bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuromodulatory role of L-arginine: nitric oxide precursor against thioacetamide-induced-hepatic encephalopathy in rats via downregulation of NF-κB-mediated apoptosis
Authors: Sedik Ahmed A. , Hassan Azza , Saleh Dalia O.
Published: June 2023

The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of arginine (ARG), a nitric oxide (NO) precursor, on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in rats by injection of TAA (100 mg/kg, i.p) three times per week for six consecutive weeks. TAA-injected rats were administered ARG (100 mg/kg; p.o.) concurrently with TAA for the six consecutive weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn, and rats were sacrificed; liver and brain tissues were isolated. Results of the present study demonstrated that ARG administration to TAA-injected rats revealed a restoration in the serum and brain ammonia levels as well as serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels as well as behavioral alterations evidenced by restoration in locomotor activity, motor skill performance, and memory impairment. ARG showed also improvement in the hepatic and neuro-biochemical values, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers. All these results were confirmed by histopathological evaluation as well as ultrastructural imaging of the cerebellum using a transmission electron microscope. Furthermore, treatment with ARG could ameliorate the immunological reactivity of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in the cerebellum and hepatic tissues. From all the previous results, it can be fulfilled that ARG showed a beneficial role in modulating the adverse complications associated with TAA-induced HE in rats via reducing hyperammonemia and downregulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated apoptosis.
A meta-analysis on the heavy metal uptake in Amaranthus species
Authors: Tőzsér Dávid , Yelamanova Ayash , Sipos Bianka , Magura Tibor , Simon Edina
Published: June 2023

Metals can accumulate in different parts of plant species in high concentrations, which gives the basis for the plant-based technology called phytoremediation. Among annual species, Amaranthus is a well-studied, potential metal accumulator genus; however, some conflicts are found among published results. Thus, we studied the metal (Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and Zn) accumulation potential of Amaranthus plant parts (root, stem, and leaf) by meta-analysis, furthermore, by calculation of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values. After the extensive literature search and the calculation of relative interaction intensity (RII) values, we found significant accumulation for each metal by Amaranthus individuals growing on contaminated soils compared to plants collected from uncontaminated ones. Differences among plant parts were significant for Cu and Fe, minor for Ni, Pb, and Zn, and negligible for Cd. The BAF values indicated high accumulation in the leaf, moderate in root and stem for Cd, moderate in each plant part for Pb, and very low in each plant part for Fe, Ni, and Zn. We highlight that Amaranthus species are good prospects for metal phytoremediation projects, although, due to specific plant part-metal patterns, special attention should be paid to the harvesting practice.
Automated wound segmentation and classification of seven common injuries in forensic medicine
Authors: Zimmermann Norio , Sieberth Till , Dobay Akos
Published: June 2023

In forensic medical investigations, physical injuries are documented with photographs accompanied by written reports. Automatic segmentation and classification of wounds on these photographs could provide forensic pathologists with a tool to improve the assessment of injuries and accelerate the reporting process. In this pilot study, we trained and compared several preexisting deep learning architectures for image segmentation and wound classification on forensically relevant photographs in our database. The best scores were a mean pixel accuracy of 69.4% and a mean intersection over union (IoU) of 48.6% when evaluating the trained models on our test set. The models had difficulty distinguishing the background from wounded areas. As an example, image pixels showing subcutaneous hematomas or skin abrasions were assigned to the background class in 31% of cases. Stab wounds, on the other hand, were reliably classified with a pixel accuracy of 93%. These results can be partially attributed to undefined wound boundaries for some types of injuries, such as subcutaneous hematoma. However, despite the large class imbalance, we demonstrate that the best trained models could reliably distinguish among seven of the most common wounds encountered in forensic medical investigations.
Investigating human-induced threat to hydrological regime of Lake Chilwa Basin, Malawi
Authors: Kambombe Oscar , Ngongondo Cosmo , Monjerezi Maurice , Eneya Levis
Published: June 2023

The sensitivity of watersheds to climatic and land use alterations remains subject of scientific interest globally. In this study, we analysed hydrological responses to transitions in land use/cover and climate impacts within Lake Chilwa Basin in Malawi, using the soil and water assessment tools (SWAT). Results show that deforestation and cropland expansion largely characterized the basin, particularly in the 2000s decade. SWAT model proved highly effective in analyzing impacts of environmental changes, with indicators such as Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (Ens), Per cent bias (PBIAS) and ratio of root mean square error to measured standard deviation (RSR) presenting satisfactory values of; 0.88, 0.86; − 11.6%, − 19.8% and 0.34, 0.37 after calibration and validation, respectively. Comparison of exceedance probability between periods provided evidence of increasing runoff of up to 11% and subsequent declining baseflows linked to deforestation; irrespective of climate influence which portrayed a decrease–increase–decrease decadal impact on streamflow. The study further shows that forest vegetation tended to escalate evapotranspiration (ET), although the forest role of reducing runoff and enhancing groundwater recharge outweighed the ET effect. Since most watersheds in the basin remain significantly deforested, the threat of increased runoff leading to flooding and declining dry-seasonal river flows is certain.
Non-structural and operational parameters for the estimation of seismic vulnerability of wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Kerpelis P. N. , Golfinopoulos S. K. , Alexakis D. E. , Repapis C. C.
Published: June 2023

The seismic vulnerability of public buildings must be estimated using structural or non-structural parameters. Scientists ought to investigate these factors for the estimation and analysis of lifelines such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Although efforts have been made in the past, the serious non-structural and operational parameters are not enough defined. This study considers the amount of shortening of the supposed factors after the literature retrieval of WWTPs’ damages at sixteen severe earthquake events worldwide and three events from Greece. The corresponding parameters used for “ordinary structures” are taken into account. The most severe factors for non-structural vulnerability are seven while for operational vulnerability are nine, including soil, water and air pollution, respectively. These factors can assist the rapid qualitative estimation of seismic vulnerability. Implementing these agents by introducing them to an empirical estimation method will mitigate the seismic risk against the WWTPs, in parallel with measures adopted.
Pharmacological modulation of adaptive thermogenesis: new clues for obesity management?
Authors: Genchi V. A. , Palma G. , Sorice G. P. , D’Oria R. , Caccioppoli C. , Marrano N. , Biondi G. , Caruso I. , Cignarelli A. , Natalicchio A. , Laviola L. , Giorgino F. , Perrini S.
Published: June 2023

Background

Adaptive
thermogenesis represents the main mechanism through which the body generates heat in response to external stimuli, a phenomenon that includes shivering and non-shivering thermogenesis. The non-shivering thermogenesis is mainly exploited by adipose tissue characterized by a brown aspect, which specializes in energy dissipation. A decreased amount of brown adipose tissue has been observed in ageing and chronic illnesses such as obesity, a worldwide health problem characterized by dysfunctional adipose tissue expansion and associated cardiometabolic complications. In the last decades, the discovery of a trans-differentiation mechanism (“browning”) within white adipose tissue depots, leading to the generation of brown-like cells, allowed to explore new natural and synthetic compounds able to favour this process and thus enhance thermogenesis with the aim of counteracting obesity. Based on recent findings, brown adipose tissue-activating agents could represent another option in addition to appetite inhibitors and inhibitors of nutrient absorption for obesity treatment.

Purpose

This review investigates the main molecules involved in the physiological (e.g. incretin hormones) and pharmacological (e.g. β3-adrenergic receptors agonists, thyroid receptor agonists, farnesoid X receptor agonists, glucagon-like peptide-1, and glucagon receptor agonists) modulation of adaptive thermogenesis and the signalling mechanisms involved.
Weighted prime geodesic theorems
Authors: Deitmar Anton
Published: June 2023

Prime geodesic theorems for weighted infinite graphs and weighted building quotients are given. The growth rates are expressed in terms of the spectral data of suitable translation operators inspired by a paper of Bass.
Factors controlling organic matter accumulation in the Longmaxi Formation shale, Changning area, South Sichuan Basin
Authors: Chen Lei , Chen Xin , Tan Xiucheng , Zheng Jian , Yang Yang , Jing Cui , Zhou Hao , Wang Gaoxiang
Published: June 2023

Based on total organic content (TOC) tests and major-trace element test data, this study examined organic matter accumulation and controlling factors of the Longmaxi Formation shale in the Changning area, southern Sichuan Basin. The results showed that (1) TOC content of the Long11 submember (S1l11) shale was between 0.46% and 8.35%. Vertically, TOC revealed a ‘sandwich cake’ pattern with a high TOC content concentrated in the 1st layers of Long11 submember (S1l11–1) and 3rd layers of Long11 submember (S1l11–3) and a lower TOC content in the 2nd layers of Long11 submember (S1l11–2) and 4th layers of Long11 submember (S1l11–4). Spatial distribution of TOC showed variations and migration in S1l11. (2) S1l11 shale TOC showed a logarithmic correlation with sedimentary environment index, negative correlation with terrigenous influx, and complex correlation with paleoproductivity. (3) Factors controlling organic matter accumulation were mainly redox conditions, followed by paleoproductivity and terrigenous input in Changning area. When the paleoproductivity index (Babio) was less than 2200 μg/g, the redox conditions was the controlling factor of organic matter accumulation. On the contrary, it is ultrahigh paleoproductivity. Vertically, organic matter accumulation mode evolved from “preservation conditions” to “productivity–preservation conditions synergy mode” to “productivity mode”. (4) An anoxic condition was the basis of organic matter accumulation. Medium–high paleoproductivity was the key to organic matter accumulation. These study results are expected to contribute to shale gas exploration and development.
Hypoparathyroidism – management, information needs, and impact on daily living from the patients’ perspective: results from a population-based survey
Authors: Büttner Matthias , Krogh Dieter , Führer Dagmar , Fuß Carmina Teresa , Willenberg Holger Sven , Luster Markus , Singer Susanne , Siggelkow Heide
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Hypoparathyriodism (hypoPT) is a rare endocrine disorder. It is not known how hypoPT is managed in Germany or whether patients have unmet information needs or impairments in their daily living.

Methods

HypoPT patients at a minimum of 6 months’ post-diagnosis were invited to participate in an online survey through their treating physician or through patient organizations. An extensive questionnaire, which was developed and pilot-tested with hypoPT patients, was administered.

Results

A total of 264 patients with a mean age of 54.5 years (SD: 13.3), 85.2% female and 92% with postsurgical hypoPT, participated in the study. In total, 74% of the patients reported regular monitoring of serum calcium at least every 6 months, with lower control frequencies for phosphate (47%), magnesium (36%), creatinine (54%), and parathyroid hormone (50%), and 24-h urine calcium excretion (36%) on a yearly basis. Information on symptoms of hypo- and hypercalcemia was available in 72 and 45% of the patients. Information needs were related to the disease and its treatment as well as to nutrition, physical activities/sports, and support opportunities. Statistically significant differences for all information needs in association with symptom burden were observed. Hospitalization for hypocalcemia was reported by 32%, nutritional impairments (38%) or impact on work ability (52%) was available among patients with hypoPT.

Conclusion

HypoPT patients experience impairments in daily living and report unmet information needs. Patient and physician education regarding hypoPT is one of the key concepts for improving the management of patients with hypoPT.
Cobalt Combined with Potassium Humate as Beneficial Applications in Alleviating Water Stress Impacts on Groundnut During Sensitive Growth Stages
Authors: Elshamly Ayman M. S.
Published: June 2023

Enhancing plant nutrition during critical periods of water stress is a paramount objective. As such, this study aims to examine the effects that arise from implementing water stress regimes during the sensitive growth phases of groundnut. Furthermore, we will explore the impact of applying cobalt and potassium humate individually or in combination, either through foliar application (KH-F) or soil amendments (KH-S), to mitigate the adverse effects on nutrient accumulation, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency (Iwue). A field experiment was conducted between 2021 and 2022 using a split-split plot design. In the main plots, an additional control of full irrigation requirement scheme (IR100) was implemented, along with three other schemes: the first involved applying 75% of the irrigation requirement during the development stage (IRD75), the second applied 75% during the flowering till pod stage (IRF75), and the third involved applying 85% from the development stage till the pod stage (IR85). In the subplots, cobalt was applied at rates of 0 and 7.5 mg l−1 to the plants. The sub-sub plots were further divided to investigate the effects of KH-F and KH-S. Plants that experienced water stress during the flowering stage were found to be more vulnerable. However, when treated with KH-S, there were significant improvements in yield compared to KH-F treatment. This effect was particularly pronounced under the IRF75 irrigation scheme. Interestingly, there was an antagonistic relationship observed between cobalt and iron or manganese, in contrast to other nutrients. When KH-S was applied in combination with cobalt, it showed the potential to enhance various characteristics and increase the uptake of iron or manganese. The highest yield, nutrient accumulation, and Iwue were achieved through the combined application of cobalt and KH-S, along with adopting the IR85% irrigation scheme.
How Much Information is Enough? Understanding the Alabama Supreme Court’s Expansion of the Causation Standard in Failure to Warn Claims
Authors: Herr Allison
Published: June 2023

This RCD analyzes the Alabama Supreme Court’s recent answer to two certified questions sent to the court from the Eleventh Circuit. The questions involved whether a pharmaceutical company’s duty to warn included a duty to provide instructions about how to properly mitigate for warned of risks, and if the pharmaceutical company had such a duty could a plaintiff recover if their physician would have prescribed the same drug but just changed their monitoring scheme. The Alabama Supreme Court answered both questions in the affirmative, expanding the causation standard in failure to warn claims.
Hair and Hat Ritual Shaming Punishments in Nineteenth-Century Iran
Authors: Vejdani Farzin
Published: June 2023

This article considers three temporary and reversible penal shaming acts in nineteenth-century Iran: the shaving or cutting of hair, irrespective of gender; the shaving or cutting of men's facial hair; and the forcible removal of headgear or the coerced wearing of silly headgear. Drawing on anthropological, historical, and sociological studies of hair, this study argues that hair and hat punishments embodied elements of ritual, sexuality, social control, and marginalization. In order to understand the meaning of these penal acts, the article looks at general taboos around hair and head exposure alongside licit and voluntary forms of cutting or shaving hair. Illicit sex, heresy, and alcohol consumption were recurring moral crimes most often associated with such forms of humiliating punishment. Since restoration of honor was not the sole prerogative of the government, these punishments were often carried out by those acting on behalf of a religious authority or individually and collectively by ordinary subjects outraged by a moral violation.
Signing CEDAW and Women’s Rights: Human Rights Treaty Signature and Legal Mobilization
Authors: Comstock Audrey L.
Published: June 2023

Can commitment to international human rights law promote human rights when the commitment is not yet legally binding? I argue that treaty signature can be used by non-governmental organizations and other rights actors to mobilize around rights standards and hold states accountable in the lead up to binding treaty ratification. Using the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (CEDAW) as a case, I argue that CEDAW signature can have a positive impact on women’s rights. I find overall support for the argument that, following signature, states are significantly and positively associated with higher women’s rights. The findings hold across numerous robustness checks. Using an illustrative case of CEDAW signature and mobilization in the United States, I demonstrate that activists drew on the treaty following signature in the absence of ratification. The argument and results contribute to the study of international law and women’s rights mobilization, highlighting the importance of signature commitment as a tool for advancing women’s rights in advance of treaty ratification.
Early-initiated childhood reading for pleasure: associations with better cognitive performance, mental well-being and brain structure in young adolescence
Authors: Sun Yun-Jun , Sahakian Barbara J. , Langley Christelle , Yang Anyi , Jiang Yuchao , Kang Jujiao , Zhao Xingming , Li Chunhe , Cheng Wei , Feng Jianfeng
Published: June 2023

Background

Childhood is a crucial neurodevelopmental period. We investigated whether childhood reading for pleasure (RfP) was related to young adolescent assessments of cognition, mental health, and brain structure.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional and longitudinal study in a large-scale US national cohort (10 000 + young adolescents), using the well-established linear mixed model and structural equation methods for twin study, longitudinal and mediation analyses. A 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis for potential causal inference was also performed. Important factors including socio-economic status were controlled.

Results

Early-initiated long-standing childhood RfP (early RfP) was highly positively correlated with performance on cognitive tests and significantly negatively correlated with mental health problem scores of young adolescents. These participants with higher early RfP scores exhibited moderately larger total brain cortical areas and volumes, with increased regions including the temporal, frontal, insula, supramarginal; left angular, para-hippocampal; right middle-occipital, anterior-cingulate, orbital areas; and subcortical ventral-diencephalon and thalamus. These brain structures were significantly related to their cognitive and mental health scores, and displayed significant mediation effects. Early RfP was longitudinally associated with higher crystallized cognition and lower attention symptoms at follow-up. Approximately 12 h/week of youth regular RfP was cognitively optimal. We further observed a moderately significant heritability of early RfP, with considerable contribution from environments. MR analysis revealed beneficial causal associations of early RfP with adult cognitive performance and left superior temporal structure.

Conclusions

These findings, for the first time, revealed the important relationships of early RfP with subsequent brain and cognitive development and mental well-being.
The Sandringham Estate: the Prince of Wales’s 1862 purchase and implications for local people, wildlife and landscape
Authors: Jones Rachael
Published: June 2023

The Sandringham Estate was purchased in 1862 by the Prince of Wales to be his home away from London. This article uses a variety of sources to chart the changes to the estate as the prince developed his new holding. The acquisition required staff at all levels and in many and varied roles, which gave opportunities to local people and to those who moved in from further away. The countryside changed dramatically too with new plantations of trees and significantly increased rearing of game birds. There were benefits for the local population in having a royal landlord but there was also tension related to the prince’s predilection for blood sports and his level of control. The hitherto nearly invisible lower ranks of staff on this royal estate come to the fore in this article, which is a striking example of ‘history from below’ set immediately beside the royal family.
Indian Animal Ethics
Authors: Adamson Peter
Published: June 2023

Ancient India is famous as a home for the ethical concept of ahimsa, meaning ‘non-violence’. Among other things, this moral principle demanded avoiding cruelty towards animals and led to the widespread adoption of vegetarianism. In this article, it is argued that the reasoning which led the ancient Indians to avoid violence towards animals might actually provide a more powerful rationale for vegetarianism than the utilitarian rationale that is more prevalent among animal rights activists nowadays.
Interaktionsbezogene Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte
Authors: Wolstein Katrin , Mischo Christoph , Peters Svenja , Ehm Jan-Henning
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung: Befunde aus der Schulforschung verweisen auf die Relevanz berufsbezogener Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen für die pädagogische Interaktionsqualität. Für den Kita-Alltag liegt hierzu bislang kaum Forschung vor. In dieser Studie wurde ein Fragebogen entwickelt und die interaktionsbezogenen Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen an N = 120 (angehenden) frühpädagogischen Fachkräften in drei Bereichen der Interaktionsqualität erfasst (Emotionale Unterstützung, Organisation des Kita-Alltags und Lernunterstützung). Die Analysen verglichen dreifaktorielle und bifaktorielle konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen (3-CFA, B-CFA) mit explorativen Strukturgleichungsmodellen (3-ESEM, B-ESEM). Die Ergebnisse zeigen eine ausreichende Differenzierung der drei Bereiche und eine gute Passung des konfirmatorischen dreifaktoriellen Modells (3-CFA) und bifaktoriellen Modells (B-CFA). Eine erste Validierung ergab einen signifikanten Zusammenhang von Selbstwirksamkeitserwartungen mit Berufserfahrung, nicht aber mit der Qualifikation (3-CFA) sowie einen Zusammenhang mit dem Generalfaktor, nicht aber den spezifischen Faktoren (B-CFA). Konsequenzen für die weitere Anwendung des Fragebogenverfahrens und die inhaltliche Bedeutung der Ergebnisse für die alltägliche Interaktionsqualität frühpädagogischer Fachkräfte in Kindertageseinrichtungen werden diskutiert.
On the Remote Impacts of Mid‐Holocene Saharan Vegetation on South American Hydroclimate: A Modeling Intercomparison
Authors: Tiwari S. , Ramos R. D. , Pausata F. S. R. , LeGrande A. N. , Griffiths M. L. , Beltrami H. , Wainer I. , de Vernal A. , Litchmore D. T. , Chandan D. , Peltier W. R. , Tabor C. R.
Published: June 2023

Proxy reconstructions from the mid‐Holocene (MH: 6,000 years ago) indicate an intensification of the West African Monsoon and a weakening of the South American Monsoon, primarily resulting from orbitally‐driven insolation changes. However, model studies that account for MH orbital configurations and greenhouse gas concentrations can only partially reproduce these changes. Most model studies do not account for the remarkable vegetation changes that occurred during the MH, in particular over the Sahara, precluding realistic simulations of the period. Here, we study precipitation changes over northern Africa and South America using four fully coupled global climate models by accounting for the Saharan greening. Incorporating the Green Sahara amplifies orbitally‐driven changes over both regions, and leads to an improvement in proxy‐model agreement. Our work highlights the local and remote impacts of vegetation and the importance of considering vegetation changes in the Sahara when studying and modeling global climate.
Reconstructing the Iberian Salt‐Bearing Rifted Margin of the Southern Pyrenees: Insights From the Organyà Basin
Authors: Casini Giulio , Vergés Jaume , Drzewiecki Peter , Ford Mary , Cruset David , Wright Wayne , Hunt David
Published: June 2023

Reinterpretation of the Organyà Basin, based on new detailed field observations and subsurface data, emphasizes the key contribution of Upper Triassic evaporites in the tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the South‐Central Pyrenees. Results are integrated in a 65‐km long restored cross‐section through the Serres Marginals, Montsec and eastern Organyà salt‐related depocenters. The reconstructed part of the Jurassic–Cretaceous northern Iberian salt‐rich rifted margin shows a template characterized by inherited Permo‐Triassic basement normal faults and an initial salt thickness of 0.7 km to the south and 1.5 km to the north. The Organyà Basin is part of the South Pyrenean Diapiric Province, a large system of salt related depocenters and minibasins, that is limited to the north by the more than 120‐km long Senterada salt wall complex separating the supra‐salt and sub‐salt domains in the Southern Pyrenees. Three main stages of diapiric activity are recognized along the northern Iberian margin from Asturias to the Eastern Pyrenees: a Jurassic early salt mobilization; a latest Jurassic–middle Albian main diapiric evolution associated with rifting; and a Campanian–Miocene diapiric reactivation during basin inversion that produced salt welds and thrust welds and translated the salt province some 60 km to the south.
High‐Resolution Snowstorm Measurements and Retrievals Using Cross‐Platform Multi‐Frequency and Polarimetric Radars
Authors: Dunnavan Edwin L. , Carlin Jacob T. , Schvartzman David , Ryzhkov Alexander V. , Bluestein Howard , Emmerson Samuel , McFarquhar Greg M. , Heymsfield Gerald M. , Yorks John
Published: June 2023

Many studies have performed microphysical retrievals using radars of different frequencies, platforms, and methodologies. However, little is known about the consistency of retrievals derived from different radar platforms (i.e., airborne or spaceborne vs. ground‐based) and their methodologies. This study is the first to directly compare snow mass‐weighted mean diameter (Dm) retrievals from both nadir‐pointing airborne multi‐frequency radars and ground‐based polarimetric range‐height indicator radar scans along the same airborne flight track with a resolution of . Dm retrievals between each method produced mean absolute errors of 0.49, 0.74, and 0.93 mm where the largest differences were between the ground and aircraft retrievals. A triple‐frequency analysis suggests the possibility that snow aggregates were generally composed of needles. These results can be used as a benchmark for comparing retrieval methodologies and highlight the continued uncertainty regarding the optimal approach for ice microphysical retrievals.
Twilight Mesospheric Clouds in Jezero as Observed by MEDA Radiation and Dust Sensor (RDS)
Authors: Toledo D. , Gómez L. , Apéstigue V. , Arruego I. , Smith M. , Munguira A. , Martínez G. , Patel P. , Sanchez‐Lavega A. , Lemmon M. , Tamppari L. , Viudez‐Moreiras D. , Hueso R. , Vicente‐Retortillo A. , Newman C. , Lorenz R. , Yela M. , Juarez M. de la Torre , Rodriguez‐Manfredi J. A.
Published: June 2023

The Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer instrument, on board NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover, includes a number of sensors to characterize the Martian atmosphere. One of these sensors is the Radiation and Dust Sensor (RDS) that measures the solar irradiance at different wavelengths and geometries. We analyzed the RDS observations made during twilight for the period between sol 71 and 492 of the mission (Ls 39°–262°, Mars Year 36) to characterize the clouds over the Perseverance rover site. Using the ratio between the irradiance at zenith at 450 and 750 nm, we inferred that the main constituent of the detected high‐altitude aerosol layers was ice from Ls = 39°–150° (cloudy period), and dust from Ls 150°–262°. A total of 161 twilights were analyzed in the cloudy period using a radiative transfer code and we found: (a) signatures of clouds/hazes in the signals in 58% of the twilights; (b) most of the clouds had altitudes between 40 and 50 km, suggesting water ice composition, and had particle sizes between 0.6 and 2 µm; (c) the cloud activity at sunrise is slightly higher that at sunset, likely due to the differences in temperature; (d) the time period with more cloud detections and with the greatest cloud opacities is during Ls 120°–150°; and (e) a notable decrease in the cloud activity around aphelion, along with lower cloud altitudes and opacities. This decrease in cloud activity indicates lower concentrations of water vapor or cloud condensation nuclei (dust) around this period in the Martian mesosphere.
Oral pathogen aggravates atherosclerosis by inducing smooth muscle cell apoptosis and repressing macrophage efferocytosis
Authors: Xie Hanyu , Qin Ziyue , Ling Ziji , Ge Xiao , Zhang Hang , Guo Shuyu , Liu Laikui , Zheng Kai , Jiang Hongbing , Xu Rongyao
Published: June 2023

Periodontitis imparting the increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases is partially due to the immune subversion of the oral pathogen, particularly the Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), by inducing apoptosis. However, it remains obscure whether accumulated apoptotic cells in P. gingivalis-accelerated plaque formation are associated with impaired macrophage clearance. Here, we show that smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have a greater susceptibility to P. gingivalis-induced apoptosis than endothelial cells through TLR2 pathway activation. Meanwhile, large amounts of miR-143/145 in P.gingivalis-infected SMCs are extracellularly released and captured by macrophages. Then, these miR-143/145 are translocated into the nucleus to promote Siglec-G transcription, which represses macrophage efferocytosis. By constructing three genetic mouse models, we further confirm the in vivo roles of TLR2 and miR-143/145 in P. gingivalis-accelerated atherosclerosis. Therapeutically, we develop P.gingivalis-pretreated macrophage membranes to coat metronidazole and anti-Siglec-G antibodies for treating atherosclerosis and periodontitis simultaneously. Our findings extend the knowledge of the mechanism and therapeutic strategy in oral pathogen-associated systemic diseases.
Hippocampal delivery of neurotrophic factor-α1/carboxypeptidase E gene prevents neurodegeneration, amyloidosis, memory loss in Alzheimer’s Disease male mice
Authors: Xiao Lan , Yang Xuyu , Sharma Vinay Kumar , Abebe Daniel , Loh Y. Peng
Published: June 2023

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ1-42 aggregation and cognitive dysfunction. Therapeutic agents directed at mitigating tau aggregation and clearing Aβ1-42, and delivery of growth factor genes (BDNF, FGF2), have ameliorated cognitive deficits, but these approaches did not prevent or stop AD progression. Here we report that viral-(AAV) delivery of Neurotrophic Factor-α1/Carboxypeptidase E (NF-α1/CPE) gene in hippocampus at an early age prevented later development of cognitive deficits as assessed by Morris water maze and novel object recognition assays, neurodegeneration, and tau hyperphosphorylation in male 3xTg-AD mice. Additionally, amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression was reduced to near non-AD levels, and insoluble Aβ1-42 was reduced significantly. Pro-survival proteins: mitochondrial Bcl2 and Serpina3g were increased; and mitophagy inhibitor Plin4 and pro-inflammatory protein Card14 were decreased in AAV-NF-α1/CPE treated versus untreated AD mice. Thus NF-α1/CPE gene therapy targets many regulatory components to prevent cognitive deficits in 3xTg-AD mice and has implications as a new therapy to prevent AD progression by promoting cell survival, inhibiting APP overexpression and tau hyperphosphorylation.
Recent progress in the effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on cells and extracellular vesicles
Authors: Chen Yuling , Hou Shike
Published: June 2023

At present, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are widely used in the biomedical field. They have unique advantages in targeted drug delivery, imaging and disease treatment. However, there are many things to pay attention to. In this paper, we reviewed the fate of IONPs in different cells and the influence on the production, separation, delivery and treatment of extracellular vesicles. It aims to provide cutting-edge knowledge related to iron oxide nanoparticles. Only by ensuring the safety and effectiveness of IONPs can their application in biomedical research and clinic be further improved.
A salivary GMC oxidoreductase of Manduca sexta re-arranges the green leaf volatile profile of its host plant
Authors: Lin Yu-Hsien , Silven Juliette J. M. , Wybouw Nicky , Fandino Richard A. , Dekker Henk L. , Vogel Heiko , Wu Yueh-Lung , de Koster Chris , Große-Wilde Ewald , Haring Michel A. , Schuurink Robert C. , Allmann Silke
Published: June 2023

Green leaf volatiles (GLVs) are short-chain oxylipins that are emitted from plants in response to stress. Previous studies have shown that oral secretions (OS) of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, introduced into plant wounds during feeding, catalyze the re-arrangement of GLVs from Z-3- to E-2-isomers. This change in the volatile signal however is bittersweet for the insect as it can be used by their natural enemies, as a prey location cue. Here we show that (3Z):(2E)-hexenal isomerase (Hi-1) in M. sexta’s OS catalyzes the conversion of the GLV Z-3-hexenal to E-2-hexenal. Hi-1 mutants that were raised on a GLV-free diet showed developmental disorders, indicating that Hi-1 also metabolizes other substrates important for the insect’s development. Phylogenetic analysis placed Hi-1 within the GMCβ-subfamily and showed that Hi-1 homologs from other lepidopterans could catalyze similar reactions. Our results indicate that Hi-1 not only modulates the plant’s GLV-bouquet but also functions in insect development.
Natural short-lived halogens exert an indirect cooling effect on climate
Authors: Saiz-Lopez Alfonso , Fernandez Rafael P. , Li Qinyi , Cuevas Carlos A. , Fu Xiao , Kinnison Douglas E. , Tilmes Simone , Mahajan Anoop S. , Gómez Martín Juan Carlos , Iglesias-Suarez Fernando , Hossaini Ryan , Plane John M. C. , Myhre Gunnar , Lamarque Jean-François
Published: June 2023

Observational evidence shows the ubiquitous presence of ocean-emitted short-lived halogens in the global atmosphere1–3. Natural emissions of these chemical compounds have been anthropogenically amplified since pre-industrial times4–6, while, in addition, anthropogenic short-lived halocarbons are currently being emitted to the atmosphere7,8. Despite their widespread distribution in the atmosphere, the combined impact of these species on Earth’s radiative balance remains unknown. Here we show that short-lived halogens exert a substantial indirect cooling effect at present (−0.13 ± 0.03 watts per square metre) that arises from halogen-mediated radiative perturbations of ozone (−0.24 ± 0.02 watts per square metre), compensated by those from methane (+0.09 ± 0.01 watts per square metre), aerosols (+0.03 ± 0.01 watts per square metre) and stratospheric water vapour (+0.011 ± 0.001 watts per square metre). Importantly, this substantial cooling effect has increased since 1750 by −0.05 ± 0.03 watts per square metre (61 per cent), driven by the anthropogenic amplification of natural halogen emissions, and is projected to change further (18–31 per cent by 2100) depending on climate warming projections and socioeconomic development. We conclude that the indirect radiative effect due to short-lived halogens should now be incorporated into climate models to provide a more realistic natural baseline of Earth’s climate system.
GDF15 promotes weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure in muscle
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Townsend Logan K. , DesOrmeaux Geneviève J. , Frangos Sara M. , Batchuluun Battsetseg , Dumont Lauralyne , Kuhre Rune Ehrenreich , Ahmadi Elham , Hu Sumei , Rebalka Irena A. , Gautam Jaya , Jabile Maria Joy Therese , Pileggi Chantal A. , Rehal Sonia , Desjardins Eric M. , Tsakiridis Evangelia E. , Lally James S. V. , Juracic Emma Sara , Tupling A. Russell , Gerstein Hertzel C. , Paré Guillaume , Tsakiridis Theodoros , Harper Mary-Ellen , Hawke Thomas J. , Speakman John R. , Blondin Denis P. , Holloway Graham P. , Jørgensen Sebastian Beck , Steinberg Gregory R.
Published: June 2023

Caloric restriction that promotes weight loss is an effective strategy for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and improving insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes1. Despite its effectiveness, in most individuals, weight loss is usually not maintained partly due to physiological adaptations that suppress energy expenditure, a process known as adaptive thermogenesis, the mechanistic underpinnings of which are unclear2,3. Treatment of rodents fed a high-fat diet with recombinant growth differentiating factor 15 (GDF15) reduces obesity and improves glycaemic control through glial-cell-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor α-like (GFRAL)-dependent suppression of food intake4–7. Here we find that, in addition to suppressing appetite, GDF15 counteracts compensatory reductions in energy expenditure, eliciting greater weight loss and reductions in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compared to caloric restriction alone. This effect of GDF15 to maintain energy expenditure during calorie restriction requires a GFRAL–β-adrenergic-dependent signalling axis that increases fatty acid oxidation and calcium futile cycling in the skeletal muscle of mice. These data indicate that therapeutic targeting of the GDF15–GFRAL pathway may be useful for maintaining energy expenditure in skeletal muscle during caloric restriction.
Potency of some economic variables affecting environmental quality in Nigeria
Authors: Ogunbode T. O. , Jazat J. P. , Akande J. A.
Published: June 2023

Environmental quality (EQ) is germane to achieving sustainable living on earth. To evaluate a related stimulus of EQ on area basis, a comparative analyses of economic factors that influence pollution in Iwo and Ibadan metropolis was carried out. Data for the study was generated through the administration of 700 structured questionnaires in total at both locations, out of which 165 and 473 were retrieved from Iwo and Ibadan respectively. The distribution of respondents in form of male gender, married status, tertiary education and household size of not more than 5 were 51.5%, 78.2%, 24.9% and 46.1% respectively for Iwo, while it was 38.5%, 81.0%, 28.6% and 48.8% in the same order for Ibadan. Economic factors analyzed were (1) Income (2) living standard indexed by the form of accommodation occupied (3) waste/noise management regimen (4) energy utilization (5) orthodox versus green economy adoption and (6) waste sorting capacity. Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity admitted the data as factorable at p < 0.005. Results showed that three of the economic variables significantly explained the pollution status in Iwo and Ibadan. The variables in Iwo explained 59.3% of the factors and these are waste/noise management strategies (22.5%), living standard (18.7%) and green economy adoption (18.3%). 60.2% of economic impacts on pollution in Ibadan were explained by living standard (24.4%), green economy adoption (18.8%) and waste/noise management strategies (17.0%). Only two of the variables namely living standard, and green economy adoption were common to the two study locations, although, their importance and ordering varied. While waste and noise management were most significant in Iwo, the same variable had the least effect in Ibadan. Green economy adoption was least in Iwo but most significant in Ibadan. Thus, the economic factors influencing pollution in Iwo and Ibadan metropolis, though similar, may not be given a generalized weighting. In other words, analyses of pollution-related matters from the economic viewpoint should be location specific.
Development of a human malaria-on-a-chip disease model for drug efficacy and off-target toxicity evaluation
Authors: Rupar Michael J. , Sasserath Trevor , Smith Ethan , Comiter Brandon , Sriram Narasimhan , Long Christopher J. , McAleer Christopher W. , Hickman James J.
Published: June 2023

A functional, multi-organ, serum-free system was developed for the culture of P. falciparum in an attempt to establish innovative platforms for therapeutic drug development. It contains 4 human organ constructs including hepatocytes, splenocytes, endothelial cells, as well as recirculating red blood cells which allow for infection with the parasite. Two strains of P. falciparum were used: the 3D7 strain, which is sensitive to chloroquine; and the W2 strain, which is resistant to chloroquine. The maintenance of functional cells was successfully demonstrated both in healthy and diseased conditions for 7 days in the recirculating microfluidic model. To demonstrate an effective platform for therapeutic development, systems infected with the 3D7 strain were treated with chloroquine which significantly decreased parasitemia, with recrudescence observed after 5 days. Conversely, when the W2 systems were dosed with chloroquine, parasitemia levels were moderately decreased when compared to the 3D7 model. The system also allows for the concurrent evaluation of off-target toxicity for the anti-malarial treatment in a dose dependent manner which indicates this model could be utilized for therapeutic index determination. The work described here establishes a new approach to the evaluation of anti-malarial therapeutics in a realistic human model with recirculating blood cells for 7 days.
Declining incidence of cerebral palsy in South Korea
Authors: Kim Gun-Ha , Lee Gisu , Ha Sungyeon , Cho Geum Joon , Kim Yoon Ha
Published: June 2023

Presuming that the incidence of cerebral palsy (CP) in Korea is decreasing due to medical advances, we analyzed the trends and risk factors of CP in changing circumstances. We identified all women who delivered a singleton between 2007 and 2015 using the Korea National Health Insurance (KNHI). Information on pregnancy and birth was obtained by linking the KNHI claims database and data from the national health-screening program for infants and children. The 4-years incidence of CP decreased significantly from 4.77 to 2.52 per 1000 babies during the study period. The multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of developing CP was 29.5 times higher in preterm infants born before 28 weeks of gestational age, 24.5 times higher in infants born between 28 and 34 weeks, and 4.5 times higher in infants born between 34 and 36 weeks, compared to full-term appropriate for age (2.5 ~ 4 kg of body weight) infants. 5.6 times higher in those with birth weight < 2500 g, and 3.8 times higher in pregnancies with polyhydramnios. Additionally, respiratory distress syndrome increased the risk of developing CP by 2.04 times, while necrotizing enterocolitis was associated with a 2.80-fold increased risk of CP. In Korea, the incidence of CP in singleton decreased from 2007 to 2015. We need to continue to focus on developing medical technologies for the early detection of high-risk neonates and minimizing brain damage to reduce the incidence rate of CP effectively.
A novel approach for the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing identifies TMEM14B as a novel poor prognostic marker in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Ma Ding , Liu Shuwen , He Qinyu , Kong Lingkai , Liu Kua , Xiao Lingjun , Xin Qilei , Bi Yanyu , Wu Junhua , Jiang Chunping
Published: June 2023

A fundamental goal in cancer-associated genome sequencing is to identify the key genes. Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) play a crucially important role in this goal. Here, human reference interactome (HuRI) map was generated and 64,006 PPIs involving 9094 proteins were identified. Here, we developed a physical link and co-expression combinatory network construction (PLACE) method for genes of interest, which provides a rapid way to analyze genome sequencing datasets. Next, Kaplan‒Meier survival analysis, CCK8 assays, scratch wound assays and Transwell assays were applied to confirm the results. In this study, we selected single-cell sequencing data from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in GSE149614. The PLACE method constructs a protein connection network for genes of interest, and a large fraction (80%) of the genes (screened by the PLACE method) were associated with survival. Then, PLACE discovered that transmembrane protein 14B (TMEM14B) was the most significant prognostic key gene, and target genes of TMEM14B were predicted. The TMEM14B-target gene regulatory network was constructed by PLACE. We also detected that TMEM14B-knockdown inhibited proliferation and migration. The results demonstrate that we proposed a new effective method for identifying key genes. The PLACE method can be used widely and make outstanding contributions to the tumor research field.
Complementary use of statistical parametric mapping and gait profile score to describe walking alterations in multiple sclerosis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mestanza Mattos Fabiola Giovanna , Luciano Francesco , Lencioni Tiziana , Gervasoni Elisa , Jonsdottir Johanna , Anastasi Denise , Pavei Gaspare , Clerici Mario , Cattaneo Davide
Published: June 2023

Gait analysis is often used to study locomotor alterations in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), but the large number of extracted variables challenges the interpretability. In this paper, we analysed gait alterations by combining the Gait Profile Score (GPS), which summarizes kinematic locomotor deviations, and Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM), which compares kinematics and kinetics over the whole gait cycle. Eleven PwMS and 11 speed-matched Healthy Controls (HC) underwent overground gait analysis. GPS were compared through independent-samples t-tests; sagittal-plane kinematics and power at hip, knee, and ankle were compared through SPM Hotelling’s-T2 and SPM t-tests. Spearman’s correlation coefficients (r) between GPS and clinical outcomes were also calculated. PwMS had higher GPS than HC (PwMS = 8.74 ± 2.13°; HC = 5.01 ± 1.41°;p < 0.001). Multivariate SPM found statistically significant differences at 0–49%, 70–80%, and 93–99% of stride (p < 0.05) and univariate analysis showed reduced ankle dorsiflexion, and lower knee flexion during pre-swing and swing. GPS correlated with Expanded Disability Status Scale (r = 0.65; 95%C.I.[0.04,0.91]; p = 0.04) and 2-Minute Walking Test (r = -0.65; 95%C.I.[-0.91,-0.04]; p = 0.04). GPS in conjunction with SPM revealed multi-joint kinematic alterations on sagittal plane involving distal joint angles, ankle and knee, during the stance phase with no changes at the proximal level. Gait deviations were more pronounced in PwMS with higher disability and walking limitations.