bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omalizumab in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid resistant to first-line therapy: a French national multicentre retrospective study of 100 patients
Authors: Chebani Réda , Lombart Florian , Chaby Guillaume , Dadban Ali , Debarbieux Sébastien , Viguier Manuelle-Anne , Ingen-Housz-Oro Saskia , Pham-Ledard Anne , Bedane Christophe R , Picard-Dahan Catherine , Berthin Clémence , Dereure Olivier , Konstantinou Maria-Polina , Castel Marion , Jouen Fabienne , Joly Pascal , Seta Vannina , Duvert-Lehembre Sophie , Le Roux Christelle , Quereux Gaëlle , Sassolas Bruno , Brenaut Emilie , Sin Carole , Richard Marie-Aleth , Bérard Frédéric , Giusti Delphine , Belmondo Thibaut , Gille Thomas , Caux Frédéric , Prost-Squarcioni Catherine , Grootenboer-Mignot Sabine , Alexandre Marina ,   the French Study Group on Autoimmune Bullous Diseases
Published: October 2023

Background

Interest in the use of omalizumab to treat bullous pemphigoid (BP) in the event of resistance or contraindication to conventional therapies is currently based on limited evidence.

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness and safety of omalizumab in BP and to identify predictive factors in response to treatment.

Methods

We conducted a French national multicentre retrospective study including patients with a confirmed diagnosis of BP treated with omalizumab after failure of one or several treatment lines. We excluded patients with clinically atypical BP, as per Vaillant’s criteria. The criteria for clinical response to omalizumab were defined according to the 2012 international consensus conference. Anti-BP180-NC16A IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on sera collected before initiating omalizumab, when available.

Results

Between 2014 and 2021, 100 patients treated in 18 expert departments were included. Median age at diagnosis was 77 years (range 20–98). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 77% of patients, and partial remission in an additional 9%. CR was maintained ‘off therapy’ in 11.7%, ‘on minimal therapy’ in 57.1%, and ‘on non-minimal therapy’ in 31.2%. Median time to CR was 3 months (range 2.2–24.5). Relapse rate was 14%, with a median follow-up time of 12 months (range 6–73). Adverse events occurred in four patients. CR was more frequently observed in patients with an increased serum baseline level of anti-BP180-NC16A IgE (75% vs. 41%; P = 0.011). Conversely, urticarial lesions, blood total IgE concentration or eosinophil count were not predictive of CR. Patients with an omalizumab dosage > 300 mg every 4 weeks showed a similar final outcome to those with a dosage ≤ 300 mg every 4 weeks, but control of disease activity [median 10 days (range 5–30) vs. 15 days (range 10–60); P < 0.001] and CR [median 2.4 months (range 2.2–8.2) vs. 3.9 months (range 2.3–24.5); P < 0.001] were achieved significantly faster.

Conclusions

We report the largest series to date of BP treated by omalizumab and confirm its effectiveness and safety in this indication. Serum baseline level of anti-BP180-NC16A IgE may predict response to treatment.
Causal effect of elevated body mass index on hidradenitis suppurativa: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Guo Linghong , Wu Shuwei , Zhang Ting , Jiang Xian
Published: October 2023

A well-known relationship between elevated BMI and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) has been observed, although the causality or directionality of this association remains unclarified owing to the retrospective nature of studies and common diagnostic delays. Through a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, the causal relationship between increased BMI and HS was demonstrated by inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median and weighted mode methods. According to the IVW method, the odds ratio for HS was 2.62 for each 1 SD increase in genetically predicted BMI levels. The robustness of this analysis was further confirmed by Cochran’s Q test, MR Egger Intercept test, MR PRESSO global test and ‘leave-one-SNP-out’ analysis.
Closed-loop stimulation in periods with less epileptiform activity drives improved epilepsy outcomes
Authors: Anderson Daria Nesterovich , Charlebois Chantel M , Smith Elliot H , Davis Tyler S , Peters Angela Y , Newman Blake J , Arain Amir M , Wilcox Karen S , Butson Christopher R , Rolston John D
Published: October 2023

In patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, electrical stimulation of the brain in response to epileptiform activity can make seizures less frequent and debilitating. This therapy, known as closed-loop responsive neurostimulation (RNS), aims to directly halt seizure activity via targeted stimulation of a burgeoning seizure. Rather than immediately stopping seizures as they start, many RNS implants produce slower, long-lasting changes in brain dynamics that better predict clinical outcomes. Here we hypothesize that stimulation during brain states with less epileptiform activity drives long-term changes that restore healthy brain networks. To test this, we quantified stimulation episodes during low- and high-risk brain states—that is, stimulation during periods with a lower or higher risk of generating epileptiform activity—in a cohort of 40 patients treated with RNS.

More frequent stimulation in tonic low-risk states and out of rhythmic high-risk states predicted seizure reduction. Additionally, stimulation events were more likely to be phase-locked to prolonged episodes of abnormal activity for intermediate and poor responders when compared to super-responders, consistent with the hypothesis that improved outcomes are driven by stimulation during low-risk states.

These results support the hypothesis that stimulation during low-risk periods might underlie the mechanisms of RNS, suggesting a relationship between temporal patterns of neuromodulation and plasticity that facilitates long-term seizure reduction.
Facial analysis technologies do not appear to increase sunscreen use
Authors: Pixley Jessica N , Zaino Mallory L , Kontzias Christina L , Tao Rachel E , Feldman Steven R
Published: October 2023

Patients’ use of sunscreen improves with knowledge that sun exposure is associated with skin cancer and photoageing. Our objective was to determine whether or not showing patients their facial characteristics using a validated artificial intelligence application would increase their use of sunscreen. In our study, self-reported sunscreen usage decreased after study completion, while usage of skincare products did not change.
Is the presence of Merkel cell polyomavirus and human papillomavirus DNA in keratinocyte cancers and precancers associated with HIV status? A case–control study
Authors: Goolamali Sacha I , Shim Tang N , Purdie Karin , Mladkova Nikol , Francis Nicholas , Harwood Catherine A , Bunker Christopher B
Published: October 2023

The epidemiology and potential pathogenic roles of human papillomavirus (HPV) and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) in keratinocyte cancers (KCs) arising in people living with HIV (PLWH) compared with HIV-negative individuals are poorly understood. These issues were investigated by a case–control study in which the presence of MCV and HPV DNA was identified by polymerase chain reaction in microdissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from PLWH and HIV-negative individuals. The samples comprised 190 cutaneous and genital KCs/precancers (actinic keratoses, n = 43; cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in situ, n = 24; basal cell carcinoma, n = 78; cSCC, n = 34; penile carcinoma in situ, n = 9; penile SCC, n = 2 from 104 individuals (PLWH, n = 51; HIV-negative, n = 53). Almost one-quarter of samples were positive for MCV: this was not significantly associated with either HIV status (P = 0.06) nor lesion type. Overall, 36% (16/44) of MCV-positive lesions were coinfected with HPV; this was also not associated with HIV status. These findings indicate that if these viruses do contribute to the pathogenesis of KCs, it is likely to be independent of HIV status.
Maintenance Risankizumab Sustains Induction Response in Patients with Crohn’s Disease in a Randomized Phase 3 Trial
Authors: Ferrante Marc , Irving Peter M , Abreu Maria T , Axler Jeffrey , Gao Xiang , Cao Qian , Fujii Toshimitsu , Rausch Astrid , Torres Joana , Neimark Ezequiel , Song Alexandra , Wallace Kori , Kligys Kristina , Berg Sofie , Liao Xiaomei , Zhou Qing , Kalabic Jasmina , Feagan Brian , Panaccione Remo
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

Durable clinical remission, endoscopic healing, and biomarker normalization are key treatment goals for Crohn’s disease. The selective anti-interleukin-23 p19 inhibitor risankizumab has demonstrated efficacy and safety in moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease. This post-hoc analysis of data from the pivotal risankizumab maintenance study assessed whether risankizumab maintenance therapy sustained the clinical and endoscopic outcomes achieved with risankizumab induction therapy.

Methods

We evaluated 462 patients who achieved a clinical response to risankizumab intravenous induction treatment and were re-randomized to receive subcutaneous risankizumab 360 mg, subcutaneous risankizumab 180 mg, or placebo [withdrawal] every 8 weeks for 52 weeks in the randomized, controlled FORTIFY maintenance study. Maintenance of clinical, endoscopic, and biomarker endpoints at week 52 among patients who achieved these endpoints after 12 weeks of induction treatment was evaluated.

Results

A significantly higher proportion of patients receiving maintenance treatment with risankizumab 360 or 180 mg compared with placebo [withdrawal] maintained Crohn’s Disease Activity Index remission [68.6%, 70.8%, vs 56.3%; p < 0.05], stool frequency/abdominal pain remission [69.2%, 64.1%, vs 50.5%; p < 0.01], endoscopic response [70.2%, 68.2%, vs 38.4%; p < 0.001], endoscopic remission [74.4%, 45.5%, vs 23.9%; p < 0.05], and Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn’s Disease of 0–2 [65.5%, 36.7%, vs 21.9%]. Most patients [56.8–83.3%] who achieved normalized faecal calprotectin or C-reactive protein during induction sustained them with maintenance risankizumab.

Conclusions

Subcutaneous risankizumab maintenance therapy results in durable improvement in clinical and endoscopic outcomes over 1 year in patients with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease.

Clinical trial registration number

NCT03105102.
Baseline TREM-1 Whole Blood Gene Expression Does Not Predict Response to Adalimumab Treatment in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease in the SERENE Studies
Authors: Verstockt Bram , Pivorunas Valerie , Al Mahi Naim , Smaoui Nizar , Guay Heath , Kennedy Nicholas A , Goodhand James R , Lin Simeng , Bai Benjamin Y H , Hanauer Stephen B , Ferrante Marc , Panés Julian , Vermeire Séverine
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

This study assessed whether baseline triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells [TREM-1] whole blood gene expression predicts response to anti-tumour necrosis factor [anti-TNF] therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] or Crohn’s disease [CD].

Methods

TREM-1 whole blood gene expression was analysed by RNA sequencing in patients with moderately to severely active UC or CD treated with adalimumab in the Phase 3 SERENE-UC and SERENE-CD clinical trials. The predictive value of baseline TREM-1 expression was evaluated and compared according to endoscopic and clinical response vs non-response, and remission vs non-remission, at Weeks 8 and 52 [SERENE-UC], and Weeks 12 and 56 [SERENE-CD].

Results

TREM-1 expression was analysed in 95 and 106 patients with UC and CD, respectively, receiving standard-dose adalimumab induction treatment. In SERENE-UC, baseline TREM-1 expression was not predictive of endoscopic response [p = 0.48], endoscopic remission [p = 0.53], clinical response [p = 0.58], or clinical remission [p = 0.79] at Week 8, or clinical response [p = 0.60] at Week 52. However, an association was observed with endoscopic response [p = 0.01], endoscopic remission [p = 0.048], and clinical remission [p = 0.04997] at Week 52. For SERENE-CD, baseline TREM-1 expression was not predictive of endoscopic response [p = 0.56], endoscopic remission [p = 0.33], clinical response [p = 0.07], or clinical remission [p = 0.65] at Week 12, or endoscopic response [p = 0.61], endoscopic remission [p = 0.51], clinical response [p = 0.62], or clinical remission [p = 0.97] at Week 56.

Conclusions

Baseline TREM-1 gene expression did not uniformly predict adalimumab response in SERENE clinical trials. Further research is needed to identify potential blood-based biomarkers predictive of response to anti-TNF therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Clinicaltrials.gov identifiers

NCT02065622; NCT02065570
Revealing priors from posteriors with an application to inflation forecasting in the UK
Authors: Ikefuji Masako , Magnus Jan R , Yamagata Takashi
Published: October 2023

A Bayesian typically uses data and a prior to produce a posterior. We shall follow the opposite route, using data and the posterior information to reveal the prior. We then apply this theory to inflation forecasts by the Bank of England and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research in an attempt to get some insight into the prior beliefs of the policy makers in these two institutions, especially under the uncertainties about the Brexit referendum, the Covid-19 lockdown, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Forest-associated habitat variables influence human–tick encounters in the southeastern United States
Authors: Butler R A , Randolph K C , Vogt J T , Paulsen D J , Fryxell R T Trout
Published: October 2023

Due to the increased frequency of human–tick encounters and expanding ranges of ticks in the United States, there is a critical need to identify environmental conditions associated with tick populations and their likelihood to contact human hosts. In a passive tick surveillance partnership with the US Department of Agriculture Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, we identified environmental variables associated with tick encounters by forestry personnel. Ticks were identified by species and life stage, and site-specific variables were associated with each tick using FIA forest inventory datasets and generalized linear models with negative binomial distributions. Of the 55 FIA variables available, we identified biotic and abiotic environmental variables associated with Amblyomma americanum L. (carbon in litter material and standing dead tree aboveground dry biomass), Dermacentor variabilis Say (seedling species unevenness and elevation), and Ixodes scapularis L. (carbon in dead woody material and seedling species unevenness). We propose conducting future treatment–control studies using these forestry-related environmental variables to test their ability to alter tick abundance at sites. Land management decisions not only affect common flora and fauna, but changes to these habitats can also alter the way ticks parasitize hosts and use vegetation to find those hosts. These results can be used with land management decisions to prevent future human–tick encounters and highlight risk areas.
Early origin and diverse phenotypic implementation of iridescent UV patterns for sexual signaling in pierid butterflies
Authors: Ficarrotta Vincent , Martin Arnaud , Counterman Brian A , Pyron R Alexander
Published: October 2023

Iridescent ultraviolet (IUV) patterns on pierid butterfly wings are phenotypic adaptations commonly used as sexual signals, generated by scales with ultrastructural modifications. Pierid IUV patterns are sexually dichromatic, with reduced size in females, where conspicuous sexual signaling balances courtship against ecological predation. There have been no phylogenetic reconstructions of IUV within Pieridae and little morphological characterization of phenotypic diversity. Our genus-wide characterization of IUV revealed the uniform similarity of stacked lamellar ridges on the dorsal surface of cover scales. We tested a hypothesis of single versus multiple origins by reconstructing a phylogeny of 534 species (~43.2% described species), with all genera represented, and a trait matrix of 734 species (~59.4%) screened for IUV. A single, early dimorphic origin of IUV followed by several losses and gains received strong support, concluding that IUV patterns and structural coloration are old traits. Collectively, these results support the homology of IUV scales and patterns that diversified within several lineages, suggesting an interplay between female-mediated sexual selection and ecological predatory selection.
Taxonomic and functional restoration of tallgrass prairie soil microbial communities in comparison to remnant and agricultural soils
Authors: Mason Cayla N , Shahar Shayla , Beals Kendall K , Kelley Scott T , Lipson David A , Swingley Wesley D , Barber Nicholas A
Published: October 2023

Restoring ecosystems requires the re-establishment of diverse soil microbial communities that drive critical ecosystem functions. In grasslands, restoration and management require the application of disturbances like fire and grazing. Disturbances can shape microbial taxonomic composition and potentially functional composition as well. We characterized taxonomic and functional gene composition of soil communities using whole genome shotgun metagenomic sequencing to determine how restored soil communities differed from pre-restoration agricultural soils and original remnant soils, how management affects soil microbes, and whether restoration and management affect the number of microbial genes associated with carbohydrate degradation. We found distinct differences in both taxonomic and functional diversity and composition among restored, remnant, and agricultural soils. Remnant soils had low taxonomic and functional richness and diversity, as well as distinct composition, indicating that restoration of agricultural soils does not re-create soil microbial communities that match remnants. Prescribed fire management increased functional diversity, which also was higher in more recently planted restorations. Finally, restored and post-fire soils included high abundances of genes encoding cellulose-degrading enzymes, so restorations and their ongoing management can potentially support functions important in carbon cycling.
1968 and Translation in Three French Reviews: Europe, Action poétique and Change
Authors: Wagstaff Emma
Published: October 2023

This article discusses the role of translation in three French reviews active in the 1968 period in France: Europe, Action poétique and Change. It considers not only decisions made by the translators of individual texts, but also the choice of texts published, the status of the translator as writer, support for writers overseas and a new interest in France from the late 1960s in theories of translation. The reviews are read alongside the archive of the Union des Écrivains, founded in the wake of the Paris Events in May–June 1968, in which the reviews’ editors were active. Having identified values espoused by the Union on the basis of archival research, the article argues that the reviews’ translation practices informed Union activities and were influenced in turn by those activities. The article aims to demonstrate that the literary review represents an important, and previously underexamined, transnational dimension of the 1968 era.
Expression and function of Caenorhabditis elegans UNCP-18, a paralog of the SM protein UNC-18
Authors: Boeglin Marion , Leyva-Díaz Eduardo , Hobert Oliver
Published: October 2023

Sec1/Munc18 (SM) proteins are important regulators of SNARE complex assembly during exocytosis throughout all major animal tissue types. However, expression of a founding member of the SM family, UNC-18, is mostly restricted to the nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, where it is important for synaptic transmission. Moreover, unc-18 null mutants do not display the lethality phenotype associated with (a) loss of all Drosophila and mouse orthologs of unc-18 and (b) with complete elimination of synaptic transmission in C. elegans. We investigated whether a previously uncharacterized unc-18 paralog, which we named uncp-18, may be able to explain the restricted expression and limited phenotypes of unc-18 null mutants. A reporter allele shows ubiquitous expression of uncp-18. Analysis of uncp-18 null mutants, unc-18 and uncp-18 double null mutants, as well as overexpression of uncp-18 in an unc-18 null mutant background, shows that these 2 genes can functionally compensate for one another and are redundantly required for embryonic viability. Our results indicate that the synaptic transmission defects of unc-18 null mutants cannot necessarily be interpreted as constituting a null phenotype for SM protein function at the synapse.
The Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Incarcerated Older Adults
Authors: Baillargeon Jacques , Linthicum Lannette C , Murray Owen J , Raji Mukaila A , Kuo Yong-Fang , Pulvino John S , Milani Sadaf A , Williams Brie , Baillargeon Gwen R , Blair Patricia A , Kristen Peek M , Penn Joseph V
Published: October 2023

Objectives

In view of the growing number of older incarcerated persons in the United States, cognitive impairment represents one of the most challenging and costly health care issues facing the U.S. correctional system. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of this growing public health issue in the nation’s largest prison system.

Methods

In this study of a random sample of 143 older (≥55 years) adults incarcerated in the Texas prison system, we assessed—using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)—the percentage of inmates who met the MoCA thresholds for mild cognitive impairment (MCI; <23) and dementia (<18). Due to sample size limitations, our multivariable analysis assessed the binary outcome, MoCA <23.

Results

Overall, 35.0% of our random sample of incarcerated older adults in Texas met the threshold for MCI and 9.1% met the threshold for dementia. After adjusting for covariates, study participants who were Black (odds ratio [OR] = 4.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57–10.82), Hispanic (OR = 4.34, 95% CI = 1.46–12.93), and those with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (8.56, 95% CI = 1.21–60.72) all had higher prevalence of a positive screen for MCI or dementia. Dementia was underdiagnosed in our study sample of incarcerated adults, with 15.4% of MoCA-diagnosed dementia patients having a dementia diagnosis documented in their medical records.

Discussion

Future studies of cognitive impairment in prisons and jails can inform health care planning and resource allocation, such as expansion of access to palliative care, advance care planning, and targeted cognitive screening in older age groups.
Revisiting the 2015Mw = 8.3 Illapel earthquake: unveiling complex fault slip properties using Bayesian inversion
Authors: Caballero E , Duputel Z , Twardzik C , Rivera L , Klein E , Jiang J , Liang C , Zhu L , Jolivet R , Fielding E , Simons M
Published: October 2023

The 2015 moment magnitude Mw = 8.3 Illapel earthquake is the largest mega-thrust earthquake that has been recorded along the Chilean subduction zone since the 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule earthquake. Previous studies indicate a rupture propagation from the hypocentre to shallower parts of the fault, with a maximum slip varying from 10 to 16 m. The amount of shallow slip differs dramatically between rupture models with some results showing almost no slip at the trench and other models with significant slip at shallow depth. In this work, we revisit this event by combining a comprehensive data set including continuous and survey GNSS data corrected for post-seismic and aftershock signals, ascending and descending InSAR images of the Sentinel-1A satellite, tsunami data along with high-rate GPS, and doubly integrated strong-motion waveforms. We follow a Bayesian approach, in which the solution is an ensemble of models. The kinematic inversion is done using the cascading capability of the AlTar algorithm, allowing us to first get a static solution before integrating seismic data in a joint model. In addition, we explore a new approach to account for forward problem uncertainties using a second-order perturbation approach. Results show a rupture with two main slip patches, with significant slip at shallow depth. During the rupture propagation, we observe two regions that are encircled by the rupture, with no significant slip, westward of the hypocentre. These encircling effects have been previously suggested by back-projection results but have not been observed in finite-fault slip models. We propose that the encircled regions correspond to zones where the yield stress largely exceeds the initial stress or where fracture energy is too large to be ruptured during the Illapel earthquake. These asperities may potentially break in the future and probably already broke in the past.
A stacked record of relative palaeointensity for past 500 ka from western equatorial Indian Ocean sediments
Authors: Chen Liang , Zhou Liang , Liu Jiabo , Yin Zhengxin , Zhang Jianli , Guan Yulong , Chen Long , Zhang Yuzhen , Hu Yuewei , Liu Yang , Jiang Zhaoxia
Published: October 2023

Relative palaeointensity (RPI) records can reflect the evolution of the Earth's axial dipole field and provide a suitable template for global stratigraphic correlation. Current RPI records are primarily obtained from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, particularly in the mid-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Fewer RPI records originate from the Indian Ocean, particularly in low latitude areas, which limits sediment dating and geomagnetic evolution studies in these regions. In this study, we conduct a palaeomagnetic study on four sediment cores recovered from the western equatorial Indian Ocean (WEIO) to establish a new regional RPI stack from the past 500 ka for the global coverage of palaeointensity data, as well as a regional reference for palaeointensity-assisted stratigraphy. To estimate the RPI, the isothermal remanent magnetization is used as a normalizer. A chronological framework is constructed by correlating RPI records and environmental magnetic parameters (anhysteretic remanent magnetizationsaturation/isothermal remanent magnetization, ARM/SIRM) with PISO-1500 and LR04 δ18O curves, respectively. Our RPI stacked curve (WEIO-500) varies according to global and other regional high-resolution records. The five lows in the obtained RPI curve can be correlated with previously reported excursions. In addition, the mean inclination direction of each core is similar to the expected hypothetical geocentric axial dipole direction, with a negative inclination anomaly (mean ΔI) of −2.18° to −4.86°. The low mean ΔI and its reproducibility reflect the reliability of our chronological framework and stacked curve, thereby providing a new reference for correlating and calibrating RPI records from WEIO as well as other equatorial areas.
Hepatitis C Treatment in People With HIV: Potential to Eliminate Disease and Disparity
Authors: Falade-Nwulia Oluwaseun , Lesko Catherine R , Fojo Anthony T , Keruly Jeanne C , Moore Richard D , Sutcliffe Catherine G , Mehta Shruti H , Chander Geetanjali , Thomas David L , Sulkowski Mark
Published: October 2023

Access to direct acting antivirals (DAAs) may be associated with reductions in hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia prevalence among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH). Among 3755 PWH, estimated HCV viremia prevalence decreased by 94.0% from 36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27%–46%) in 2009 (pre-DAA era) to 2% (95% CI, 0%–4%) in 2021 (DAA era). Male sex, black race, and older age were associated with HCV viremia in 2009 but not in 2021. Injection drug use remained associated with HCV viremia in 2009 and 2021. Targeted interventions are needed to meet the HCV care needs of PWH who use drugs.
Parthenogenesis affects interspecific competition between Megalurothrips usitatus and Frankliniella intonsa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in changing environment: evidence from life table study
Authors: Guo Ling-Hang , Wu Sheng-Yong , Gong Run-Na , Tang Liang-De
Published: October 2023

The thrips Megalurothrips usitatus Bagnall and Frankliniella intonsa Trybom (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) are important pests in cowpea-growing areas of south China. Parthenogenesis is an important reproductive form of thysanopterans, and plays an important role in maintaining population growth. To understand the developmental and reproductive characteristics of these 2 thrips species during parthenogenesis, we compared the age–stage life tables of M. usitatus and F. intonsa on cowpea pods under natural regimes during the summer and winter. The results showed that the total preadult period and total preoviposition period of M. usitatus were significantly longer than those of F. intonsa in both seasons. Moreover, longevity of adult M. usitatus (29.53 days) was shorter compared with adult F. intonsa (34.00 days) in summer, whereas higher fecundity (220.8 eggs/female) and more oviposition days (37.83 days) were observed in M. usitatus compared with F. intonsa in winter (fecundity = 179.83 eggs/female, oviposition days = 33.03 days). The net and gross reproductive rates of M. usitatus were significantly greater than those of F. intonsa during winter. In addition, the intrinsic and finite rates of increase of M. usitatus were significantly lower than those of F. intonsa, and the mean generation time of M. usitatus was significantly longer than that of F. intonsa both in summer and winter. These results indicated that parthenogenesis has species specificity among thrips, which in turn affects population development, especially under changing environments.
Urban regeneration projects and crime: evidence from Glasgow
Authors: Borbely Daniel , Rossi Gennaro
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the effects of urban regeneration on crime, leveraging recent large-scale regeneration projects—called Transformational Regeneration Areas (TRAs)—in Glasgow, Scotland. We employ a difference-in-differences approach that makes use of variation in both the timing of TRA implementation, and in proximity to these areas to measure exposure to urban regeneration projects. We find a large and significant reduction in crime within 400 m of TRAs but this effect fades as we move further away. Simultaneously, we find no evidence of city-wide reductions in crime after urban regeneration.
Reference genome for the Northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii), a most northern bat species
Authors: Laine Veronika N , Pulliainen Arto T , Lilley Thomas M
Published: October 2023

The northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) is the most northern bat species in the world. Its distribution covers whole Eurasia, and the species is thus well adapted to different habitat types. However, recent population declines have been reported and rapid conservation efforts are needed. Here we present a high-quality de novo genome assembly of a female northern bat from Finland (BLF_Eptnil_asm_v1.0). The assembly was generated using a combination of Pacbio and Omni-C technologies. The primary assembly comprises 726 scaffolds spanning 2.0 Gb, represented by a scaffold N50 of 102 Mb, a contig N50 of 66.2 Mb, and a BUSCO completeness score of 93.73%. Annotation of the assembly identified 20,250 genes. This genome will be an important resource for the conservation and evolutionary genomic studies especially in understanding how rapid environmental changes affect northern species.
Bacteria- and fungus-derived PAMPs induce innate immune memory via similar functional, metabolic, and transcriptional adaptations
Authors: McBride Margaret A , Stothers Cody L , Fensterheim Benjamin A , Caja Katherine R , Owen Allison M , Hernandez Antonio , Bohannon Julia K , Patil Naeem K , Ali Sabah , Dalal Sujata , Rahim Mohsin , Trenary Irina A , Young Jamey D , Williams David L , Sherwood Edward R
Published: October 2023

Exposure to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) induces an augmented, broad-spectrum antimicrobial response to subsequent infection, a phenomenon termed innate immune memory. This study examined the effects of treatment with β-glucan, a fungus-derived dectin-1 ligand, or monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), a bacteria-derived Toll-like receptor 4 ligand, on innate immune memory with a focus on identifying common cellular and molecular pathways activated by these diverse PAMPs. Treatment with either PAMP prepared the innate immune system to respond more robustly to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in vivo by facilitating mobilization of innate leukocytes into blood, recruitment of leukocytes to the site of infection, augmentation of microbial clearance, and attenuation of cytokine production. Examination of macrophages ex vivo showed amplification of metabolism, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst after treatment with either agent, although MPLA more robustly augmented these activities and more effectively facilitated killing of bacteria. Both agents activated gene expression pathways in macrophages that control inflammation, antimicrobial functions, and protein synthesis and suppressed pathways regulating cell division. β-glucan treatment minimally altered macrophage differential gene expression in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, whereas MPLA attenuated the magnitude of the LPS-induced transcriptional response, especially cytokine gene expression. These results show that β-glucan and MPLA similarly augment the innate response to infection in vivo. Yet, MPLA more potently induces alterations in macrophage metabolism, antimicrobial functions, gene transcription and the response to LPS.
C9orf72 proline-arginine dipeptide repeats disrupt the proteasome and perturb proteolytic activities
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Nelson Sophia C K , Viera Ortiz Ashley P , Lee Edward B , Fairman Robert
Published: October 2023

The hexanucleotide G4C2 repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the most frequent genetic cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Aberrant translation of this hexanucleotide sequence leads to production of 5 dipeptide repeats (DPRs). One of these DPRs is proline-arginine (polyPR), which is found in C9orf72-expanded ALS (C9ALS) patient brain tissue and is neurotoxic across multiple model systems. PolyPR was previously reported to bind and impair proteasomes in vitro. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance of the polyPR-proteasome interaction and its functional consequences in vivo are yet to be established. Here, we aim to confirm and functionally characterize polyPR-induced impairment of proteolysis in C9ALS patient tissue and an in vivo model system. Confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence studies on both human and Drosophila melanogaster brain tissues revealed sequestration of proteasomes by polyPR into inclusion-like bodies. Co-immunoprecipitation in D. melanogaster showed that polyPR strongly binds to the proteasome. In vivo, functional evidence for proteasome impairment is further shown by the accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins along with lysosomal accumulation and hyper-acidification, which can be rescued by a small-molecule proteasomal enhancer. Together, we provide the first clinical report of polyPR-proteasome interactions and offer in vivo evidence proposing polyPR-induced proteolytic dysfunction as a pathogenic mechanism in C9ALS.
Exogenous enzyme addition affects litter decomposition by altering the microbial community and litter nutrient content in planted forest
Authors: Nie Huayue , Wang Chenrui , Tian Meirong , Gao Jixi
Published: October 2023

Litter inputs have great impacts on the soil properties and ecosystem functioning in forests. Rapid litter decomposition leads to decreases in planted forest agricultural waste and enhances the nutrient cycle in forests. The breakdown of litter and the release of various components depend heavily on enzymes. However, the effects of exogenous enzyme preparations on litter decomposition have been hardly investigated. In this study, we examined how these enzymes affected the remaining rate of litter quality, nutrient content (C, N, K), and microbial community diversity. Taking Eriobotrya japonica litter as the research object, five exogenous enzymes (laccase, lignin peroxidase, leucine arylamidase, cellulase, and acid phosphatase) were applied to litter leaves. The mass remaining rate and main nutrient content of the litter were measured during the decomposition period. The microbial diversity attached to the surface of the litter was determined after decomposition at constant temperature and humidity for 189 days. Application of laccase and lignin peroxidase increased litter degradation by affecting microbial diversity, N and K contents. Addition of leucine arylamidase leaded to an increase in N content, and decreased the quality of the litter. The cellulose and lignin decomposition rate in litters was unaffected by the addition of cellulase, laccase, and lignin peroxidase. These results indicate that exogenous addition of enzymes may alter the nutrient content and microbial community, thus affecting litter decomposition. It is imperative to investigate the effects and mechanisms of exogenous enzymes on litter decomposition for regulating decomposition of agricultural waste litter.
Antibiofilm activity of promethazine, deferiprone, and Manuka honey in an ex vivo wound model
Authors: Guedes Gláucia Morgana de Melo , Freitas Alyne Soares , Pinheiro Rodrigo Machado , Pereira Vinicius Carvalho , Melgarejo Carliane Melo Alves , de Araujo Emanuela Silva , Ribeiro Késia Veras Costa , Bandeira Silviane Praciano , Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha , Sidrim José Júlio Costa , Castelo-Branco Débora de Souza Collares Maia
Published: October 2023

This study evaluated the antibiofilm activity of promethazine, deferiprone, and Manuka honey against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro and ex vivo in a wound model on porcine skin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and the effects of the compounds on biofilms were evaluated. Then, counting colony-forming units (CFUs) and confocal microscopy were performed on biofilms cultivated on porcine skin for evaluation of the compounds. For promethazine, MICs ranging from 97.66 to 781.25 µg/ml and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) values ranging from 195.31 to 1562.5 µg/ml were found. In addition to reducing the biomass of both species’ biofilms. As for deferiprone, the MICs were 512 and >1024 µg/ml, the MBECs were ≥1024 µg/ml, and it reduced the biomass of biofilms. Manuka honey had MICs of 10%–40%, MBECs of 20 to >40% and reduced the biomass of S. aureus biofilms only. Concerning the analyses in the ex vivo model, the compounds reduced (P < .05) CFU counts for both bacterial species, altering the biofilm architecture. The action of the compounds on biofilms in in vitro and ex vivo tests raises the possibility of using them against biofilm-associated wounds. However, further studies are needed to characterize the mechanisms of action and their effectiveness on biofilms in vivo.
Calculated Stark widths of the triply charged argon ion Ar iv
Authors: Mahmoudi Walid F , Abu El Maati Lamia , Ben Nessib Nabil , Sahal-Bréchot Sylvie , Dimitrijević Milan S
Published: October 2023

In this work we studied the Stark widths of Ar iv ion which are important for modelling atmosphere of some particular stars. Using semiclassical perturbation and modified semi-empirical approach, we present in this work Stark widths of triply ionized argon Ar iv spectral lines which will be implemented in the STARK-B data base. Energy levels and oscillator strengths needed as input for Stark width calculations were obtained from the atomic structure data base TOPbase. If we need to interpolate these Stark widths at different temperatures for the studied transitions of Ar iv, we use a simple and accurate fitting formula based on a least-squares method. The calculated values were compared to the existing experimental and calculated Stark width values.
A multimessenger model for neutron star–black hole mergers
Authors: Gompertz B P , Nicholl M , Smith J C , Harisankar S , Pratten G , Schmidt P , Smith G P
Published: October 2023

We present a semi-analytic model for predicting kilonova light curves from the mergers of neutron stars with black holes (NSBH). The model is integrated into the mosfit platform, and can generate light curves from input binary properties and nuclear equation-of-state considerations, or incorporate measurements from gravitational wave (GW) detectors to perform multimessenger parameter estimation. The rapid framework enables the generation of NSBH kilonova distributions from binary populations, light curve predictions from GW data, and statistically meaningful comparisons with an equivalent binary neutron star (BNS) model in mosfit. We investigate a sample of kilonova candidates associated with cosmological short gamma-ray bursts, and demonstrate that they are broadly consistent with being driven by NSBH systems, though most have limited data. We also perform fits to the very well sampled GW170817, and show that the inability of an NSBH merger to produce lanthanide-poor ejecta results in a significant underestimate of the early (≲2 d) optical emission. Our model indicates that NSBH-driven kilonovae may peak up to a week after merger at optical wavelengths for some observer angles. This demonstrates the need for early coverage of emergent kilonovae in cases where the GW signal is either ambiguous or absent; they likely cannot be distinguished from BNS mergers by the light curves alone from ∼2 d after the merger. We also discuss the detectability of our model kilonovae with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
Analysis of the impact of broad absorption lines on quasar redshift measurements with synthetic observations
Authors: García Luz Ángela , Martini Paul , Gonzalez-Morales Alma X , Font-Ribera Andreu , Herrera-Alcantar Hiram K , Aguilar Jessica Nicole , Ahlen Steve , Brooks David , de la Macorra Axel , Doel Peter , Forero-Romero Jaime E , Guy Julien , Kisner Theodore , Landriau Martin , Miquel Ramon , Moustakas John , Nie Jundan , Poppett Claire , Tarlé Gregory , Zhou Zhimin
Published: October 2023

Accurate quasar classifications and redshift measurements are increasingly important to precision cosmology experiments. Broad absorption line (BAL) features are present in 15–20 per cent of all quasars, and these features can introduce systematic redshift errors, and in extreme cases produce misclassifications. We quantitatively investigate the impact of BAL features on quasar classifications and redshift measurements with synthetic spectra that were designed to match observations by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey. Over the course of 5 yr, DESI aims to measure spectra for 40 million galaxies and quasars, including nearly three million quasars. Our synthetic quasar spectra match the signal-to-noise ratio and redshift distributions of the first year of DESI observations, and include the same synthetic quasar spectra both with and without BAL features. We demonstrate that masking the locations of the BAL features decreases the redshift errors by about 1 per cent and reduces the number of catastrophic redshift errors by about 80 per cent. We conclude that identifying and masking BAL troughs should be a standard part of the redshift determination step for DESI and other large-scale spectroscopic surveys of quasars.
When the well runs dry: modelling environmental quenching of high-mass satellites in massive clusters at z ≳ 1
Authors: Baxter Devontae C , Cooper M C , Balogh Michael L , Rudnick Gregory H , De Lucia Gabriella , Demarco Ricardo , Finoguenov Alexis , Forrest Ben , Muzzin Adam , Reeves Andrew M M , Sarron Florian , Vulcani Benedetta , Wilson Gillian , Zaritsky Dennis
Published: October 2023

We explore models of massive (>1010 M⊙) satellite quenching in massive clusters at z ≳ 1 using an MCMC framework, focusing on two primary parameters: Rquench (the host-centric radius at which quenching begins) and τquench (the time-scale upon which a satellite quenches after crossing Rquench). Our MCMC analysis shows two local maxima in the 1D posterior probability distribution of Rquench at approximately 0.25 and 1.0 R200. Analysing four distinct solutions in the τquench–Rquench parameter space, nearly all of which yield quiescent fractions consistent with observational data from the GOGREEN survey, we investigate whether these solutions represent distinct quenching pathways and find that they can be separated between ‘starvation’ and ‘core quenching’ scenarios. The starvation pathway is characterized by quenching time-scales that are roughly consistent with the total cold gas (H2 + H i) depletion time-scale at intermediate z, while core quenching is characterized by satellites with relatively high line-of-sight velocities that quench on short time-scales (∼0.25 Gyr) after reaching the inner region of the cluster (<0.30 R200). Lastly, we break the degeneracy between these solutions by comparing the observed properties of transition galaxies from the GOGREEN survey. We conclude that only the ‘starvation’ pathway is consistent with the projected phase-space distribution and relative abundance of transition galaxies at z ∼ 1. However, we acknowledge that ram pressure might contribute as a secondary quenching mechanism.
Binaries drive high Type Ia supernova rates in dwarf galaxies
Authors: Johnson James W , Kochanek Christopher S , Stanek K Z
Published: October 2023

The scaling of the specific Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) rate with host galaxy stellar mass $\dot{\text{N}}_\text{Ia} / \text{M}_\star \sim \text{M}_\star ^{-0.3}$ as measured in ASAS-SN and DES strongly suggests that the number of SNe Ia produced by a stellar population depends inversely on its metallicity. We estimate the strength of the required metallicity dependence by combining the average star formation histories (SFHs) of galaxies as a function of their stellar mass with the mass–metallicity relation (MZR) for galaxies and common parametrizations for the SN Ia delay-time distribution. The differences in SFHs can account for only ∼30 per cent of the increase in the specific SN Ia rate between stellar masses of M⋆ = 1010 and 107.2 M⊙. We find that an additional metallicity dependence of approximately ∼Z−0.5 is required to explain the observed scaling. This scaling matches the metallicity dependence of the close binary fraction observed in APOGEE, suggesting that the enhanced SN Ia rate in low-mass galaxies can be explained by a combination of their more extended SFHs and a higher binary fraction due to their lower metallicities. Due to the shape of the MZR, only galaxies below M⋆ ≈ 3 × 109 M⊙ are significantly affected by the metallicity-dependent SN Ia rates. The $\dot{\text{N}}_\text{Ia} / \text{M}_\star \sim \text{M}_\star ^{-0.3}$ scaling becomes shallower with increasing redshift, dropping by factor of ∼2 at 107.2 M⊙ between z = 0 and 1 with our ∼Z−0.5 scaling. With metallicity-independent rates, this decrease is a factor of ∼3. We discuss the implications of metallicity-dependent SN Ia rates for one-zone models of galactic chemical evolution.
Production of water from a dynamically new comet
Authors: Kossacki Konrad J , Szutowicz Sławomira
Published: October 2023

In our paper, we presented the results of numerical simulations dealing with the production of water from the nucleus of a hypothetical dynamically new comet. The simulations were performed using empirical equation based on the results of laboratory experiments performed in vacuum using ice agglomerates. We presented also the results obtained using simple, popular approach. The model nucleus is a prolate ellipsoid of rough surface. The results were compared with the observed production of water from the nucleus of comet C/2012 K1 PanSTARRS. Our simulations indicate, that the observed production of water can be reproduced without assuming the presence of highly volatile ices when the dust may slide down the slopes and the thermal conductivity of the nucleus is very low.