bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEAD‐box RNA helicase RH20 positively regulates RNAi‐based antiviral immunity in plants by associating with SGS3/RDR6 bodies
Authors: Wen Zhiyan , Hu Rujian , Pi Qinglin , Zhang Dingliang , Duan Jiangning , Li Zhen , Li Qian , Zhao Xiaoyun , Yang Meng , Zhao Xiaofei , Liu Deshui , Su Zhen , Li Dawei , Zhang Yongliang
Published: August 2024

RNA silencing plays a crucial role in defending against viral infections in diverse eukaryotic hosts. Despite extensive studies on core components of the antiviral RNAi pathway such as DCLs, AGOs and RDRs proteins, host factors involved in antiviral RNAi remain incompletely understood. In this study, we employed the proximity labelling approach to identify the host factors required for antiviral RNAi in Nicotiana benthamiana. Using the barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV)‐encoded γb, a viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR), as the bait protein, we identified the DEAD‐box RNA helicase RH20, a broadly conserved protein in plants and animals with a homologous human protein known as DDX5. We demonstrated the interaction between RH20 and BSMV γb. Knockdown or knockout of RH20 attenuates the accumulation of viral small interfering RNAs, leading to increased susceptibility to BSMV, while overexpression of RH20 enhances resistance to BSMV, a process requiring the cytoplasmic localization and RNA‐binding activity of RH20. In addition to BSMV, RH20 also negatively regulates the infection of several other positive‐sense RNA viruses, suggesting the broad‐spectrum antiviral activity of RH20. Mechanistic analysis revealed the colocalization and interaction of RH20 with SGS3/RDR6, and disruption of either SGS3 or RDR6 undermines the antiviral function of RH20, suggesting RH20 as a new component of the SGS3/RDR6 bodies. As a counter‐defence, BSMV γb VSR subverts the RH20‐mediated antiviral defence by interfering with the RH20–SGS3 interaction. Our results uncover RH20 as a new positive regulator of antiviral RNAi and provide new potential targets for controlling plant viral diseases.
ORANGE interplays with TCP7 to regulate endoreduplication and leaf size
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Linjuan , Song Shuyuan , Zhao Ya‐Nan , Gu Hong‐Hui , Zhu Ziqiang , Wang Jiansheng , Lu Shan
Published: August 2024

Leaf size is a crucial agronomic trait directly affecting crop yield, which is mainly determined by coordinated cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. Although endoreduplication is known to be correlated with the onset of cell differentiation and leaf size, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear. The DnaJ‐like zinc finger domain‐containing protein ORANGE (OR) was initially demonstrated to confer the massive accumulation of carotenoids in cauliflower curds. However, the cauliflower or mutant also possesses other phenotypes such as smaller curds, smaller leaves with elongated petioles, and delayed flowering. Here, we demonstrated that OR physically interacts with the transcription factor TCP7, which promotes endoreduplication by inducing the expression of the cell cycle gene CYCLIN D 1;1 (CYCD1;1). Overexpression of OR resulted in smaller rosette leaves, whereas the OR‐silencing plants had larger rosette leaves than wild‐type plants. Our microscopic observations and flow cytometry analysis revealed that the variation in leaf size was a result of different endoreduplication levels. Genetic analyses showed that OR functions antagonistically with TCP7 in regulating the endoreduplication levels in leaf cells. While the expression of OR is induced by TCP7, OR represses the transactivation activity of TCP7 by affecting its binding capability to the TCP‐binding motif in the promoter region of CYCD1;1. Through this interaction, OR negatively regulates the expression of CYCD1;1 and reduces the nuclear ploidy level in rosette leaf cells. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory network of leaf size and also reveal a regulatory circuit controlling endoreduplication in leaf cells.
Muscle‐derived IL‐1β regulates EcSOD expression via the NBR1‐p62‐Nrf2 pathway in muscle during cancer cachexia
Authors: Yamada Mami , Warabi Eiji , Oishi Hisashi , Lira Vitor A. , Okutsu Mitsuharu
Published: August 2024

Oxidative stress contributes to the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in cancer cachexia. However, this outcome may be mitigated by an improved endogenous antioxidant defence system. Here, using the well‐established oxidative stress‐inducing muscle atrophy model of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in 13‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice, we demonstrate that extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) levels increase in the cachexia‐prone extensor digitorum longus muscle. LLC transplantation significantly increased interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) expression and release from extensor digitorum longus muscle fibres. Moreover, IL‐1β treatment of C2C12 myotubes increased NBR1, p62 phosphorylation at Ser351, Nrf2 nuclear translocation and EcSOD protein expression. Additional studies in vivo indicated that intramuscular IL‐1β injection is sufficient to stimulate EcSOD expression, which is prevented by muscle‐specific knockout of p62 and Nrf2 (i.e. in p62 skmKO and Nrf2 skmKO mice, respectively). Finally, since an increase in circulating IL‐1β may lead to unwanted outcomes, we demonstrate that targeting this pathway at p62 is sufficient to drive muscle EcSOD expression in an Nrf2‐dependent manner. In summary, cancer cachexia increases EcSOD expression in extensor digitorum longus muscle via muscle‐derived IL‐1β‐induced upregulation of p62 phosphorylation and Nrf2 activation. These findings provide further mechanistic evidence for the therapeutic potential of p62 and Nrf2 to mitigate cancer cachexia‐induced muscle atrophy.

image

Key points

Oxidative stress plays an important role in muscle atrophy during cancer cachexia.

EcSOD, which mitigates muscle loss during oxidative stress, is upregulated in 13‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice of extensor digitorum longus muscles during cancer cachexia.

Using mouse and cellular models, we demonstrate that cancer cachexia promotes muscle EcSOD protein expression via muscle‐derived IL‐1β‐dependent stimulation of the NBR1‐p62‐Nrf2 signalling pathway.

These results provide further evidence for the potential therapeutic targeting of the NBR1‐p62‐Nrf2 signalling pathway downstream of IL‐1β to mitigate cancer cachexia‐induced muscle atrophy.
Erê Bebê: experiência artística no começo da vida
Authors: Aleixo Fernando Manoel , Perobelli Mariene
Published: August 2024

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar o processo de criação do espetáculo cênico Erê Bebê, produzido pelo Instituto Conexão Erê com sede no Brasil. Trata-se de um trabalho voltado para famílias com crianças de 0 a 3 anos. A criação é fruto de pesquisa artística e acadêmica sobre a primeiríssima infância amparada na fenomenologia, na antroposofia e na Abordagem Pikler, compreendendo o movimento livre, a autonomia e o vínculo adulto-criança como princípios para o seu bom desenvolvimento. O processo descreve as fases e os caminhos da composição, considerando o trabalho de campo realizado através do intercâmbio artístico entre o Brasil e a África do Sul. A descrição do processo disponibiliza conceitos e princípios que podem colaborar para estudos e pesquisas sobre o desenvolvimento infantil e as linguagens artísticas na primeiríssima infância.
Las infancias y el cine: un esbozo conceptual y metodológico para su investigación por medio de las nociones de la presencia, la representación, los derechos y la agencia
Authors: Bácares Jara Camilo
Published: August 2024

El estudio de las imágenes en movimiento en torno a la categoría sociohistórica de la infancia es todavía una línea de trabajo incipiente en el área del cine. También lo son las investigaciones atentas al cinematógrafo en el denominado campo de los childhood studies. Hasta ahora la perspectiva imperante ha sido pensar a los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA) como espectadores inermes ante los “peligros” que acarrean las películas. No obstante, el cine es una fuente presta para ahondar en el funcionamiento de la construcción social de las infancias, es decir, de cómo pensamos, sentimos o definimos a los NNA. Asimismo, por medio del cinematógrafo, los NNA se expresan e interpelan sus realidades o llevan a cabo prácticas actorales que aún no son reconocidas. Ante este panorama, este artículo propone cuatro líneas de investigación que pueden desarrollarse en Colombia o en otros países para acelerar o aportar al desarrollo del vínculo entre las cinematografías y la infancia, entre ellas estudiar la presencia estructural de la figura infantil en la imagen en movimiento, cómo se le representa en las cinematografías y bajo qué formas, el derecho de los NNA a ver y a hacer cine, y su agencia y participación en el quehacer cinematográfico.
Salvajitos en proceso de domesticación
Authors: Rosas Juliana
Published: August 2024

Este artículo es una reflexión en torno a la percepción que contrapone la infancia a la adultez, haciendo una comparación entre cualidades que hacen salvaje a la niñez y al proceso de domesticación que ejercen los adultos formadores sobre ellos, invitando a especular sobre el rol del docente y a cuestionar las prácticas estipuladas en este nivel de formación. Este artículo propone la figura de educador-mediador para que la asignatura de Artes no se reduzca al desarrollo de habilidades motoras, sino que se exploren y expandan las posibilidades para la infancia de ser un espacio que permita la imaginación, el desarrollo de la creatividad y el pensamiento crítico de la cultura visual. Se aborda la relevancia de la clase de artes visuales en un nivel de educación preescolar para discutir sobre el papel de esta asignatura en un sistema jerarquizado por disciplinas consideradas prioritarias cuestionando criterios que establecen las expectativas y evaluaciones en un campo indeterminado y subjetivo, como es el del arte. El texto vincula narraciones que se entretejen y dan apertura a cuatro reflexiones que exponen consideraciones alrededor de la priorización de los espacios de control y cuidado sobre el aprendizaje, la reivindicación de la creatividad como una capacidad aliada a la transdisciplinariedad, el redescubrimiento de la infancia y la consciencia del rol adulto en la labor docente y la necesidad de que las artes sean un espacio disruptivo con la curiosidad voraz y la capacidad de asombro inherentes a la niñez.
Multi-source wavefield reconstruction of distributed acoustic sensing data using compressive sensing and seismic interferometry
Authors: Saengduean Patipan , Yang Jihyun , Shragge Jeffrey , Snieder Roel , Wakin Michael B.
Published: August 2024

Seismic data recorded by distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) interrogator units on deployed optical fiber are being used for a variety of subsurface imaging and monitoring investigations. To reduce the costs of active-source DAS surveying applications, seismic interferometry can be applied to estimate inter-sensor wavefields from DAS records. However, recording long-term records for ambient interferometry requires considerable data storage and sections of DAS optical fibers may be unusable because of broadside sensitivity considerations from the DAS fiber orientation and due to localized coherent energy sources with amplitudes significantly larger than the ambient signal of interest. Compressive sensing, a wavefield reconstruction technique, can mitigate the problems of large data storage and unusable data. We apply compressive sensing–based multi-source wavefield reconstruction to estimate correlograms of ambient DAS records from a fiber array in Perth, Australia. The multi-source method uses all available virtual-source gathers for simultaneous wavefield reconstruction and is different from the conventional single-source method that separately reconstructs individual virtual-source gathers. Using the Fourier and curvelet transforms to sparsify interferometric wavefields, we show that multi-source reconstruction is applicable to the DAS data and that the Fourier multi-source reconstruction can improve the recovered wavefields by approximately 5–10 dB, compared to the Fourier and curvelet single-source wavefield reconstructions.
Precision and bias of carbon storage estimations in wetland and mangrove sediments
Authors: Ezcurra Exequiel
Published: August 2024

Peaty sediments in coastal wetlands play an important role in the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and its belowground storage. Sediment cores are used to quantify organic matter (OM) density, estimated by multiplying the bulk density of a core segment by its OM fraction. This method can be imprecise, as repeated samples often differ widely. Recent studies have shown that sediment bulk density and OM fraction are not independent but tightly related by a function called the ideal-mixing model. Thus, the bulk density of the sediment can be directly estimated from its OM fraction. Statistical theory and simulations demonstrate that the high variance in the product estimation of OM density is the result of error propagation in the product of two functionally related variables with independent errors. Estimating OM density in wetland sediments using the ideal-mixing model is more precise than the traditionally used product estimate, especially in highly organic sediments.
A20 haploinsufficiency disturbs immune homeostasis and drives the transformation of lymphocytes with permissive antigen receptors
Authors: Schultheiß Christoph , Paschold Lisa , Mohebiany Alma Nazlie , Escher Moritz , Kattimani Yogita Mallu , Müller Melanie , Schmidt-Barbo Paul , Mensa-Vilaró Anna , Aróstegui Juan Ignacio , Boursier Guilaine , de Moreuil Claire , Hautala Timo , Willscher Edith , Jonas Hanna , Chinchuluun Namuun , Grosser Bianca , Märkl Bruno , Klapper Wolfram , Oommen Prasad Thomas , Gössling Katharina , Hoffmann Katrin , Tiegs Gisa , Czernilofsky Felix , Dietrich Sascha , Freeman Alexandra , Schwartz Daniella M. , Waisman Ari , Aksentijevich Ivona , Binder Mascha
Published: August 2024

Genetic
TNFAIP3
(A20) inactivation is a classical somatic lymphoma lesion and the genomic trait in haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20). In a cohort of 34 patients with HA20, we show that heterozygous
TNFAIP3
loss skews immune repertoires toward lymphocytes with classical self-reactive antigen receptors typically found in B and T cell lymphomas. This skewing was mediated by a feed-forward tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/A20/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) loop that shaped pre-lymphoma transcriptome signatures in clonally expanded B (
CD81
,
BACH2
, and
NEAT1
) or T (
GATA3
,
TOX
, and
PDCD1
) cells. The skewing was reversed by anti-TNF treatment but could also progress to overt lymphoma. Analysis of conditional
TNFAIP3
knock-out mice reproduced the wiring of the TNF/A20/NF-κB signaling axis with permissive antigen receptors and suggested a distinct regulation in B and T cells. Together, patients with the genetic disorder HA20 provide an exceptional window into A20/TNF/NF-κB–mediated control of immune homeostasis and early steps of lymphomagenesis that remain clinically unrecognized.
Nuclear deformation and dynamics of migrating cells in 3D confinement reveal adaptation of pulling and pushing forces
Authors: Stöberl Stefan , Flommersfeld Johannes , Kreft Maximilian M. , Benoit Martin , Broedersz Chase P. , Rädler Joachim O.
Published: August 2024

Eukaryotic cells show an astounding ability to remodel their shape and cytoskeleton and to migrate through pores and constrictions smaller than their nuclear diameter. However, the relation of nuclear deformation and migration dynamics in confinement remains unclear. Here, we study the mechanics and dynamics of mesenchymal cancer cell nuclei transitioning through three-dimensional compliant hydrogel channels. We find a biphasic dependence of migration speed and transition frequency on channel width, peaking at widths comparable to the nuclear diameter. Using confocal imaging and hydrogel bead displacement, we determine nuclear deformations and corresponding forces during confined migration. The nucleus deforms reversibly with a reduction in volume during confinement. With decreasing channel width, the nuclear shape during transmigration changes biphasically, concomitant with the transitioning dynamics. Our proposed physical model explains the observed nuclear shapes and transitioning dynamics in terms of the cytoskeletal force generation adapting from purely pulling-based to a combined pulling- and pushing-based mechanism with increasing nuclear confinement.
Apical cell expansion maintained by Dusky-like establishes a scaffold for corneal lens morphogenesis
Authors: Ghosh Neha , Treisman Jessica E.
Published: August 2024

The
Drosophila
corneal lens is entirely composed of chitin and other apical extracellular matrix components, and it is not known how it acquires the biconvex shape that enables it to focus light onto the retina. We show here that the zona pellucida domain–containing protein Dusky-like is essential for normal corneal lens morphogenesis. Dusky-like transiently localizes to the expanded apical surfaces of the corneal lens-secreting cells and prevents them from undergoing apical constriction and apicobasal contraction. Dusky-like also controls the arrangement of two other zona pellucida domain proteins, Dumpy and Piopio, external to the developing corneal lens. Loss of either
dusky-like
or
dumpy
delays chitin accumulation and disrupts the outer surface of the corneal lens. We find that artificially inducing apical constriction by activating myosin contraction is sufficient to similarly alter chitin deposition and corneal lens morphology. These results demonstrate the importance of cell shape in controlling the morphogenesis of overlying apical extracellular matrix structures such as the corneal lens.
Dehydration drives damage in the freezing of brittle hydrogels
Authors: Yang Shaohua , Gerber Dominic , Feng Yanxia , Bain Nicolas , Kuster Matthias , de Lorenzis Laura , Xu Ye , Dufresne Eric R. , Style Robert W.
Published: August 2024

It is widely known that freezing breaks soft, wet materials. However, the mechanism underlying this damage is still not clear. To understand this process, we freeze model, brittle hydrogel samples, while observing the growth of ice-filled cracks that break these apart. We show that damage is not caused by the expansion of water upon freezing or the growth of ice-filled cavities in the hydrogel that exert pressure on the surrounding material. Instead, local ice growth dehydrates the adjacent hydrogel, leading to drying-induced fracture. This dehydration is driven by the process of cryosuction, whereby undercooled ice sucks nearby water toward itself, feeding ice growth. Our results highlight the strong analogy between freezing damage and desiccation cracking, which we anticipate being useful for developing an understanding of both topics. Our results should also give useful insights into a wide range of freezing processes, including cryopreservation, food science, and frost heave.
Succinate dehydrogenase–complex II regulates skeletal muscle cellular respiration and contractility but not muscle mass in genetically induced pulmonary emphysema
Authors: Balnis Joseph , Tufts Ankita , Jackson Emily L. , Drake Lisa A. , Singer Diane V. , Lacomis David , Lee Chun Geun , Elias Jack A. , Doles Jason D. , Maher L. James , Jen Annie , Coon Joshua J. , Jourd’heuil David , Singer Harold A. , Vincent Catherine E. , Jaitovich Ariel
Published: August 2024

Reduced skeletal muscle mass and oxidative capacity coexist in patients with pulmonary emphysema and are independently associated with higher mortality. If reduced cellular respiration contributes to muscle atrophy in that setting remains unknown. Using a mouse with genetically induced pulmonary emphysema that recapitulates muscle dysfunction, we found that reduced activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is a hallmark of its myopathic changes. We generated an inducible, muscle-specific SDH knockout mouse that demonstrates lower mitochondrial oxygen consumption, myofiber contractility, and exercise endurance. Respirometry analyses show that in vitro complex I respiration is unaffected by loss of SDH subunit C in muscle mitochondria, which is consistent with the pulmonary emphysema animal data. SDH knockout initially causes succinate accumulation associated with a down-regulated transcriptome but modest proteome effects. Muscle mass, myofiber type composition, and overall body mass constituents remain unaltered in the transgenic mice. Thus, while SDH regulates myofiber respiration in experimental pulmonary emphysema, it does not control muscle mass or other body constituents.
Extreme erosion and bulking in a giant submarine gravity flow
Authors: Böttner Christoph , Stevenson Christopher J. , Englert Rebecca , Schönke Mischa , Pandolpho Bruna T. , Geersen Jacob , Feldens Peter , Krastel Sebastian
Published: August 2024

Sediment gravity flows are ubiquitous agents of transport, erosion, and deposition across Earth’s surface, including terrestrial debris flows, snow avalanches, and submarine turbidity currents. Sediment gravity flows typically erode material along their path (bulking), which can dramatically increase their size, speed, and run-out distance. Hence, flow bulking is a first-order control on flow evolution and underpins predictive modeling approaches and geohazard assessments. Quantifying bulking in submarine systems is problematic because of their large-scale and inaccessible nature, complex stratigraphy, and poorly understood source areas. Here, we map the deposits and erosive destruction of a giant submarine gravity flow from source to sink. The small initial failure (~1.5 cubic kilometers) entrained over 100 times its starting volume, catastrophically evolving into a giant flow with a total volume of ~162 cubic kilometers and a run-out distance of ~2000 kilometers. Entrainment of mud was the critical fuel, which promoted run-away flow growth and extreme levels of erosion.
Antarctica’s ice cliff conundrum
Authors: Robel Alexander A.
Published: August 2024

Tall ice cliffs at a rapidly retreating glacier in West Antarctica may not be as vulnerable to runaway ice loss as previously thought.
Bistable soft jumper capable of fast response and high takeoff velocity
Authors: Tang Daofan , Zhang Chengqian , Pan Chengfeng , Hu Hao , Sun Haonan , Dai Huangzhe , Fu Jianzhong , Majidi Carmel , Zhao Peng
Published: August 2024

In contrast with jumping robots made from rigid materials, soft jumpers composed of compliant and elastically deformable materials exhibit superior impact resistance and mechanically robust functionality. However, recent efforts to create stimuli-responsive jumpers from soft materials were limited in their response speed, takeoff velocity, and travel distance. Here, we report a magnetic-driven, ultrafast bistable soft jumper that exhibits good jumping capability (jumping more than 108 body heights with a takeoff velocity of more than 2 meters per second) and fast response time (less than 15 milliseconds) compared with previous soft jumping robots. The snap-through transitions between bistable states form a repeatable loop that harnesses the ultrafast release of stored elastic energy. On the basis of the dynamic analysis, the multimodal locomotion of the bistable soft jumper can be realized: the interwell mode of jumping and the intrawell mode of hopping. These modes are controlled by adjusting the duration and strength of the magnetic field, which endows the bistable soft jumper with robust locomotion capabilities. In addition, it is capable of jumping omnidirectionally with tunable heights and distances. To demonstrate its capability in complex environments, a realistic pipeline with amphibious terrain was established. The jumper successfully finished a simulative task of cleansing water through a pipeline. The design principle and actuating mechanism of the bistable soft jumper can be further extended for other flexible systems.
Intrinsic sense of touch for intuitive physical human-robot interaction
Authors: Iskandar Maged , Albu-Schäffer Alin , Dietrich Alexander
Published: August 2024

The sense of touch is a property that allows humans to interact delicately with their physical environment. This article reports on a technological advancement in intuitive human-robot interaction that enables an intrinsic robotic sense of touch without the use of artificial skin or tactile instrumentation. On the basis of high-resolution joint-force-torque sensing in a redundant arrangement, we were able to let the robot sensitively feel the surrounding environment and accurately localize touch trajectories in space and time that were applied on its surface by a human. Through an intertwined combination of manifold learning techniques and artificial neural networks, the robot identified and interpreted those touch trajectories as machine-readable letters, symbols, or numbers. This opens up unexplored opportunities in terms of intuitive and flexible interaction between human and robot. Furthermore, we showed that our concept of so-called virtual buttons can be used to straightforwardly implement a tactile communication link, including switches and slider bars, which are complementary to speech, hardware buttons, and control panels. These interaction elements could be freely placed, moved, and configured in arbitrary locations on the robot structure. The intrinsic sense of touch we proposed in this work can serve as the basis for an advanced category of physical human-robot interaction that has not been possible yet, enabling a shift from conventional modalities toward adaptability, flexibility, and intuitive handling.
Stress-induced eosinophil activation contributes to postoperative morbidity and mortality after lung resection
Authors: Mei Zhongcheng , Khalil May A. , Guo Yizhan , Li Dongge , Banerjee Anirban , Taheri Mojtaba , Kratzmeier Christina M. , Chen Kelly , Lau Christine L. , Luzina Irina G. , Atamas Sergei P. , Kandasamy Sivaveera , Kreisel Daniel , Gelman Andrew E. , Jacobsen Elizabeth A. , Krupnick Alexander Sasha
Published: August 2024

Respiratory failure occurs more frequently after thoracic surgery than abdominal surgery. Although the etiology for this complication is frequently attributed to underlying lung disease present in patients undergoing thoracic surgery, this notion is often unfounded because many patients with normal preoperative pulmonary function often require prolonged oxygen supplementation even after minimal resection of lung tissue. Using a murine model of pulmonary resection and peripheral blood samples from patients undergoing resection of the lung or abdominal organs, we demonstrated that lung surgery initiates a proinflammatory loop that results in damage to the remaining lung tissue, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, hypoxia, and even death. Specifically, we demonstrated that resection of murine lung tissue increased concentrations of the homeostatic cytokine interleukin-7, which led to local and systemic activation of type 2 innate lymphoid cells. This process activated lung-resident eosinophils and facilitated stress-induced eosinophil maturation in the bone marrow in a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–dependent manner, resulting in systemic eosinophilia in both mice and humans. Up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase in lung-resident eosinophils led to tissue nitrosylation, pulmonary edema, hypoxia, and, at times, death. Disrupting this activation cascade at any stage ameliorated deleterious outcomes and improved survival after lung resection in the mouse model. Our data suggest that repurposing US Food and Drug Administration–approved eosinophil-targeting strategies may potentially offer a therapeutic intervention to improve outcomes for patients who require lung resection for benign or malignant etiology.
Intestinal helminth infection impairs vaccine-induced T cell responses and protection against SARS-CoV-2 in mice
Authors: Desai Pritesh , Karl Courtney E. , Ying Baoling , Liang Chieh-Yu , Garcia-Salum Tamara , Santana Ana Carolina , ten-Caten Felipe , Joseph F. Urban Jr.  , Elbashir Sayda M. , Edwards Darin K. , Ribeiro Susan P. , Thackray Larissa B. , Sekaly Rafick P. , Diamond Michael S.
Published: August 2024

Although vaccines have reduced the burden of COVID-19, their efficacy in helminth infection–endemic areas is not well characterized. We evaluated the impact of infection by
Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri
(Hpb), a murine intestinal roundworm, on the efficacy of an mRNA vaccine targeting the Wuhan-1 spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in mice. Although immunization generated similar B cell responses in Hpb-infected and uninfected mice, polyfunctional CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cell responses were markedly reduced in Hpb-infected mice. Hpb-infected and mRNA-vaccinated mice were protected against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain WA1/2020, but control of lung infection was diminished against an Omicron variant compared with animals immunized without Hpb infection. Helminth-mediated suppression of spike protein–specific CD8
+
T cell responses occurred independently of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) signaling, whereas blockade of interleukin-10 (IL-10) rescued vaccine-induced CD8
+
T cell responses. Together, these data show that, in mice, intestinal helminth infection impaired vaccine-induced T cell responses through an IL-10 pathway, which compromised protection against antigenically drifted SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Repeated Omicron exposures redirect SARS-CoV-2–specific memory B cell evolution toward the latest variants
Authors: Kotaki Ryutaro , Moriyama Saya , Oishi Shintaro , Onodera Taishi , Adachi Yu , Sasaki Eita , Ishino Kota , Morikawa Miwa , Takei Hiroaki , Takahashi Hidenori , Takano Tomohiro , Nishiyama Ayae , Yumoto Kohei , Terahara Kazutaka , Isogawa Masanori , Matsumura Takayuki , Shinkai Masaharu , Takahashi Yoshimasa
Published: August 2024

Immunological imprinting by ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains is thought to impede the robust induction of Omicron-specific humoral responses by Omicron-based booster vaccines. Here, we analyzed the specificity and neutralization activity of memory B (B
mem
) cells after repeated BA.5 exposure in individuals previously imprinted by ancestral strain–based mRNA vaccines. After a second BA.5 exposure, B
mem
cells with BA.5 spike protein–skewed reactivity were promptly elicited, correlating with preexisting antibody titers. Clonal lineage analysis identified BA.5-skewed B
mem
cells that had redirected their specificity from the ancestral strain to BA.5 through somatic hypermutations. Moreover, B
mem
cells with redirected BA.5 specificity exhibited accelerated development compared with de novo B
mem
cells derived from naïve repertoires. This redirected BA.5 specificity demonstrated greater resilience to viral point mutation and adaptation to recent Omicron variants HK.3 and JN.1, months after the second BA.5 exposure, suggesting that existing B
mem
cells elicited by older vaccines can redirect their specificity toward newly evolving variants.
Determinants of maturation of the
Staphylococcus aureus
autoinducing peptide
Authors: Fang Liwei , Cosgriff Chance , Alonzo Francis
Published: August 2024

The
a
ccessory
g
ene
r
egulatory (Agr) system is required for virulence factor gene expression and pathogenesis of
Staphylococcus aureus
. The Agr system is activated in response to the accumulation of a cyclic autoinducing peptide (AIP), which is matured and secreted by the bacterium. The precursor of AIP, AgrD, consists of the AIP flanked by an N-terminal

α

-helical Leader and a charged C-terminal tail. AgrD is matured to AIP by the action of two proteases, AgrB and MroQ. AgrB cleaves the C-terminal tail and promotes the formation of a thiolactone ring, whereas MroQ cleaves the N-terminal Leader in a manner that depends on the four-amino acid linker immediately following a conserved IG helix breaker motif. However, the attributes of AgrD that dictate the sequence of events in peptide maturation are not fully defined. Here, we used engineered AgrD peptide intermediates to ascertain the sufficiency of MroQ for N-terminal peptide cleavage, peptide export, and generation of mature AIP. We found that MroQ promotes the removal of the N-terminal Leader peptide from both linear and cyclic peptide intermediates, while peptide cyclization remained essential for signaling. The expression of the Leader peptide in isolation was sufficient for MroQ-dependent cleavage proximal to the four-amino-acid linker. In addition, active site mutations within AgrB destabilized full-length AgrD and thiolactone-containing intermediates and prevented the release of the Leader peptide. Altogether, our data support a tandem peptide maturation event involving both MroQ and AgrB that appears to couple protease activity and export of bioactive AIP.

IMPORTANCE

The
a
ccessory
g
ene
r
egulatory (Agr) system is important for
S. aureus
pathogenesis. Activation of the Agr system requires recognition of a cyclic peptide pheromone, which must be fully matured to exert its biological activity. The complete events in cyclic peptide maturation and export from the bacterial cell remain to be fully defined. We and others recently discovered that the membrane peptidase MroQ is required for pheromone maturation. This study builds off the identification of MroQ and considers the attributes of the pheromone pro-peptide that are required for MroQ-mediated processing as well as uncovers features important for peptide stability and export. Overall, the findings in this study have implications for understanding bacterial pheromone maturation and virulence.
Obstructive Uropathy: a retained urethral catheter within an ileal conduit
Authors: Azhar M Fowz , Kaba Rahim Liaquat , Pearce Ian , Grey Ben R
Published: August 2024

Following an ileal conduit (IC) urinary diversion for intractable urinary incontinence, a woman in her 50s presented with deteriorating renal function during a routine follow-up. This decline prompted further investigation with an ultrasound scan (USS), which demonstrated bilateral hydroureteronephrosis and an atrophic left kidney. Although the mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG-3) renogram was inconclusive in revealing urinary obstruction, a subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan uncovered a calcified tube-like structure within the IC and hydroureteronephrosis extending to this level.To address the obstructive uropathy, a right nephrostomy was inserted, which resulted in improved renal function. A looposcopy was then performed, revealing an encrusted urethral catheter within the IC. Using techniques adapted from percutaneous nephrolithotomy, we were able to endoscopically fragment the encrustation on the catheter and remove it intact through the IC.
Recurrent subcutaneous abscesses and pneumonia in a toddler with a novel pathogenic variation in IL-17RA gene
Authors: Ghosh Dipyaman , Singh Pallavi , Reddy Aravind , Patra Pratap
Published: August 2024

A toddler presented with recurrent subcutaneous abscesses, otitis media and pneumonia, requiring frequent hospitalisations and intravenous antimicrobials. He also had oral thrush and difficulty in gaining weight; hence, an underlying inborn error of immunity (IEI) was strongly suspected. The complete haemogram showed leucocytosis with neutrophilic predominance. Both erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein were elevated.Klebsiella pneumoniaewas isolated from blood culture. The dihydrorhodamine-123 assay was negative, and the immunoglobulin profile showed an increased IgG level. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous pathogenic variation in theIL-17RAgene (c.2563G>A, p. Asp855Asn). He showed remarkable improvement following intravenous colistin and fluconazole with complete resolution of abscesses. Thus, it is prudent to consider the possibility of IL-17RA deficiency in children with a history of recurrent abscesses, skin ulcerations and pneumonia after excluding the common groups of IEI.
Exploring the ergogenic potential of carbohydrate–caffeine combined mouth rinse on exercise and cognitive performance: a systematic review
Authors: Poon Eric Tsz-Chun , Tsang Jaclyn Hei , Sun Fenghua , Ali Ajmol , Rollo Ian , Wong Stephen Heung-Sang
Published: August 2024

Carbohydrate (CHO) and caffeine (CAF) mouth rinsing have been independently reported to benefit sport performance. The proposed mechanisms by which mouth rinsing CHO exerts an influence are reported to be different from those for mouth rinsing CAF. However, the potential ergogenic effects of combining CHO and CAF in a single mouth rinse solution, are unclear. This study aimed to review the available evidence of CHO–CAF combined mouth rinse on exercise and cognitive performance in human participants. A systematic literature search was conducted using five databases until April 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Among the nine randomized crossover studies included, only one study showed significant improvements in lower-body muscular endurance with CHO–CAF mouth rinse (effect size (ES): 0.48; p < 0.05), while two studies reported non-statistically significant improvements in repeated sprint performance compared to other mouth rinse and placebo conditions (ES: 0.20–0.81; p = 0.07–0.18). However, for other performance measures, including repeated jumps, upper-body strength and endurance, endurance cycling, and intermittent recovery run, most evidence (five studies) did not demonstrate significant ergogenic effects. Notably, of the two studies that examined cognitive performance, both reported significant improvements with CHO–CAF mouth rinse compared with the placebo condition (ES: 0.45–3.45; p < 0.05). Overall, a synergistic influence of CHO–CAF mouth rinse on physical exercise performance is not evident, but preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits on cognitive performance. Future studies are required to address various methodological issues identified in this review, while practitioners and athletes should exercise caution when considering this novel nutritional strategy.
Soil microbiomes from the groundnut basin of Senegal contain plant growth-promoting bacteria with potential for crop improvement in arid soils
Authors: Bakhoum Niokhor , Humm Ethan , Khan Noor , Hirsch Ann M.
Published: August 2024

The principal methods to maintain soil fertility in Sahel soils are largely allowing fields to go fallow and manure addition. These methods are not currently sufficient to improve soil fertility. To promote biological amendments, we aimed to understand the plant-growth promoting traits of various soil microbial isolates. The soils collected in different areas in Senegal exhibited a similar eDNA profile of bacteria; the dominant microbes were Firmicutes, followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Of 17 isolates identified and tested, the vast majority solubilized rock phosphate and a large number grew on culture medium containing 6% salt, but very few degraded starches or hydrolysed carboxymethyl cellulose or produced siderophores. Upon single inoculation, Peribacillus asahii RC16 and Dietzia cinnamea 55 significantly increased pearl millet growth and yield parameters. For cowpea, plant shoot length was significantly increased by Pseudarthrobacter phenanthrenivorans MKAG7 co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium elkanii 20TpCR5, and nearly all rhizobacteria tested significantly improved cowpea dry weight and pod weight. Additionally, the double inoculation of Dietzia cinnamea 55 and MKAG7 significantly increased shoot length, dry weight, and seed head weight of pearl millet. These isolates are promising inoculants because they are ecologically-friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and have fewer negative effects on the soil and its inhabitants.
Submanifolds with constant scalar curvature in space forms
Authors: Gu Juanru , Lu Yao
Published: August 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be an [Formula: see text]-dimensional oriented compact submanifold with constant normalized scalar curvature [Formula: see text] in the space form [Formula: see text]. Denote by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the mean curvature and the Ricci curvature of [Formula: see text] respectively. By applying Cheng-Yau’s self-adjoint operator, we first prove that if [Formula: see text] is a hypersurface in a unit sphere, and [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is totally umbilical. Furthermore, we investigate the submanifolds in [Formula: see text] with flat normal bundle satisfying [Formula: see text], and obtain a complete classification theorem.
Smooth representations of the extended Schrödinger–Virasoro algebra
Authors: Ni Zhenyuan , Gao Yun , Sun Jiancai
Published: August 2024

The Schrödinger–Virasoro algebra was originally introduced during the process of investigating the free Schrödinger equations. In order to investigate vertex representations of the Schrödinger–Virasoro algebra, Unterberger introduced a new infinite-dimensional Lie algebra [Formula: see text] called the extended Schrödinger–Virasoro algebra in the context of two-dimensional conformal field theory and statistical physics. In this paper, we study simple smooth modules over [Formula: see text], which can be viewed as an extension of the Schrödinger–Virasoro algebra by a conformal current with conformal weight 1. More specifically, these modules are determined by simple modules over finite-dimensional solvable Lie algebras. Moreover, we present several equivalent descriptions for simple smooth modules over [Formula: see text].
Dark halos and Tully–Fisher relation testing modified gravity
Authors: Amekhyan A. , Sargsyan S.
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we involve the galactic halo observational data to test the weak field General Relativity involving the cosmological constant. By using the data for 15 hydrogen (Hi) VLA super spirals and the Tully–Fisher relation, we obtain constraints for each galaxy. The results are consistent with previous results for spiral galaxies, as well as with the scaling relations for the halos, thus confirming the efficiency of the use of dark halo data and Tully–Fisher relation, including the baryonic Tully–Fisher index (BTFR), for testing modified gravity models.
Defining ideals of Cohen–Macaulay fiber cones
Authors: Abdolmaleki Reza , Kumashiro Shinya
Published: August 2024

Let A be a commutative Noetherian local ring with maximal ideal [Formula: see text], and let I be an ideal. The fiber cone is then an image of the polynomial ring over the residue field [Formula: see text]. The kernel of this map is called the defining ideal, and it is natural to ask how to compute it. In this paper, we provide a construction for the defining ideals of Cohen–Macaulay fiber cones.
Relative injective modules, superstability and noetherian categories
Authors: Mazari-Armida Marcos , Rosický Jiří
Published: August 2024

We study classes of modules closed under direct sums, [Formula: see text]-submodules and [Formula: see text]-epimorphic images where [Formula: see text] is either the class of embeddings, RD-embeddings or pure embeddings.

We show that the [Formula: see text]-injective modules of theses classes satisfy a Baer-like criterion. In particular, injective modules, RD-injective modules, pure injective modules, flat cotorsion modules and [Formula: see text]-torsion pure injective modules satisfy this criterion. The argument presented is a model theoretic one. We use in an essential way stable independence relations which generalize Shelah’s non-forking to abstract elementary classes.

We show that the classical model theoretic notion of superstability is equivalent to the algebraic notion of a noetherian category for these classes. We use this equivalence to characterize noetherian rings, pure semisimple rings, perfect rings and finite products of finite rings and artinian valuation rings via superstability.
Numerical and Analytical Transport of Brownian Particles in Corrugated Deformable Channels: Current Fluctuations and Rectification Efficiency
Authors: Tsagni N. A. Donfack , Mbemmo A. M. Fopossi , Kenmoé G. Djuidjé
Published: August 2024

In this work, we study the rectification and optimization of the transport of Brownian particles in deformable channels, both numerically and analytically. It should be noted that particle transport via channels encompasses a wide range of phenomena, such as osmosis and the passage of ions through ionic channels, particle separation, modeling the movement of dilute mixtures of microscopic particles, and so on. Throughout all of this, the volume of the point particles moving through the channel is determined by the geometry of the latter. To ensure the confinement of particles during their displacement in a deformable channel, we applied the reflection condition. The Remoissenet–Peyrad deformable potential generates a novel appealing and simple deformable channel with a shape parameter r. As such, we may change the geometry of the potential well and the potential barrier, which can be thin or wide, as well as the depth, height, and opening of the channels entrance. Characteristics that affect the systems efficiency. In the absence of an external force, the particles move due to thermal agitation and eventually achieve a condition of equilibrium where they are virtually uniformly distributed in the channels cells. They move faster or less swiftly in the presence of external forces, depending on the strength and direction of the force, as well as their mass and thermal agitation. Moreover, it appears to have a symmetry related to the shape of the channel for nonlinear mobility, effective diffusion coefficient, and efficiency of rectification.
Volatility Information in High-Frequency Financial Interval-Valued Time Series: A Direct Modeling Pattern
Authors: Hu Xu , Yu Jianwen , Xu Qin , Tao Zhifu
Published: August 2024

The aim of this paper is to develop a forecasting method with global interval input and output for interval-valued financial time series by combining the VAR[Formula: see text] process, the volatility information and neural network, namely VAR-NN. To reflect the volatility information, four types of interval-valued data volatility information from both the relative and absolute perspectives are constructed. Furthermore, the neural network is combined to produce the parameters. The developed forecasting model is finally applied to the highest and lowest hourly prices of the Shanghai Composite Index prediction. Numerical study shows the feasibility and validity of the developed improved VAR model.
Rolling with random slipping and twisting: A large deviation point of view
Authors: Huang Qiao , Wei Wei , Duan Jinqiao
Published: August 2024

We study a rolling model from the perspective of probability. More precisely, we consider a Riemannian manifold rolling against Euclidean space, where the rolling is coupled with random slipping and twisting. The system is modeled by a stochastic differential equation of Stratonovich-type driven by semimartingales on the orthonormal frame bundle. The stability of the system is examined via large deviations. We prove the large deviation principles for the projection curves on the base manifold and their horizontal lifts, respectively, provided that the large deviation holds for the random Euclidean curves as semimartingales. The large deviation results for the case of compact manifolds and two special cases of non-compact manifolds are established.
Verifiable quantum secret sharing scheme using Bell states for a class of special access structures
Authors: Bai Chen-Ming , Zhang Sujuan , Liu Lu
Published: August 2024

Quantum secret sharing (QSS) is a fundamental primitive in quantum cryptography. The existing QSS protocols are either [Formula: see text]-threshold or [Formula: see text]-threshold access structure, where [Formula: see text] denotes the number of players and [Formula: see text] denotes the threshold number of players. Here, we introduce a novel verifiable QSS scheme that executes a restricted hyperstar access structure by using entangled states. Our method involves encoding selected quantum states and their corresponding measurements to yield outcomes of either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we give the validation of the scheme through the system of equations derived from the measurements, which then guarantees the honesty of the participants. At last, we also analyze the security of our scheme in two primary quantum attacks, such as external attacks and internal attacks.