring prolonged recovery of the patient. We describe a novel, less invasive approach for totally arterial CABG via a small left anterior thoracotomy in a pilot series of 20 unselected patients. From January to March 2020, 20 consecutive patients (mean age 65.9 ± 9.2 years, 100% male, STS-score: 1.6 ± 2) underwent CABG using only arterial conduits via a small left anterior thoracotomy. Patients were operated on cardiopulmonary bypass with peripheral cannulation and transthoracic aortic cross-clamping. Pulling tapes encircling the great vessels, the arrested empty heart was rotated and moved within the pericardium to enable conventional anastomotic techniques especially on lateral and inferior wall coronary targets. In all patients, left internal mammary artery and radial artery were utilized for bypass with 3.3 ± 0.7 distal coronary anastomoses per patient. Anterior, lateral, and inferior wall territories were revascularized in 100%, 85%, and 70% of patients, respectively. Complete anatomical revascularization was achieved in 95% of patients. ICU stay was 1 day in 17 patients, and 14 of patients left the hospital within 8 days. There was no hospital death, no stroke, no myocardial infarction, and no repeat revascularization. In this pilot series of 20 patients, minimally invasive, totally arterial CABG with avoidance of sternotomy was technically feasible with favorable patient outcomes.
Response-code conflict in dual-task interference and its modulation by age
Authors: Paas Oliveros Lya K. , Pieczykolan Aleks , Pläschke Rachel N. , Eickhoff Simon B. , Langner Robert
Published: February 2022

Difficulties in performing two tasks at once can arise from several sources and usually increase in advanced age. Tasks with concurrent bimodal (e.g., manual and oculomotor) responding to single stimuli consistently revealed crosstalk between conflicting response codes as a relevant source. However, how this finding translates to unimodal (i.e., manual only) response settings and how it is affected by age remains open. To address this issue, we had young and older adults respond to high- or low-pitched tones with one (single task) or both hands concurrently (dual task). Responses were either compatible or incompatible with the pitch. When responses with the same level of compatibility were combined in dual-task conditions, their response codes were congruent to each other, whereas combining a compatible and an incompatible response created mutually incongruent (i.e., conflicting) response codes, potentially inducing detrimental crosstalk. Across age groups, dual-task costs indeed were overall highest with response-code incongruency. In these trials, compatible responses exhibited higher costs than incompatible ones, even after removing trials with strongly synchronized responses. This underadditive cost asymmetry argues against mutual crosstalk as the sole source of interference and corroborates notions of strategic prioritization of limited processing capacity based on mapping-selection difficulty. As expected, the effects of incongruent response codes were found to be especially deleterious in older adults, supporting assumptions of age-related deficits in multiple-action control at the level of task-shielding. Overall, our results suggest that aging is linked to higher response confusability and less efficient flexibility for capacity sharing in dual-task settings.
The hidden universe of human milk microbiome: origin, composition, determinants, role, and future perspectives
Authors: Consales Alessandra , Cerasani Jacopo , Sorrentino Gabriele , Morniroli Daniela , Colombo Lorenzo , Mosca Fabio , Giannì Maria Lorella
Published: February 2022

Although traditionally considered sterile, human milk is currently recognized as an alive ecosystem that harbors not only bacteria, but also viruses, fungi and yeasts, and minor genera, collectively known as the human milk microbiome (HMM). The seeding of HMM is a complex phenomenon whose dynamics are still a matter of research. Many factors contribute to its determination, both maternal, neonatal, environmental, and related to human milk itself. The transmission of microorganisms to the infant through breastfeeding may impact its present and future health, mainly shaping the GI tract microbiome and immune system. The existence and persistence of HMM as a conserved feature among different species may also have an evolutionary meaning, which will become apparent only in evolutionary times.

Conclusion: The complexities of HMM warrant further research in order to deepen our knowledge on its origin, determinants, and impact on infants’ health. The practical and translational implications of research on HMM (e.g., reconstitution of donor human milk through inoculation of infant’s own mother milk, modulation of HMM through maternal dietary supplementation) should not be overlooked.

What is Known:• Human milk harbors a wide variety of microorganisms, ranging from bacteria to viruses, fungi and yeasts, and minor genera.• Human milk microbiome is shaped over time by many factors: maternal, neonatal, environmental, and related to human milk itself.• The transmission of microorganisms through breastfeeding may impact the infant’s present and future health.

What is New:• We provide an overview on human milk microbiome, hopefully encouraging physicians to consider it among the other better-known breastfeeding benefits.• Further studies, with standardized and rigorous study designs to enhance accuracy and reproducibility of the results, are needed to deepen our knowledge of the human milk microbiota and its role in newborn and infant’s health.
The evolving story of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato transmission in Europe
Authors: Steinbrink Antje , Brugger Katharina , Margos Gabriele , Kraiczy Peter , Klimpel Sven
Published: February 2022

Beside mosquitoes, ticks are well-known vectors of different human pathogens. In the Northern Hemisphere, Lyme borreliosis (Eurasia, LB) or Lyme disease (North America, LD) is the most commonly occurring vector-borne infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia which are transmitted by hard ticks of the genus Ixodes. The reported incidence of LB in Europe is about 22.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants annually with a broad range depending on the geographical area analyzed. However, the epidemiological data are largely incomplete, because LB is not notifiable in all European countries. Furthermore, not only differ reporting procedures between countries, there is also variation in case definitions and diagnostic procedures. Lyme borreliosis is caused by several species of the Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex which are maintained in complex networks including ixodid ticks and different reservoir hosts. Vector and host influence each other and are affected by multiple factors including climate that have a major impact on their habitats and ecology. To classify factors that influence the risk of transmission of B. burgdorferi s.l. to their different vertebrate hosts as well as to humans, we briefly summarize the current knowledge about the pathogens including their astonishing ability to overcome various host immune responses, regarding the main vector in Europe Ixodes ricinus, and the disease caused by borreliae. The research shows, that a higher standardization of case definition, diagnostic procedures, and standardized, long-term surveillance systems across Europe is necessary to improve clinical and epidemiological data.
Finding Optimal Triangulations Parameterized by Edge Clique Cover
Authors: Korhonen Tuukka
Published: February 2022

We consider problems that can be formulated as a task of finding an optimal triangulation of a graph w.r.t. some notion of optimality. We present algorithms parameterized by the size of a minimum edge clique cover ($$\texttt {cc}$$cc) to such problems. This parameterization occurs naturally in many problems in this setting, e.g., in the perfect phylogeny problem$$\texttt {cc}$$ccis at most the number of taxa, in fractional hypertreewidth$$\texttt {cc}$$ccis at most the number of hyperedges, and in treewidth of Bayesian networks$$\texttt {cc}$$ccis at most the number of non-root nodes. We show that the number of minimal separators of graphs is at most$$2^\texttt {cc}$$2cc, the number of potential maximal cliques is at most$$3^\texttt {cc}$$3cc, and these objects can be listed in times$$O^*(2^\texttt {cc})$$O∗(2cc)and$$O^*(3^\texttt {cc})$$O∗(3cc), respectively, even when no edge clique cover is given as input; the$$O^*(\cdot )$$O∗(·)notation omits factors polynomial in the input size. These enumeration algorithms imply$$O^*(3^\texttt {cc})$$O∗(3cc)time algorithms for problems such as treewidth, weighted minimum fill-in, and feedback vertex set. For generalized and fractional hypertreewidth we give$$O^*(4^m)$$O∗(4m)time and$$O^*(3^m)$$O∗(3m)time algorithms, respectively, wheremis the number of hyperedges. When an edge clique cover of size$$\texttt {cc}'$$cc′is given as a part of the input we give$$O^*(2^{\texttt {cc}'})$$O∗(2cc′)time algorithms for treewidth, minimum fill-in, and chordal sandwich. This implies an$$O^*(2^n)$$O∗(2n)time algorithm for perfect phylogeny, wherenis the number of taxa. We also give polynomial space algorithms with time complexities$$O^*(9^{\texttt {cc}'})$$O∗(9cc′)and$$O^*(9^{\texttt {cc}+ O(\log ^2 \texttt {cc})})$$O∗(9cc+O(log2cc))for problems in this framework.