bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromosome‐level genome assembly and population genomic analysis reveal evolution and local adaptation in common hairfin anchovy (Setipinna tenuifilis)
Authors: Liu Bingjian , Li Jiasheng , Peng Ying , Zhang Kun , Liu Qi , Jin Xun , Zheng Sixu , Wang Yunpeng , Gong Li , Liu Liqin , Lü Zhenming , Liu Yifan
Published: July 2023

Understanding the genetic structure and the factors associated with adaptive diversity has significant implications for the effective management of wild populations under threat from overfishing and climate change. The common hairfin anchovy (Setipinna tenuifilis) is an economically and ecologically important pelagic fish species, spanning a broad latitudinal gradient along marginal seas of the Northwest Pacific. In this study, we constructed the first reference genome of S. tenuifilis using PacBio long reads and high‐resolution chromosome conformation capture (Hi‐C) technology. The assembled genome was 798.38 Mb with a contig N50 of 1.43 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 32.42 Mb, which were anchored onto 24 pseudochromosomes. A total of 22,019 genes were functionally annotated, which accounted for 95.27% of the predicted protein‐coding genes. Chromosomal collinearity analysis revealed chromosome fusion or fission events in Clupeiformes species. Three genetic groups of S. tenuifilis were revealed along the Chinese coast using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq). We investigated the influence of four bioclimatic variables as potential drivers of adaptive divergence in S. tenuifilis, suggesting that these environmental variables, especially sea surface temperature, may play important roles as drivers of spatially varying selection for S. tenuifilis. We also identified candidate functional genes underlying adaptive mechanisms and ecological tradeoffs using redundancy analysis (RDA) and BayeScan analysis. In summary, this study sheds light on the evolution and spatial patterns of genetic variation of S. tenuifilis, providing a valuable genomic resource for further biological and genetic studies on this species and other closely related Clupeiformes.
When I say … simulation
Authors: Gormley Gerard J. , Murphy Paul
Published: July 2023

Making the 'familiar unfamiliar' @DrGerryG & @MurphingtonPost unpack the term simulation based education in a manner that offers important pedological insights.
Motivating empathy
Authors: Spaulding Shannon
Published: July 2023

Critics of empathy argue that empathy is exhausting, easily manipulated, exacerbates rather than relieves conflict, and is too focused on individual experiences. Apparently, empathy not only fails to stop negative acts like sadism, bullying, and terrorism, it motivates and promotes such acts. These scholars argue that empathy will not save us from partisanship and division. In fact, it might make us worse off. I will argue that empathy exhibits bias in the ways critics describe because empathy is motivated. Conceiving of empathy as motivated leads to surprising conclusions about our tools for moral decision‐making.
Drosophila melanogaster as a model of systemic dermatophytosis
Authors: da Costa Bárbara , Pippi Bruna , Merkel Simone , Agostinetto Giovanna , Zanette Régis A. , Fuentefria Alexandre M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Dermatophytosis is one of the most common fungal infections worldwide. The distribution of dermatophytes varies across continents, but the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum have emerged as the main isolated agents in humans and animals.

Objectives

To validate Drosophila melanogaster flies as a fast and feasible model to study dermatophytic infections.

Methods

Wild‐type (WT) and Toll‐deficient D. melanogaster flies were infected by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Nannizzia gypsea by pricking with a needle previously dipped in inoculum concentrations ranging from 103 to 108 colony‐forming units/mL. Establishment of infection was confirmed by survival curves, histopathological analysis and fungal burden. Thereafter, flies were treated with terbinafine, itraconazole and clioquinol.

Results

WT flies were predominantly resistant to the infection, whereas Toll‐deficient flies succumbed to the four dermatophyte genera tested. The antifungal drugs protected flies from the infection, except for N. gypsea whose survival curves did not differ from the untreated group.

Conclusions

This pilot study confirms that D. melanogaster is a suitable model to study the virulence and antifungal drug efficacy in dermatophyte species.
Rhizophagus irregularis, the model fungus in arbuscular mycorrhiza research, forms dimorphic spores
Authors: Kokkoris Vasilis , Banchini Claudia , Paré Louis , Abdellatif Lobna , Séguin Sylvie , Hubbard Keith , Findlay Wendy , Dalpé Yolande , Dettman Jeremy , Corradi Nicolas , Stefani Franck
Published: July 2023

Rhizophagus irregularis is the model species for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) research and the most widely propagated species for commercial plant biostimulants.

Using asymbiotic and symbiotic cultivation systems initiated from single spores, advanced microscopy, Sanger sequencing of the glomalin gene, and PacBio sequencing of the partial 45S rRNA gene, we show that four strains of R. irregularis produce spores of two distinct morphotypes, one corresponding to the morphotype described in the R. irregularis protologue and the other having the phenotype of R. fasciculatus.

The two spore morphs are easily distinguished by spore colour, thickness of the subtending hypha, thickness of the second wall layer, lamination of the innermost layer, and the dextrinoid reaction of the two outer spore wall layers to Melzer's reagent. The glomalin gene of the two spore morphs is identical and that of the PacBio sequences of the partial SSU‐ITS‐LSU region (2780 bp) obtained from single spores of the R. cf fasciculatus morphotype has a median pairwise similarity of 99.8% (SD = 0.005%) to the rDNA ribotypes of R. irregularis DAOM 197198.

Based on these results, we conclude that the model AMF species R. irregularis is dimorphic, which has caused taxonomic confusion in culture collections and possibly in AMF research.
Genomic selection and enablers for agronomic traits in maize (Zea mays): A review
Authors: Gunundu Rodreck , Shimelis Hussein , Mashilo Jacob
Published: July 2023

Maize is a commodity crop providing millions of people with food, feed, industrial raw material and economic opportunities. However, maize yields in Africa are relatively stagnant and low, at a mean of 1.7 t ha−1 compared with the global average of 6 t ha−1. The yield gap can be narrowed with accelerated and precision breeding strategies that are required to develop and deploy high‐yielding and climate‐resilient maize varieties. Genomic and phenotypic selections are complementary methods that offer opportunities for the speedy choice of contrasting parents and derived progenies for hybrid breeding and commercialization. Genomic selection (GS) will shorten the crop breeding cycle by identifying and tracking desirable genotypes and aid the timeous commercialization of market‐preferred varieties. The technology, however, has not yet been fully embraced by most public and private breeding programmes, notably in Africa. This review aims to present the importance, current status, challenges and opportunities of GS to accelerate genetic gains for economic traits to speed up the breeding of high‐yielding maize varieties. The first section summarizes genomic selection and the contemporary phenotypic selection and phenotyping platforms as a foundation for GS and trait integration in maize. This is followed by highlights on the reported genetic gains and progress through phenotypic selection and GS for grain yield and yield components. Training population development, genetic design and statistical models used in GS in maize breeding are discussed. Lastly, the review summarizes the challenges of GS, including prediction accuracy, and integrates GS with speed breeding, doubled haploid breeding and genome editing technologies to increase breeding efficiency and accelerate cultivar release. The paper will guide breeders in selection and trait introgression using GS to develop cultivars preferred by the marketplace.
Bacterial infections are common among eczema herpeticum inpatients in a cross‐sectional analysis of the 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database
Authors: Desai Amar D. , Tefft Kristy , Heath Candrice R. , Lipner Shari R.
Published: July 2023

Eczema herpeticum (EH) is a cutaneous infection with herpes simplex virus, typically in the context of atopic dermatitis. Pediatric hospitalizations for EH have increased over the past several decades, yet few studies have investigated comorbidities or epidemiology of pediatric EH inpatients. We searched the 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database and recorded demographics, comorbidities, and associated costs for patients with EH. We found bacterial infections were a common comorbidity which affected nearly half (47.4%) of hospitalized patients, suggesting the importance of regular monitoring of pediatric EH inpatients for bacterial coinfection.
Erotic cue exposure increases physiological arousal, biases choices toward immediate rewards, and attenuates model‐based reinforcement learning
Authors: Mathar David , Wiebe Annika , Tuzsus Deniz , Knauth Kilian , Peters Jan
Published: July 2023

Computational psychiatry focuses on identifying core cognitive processes that appear altered across distinct psychiatric disorders. Temporal discounting of future rewards and model‐based control during reinforcement learning have proven as two promising candidates. Despite its trait‐like stability, temporal discounting may be at least partly under contextual control. Highly arousing cues were shown to increase discounting, although evidence to date remains somewhat mixed. Whether model‐based reinforcement learning is similarly affected by arousing cues remains unclear. Here, we tested cue‐reactivity effects (erotic pictures) on subsequent temporal discounting and model‐based reinforcement learning in a within‐subjects design in n = 39 healthy heterosexual male participants. Self‐reported and physiological arousal (cardiac activity and pupil dilation) were assessed before and during cue exposure. Arousal was increased during exposure of erotic versus neutral cues both on the subjective and autonomic level. Erotic cue exposure increased discounting as reflected by more impatient choices. Hierarchical drift diffusion modeling (DDM) linked increased discounting to a shift in the starting point bias of evidence accumulation toward immediate options. Model‐based control during reinforcement learning was reduced following erotic cues according to model‐agnostic analysis. Notably, DDM linked this effect to attenuated forgetting rates of unchosen options, leaving the model‐based control parameter unchanged. Our findings replicate previous work on cue‐reactivity effects in temporal discounting and for the first time show similar effects in model‐based reinforcement learning in a heterosexual male sample. This highlights how environmental cues can impact core human decision processes and reveal that comprehensive modeling approaches can yield novel insights in reward‐based decision processes.
Cross‐scale interdependencies require attention in forest restoration
Authors: Wiegant Daniel , Guariguata Manuel R.
Published: July 2023

A governance perspective that connects actors at multiple levels in forest restoration is largely missing and much needed to expedite the translation of national restoration targets into long‐lasting outcomes. An explicit focus on the interactions across governance levels, and how these influence ecological processes at different spatial levels, can overcome the general tendency to focus on forest restoration either from the top‐down or bottom‐up and help improve the quality of forest restoration.
Long‐term exposure to low concentrations of air pollution and decline in lung function in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Evidence from Australia
Authors: Zheng Qiang , Cox Ingrid A. , Leigh Lucy , de Graaff Barbara , Johnston Fay H. , Corte Tamera J. , Knibbs Luke D. , Otahal Petr , Navaratnam Vidya , Campbell Julie A. , Glaspole Ian , Moodley Yuben , Hopkins Peter , Mackintosh John A. , Ahmad Hasnat , Walters E. Haydn , Palmer Andrew J.
Published: July 2023

Background and Objective

Little is known about the association between ambient air pollution and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in areas with lower levels of exposure. We aimed to investigate the impact of air pollution on lung function and rapid progression of IPF in Australia.

Methods

Participants were recruited from the Australian IPF Registry (n = 570). The impact of air pollution on changes in lung function was assessed using linear mixed models and Cox regression was used to investigate the association with rapid progression.

Results

Median (25th–75th percentiles) annual fine particulate matter (<2.5 μm, PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were 6.8 (5.7, 7.9) μg/m3 and 6.7 (4.9, 8.2) ppb, respectively. Compared to living more than 100 m from a major road, living within 100 m was associated with a 1.3% predicted/year (95% confidence interval [CI] −2.4 to −0.3) faster annual decline in diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLco). Each interquartile range (IQR) of 2.2 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 0.9% predicted/year (95% CI −1.6 to −0.3) faster annual decline in DLco, while there was no association observed with NO2. There was also no association between air pollution and rapid progression of IPF.

Conclusion

Living near a major road and increased PM2.5 were both associated with an increased rate of annual decline in DLco. This study adds to the evidence supporting the negative effects of air pollution on lung function decline in people with IPF living at low‐level concentrations of exposure.
Supranormal lung function: Prevalence, associated factors and clinical manifestations across the lifespan
Authors: Schiffers Caspar , Faner Rosa , Ofenheimer Alina , Sunanta Owat , Puchhammer Patricia , Mraz Tobias , Breyer Marie‐Kathrin , Burghuber Otto Chris , Hartl Sylvia , Agustí Alvar , Breyer‐Kohansal Robab
Published: July 2023

Background and Objective

It is now well established that there are different life‐long lung function trajectories in the general population, and that some are associated with better or worse health outcomes. Yet, the prevalence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of individuals with supranormal FEV1 or FVC values (above the upper‐limit of normal [ULN]) in different age‐bins through the lifetime in the general population are poorly understood.

Method

To address these questions, we investigated the prevalence of supranormal FEV1 and FVC values in the LEAD (Lung, hEart, sociAl and boDy) study, a general population cohort in Austria that includes participants from 6 to 82 years of age.

Results

We found that: (1) the prevalence of supranormal pre‐bronchodilator FEV1 and FVC values was 3.4% and 3.1%, respectively, and that these figures remained relatively stable through different age‐bins except for participants >60 years., in whom they increased (5.0% and 4.2%, respectively). Approximately 50% of supranormal individuals had both increased FEV1 and FVC values; (2) supranormal spirometric values were consistently accompanied by higher static lung volumes and lower specific airway resistance through the lifespan, indicating better overall lung function; and (3) multivariate regression analysis identified that female sex, higher muscle mass (FFMI), less diabetes and fewer respiratory symptoms were consistently associated with supranormal FEV1 and FVC values.

Conclusion

Supranormal FEV1 and/or FVC values occur in about 3% of the general population in different age bins and are associated with better health markers.
Reading Europe in the Renaissance: continent, personification and myth in Ronsard's Discours de l'alteration et change des choses humaines
Authors: Oddy Niall
Published: July 2023

Renaissance readers were familiar with two traditions of visualizing the continent of Europe as a woman: the myth of Europa and the bull, and personifications of Europe as a queen. This article examines the impact of these traditions on the geographical, political and cultural discourses of Europe through the example of the French poet Ronsard's Discours de l'alteration et change des choses humaines. It argues that the reference in the Discours to the Ottoman Empire assailing Europe the continent would evoke for readers a female figure. The article conducts an analysis of the poem in light of this, exploring how the spectre of sexual violence associated with the Europa myth enhances the political critique of the Ottoman Empire in the Discours. As such, the article shows how the dynamic interplay of myth, personification and geographical space enriched the meanings and associations of the signifier ‘Europe’. In doing so, it articulates a method for approaching how ‘Europe’ was used and understood in Renaissance texts.
Comparative study of instrumental measurement and sensory evaluation methods for the repairing effect of mildly damaged hair bundles
Authors: Jiang Yanwen , Xu Zhongmou , Qiu Yuchen , Zheng Xiaomin
Published: July 2023

Objective

This study explores the applicability and scientific accuracy of instrument measurements in repairing hair products on slightly damaged hair bundles.

Materials and method

Sixty hair bundles mildly damaged with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia standards were divided into two groups: the treatment and control groups (30 hair bundles each). The treatment group used commercial hair care essential oil, whereas the control group used tap water to treat the damage. The two groups were measured using an instrument before and after the product application. The objective indicators included the gloss of hair, along with hair cuticle dynamic friction coefficient, and against hair cuticle dynamic friction coefficient. At the same time, two evaluators conducted sensory evaluations on the gloss and frizz levels of the hair bundles. Therefore, data comparison and verification were carried out together with instrumental measurement data.

Results

We verified that the instrumental measurement methods could obtain data trends that are consistent with sensory assessment methods; hence, they have the advantages of accuracy, convenience, and quantifiability.

Conclusion

Thus, the instrumental measurement methods we verified can provide objective evidence for the efficacy of hair care products in repairing hair.
How low can we go: Court approval effects on public opinion
Authors: Montgomery Matthew D. , Rogol Natalie C.
Published: July 2023

Objective

We study what happens to individuals’ perceptions of the Supreme Court when they learn that public approval is high or low for the Court. We are interested in observing whether awareness of low(high) popular support for the Court can lead to further decreases(increases) in individual evaluations of the Court.

Methods

We construct a survey experiment with six conditions, including a control. Each condition displays a news headline individuals might encounter while scrolling the news or on social media, with varying levels of Supreme Court approval ratings. The conditions vary from 80 percent to less than 10 percent. After exposure to information about the Court's popularity, we ask participants about their specific and diffuse support of the Supreme Court.

Results

We find that when a respondent is confronted with news that the Supreme Court's approval has risen or declined, their evaluations also increase or decrease. In addition, we find that diffuse support does not meaningfully change when reading headlines related to the Court's popular approval.

Conclusion

Our findings add to existing research regarding what can alter the important measure of Supreme Court‐specific support and affirm the difficulty in moving diffuse support.
Vaccinations in children with hematologic malignancies and those receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplants or cellular therapies
Authors: Neemann Kari A , Sato Alice I
Published: July 2023

Children who are immune compromised are uniquely threatened by a higher risk of infections, including vaccine‐preventable diseases (VPDs). Children who undergo chemotherapy or cellular therapies may not have preexisting immunity to VPDs at the time of their treatment including not yet receiving their primary vaccine series, and additionally they have higher risk of exposures (e.g., due to family structures, daycare and school setting) with decreased capacity to protect themselves using nonpharmaceutic measures (e.g., masking). In the past, efforts to revaccinate these children have often been delayed or incomplete. Treatment with chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and/or cellular therapies impair the ability of the immune system to mount a robust vaccine response. Ideally, protection would be provided as soon as both safe and effective, which will vary by vaccine type (e.g., replicating versus nonreplicating; conjugated versus polysaccharide). While a single approach revaccination schedule following these therapies would be convenient for providers, it would not account for patient specific factors that influence the timing of immune reconstitution (IR). Evidence suggests that many of these children would mount a meaningful vaccine response as early as 3 months following completion of treatment. Here within, we provide updated guidance on how to approach vaccination both during and following completion of these therapies.
Biogeographic regionalization of human infectious diseases in Brazil based on geographically explicit data
Authors: Löwenberg‐Neto Peter , Winkelmann Stephanie , Verzotto Ágatha K.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Biogeographic regionalization represents abstractions of the organisation of life on Earth, and can provide a large‐scaled framework for health management and planning. We aimed at determining a biogeographic regionalization for human infectious diseases in Brazil, and at investigating non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses predicting the observed regions.

Methods

Based on the spatial distributions of 12 infectious diseases with mandatory notification (SINAN database, 2007–2020, n = 15,839), we identified regions through a clustering procedure based on beta‐diversity turnover. The analysis was repeated 1000 times by randomly shuffling the rows (0.5° cells) in the original matrix. We evaluated the relative importance of variables using multinomial logistic regression models: contemporary climate (temperature and precipitation), human activity (population density and geographic accessibility), land cover (11 classes), and the full model (all variables). We refined the geographic boundaries of each cluster by polygonising their kernel densities to identify clusters' core zones.

Results

The two‐cluster solution showed the best correspondence between disease ranges and clusters geographic limits. The largest cluster occurred with more density in the central and northeastern regions, while the smaller and complementary cluster occurred in the south and southeastern region. The best model for explaining the regionalization was the full model, supporting the ‘complex association hypothesis’. The heatmap showed a NE‐S directional display of the cluster's densities, and core zones showed geographic correspondence with tropical + arid (NE) versus temperate (S) climates.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that there is a discernible latitudinal pattern in the turnover of disease in Brazil, and this phenomenon is associated with an intricate interplay between contemporary climate, population activity, and land cover. This generalised biogeographic pattern may offer the earliest insights into the geographic arrangement of diseases in the country. We suggested that the latitudinal pattern could be adopted as a nationwide framework for geographic vaccine allocation.
How metabolism and development are intertwined in space and time
Authors: Caldana Camila , Carrari Fernando , Fernie Alisdair R. , Sampathkumar Arun
Published: July 2023

Developmental transitions, occurring throughout the life cycle of plants, require precise regulation of metabolic processes to generate the energy and resources necessary for the committed growth processes. In parallel, the establishment of new cells, tissues, and even organs, alongside their differentiation provoke profound changes in metabolism. It is increasingly being recognized that there is a certain degree of feedback regulation between the components and products of metabolic pathways and developmental regulators. The generation of large‐scale metabolomics datasets during developmental transitions, in combination with molecular genetic approaches has helped to further our knowledge on the functional importance of metabolic regulation of development. In this perspective article, we provide insights into studies that elucidate interactions between metabolism and development at the temporal and spatial scales. We additionally discuss how this influences cell growth‐related processes. We also highlight how metabolic intermediates function as signaling molecules to direct plant development in response to changing internal and external conditions.
The second‐generation curcumin analogue RL71 elicits G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in canine osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Kelly Barnaby , Thamm Douglas , Rosengren Rhonda J.
Published: July 2023

Canine osteosarcoma is an aggressive cancer, comprising 85% of canine bone neoplasms. Current treatment practices of surgery and chemotherapy increase 1‐year survival by only 45%. The curcumin analogue RL71, has demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo efficacy in several models of human breast cancer through increased apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate efficacy of curcumin analogues in two canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Osteosarcoma cell viability was assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay and mechanisms of action were determined by analysing the levels of cell cycle and apoptotic regulatory proteins via Western blotting. Further evidence was obtained using flow cytometry to detect cell cycle distribution and the number of apoptotic cells. RL71 was the most potent curcumin analogue with EC50 values of 0.64 ± 0.04 and 0.38 ± 0.009 μM (n = 3) in D‐17 (commercial) and Gracie canine osteosarcoma cells, respectively. RL71 significantly increased the ratio of cleaved‐caspase 3 to pro‐caspase 3 and the level of apoptotic cells at the 2× and 5× EC50 concentration (p < 0.001, n = 3). Furthermore, at the same concentration, RL71 significantly increased the number of cells in the G2/M phase. In conclusion, RL71 has potent cytotoxic activity in canine osteosarcoma cells triggering G2/M arrest and apoptosis at concentrations achievable in vivo. Future research should further investigate molecular mechanisms for these changes in other canine osteosarcoma cell lines prior to in vivo investigation.
Delay of definitive care in cats and dogs with gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction following antiemetic administration: 537 cases (2012–2020)
Authors: Puzio Claire E. , Rudloff Elke , Pigott Armi M.
Published: July 2023

Objective

To determine whether administration of antiemetic medication to dogs and cats with gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction (GIFBO) delays time to definitive care (surgery or endoscopy) and increases the risk of complications.

Design

Retrospective study (January 2012–July 2020).

Setting

Private referral center.

Animals

Five hundred and thirty‐seven (440 dogs and 97 cats).

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Medical records of dogs and cats with GIFBO were reviewed for antiemetic administration at the onset of clinical signs, time from onset of clinical signs to first intervention and definitive care, GIFBO‐related complications, and length of hospitalization. Antiemetics were prescribed for 200 of 537 patients (158 dogs, 42 cats). Antiemetic administration was associated with an increased time between the onset of clinical signs and definitive care (3.2 days [95% confidence interval, CI, 2.8–3.5] vs. 1.6 days [95% CI, 1.4–2.0]; P < 0.001) but not with GIFBO‐associated complications (P = 0.45). Antiemetic administration was associated with an increased length of hospitalization (1.6 days [95% CI, 1.4–1.7] vs. 1.1 days [95% CI, 1.1–1.2]; P < 0.001). A longer duration of clinical signs prior to intervention was associated with GIFBO‐related complications (P < 0.001) regardless of antiemetic administration.

Conclusions

Antiemetic administration in patients with GIFBO was associated with increased time to definitive care and length of hospitalization but not GIFBO‐associated complications. Antiemetics are not inherently contraindicated in patients for whom GIFBO is a differential, but clients should be counseled to monitor for progression of clinical signs and follow‐up accordingly.
Symplectic mapping class groups of blowups of tori
Authors: Smirnov Gleb
Published: July 2023

Let be a Kähler form on the real 4‐torus . Suppose that satisfies an irrationality condition that can be achieved by an arbitrarily small perturbation of . This note shows that the smoothly trivial symplectic mapping class group of the one‐point symplectic blowup of is infinitely generated.
Infección por Toxoplasma gondii como factor de riesgo para desarrollar esquizofrenia: revisión de la literatura
Authors: Botero Rodríguez Felipe , Zárate Ana María , Cote Martínez Damaris , Gómez Restrepo Carlos , Duarte Osorio Andrés
Published: July 2023

La esquizofrenia es un trastorno incapacitante del neurodesarrollo con una prevalencia a lo largo de la vida del 1 %. Algunos estudios han relacionado diversas enfermedades infecciosas con su incidencia y curso clínico, incluida la infección por Toxoplasma gondii. Este artículo es una revisión narrativa de la literatura, sobre la posible asociación entre la infección por T. gondii y la esquizofrenia. De 621 estudios, se utilizaron 34 que cumplieron con los criterios de selección. Se encontró una mayor incidencia de esquizofrenia en la descendencia de madres con antecedente de toxoplasmosis, a la vez que en adultos la infección se asoció con menor respuesta terapéutica, variación en días de hospitalización y mayor prevalencia. Sin embargo, las limitaciones metodológicas y los sesgos evidenciados en algunos de los estudios revisados sustentan la necesidad de conducir investigaciones que permitan determinar la validez de las asociaciones descritas.
Acoustic source characterization of simulated subsonic jet noise using spherical harmonics
Authors: Dreier Christian , Vogt Xenia , Schröder Wolfgang , Vorländer Michael
Published: July 2023

As subsonic jets remain one of the major contributions to aircraft noise emissions, near-field flow simulations should be included in aircraft design at an early stage using quantitatively predicted sound pressure levels and the time-domain signal properties of the noise data. In this regard, the interface from the near-field data to the far-field radiation—under consideration of acoustic reflections from objects such as fuselage and wings—remains as bottleneck. This study presents the computation of a spherical equivalent source model of jet noise with minimal complexity by means of spherical harmonic (SH) coefficients. Using spherical Hankel extrapolation of sound pressure data from virtual, concentrical microphone arrays, the results of the determination for the radius, in which all acoustic sources of a flow field are confined, indicate the source radius around the end of the potential core to be equivalent to five times the nozzle diameter. The result of the SH transform shows the dominant energy contribution to be related to nine elementary sources. The resulting equivalent source model of jet noise provides a convenient format for further use in large-scale computational fluid dynamics simulations.
WaveNet-based approximation of a cochlear filtering and hair cell transduction model
Authors: Nagathil Anil , Bruce Ian C.
Published: July 2023

Computational auditory models are important tools for gaining new insights into hearing mechanisms, and they can provide a foundation for bio-inspired speech and audio processing algorithms. However, accurate models often entail an immense computational effort, rendering their application unfeasible if quick execution is required. This paper presents a WaveNet-based approximation of the normal-hearing cochlear filtering and inner hair cell (IHC) transduction stages of a widely used auditory model [Zilany and Bruce (2006). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120(3), 1446–1466]. The WaveNet model was trained and optimized using a large dataset of clean speech, noisy speech, and music for a wide range of sound pressure levels (SPLs) and characteristic frequencies between 125 Hz and 8 kHz. The model was evaluated with unseen (noisy) speech, music signals, sine tones, and click signals at SPLs between 30 and 100 dB. It provides accurate predictions of the IHC receptor potentials for a given input stimulus and allows an efficient execution with processing times up to 250 times lower compared to an already optimized reference implementation of the original auditory model. The WaveNet model is fully differentiable, thus, allowing its application in the context of deep-learning-based speech and audio enhancement algorithms.
Cathepsin W restrains peripheral regulatory T cells for mucosal immune quiescence
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Zuojia , Kim Girak , Luo Jialie , Hori Shohei , Wu Chuan
Published: July 2023

Peripheral regulatory T (pT
reg
) cells are a key T cell lineage for mucosal immune tolerance and anti-inflammatory responses, and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling is critical for T
reg
cell generation, expansion, and maintenance. The expression of IL-2R on pT
reg
cells is tightly regulated to ensure proper induction and function of pT
reg
cells without a clear molecular mechanism. We here demonstrate that Cathepsin W (CTSW), a cysteine proteinase highly induced in pT
reg
cells under transforming growth factor–β stimulation is essential for the restraint of pT
reg
cell differentiation in an intrinsic manner. Loss of CTSW results in elevated pT
reg
cell generation, protecting the animals from intestinal inflammation. Mechanistically, CTSW inhibits IL-2R signaling in pT
reg
cells by cytosolic interaction with and process of CD25, repressing signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 activation to restrain pT
reg
cell generation and maintenance. Hence, our data indicate that CTSW acts as a gatekeeper to calibrate pT
reg
cell differentiation and function for mucosal immune quiescence.
Direct tracking of ultrafast proton transfer in water dimers
Authors: Schnorr Kirsten , Belina Michal , Augustin Sven , Lindenblatt Hannes , Liu Yifan , Meister Severin , Pfeifer Thomas , Schmid Georg , Treusch Rolf , Trost Florian , Slavíček Petr , Moshammer Robert
Published: July 2023

Upon ionization, water forms a highly acidic radical cation H
2
O
+·
that undergoes ultrafast proton transfer (PT)—a pivotal step in water radiation chemistry, initiating the production of reactive H
3
O
+
, OH

⋅

radicals, and a (hydrated) electron. Until recently, the time scales, mechanisms, and state-dependent reactivity of ultrafast PT could not be directly traced. Here, we investigate PT in water dimers using time-resolved ion coincidence spectroscopy applying a free-electron laser. An extreme ultraviolet (XUV) pump photon initiates PT, and only dimers that have undergone PT at the instance of the ionizing XUV probe photon result in distinct H
3
O
+
+ OH
+
pairs. By tracking the delay-dependent yield and kinetic energy release of these ion pairs, we measure a PT time of (55 ± 20) femtoseconds and image the geometrical rearrangement of the dimer cations during and after PT. Our direct measurement shows good agreement with nonadiabatic dynamics simulations for the initial PT and allows us to benchmark nonadiabatic theory.
Discovery of spectacular quasar-driven superbubbles in red quasars
Authors: Shen Lu , Liu Guilin , He Zhicheng , Zakamska Nadia L. , Glikman Eilat , Greene Jenny E. , Hu Weida , Mou Guobin , Wylezalek Dominika , Rupke David S. N.
Published: July 2023

Quasar-driven outflows on galactic scales are a routinely invoked ingredient for galaxy formation models. We report the discovery of ionized gas nebulae surrounding three luminous red quasars at
z
~ 0.4 from Gemini integral field unit observations. All these nebulae feature unprecedented pairs of “superbubbles” extending ~20 kpc in diameter, and the line-of-sight velocity difference between the red- and blueshifted bubbles reaches up to ~1200 km/s. Their spectacular dual-bubble morphology (in analogy to the galactic “Fermi bubbles”) and their kinematics provide unambiguous evidence for galaxy-wide quasar-driven outflows, in parallel with the quasi-spherical outflows similar in size from luminous type 1 and type 2 quasars at concordant redshift. These bubble pairs manifest themselves as a signpost of the short-lived superbubble “break-out” phase, when the quasar wind drives the bubbles to escape the confinement from the dense environment and plunge into the galactic halo with a high-velocity expansion.
Artificial intelligence–coupled plasmonic infrared sensor for detection of structural protein biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Kavungal Deepthy , Magalhães Pedro , Kumar Senthil T. , Kolla Rajasekhar , Lashuel Hilal A. , Altug Hatice
Published: July 2023

Diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease is challenging owing to the lack of tools to detect preclinical biomarkers. The misfolding of proteins into oligomeric and fibrillar aggregates plays an important role in the development and progression of NDDs, thus underscoring the need for structural biomarker–based diagnostics. We developed an immunoassay-coupled nanoplasmonic infrared metasurface sensor that detects proteins linked to NDDs, such as alpha-synuclein, with specificity and differentiates the distinct structural species using their unique absorption signatures. We augmented the sensor with an artificial neural network enabling unprecedented quantitative prediction of oligomeric and fibrillar protein aggregates in their mixture. The microfluidic integrated sensor can retrieve time-resolved absorbance fingerprints in the presence of a complex biomatrix and is capable of multiplexing for the simultaneous monitoring of multiple pathology-associated biomarkers. Thus, our sensor is a promising candidate for the clinical diagnosis of NDDs, disease monitoring, and evaluation of novel therapies.
Architecture of industrial Bi-Mo-Co-Fe-K-O propene oxidation catalysts
Authors: Amakawa Kazuhiko , Mauß Jonathan M. , Müller Philipp , Hinrichsen Bernd , Hirth Sabine , Bader Armin , Price Stephen W. T. , Jacques Simon D. M. , Macht Josef
Published: July 2023

Industrial heterogeneous catalysts show high performance coupled with high material complexity. Deconvoluting this complexity into simplified models eases mechanistic studies. However, this approach dilutes the relevance because models are often less performing. We present a holistic approach to reveal the origin of high performance without losing the relevance by pivoting the system at an industrial benchmark. Combining kinetic and structural analyses, we show how the performance of Bi-Mo-Co-Fe-K-O industrial acrolein catalysts occurs. The surface BiMoO ensembles decorated with K supported on β-Co1−xFexMoO4perform the propene oxidation, while the K-doped iron molybdate pools electrons to activate dioxygen. The nanostructured vacancy-rich and self-doped bulk phases ensure the charge transport between the two active sites. The features particular to the real system enable the high performance.
Improved control of a prosthetic limb by surgically creating electro-neuromuscular constructs with implanted electrodes
Authors: Zbinden Jan , Sassu Paolo , Mastinu Enzo , Earley Eric J. , Munoz-Novoa Maria , Brånemark Rickard , Ortiz-Catalan Max
Published: July 2023

Remnant muscles in the residual limb after amputation are the most common source of control signals for prosthetic hands, because myoelectric signals can be generated by the user at will. However, for individuals with amputation higher up the arm, such as an above-elbow (transhumeral) amputation, insufficient muscles remain to generate myoelectric signals to enable control of the lost arm and hand joints, thus making intuitive control of wrist and finger prosthetic joints unattainable. We show that severed nerves can be divided along their fascicles and redistributed to concurrently innervate different types of muscle targets, particularly native denervated muscles and nonvascularized free muscle grafts. We engineered these neuromuscular constructs with implanted electrodes that were accessible via a permanent osseointegrated interface, allowing for bidirectional communication with the prosthesis while also providing direct skeletal attachment. We found that the transferred nerves effectively innervated their new targets as shown by a gradual increase in myoelectric signal strength. This allowed for individual flexion and extension of all five fingers of a prosthetic hand by a patient with a transhumeral amputation. Improved prosthetic function in tasks representative of daily life was also observed. This proof-of-concept study indicates that motor neural commands can be increased by creating electro-neuromuscular constructs using distributed nerve transfers to different muscle targets with implanted electrodes, enabling improved control of a limb prosthesis.
Analysis of Bacterial Phosphorylcholine-Related Genes Reveals an Association between Type-Specific Biosynthesis Pathways and Biomolecules Targeted for Phosphorylcholine Modification
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Jen Freda E.-C. , Edwards Jennifer L. , Jennings Michael P.
Published: July 2023

The modification of bacterial surface virulence factors with phosphorylcholine (ChoP) plays an important role in bacterial virulence and pathogenesis. However, the ChoP biosynthetic pathways in bacteria have not been fully understood.
Two episodes of late Mesoproterozoic magmatism in the southwestern Yangtze Block, China, and their association with Grenville-aged orogenic cycles
Authors: Wang Yan-Jun , Zhu Wei-Guang , Li Zheng-Xiang , Zhong Hong , Bai Zhong-Jie , Leng Cheng-Biao , Xu Jian-Bing
Published: July 2023

We report three sets of newly identified late Mesoproterozoic mafic intrusions in the southwestern Yangtze Block, China. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) baddeleyite and zircon U-Pb analyses yield crystallization ages of ca. 1.15 Ga for the Boka dolerites, ca. 1.07 Ga for the Lanniping gabbros, and ca. 1.06 Ga for the Tong’an mafic dikes. These are tholeiitic to alkaline rocks with enriched mid-ocean-ridge basalt (E-MORB)−like trace-element patterns and superchondritic εNd(t) values, indicating a partial melting origin from the asthenospheric mantle. These results, along with existing data, define two episodes of late Mesoproterozoic, rift-related mafic magmatism in the southwestern Yangtze Block: an early phase at 1.17−1.14 Ga and a late phase at 1.07−1.02 Ga. Initiation of the two episodes of extensional events in the southwestern Yangtze Block coincided with high-grade Grenville-aged metamorphism in Hainan Island and possible early collision of Cathaysia with the southwestern Yangtze Block, indicating an impactogen model. Therefore, we interpret the observed two episodes to have resulted from local collision between the southwestern Yangtze Block and the Cathaysia Block (including Hainan Island), which was possibly a part of western Laurentia during the assembly of Rodinia.
Supplemental Material: Modern ocean island basalt–like 182W signature in Paleoarchean mafic rocks: Implications for the generation, preservation, and destruction of early mantle heterogeneities
Authors: Mei Qing-Feng , Yang Jin-Hui , al. et
Published: July 2023

Supplemental information, tables, and figures.  
Ocular features of autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy
Authors: Bari Aafreen , Mahmood Asjad , Chawla Rohan , Sinha Rajesh
Published: July 2023

Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a multisystemic rare genetic disorder characterised by abnormalities of the immune system. We report the ocular features of APECED in two siblings of an Indian family, out of four who are still living. The ocular features of this disorder primarily included madarosis, refractive error, heterochromia, corneal opacity and peripheral retinal pigment epithelium degeneration. There is marked phenotypical heterogeneity in this disorder. We found differences even between monozygotic twins. While one of the twins did not have any ocular issues, the other one did. The child with corneal involvement was the most symptomatic; however, it did not lead to visual impairment. On genetic workup, homozygous p.M1V mutation was found in exon 1 of AIRE gene that has not been studied in Indian subjects with APECED. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report in literature describing ocular features of APECED in an Indian family with distinctive genetic involvement.
Refractory type I cryoglobulinaemia requiring serial amputations
Authors: Kelly Adam , Collar Nicholas , Hammons Lindsay
Published: July 2023

We present a rare case of a man in his 40s who presented with bilateral lower extremity necrosis. After an extensive workup, he was diagnosed with type I cryoglobulinaemia (TIC) based on severe vaso-occlusive symptoms, presence of serum cryoglobins and tissue biopsy showing small-vessel vasculitis. Treatment was multimodal and targeted both his underlying lymphoproliferative disorder (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) and inflammatory state. Steroids, plasmapheresis and immunotherapy were administered with temporary remission of symptoms. After discharge, patient continued to repeatedly present with progressive bilateral lower extremity necrosis and new upper extremity digital necrosis necessitating further pharmacological treatment and surgical intervention—bilateral above the knee amputation and multiple digital hand amputations. This case illustrates a severe example of TIC where diagnosis was difficult due to atypical presentation, and disease was refractory to multimodal therapies necessitating surgical intervention to achieve temporary remission.
Massive inguinal herniation of the bladder with bilateral hydronephrosis, complicated by psychosis
Authors: Kinnear Ned , Hennessey Derek Barrry
Published: July 2023

Massive inguinal herniation of the bladder is rare. This case was made more dramatic by the late presentation and simultaneous psychiatric condition. A man in his 70s was found in his burning house and admitted for smoke inhalation. Initially refusing examination or investigation, on the third day, he was found to have massive inguinal bladder herniation, bilateral hydronephrosis and acute renal failure. After urethral catheterisation, bilateral ureteric stent insertion and resolution of postobstructive diuresis, the patient underwent open right inguinal hernia repair and return of the bladder to its orthotopic position. He also diagnosed with schizotypal personality disorder with psychosis, malnutrition, iron deficiency anaemia, heart failure and chronic lower limb ulcers. Four months later and after multiple failed trial of voids, the patient underwent transurethral resection of prostate with successful resumption of spontaneous voiding.