bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Threshold of motion of coral reef sediment under currents in flume experiments
Authors: Bian Cheng , Chen Jie , Jiang Changbo , Wu Zhiyuan , Yao Zhen
Published: January 2023

This study experimentally documented the thresholds of critical motion for tropical shallow marine carbonate sediments by conducting a total of 225 laboratory experiments that included the analysis of nine median sediment diameters and five water depths. A shape factor, Sf, which quantifies the shape of a single particle, was evaluated during the investigation. Both the critical Shields parameter and the incipient mean velocity were used to represent the critical thresholds of motion. The thresholds of motion for coral reef sediment were then compared with the results from quartz sand. The experimental results show that the critical threshold of motion is smaller for coral reef sediment than for quartz sand of the same median sieve diameter due to differences in particle shape in spite of the coral reef sediment being of higher density. For diameters higher than 1.425 mm, the critical Shields parameters and incipient mean velocities tend to have similar values to quartz sand. The differences between the two increased significantly for median sieve diameters <1.075 mm. Based on the experimental data, Shields curve bands and equations for the incipient mean velocity for sediments of differing shape factors were obtained for tropical shallow marine carbonate sediments as well as marine carbonate grains.
Similar patterns of tendon regional hypertrophy after low‐load blood flow restriction and high‐load resistance training
Authors: Centner Christoph , Jerger Simon , Lauber Benedikt , Seynnes Olivier , Friedrich Till , Lolli David , Gollhofer Albert , König Daniel
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Recent evidence indicates that low‐load blood flow restriction (LL‐BFR) training elicits an anabolic response in tendinous tissue. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypertrophic pattern induced in the Achilles tendon by LL‐BFR, in comparison with the regional hypertrophy typically observed with conventional high‐load (HL) resistance training.

Methods

N = 40 male participants were randomly and concealed allocated to one of two groups: LL‐BFR training (20–35% one‐repetition maximum/1RM) or HL training (70–85% 1RM). The training was completed three times per week for a total of 14 weeks. Before and after the training period, Achilles tendon morphology was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging along the entire tendon length. Additionally, dynamic strength measures of the plantar flexors were evaluated.

Results

In line with previous findings, dynamic plantar flexion strength was improved to a comparable extent in both groups (LL‐BFR: 43.6%; HL: 43.5%). The results also confirmed significant increases in Achilles tendon cross‐sectional area with LL‐BFR (+5.2%). Moreover, they revealed that the hypertrophic pattern obtained with LL‐BFR was similar to regional changes seen with conventional HL training.

Conclusion

The present findings point towards the notion that despite the low loads being applied, LL‐BFR training induces Achilles tendon hypertrophy by potentiating anabolic responses in the same regions as with conventional high‐load training. Future studies are needed to (i) focus on the potential mechanisms underlying these tendon morphology changes and (ii) apply and evaluate LL‐BFR training in clinical populations to validate these results in rehabilitative settings.
Replacing sedentary time with physical activity and sleep: Associations with cardiometabolic health markers in adults
Authors: Farrahi Vahid , Rostami Mehrdad , Nauha Laura , Korpisaari Maija , Niemelä Maisa , Jämsä Timo , Korpelainen Raija , Oussalah Mourad
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to examine the associations of sedentary time, and substituting sedentary time with physical activity and sleep, with cardiometabolic health markers while accounting for a full 24 h of movement and non‐movement behaviors, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and other potential confounders. The participants were 4585 members of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, who wore a hip‐worn accelerometer at the age of 46 years for 14 consecutive days. Time spent in sedentary behaviors, light‐intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity (MVPA) were determined from the accelerometer and combined with self‐reported sleep duration to obtain the 24‐h time use. CRF was estimated from the peak heart rate in a submaximal step test. An isotemporal substitution paradigm was used to examine how sedentary time and substituting sedentary time with an equal amount of LPA, MVPA, or sleep were associated with adiposity markers, blood lipid levels, and fasting glucose and insulin. Sedentary time was independently and adversely associated with the markers of cardiometabolic health, even after adjustment for CRF, but not in partition models including LPA, MVPA, sleep, and CRF. Substituting 60, 45, 30, and 15 min/day of sedentary time with LPA or MVPA was associated with 0.2%–13.7% favorable differences in the cardiometabolic health markers after accounting for LPA, MVPA, sleep, CRF, and other confounders. After adjustment for movement and non‐movement behaviors within the 24‐h cycle, reallocating additional time to both LPA and MVPA was beneficially associated with markers of cardiometabolic health in middle‐aged adults regardless of their CRF level.
Sexual and gender identity work on social media
Authors: Colosi Rachela , Cowen Nick , Todd Megan
Published: January 2023

How do sexual and gender minorities use social media to express themselves and construct their identities? We discuss findings drawn from focus groups conducted with 17 sexual and gender minority social media users who shared their experiences of online harms. They include people with gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, asexual, non‐binary, pansexual, poly, and kink (LGBTQ+) identities. We find that sexual and gender minorities face several challenges online, but that social media platforms provide important spaces for them to feel understood and accepted. We use Goffman's work to explore how sexual and gender minorities engage in ‘front region’ performances online as part of their identity work. We then turn to Hochschild's concepts of ‘feeling rules’ and ‘framing rules’ to argue that presentations of self, or front region performances, must include the role of feelings and how they are socially influenced to be understood.
Pathogen‐agnostic immune biomarkers that predict infection after solid organ transplantation
Authors: Imlay Hannah , Seibert Allan M. , Hanson Kimberly E.
Published: January 2023

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) remain at high risk for infection throughout their post‐transplant course. Dosing of immunosuppressive medications, strategies that prevent infection, and choice of empiric antimicrobial treatment could be optimized by a better understanding of an individual patient's risk for infectious complications. Diagnostic tests that qualitatively or quantitatively measure the function of the immune system and/or its response to infection may be useful for individualized management decisions. Numerous studies have identified an association between infectious outcomes after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and the results of a variety of non‐pathogen‐specific or “pathogen‐agnostic” immune monitoring tests. These biomarkers include humoral immune markers, functional or quantitative assessments of cellular immunity, transcriptomic‐based diagnostics, and replication of viruses within the human virome, which have been used to predict or diagnose a variety of different infectious diseases complicating SOT. In this narrative review, we discuss several host‐derived immune biomarkers that show promise for either predicting or diagnosing infection among SOTRs. However, additional studies are needed to determine the optimal use of immune response testing. Whether immune biomarkers contribute added benefits to current standard clinical care has not yet been determined. Testing must be validated across a range of clinical scenarios, including surveillance to predict infection risk and diagnosis of active infection at various time points post transplant.

image
RAV1 family members function as transcriptional regulators and play a positive role in plant disease resistance
Authors: Chandan Ravindra Kumar , Kumar Rahul , Swain Durga Madhab , Ghosh Srayan , Bhagat Prakash Kumar , Patel Sunita , Bagler Ganesh , Sinha Alok Krishna , Jha Gopaljee
Published: January 2023

Phytopathogens pose a severe threat to agriculture and strengthening the plant defense response is an important strategy for disease control. Here, we report that AtRAV1, an AP2 and B3 domain‐containing transcription factor, is required for basal plant defense in Arabidopsis thaliana. The atrav1 mutant lines demonstrate hyper‐susceptibility against fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani and Botrytis cinerea), whereas AtRAV1 overexpressing lines exhibit disease resistance against them. Enhanced expression of various defense genes and activation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (AtMPK3 and AtMPK6) are observed in the R. solani infected overexpressing lines, but not in the atrav1 mutant plants. An in vitro phosphorylation assay suggests AtRAV1 to be a novel phosphorylation target of AtMPK3. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and yeast two‐hybrid assays support physical interactions between AtRAV1 and AtMPK3. Overexpression of the native as well as phospho‐mimic but not the phospho‐defective variant of AtRAV1 imparts disease resistance in the atrav1 mutant A. thaliana lines. On the other hand, overexpression of AtRAV1 fails to impart disease resistance in the atmpk3 mutant. These analyses emphasize that AtMPK3‐mediated phosphorylation of AtRAV1 is important for the elaboration of the defense response in A. thaliana. Considering that RAV1 homologs are conserved in diverse plant species, we propose that they can be gainfully deployed to impart disease resistance in agriculturally important crop plants. Indeed, overexpression of SlRAV1 (a member of the RAV1 family) imparts disease tolerance against not only fungal (R. solani and B. cinerea), but also against bacterial (Ralstonia solanacearum) pathogens in tomato, whereas silencing of the gene enhances disease susceptibility.
Transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II in plants: factors, regulation and impact on gene expression
Authors: Obermeyer Simon , Kapoor Henna , Markusch Hanna , Grasser Klaus D.
Published: January 2023

Transcriptional elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) through chromatin is a dynamic and highly regulated step of eukaryotic gene expression. A combination of transcript elongation factors (TEFs) including modulators of RNAPII activity and histone chaperones facilitate efficient transcription on nucleosomal templates. Biochemical and genetic analyses, primarily performed in Arabidopsis, provided insight into the contribution of TEFs to establish gene expression patterns during plant growth and development. In addition to summarising the role of TEFs in plant gene expression, we emphasise in our review recent advances in the field. Thus, mechanisms are presented how aberrant intragenic transcript initiation is suppressed by repressing transcriptional start sites within coding sequences. We also discuss how transcriptional interference of ongoing transcription with neighbouring genes is prevented. Moreover, it appears that plants make no use of promoter‐proximal RNAPII pausing in the way mammals do, but there are nucleosome‐defined mechanism(s) that determine the efficiency of mRNA synthesis by RNAPII. Accordingly, a still growing number of processes related to plant growth, development and responses to changing environmental conditions prove to be regulated at the level of transcriptional elongation.
Arabidopsis SMO2 modulates ribosome biogenesis by maintaining the RID2 abundance during organ growth
Authors: Guo Zhengfei , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Yan , Xing Aiming , Wu Chengyun , Li Daojun , Wang Chunfei , de Bures Anne , Zhang Yonghong , Guo Siyi , Sáez‐Vasquez Julio , Shen Zhenguo , Hu Zhubing
Published: January 2023

Ribosome biogenesis is a process of making ribosomes that is tightly linked with plant growth and development. Here, through a suppressor screen for the smo2 mutant, we found that lack of a ribosomal stress response mediator, ANAC082 partially restored growth defects of the smo2 mutant, indicating SMO2 is required for the repression of nucleolar stress. Consistently, the smo2 knock‐out mutant exhibited typical phenotypes characteristic of ribosome biogenesis mutants, such as pointed leaves, aberrant leaf venation, disrupted nucleolar structure, abnormal distribution of rRNA precursors, and enhanced tolerance to aminoglycoside antibiotics that target ribosomes. SMO2 interacted with ROOT INITIATION DEFECTIVE 2 (RID2), a methyltransferase‐like protein required for pre‐rRNA processing. SMO2 enhanced RID2 solubility in Escherichia coli and the loss of function of SMO2 in plant cells reduced RID2 abundance, which may result in abnormal accumulation of FIBRILLARIN 1 (FIB1) and NOP56, two key nucleolar proteins, in high‐molecular‐weight protein complex. Taken together, our results characterized a novel plant ribosome biogenesis factor, SMO2 that maintains the abundance of RID2, thereby sustaining ribosome biogenesis during plant organ growth.
Trade liberalisation and trade and capital flows: Evidence from China pilot free trade zones
Authors: Bao Te , Dai Yun , Feng Yanxiang , Liu Shuai , Wang Ruixin
Published: January 2023

China established several Pilot Free Trade Zones (PFTZs) in recent years as a major step to deepen trade liberalisation. In this paper, we investigate the impact of free trade zones (FTZs) on the economy's capital flow, imports and exports, as well as the underlying mechanisms. We consider the newly established FTZs as a natural experiment and construct a difference‐in‐difference (DID) model with the staggered establishment dates of the FTZs. Our results show that FTZs promote local foreign direct investment (FDI) and outward foreign direct investment (OFDI), but their influence on goods exports and imports remains limited.
The European Union and within‐country income inequalities. The case of the new member states
Authors: Serwach Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Although addressing income inequalities is one of the main challenges in the European Union (EU), whether the EU has influenced income distributions, possibly causing a rise in inequalities, is still a heavily underexplored topic. Using the newest methodological developments associated with the counterfactual estimations, I assessed the distributional effects of the 2004 EU enlargement. The results indicate that EU accession cannot be held responsible for any significant changes in income inequalities in the New Member States. That finding is robust to changes in the method of estimation, and it is also supported by dynamic panel data methods.
The Arinkin–Gaitsgory temperedness conjecture
Authors: Færgeman Joakim , Raskin Sam
Published: January 2023

Arinkin and Gaitsgory defined a category of tempered ‐modules on that is conjecturally equivalent to the category of quasi‐coherent (not ind‐coherent!) sheaves on . However, their definition depends on the auxiliary data of a point of the curve; they conjectured that their definition is independent of this choice. Beraldo has outlined a proof of this conjecture that depends on some technology that is not currently available. Here we provide a short, unconditional proof of the Arinkin–Gaitsgory conjecture.
Water Relief Through Safety or Relief Valves is not Just a Leak
Authors: Miranda Samuel
Published: January 2023

Two Nuclear Safety Advisory Letters (NSALs), advise operators of PWRs that they may assume, in accident analyses, that certain safety and relief valves can open, relieve water, and then reseat properly. The NSALs claim water that exits the reactor coolant system (RCS) can be made up by water that is delivered into the RCS by the emergency core coolant system (ECCS). For example, during an inadvertent operation of the ECCS (IOECCS) event, The NSALs claim, “since the cause of the water relief is the ECCS flow, the magnitude of the leak will be less than or equivalent to that of the ECCS (i.e., operation of the ECCS maintains RCS inventory during the postulated event and establishes the magnitude of the subject leak).” A comparison of ECCS flow to water relief, at relevant RCS pressures, indicates that water relief, during an IOECCS, cannot be dismissed as a leak. Critical flow calculations indicate that ECCS flow cannot replace RCS inventory that is relieved, as water, through the pressurizer relief and safety valves when RCS pressures are near nominal operating levels. At much lower pressures, the ECCS could offset the water relief. However, by then the IOECCS will have been either resolved, or will have developed into a loss of coolant accident (LOCA). The NSALs were published in 1993 and 2007. NRC did not question the NSALs’ advice until 2015, when it was found in a licensee’s application for a power uprating. The licensee might have submitted a false statement, in support of its application.
Estimation of Out-of-Plane Effective Thermal Conductivity of Wire Mesh Using 3D Unit-Cell Model Incorporating Secondary Effects
Authors: Jayachandran S. , Reddy K. S.
Published: January 2023

This study proposes a modified collocated parameter model to estimate the effective thermal conductivity (keff) of two-phase wire mesh materials. The study focused on the influence of parameters, primary as well as secondary, on the effective thermal conductivity of a wire mesh, namely, thermal conductivity ratio (α), concentration (γa), mesh number (M), and thermal contact conductance at the wire-to-wire interfacial area were all investigated in detail over a different temperature range in the normal to the wire mesh. The analytical expressions for effective thermal conductivity in the form of algebraic equations were derived by adopting the solid square cylinder unit-cell-based thermal resistance method for a three-dimensional spatially in-line touching periodic medium. The effective thermal conductivities of different wire mesh materials with solid–fluid combinations, possessing conductivity ratios of 1–10,000 and concentrations of 0–0.8, are predicted for various temperatures at constant pressure regimes using the developed model. Furthermore, the developed model was applied to estimate the effective thermal conductivities of brass and stainless-steel wire mesh, which are compared with values measured using the modified transient plane source (MTPS) instrument over the temperature range 283–460 K. For the brass and stainless-steel mesh—water, silicone oil, and air combinations, the estimated values of effective thermal conductivity obtained from the present model show an average deviation of fluids ± 2.6%, with air ± 4.4% in the z-direction, respectively, concerning the ones obtained from the experiments.
Lethal and sublethal effects of essential oils on Tetranychus neocaledonicus (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Authors: Briozo Marcus Eugênio O. , França Solange Maria de , Barbosa Douglas Rafael e Silva , Dutra Kamilla de Andrade , Navarro Daniela Maria do Amaral Ferraz , Silva Paulo Roberto Ramalho
Published: January 2023

Essential oils have shown promising results regarding their activity on mites. However, information on mite life history is scarce. This study aimed to chemically characterize essential oils from lllicium verum, Eugenia caryophyllus, and Cymbopogon flexuosus, and to evaluate the lethal and sublethal effects of these oils on the life history traits of Tetranychus neocaledonicus André 1993. Trans-anethole and eugenol were the main components of I. verum and E. caryophyllus, respectively, and in C. flexuosus, the monoterpenes geraniol and neral stood out. Essential oils from I. verum, E. caryophyllus, and C. flexuosus showed different toxicity degrees to adults of T. neocaledonicus and decreased egg viability. All oils tested were classified as repellents for T. neocaledonicus females and caused oviposition deterrence. The survival of the parental generation of T. neocaledonicus was not affected by l. verum, E. caryophyllus, and C. flexuosus oils. However, E. caryophyllus was affected in the F1 generation. There was a reduction in the total fecundity of T. neocaledonicus compared to the parental generation. Life table parameters were affected in the F1 generation. Only the average length of a generation was decreased by essential oils in the parental generation. lllicium verum, Eugenia caryophyllus, and Cymbopogon flexuosus essential oils have lethal effects on adults and eggs of T. neocaledonicus, and exposure to sublethal concentrations affects the F1 generation of T. neocaledonicus by decreasing fecundity and altering life table parameters in this generation.
On the nature of flow curve and categorization of thixotropic yield stress materials
Authors: Bhattacharyya Tulika , Jacob Alan R. , Petekidis George , Joshi Yogesh M.
Published: January 2023

Thixotropy is a phenomenon related to time dependent change in viscosity in the presence or absence of flow. The yield stress, on the other hand, represents the minimum value of stress above which steady flow can be sustained. In addition, the yield stress of a material may also change as a function of time. Both these characteristic features in a material strongly influence the steady state flow curve of the same. This study aims to understand the interrelation between thixotropy, yield stress, and their relation with the flow curve. In this regard, we study five thixotropic materials that show yield stress. The relaxation time of all the five systems shows power-law dependence on aging time with behaviors ranging from weaker than linear, linear to stronger than linear. Furthermore, the elastic modulus and yield stress have been observed to be constant for some systems while time dependent for the others. We also analyze the experimental behavior through a viscoelastic thixotropic structural kinetic model that predicts the observed experimental behavior of constant as well as time-dependent yield stress quite well. These findings indicate that a nonmonotonic steady-state flow curve in a structural kinetic formalism necessarily leads to time-dependent yield stress, while constant yield stress is predicted by a monotonic steady-state flow curve with stress plateau in the limit of low shear rates. The present work, therefore, shows that thixotropic materials may exhibit either monotonic or nonmonotonic flow curves. Consequently, thixotropic materials may show no yield stress, constant yield stress, or time-dependent yield stress.
Intraindividual Relationships Between Training Loads and Heart-Rate Variability in High-Level Female Futsal Players: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Nakamura Fábio Y. , Costa Júlio A. , Travassos Bruno , Ortuño Daniel , Pino-Ortega José
Published: January 2023

Purpose: To investigate the internal training loads of a professional Spanish female futsal team throughout 26 weeks of training including preseason and in-season weeks and verify the impact of training period and/or training load magnitudes on heart-rate variability responses. Furthermore, we aimed to assess, intraindividually, the relationship between training load and the coefficient of variation (CV) of weekly natural log of the root mean square difference of successive normal interbeat (RR) intervals (lnRMSSDCV), obtained from ∼5 measures per week, and recorded in the seated position. Methods: A within-subject design involved 12 high-level outfield female futsal players (mean [SD] age: 23.9 [3.4] y). Results: lnRMSSD was significantly lower and lnRMSSDCV was significantly higher during the preseason (weeks 1–6) compared to in-season (weeks 7–26) (P < .001). Individually, players presented moderate to large negative correlations between lnRMSSDCV and lnRMSSD during the 26 weeks of observation. Correlations ranged between rplayer4 = −.41 (95% CI, −.69 to −.02) and rplayer12 = −.55 (−.78 to −.18). Players also presented moderate to very large positive correlations between lnRMSSDCV and session rating of perceived exertion. Correlations ranged between rplayer7 = .41 (.04 to .71) and rplayer1 = .71 (.45 to .86). Conclusion: Professional female futsal players in this study presented increased lnRMSSD and reduced lnRMSSDCV during 20 weeks into the competitive season compared to 6 weeks of preseason. Furthermore, lnRMSSDCV was negatively associated with lnRMSSD on an intraindividual basis. Finally, higher internal training loads were positively correlated with lnRMSSDCV, indicating that heart-rate variability is responsive to weekly training loads.
Use of Accelerometers to Track Changes in Stepping Behavior With the Introduction of the 2020 COVID Pandemic Restrictions: A Case Study
Authors: McGuire Tiereny , Devin Kirstie , Patricks Victoria , Griffiths Benjamin , Speirs Craig , Granat Malcolm
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The COVID-19 lockdown introduced restrictions to free-living activities. Changes to these activities can be accurately quantified using combined measurement. Using activPAL3 and self-reports to collect activity data, the study aimed to quantify changes that occurred in physical activity and sedentary behavior between prelockdown and lockdown. The study also sought to determine changes in indoor and outdoor stepping. Methods: Using activPAL3, four participants recorded physical activity data prelockdown and during lockdown restrictions (February–June 2020). Single events (sitting, standing, stepping, lying) were recorded and analyzed by the CREA algorithm using an event-based approach. The analysis focused on step count, sedentary time, and lying (in bed) time; median and interquartile range were calculated. Daily steps classified as taking place indoors and outdoors were calculated separately. Results: 33 prelockdown and 92 in-lockdown days of valid data were captured. Median daily step count across all participants reduced by 14.8% (from 5,828 prelockdown to 4,963 in-lockdown), while sedentary and lying time increased by 4% and 8%, respectively (sedentary: 9.98–10.30 hr; lying: 9.33–10.05 hr). Individual variations were observed in hours spent sedentary (001: 8.44–8.66, 002: 7.41–8.66, 003: 11.97–10.59, 004: 6.29–7.94, and lying (001: 9.69–9.49, 002: 11.46–11.66, 003: 7.63–9.34, 004: 9.7–11.12) pre- and in-lockdown. Discrepancies in self-report versus algorithm classification of indoor/outdoor stepping were observed for three participants. Conclusion: The study quantitively showed lockdown restrictions negatively impacted physical activity and sedentary behavior; two variables closely linked to health outcomes. This has important implications for public health policies to help develop targeted interventions and mandates that encourage additional physical activity and lower sedentary behavior.
The Perspectives of Preservice Kinesiology Students Concerning Autism and Physical Activity: Differences by Adapted Physical Activity Exposure
Authors: Hauck Janet , Felzer-Kim Isabella
Published: January 2023

Background: This study investigated the effect of an adapted physical activity (APA) course on knowledge and perceptions of preservice trainees regarding physical activity (PA) and autism spectrum disorder in 3 areas: knowledge/perspectives, importance and ease of improving developmental domains, and importance and ease of improving motor skills. Methods: Four hundred upper-level undergraduate students were recruited to participate in this survey-based study (251 APA students and 149 non-APA students participated). Survey data were analyzed using multivariate analyses of variance. Results: Participants estimated that the moderate to vigorous PA recommendations are 39.34 minutes per day, that 46.65% of moderate to vigorous PA occurs during school, and that 61.03% of children have motor difficulties. Participants perceived activities of daily living, sleep habits, and heart health as the easiest domains to improve, and problem behaviors, social skills, and self-esteem as the most difficult domains to improve. Knowledge/perspectives regarding autism spectrum disorder and PA were different by APA exposure (F12,324 = 3.11, P < .001). Differences included self-efficacy in providing PA advice, knowledge of PA guidelines, and willingness to provide motor assessment referrals. Students differed by APA exposure in the importance of developmental domains (F8,381 = 4.37, P < .001) but not ease of improving those domains. Conclusion: Results suggest that APA education and contact with children with disabilities improves self-efficacy, perspectives, and knowledge of PA and motor concerns in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Metabolic fluorine labeling and hotspot imaging of dynamic gut microbiota in mice
Authors: Chen Dongxia , Guo Junnan , Li Ao , Sun Chengjie , Lin Huibin , Lin Hongyu , Yang Chaoyong , Wang Wei , Gao Jinhao
Published: January 2023

Real-time localization and microbial activity information of indigenous gut microbiota over an extended period of time remains a challenge with existing visualizing methods. Here, we report a metabolic fluorine labeling (MEFLA)–based strategy for monitoring the dynamic gut microbiota via
19
F magnetic resonance imaging (
19
F MRI). In situ labeling of different microbiota subgroups is achieved by using a panel of peptidoglycan-targeting MEFLA probes containing
19
F atoms of different chemical shifts, and subsequent real-time in vivo imaging is accomplished by multiplexed hotspot
19
F MRI with high sensitivity and unlimited penetration. Using this method, we realize extended visualization (>24 hours) of native gut microbes located at different intestinal sections and semiquantitative analysis of their metabolic dynamics modulated by various conditions, such as the host death and different β-lactam antibiotics. Our strategy holds great potential for noninvasive and real-time assessing of the metabolic activities and locations of the highly dynamic gut microbiota.
An artificial sodium-selective subnanochannel
Authors: Lu Jun , Jiang Gengping , Zhang Huacheng , Qian Binbin , Zhu Haijin , Gu Qinfen , Yan Yuan , Liu Jefferson Zhe , Freeman Benny D. , Jiang Lei , Wang Huanting
Published: January 2023

Single-ion selectivity with high precision has long been pursued for fundamental bioinspired engineering and applications such as in ion separation and energy conversion. However, it remains a challenge to develop artificial ion channels to achieve single-ion selectivity comparable to their biological analogs, especially for high Na
+
/K
+
selectivity. Here, we report an artificial sodium channel by subnanoconfinement of 4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 ethers (15C5s) into ~6-Å-sized metal-organic framework subnanochannel (MOFSNC). The resulting 15C5-MOFSNC shows an unprecedented Na
+
/K
+
selectivity of tens to 10
2
and Na
+
/Li
+
selectivity of 10
3
under multicomponent permeation conditions, comparable to biological sodium channels. A co–ion-responsive single-file transport mechanism in 15C-MOFSNC is proposed for the preferential transport of Na
+
over K
+
due to the synergetic effects of size exclusion, charge selectivity, local hydrophobicity, and preferential binding with functional groups. This study provides an alternative strategy for developing potential single-ion selective channels and membranes for many applications.
Conserved meiotic mechanisms in the cnidarian
Clytia hemisphaerica
revealed by
Spo11
knockout
Authors: Munro Catriona , Cadis Hugo , Pagnotta Sophie , Houliston Evelyn , Huynh Jean-René
Published: January 2023

During meiosis, DNA recombination allows the shuffling of genetic information between the maternal and paternal chromosomes. Recombination is initiated by double-strand breaks (DSBs) catalyzed by the conserved enzyme Spo11. How this crucial event is connected to other meiotic processes is unexpectedly variable depending on the species. Here, we knocked down
Spo11
by CRISPR in the jellyfish
Clytia hemisphaerica
. Germ cells in
Clytia Spo11
mutants fail to assemble synaptonemal complexes and chiasmata, and in consequence, homologous chromosome pairs in females remain unassociated during oocyte growth and meiotic divisions, creating aneuploid but fertilizable eggs that develop into viable larvae.
Clytia
thus shares an ancient eukaryotic dependence of synapsis and chromosome segregation on Spo11-generated DSBs. Phylogenetically,
Clytia
belongs to Cnidaria, the sister clade to Bilateria where classical animal model species are found, so these results provide fresh evolutionary perspectives on meiosis regulation.
Observation of nonvanishing optical helicity in thermal radiation from symmetry-broken metasurfaces
Authors: Wang Xueji , Sentz Tyler , Bharadwaj Sathwik , Ray Subir Kumar , Wang Yifan , Jiao Dan , Qi Limei , Jacob Zubin
Published: January 2023

Spinning thermal radiation is a unique phenomenon observed in condensed astronomical objects, including the Wolf-Rayet star EZ-CMa and the red degenerate star G99-47, due to the existence of strong magnetic fields. Here, by designing symmetry-broken metasurfaces, we demonstrate that spinning thermal radiation with a nonvanishing optical helicity can be realized even without applying a magnetic field. We design nonvanishing optical helicity by engineering a dispersionless band that emits omnidirectional spinning thermal radiation, where our design reaches 39% of the fundamental limit. Our results firmly suggest that metasurfaces can impart spin coherence in the incoherent radiation excited by thermal fluctuations. The symmetry-based design strategy also provides a general pathway for controlling thermal radiation in its temporal and spin coherence.
Exon architecture controls mRNA m
6
A suppression and gene expression
Authors: He P. Cody , Wei Jiangbo , Dou Xiaoyang , Harada Bryan T. , Zhang Zijie , Ge Ruiqi , Liu Chang , Zhang Li-Sheng , Yu Xianbin , Wang Shuai , Lyu Ruitu , Zou Zhongyu , Chen Mengjie , He Chuan
Published: January 2023

N
6
-methyladenosine (m
6
A) is the most abundant messenger RNA (mRNA) modification and plays crucial roles in diverse physiological processes. Using a massively parallel assay for m
6
A (MPm
6
A), we discover that m
6
A specificity is globally regulated by suppressors that prevent m
6
A deposition in unmethylated transcriptome regions. We identify exon junction complexes (EJCs) as m
6
A suppressors that protect exon junction–proximal RNA within coding sequences from methylation and regulate mRNA stability through m
6
A suppression. EJC suppression of m
6
A underlies multiple global characteristics of mRNA m
6
A specificity, with the local range of EJC protection sufficient to suppress m
6
A deposition in average-length internal exons but not in long internal and terminal exons. EJC-suppressed methylation sites colocalize with EJC-suppressed splice sites, which suggests that exon architecture broadly determines local mRNA accessibility to regulatory complexes.
T-independent responses to polysaccharides in humans mobilize marginal zone B cells prediversified against gut bacterial antigens
Authors: Weller Sandra , Sterlin Delphine , Fadeev Tatiana , Coignard Eva , Verge de los Aires Alba , Goetz Clara , Fritzen Rémi , Bahuaud Mathilde , Batteux Frederic , Gorochov Guy , Weill Jean-Claude , Reynaud Claude-Agnès
Published: January 2023

Marginal zone (MZ) B cells are one of the main actors of T-independent (TI) responses in mice. To identify the B cell subset(s) involved in such responses in humans, we vaccinated healthy individuals with Pneumovax, a model TI vaccine. By high-throughput repertoire sequencing of plasma cells (PCs) isolated 7 days after vaccination and of different B cell subpopulations before and after vaccination, we show that the PC response mobilizes large clones systematically, including an immunoglobulin M component, whose diversification and amplification predated the pneumococcal vaccination. These clones could be mainly traced back to MZ B cells, together with clonally related IgA
+
and, to a lesser extent, IgG
+
CD27
+
B cells. Recombinant monoclonal antibodies isolated from large PC clones recognized a wide array of bacterial species from the gut flora, indicating that TI responses in humans largely mobilize MZ and switched B cells that most likely prediversified during mucosal immune responses against bacterial antigens and acquired pneumococcal cross-reactivity through somatic hypermutation.
Supplemental Material: Natural processes leading to large, pre-historic hydrothermal eruptions in geothermal areas: Rotokawa geothermal field, New Zealand
Authors: Montanaro Cristian , et al.
Published: January 2023

Supplemental material include grains size statistics and componentry data, together with figures showing (1) field appearance of the Oruanui Formation ignimbrite (2) structural setting of southern Rotokawa geothermal field and surrounding areas, and (3) geological setting of the shallow Rotokawa geothermal field.
Perforation in interstitial keratitis associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: medical and surgical management
Authors: Quigley Clare , Butler Triona , Murphy Conor , Power William
Published: January 2023

We present a case of bilateral interstitial keratitis leading to perforation in a woman with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). A woman in her mid-20s with a history of HS and Grave’s disease was referred to the corneal service with loss of vision and pain in both eyes since childhood. She was found to have circumferential thinning and steepening affecting her peripheral cornea bilaterally. Corrected distance visual acuity with spectacles was in the right eye 6/7.5, and in the left 6/30, with local thinnest area of 209 and 217 µm in the right and left eyes, respectively. She experienced recurring episodes of redness and irritation, and perforation occurred. The corneal perforation was managed with cyanoacrylate glueing, followed by a local conjunctival flap. Systemic immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil and adalimumab was commenced, with improvement after 18 months of treatment. Dermatologists and ophthalmologists should be aware of this association given its potential severity.
Orbital and periocular complications in patients with sinonasal tumours with orbital invasion
Authors: Zhao Jiawei , Jiang Xinyang , Hanna Ehab , Su Shirley Y , Moreno Amy , Gunn Brandon , Frank Steven Jay , Ferrarotto Renata , Ning Jing , Esmaeli Bita
Published: January 2023

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and associated risk factors of orbital/periocular complications in patients with sinonasal tumour with orbital invasion managed with eye-sparing treatments.

Methods

A retrospective case series of patients with primary sinonasal tumour with orbital invasion from January 2008 to December 2018. Patient factors were compared between the following groups: (1)patients with orbital/periocular complications versus those who did not and (2) patients who needed secondary oculoplastic surgical procedures versus those who did not.

Results

Out of 80 patients, 48 had eye-sparing surgery, 8 had orbital exenteration and 24 were managed non-surgically. The most common histology was squamous cell carcinoma (n=28, 35%). Among the eye-sparing treatment group, 51/72 patients experienced one or more orbital/periocular complication(s), with motility deficit (N=26, 36%) being the most frequent. Factors associated with higher risk of complications included tumour involving the orbital floor (p=0.019), clinical disease stage III/IV (p=0.038), maxillectomy (p=0.004), resection of the orbital floor (p=0.027) and cigarette smoking (p=0.041). Tumour involving the orbital floor had an OR of 3.9 (95% CI 1.3 to 11.6, p=0.016) in predicting orbital/periocular complication. In the eye-sparing surgery group, the most frequent secondary oculoplastic procedures was dacryocystorhinostomy (n=6, 13%). The use of a free flap in reconstruction had an OR of 8.2 (95% CI 2.1 to 31.8, p=0.002) in predicting need for secondary oculoplastic surgery.

Conclusion

Majority of patients with sinonasal tumours and secondary orbital invasion were managed with eye-sparing multidisciplinary treatments. Preservation of the eye can lead to reasonably good functional outcome despite expected orbital and periocular complications.
Invasive validation of the Antares algorithm for determining central blood pressure based on upper arm oscillometric pulse waves in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Stäuber Alexander , Piper Cornelia , Köster Marco , Dörr Marcus , Richter Stefan , Ohlow Marc-Alexander , Eckert Siegfried , Baulmann Johannes
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Antares is a pulse wave analysis (PWA) algorithm designed to allow a non-invasive estimation of central (aortic) blood pressure (cBP) using automated oscillometric blood pressure (BP) devices. Diabetes may affect elastic and muscular arteries differently, resulting in disparate pulse wave characteristics in central and peripheral arteries, which may limit the accuracy of PWA devices. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of Antares for estimating cBP as compared with invasively measured cBP in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

In this study, consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary angiography were recruited between November 2017 and September 2020. In 119 patients with type 2 diabetes, cBP was measured invasively and simultaneously determined non-invasively using the custo screen 400 device with the integrated Antares algorithm.

Results

The mean difference between the estimated and invasively measured cBP was 1.2±6.3 mmHg for central systolic BP (cSBP), 1.0±4.3 mmHg for central mean arterial pressure (cMAP) and 3.6±5.7 mmHg for central diastolic BP (cDBP). High correlations were found between estimated cBP and invasively measured cBP (cSBP: r=0.916; cMAP: r=0.882; cDBP: r=0.791; all p<0.001).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that the Antares algorithm incorporated into the custo screen 400 device can estimate cBP with high accuracy turning a conventional oscillometric BP device into a type II device for the non-invasive estimation of cBP, which is applicable in patients with type 2 diabetes. Integration of Antares into commercially available BP devices could facilitate the introduction of cBP into routine clinical practice as a part of disease and risk management.
Evidence-based practice utilisation and its associated factors among nurses working at public hospitals in West Shoa zone, central Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Megersa Yohanis , Dechasa Abebe , Shibru Abera , Mideksa Lema , Tura Meseret Robi
Published: January 2023

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the utilisation of evidence-based practice (EBP) and its associated factors among nurses working in public hospitals of West Shoa zone, Oromia, central Ethiopia, in 2021.

Design

Institution-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

Government hospitals including four primary hospitals, three general hospitals and a referral hospital. The study was conducted between 10 August and 30 August 2021.

Participants

418 randomly selected nurses working in public hospitals of West Shoa. Data were collected via a structured, self-administered questionnaire, entered into EpiData V.3.1 and exported to SPSS V.26 for analysis.

Outcome measure

Utilisation of EBP (good/poor).

Results

52.4% (95% CI 47.6% to 57.3%) of nurses had good EBP utilisation. Level of hospital (adjusted OR (AOR) 0.456 (95% CI 0.253 to 0.821)), administrative position (AOR 2.7 (1.09 to 6.69)), level of education (AOR 0.353 (0.181 to 0.686)), knowledge about EBP (AOR 1.785, (1.13 to 2.82)), availability of time (AOR 0.523 (0.28 to 0.96)), and cooperative and supportive colleagues (AOR 0.429 (0.235 to 0.783)) were associated with good utilisation of evidence-based nursing practice.

Conclusion

The utilisation of EBP among nurses is low. Level of education, knowledge about EBP, sufficient time at the workplace, and cooperative and supportive colleagues were among the factors associated with good EBP utilisation. The healthcare system in general, hospital management specifically, needs to design strategies to improve evidence-based nursing practice in the area.
Construct validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Paediatric measures in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus: cross-sectional evaluation
Authors: Weitzman Elissa R , Gaultney Amy , von Scheven Emily , Ringold Sarah , Mann Courtney M , Magane Kara M , Lin Li , Leverty Renee , Dennos Anne , Hernandez Alexy , Lippmann Steven J , Dedeoglu Fatma , Marin Alexandra C , Cox Rachele , Reeve Bryce B , Schanberg Laura E
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Evaluate construct validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Paediatric measures of symptoms and functioning against measures of disease activity among youth with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Design

Cross-sectional associations among PROMIS measures and clinical metrics of disease activity were estimated.

Setting

Seven clinical sites of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Alliance (CARRA) in the USA.

Participants

Youth aged 8–17 years enrolled in the CARRA Registry.

Intervention

PROMIS measures were collected and associations with clinical measures of disease activity estimated, by condition, in bivariate and multivariable analyses with adjustment for sociodemographics, insurance status, medications and disease duration.

Main outcome measures

PROMIS Paediatric measures of mobility, physical activity, fatigue, pain interference, family relationships, peer relationships, depressive symptoms, psychological stress, anxiety, and meaning and purpose, and clinical metrics of disease.

Results

Among 451 youth (average age 13.8 years, 71% female), most (n=393, 87%) had a JIA diagnosis and the remainder (n=58, 13%) had SLE. Among participants with JIA, those with moderate/high compared with low/inactive disease had, on average, worse mobility (multivariable regression coefficient and 95% CIs) (−7.40; −9.30 to –5.50), fatigue (3.22; 1.02 to 5.42), pain interference (4.76; 3.04 to 6.48), peer relationships (−2.58; −4.52 to –1.64), depressive symptoms (3.00; 0.96 to 5.04), anxiety (2.48; 0.40 to 4.56) and psychological stress (2.52; 0.68 to 4.36). For SLE, youth with active versus inactive disease had on average worse mobility (−5.07; −10.15 to 0.01) but PROMIS Paediatric measures did not discriminate participants with active and inactive disease in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions

Seven PROMIS Paediatric measures discriminated between active and inactive disease in youth with JIA. Results advance the usefulness of PROMIS for understanding well-being and improving interventions for youth with JIA, but larger studies are needed to determine utility in SLE cohorts.

Trial registration number

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (U19AR069522).