bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long range mutual activation establishes Rho and Rac polarity during cell migration
Authors: De Belly Henry , Gallen Andreu Fernandez , Strickland Evelyn , Estrada Dorothy C. , Zager Patrick J. , Burkhardt Janis K , Turlier Hervé , Weiner Orion D.
Published: October 2024

In migrating cells, the GTPase Rac organizes a protrusive front, whereas Rho organizes a contractile back. How these GTPases are appropriately positioned at the opposite poles of a migrating cell is unknown. Here we leverage optogenetics, manipulation of cell mechanics, and mathematical modeling to reveal a surprising long-range mutual activation of the front and back polarity programs that complements their well-known local mutual inhibition. This long-range activation is rooted in two distinct modes of mechanochemical crosstalk. Local Rac-based protrusion stimulates Rho activation at the opposite side of the cell via membrane tension-based activation of mTORC2. Conversely, local Rho-based contraction induces cortical-flow-based remodeling of membrane-to-cortex interactions leading to PIP2 release, PIP3 generation, and Rac activation at the opposite side of the cell. We develop a minimal unifying mechanochemical model of the cell to explain how this long-range mechanical facilitation complements local biochemical inhibition to enable robust global Rho and Rac partitioning. Finally, we validate the importance of this long-range facilitation in the context of chemoattractant-based cell polarization and migration in primary human lymphocytes. Our findings demonstrate that the actin cortex and plasma membrane function as an integrated mechanochemical system for long-range partitioning of Rac and Rho during cell migration and likely other cellular contexts.
Anisotropic stretch biases the self-organization of actin fibers in multicellular Hydra aggregates
Authors: Bailles Anaïs , Serafini Giulia , Andreas Heino , Zechner Christoph , Modes Carl , Tomancak Pavel
Published: October 2024

During development, groups of cells generate shape by coordinating their mechanical properties through an interplay of self-organization and pre-patterning. Hydra displays a striking planar pattern of actin fibers at the organism scale, and mechanics influence the morphogenesis of biological structures during its pre-patterned regeneration. However, how mechanics participate in the formation of an ordered pattern from a totally disordered state remains unknown. To study this, we used cellular aggregates formed from dissociated Hydra cells, which initially lose all actin polarity yet regenerate a long-range actin pattern. We showed quantitatively that the actin meshwork evolves from a disordered symmetric state to an ordered state in which rotational symmetry is broken, and translation symmetry is partially broken, with the nematic and smectic order parameters increasing over days. During the first hours, the actin meshwork displayed spatial heterogeneity in the nematic order parameter, and ordered domains separated by lines of defects progressively grew and fused. This suggests that local cell-cell interactions drive the transition from disorder to order. To understand the mechanism of ordering, we perturbed the tissue’s physical constraints. We showed that while topology and geometry do not have a direct effect, anisotropic stretch biases the emerging orientation of the actin meshwork within hours. Surprisingly, although a Wnt protein gradient is expected to play a role in the actin ordering, the stretch-associated alignment happened without a Wnt enrichment. This demonstrates the role of tissue mechanics in the alignment of the actin fibers during the disorder-to-order transition.
Nature of Topological Phase Transition of Kitaev Quantum Spin Liquids
Authors: Hu Huanzhi , Krüger Frank
Published: October 2024

We investigate the nature of the topological quantum phase transition between the gapless and gapped Kitaev quantum spin liquid phases away from the exactly solvable point. The transition is driven by anisotropy of the Kitaev couplings. At the critical point, the two Dirac points of the gapless Majorana modes merge, resulting in the formation of a semi-Dirac point with quadratic and linear band touching directions. We derive an effective Gross-Neveu-Yukawa-type field theory that describes the topological phase transition in the presence of additional magnetic interactions. We obtain the infrared scaling form of the propagator of the dynamical Ising order parameter field and perform a renormalization-group analysis. The universality of the transition is found to be different from that of symmetry-breaking phase transitions of semi-Dirac electrons. However, as in the electronic case, the Majorana fermions acquire an anomalous dimension, indicative of the breakdown of the fractionalized quasiparticle description.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Droplet detachment from a vertical filament with one end clamped
Authors: Lu Meng , Mao Xuerui , Brandt Luca , Deng Jian
Published: October 2024

Understanding whether a droplet adheres to or detaches from a flexible filament upon axial impact is of significant interest, particularly in the context of raindrop impact on natural surfaces. This process involves dynamic buckling followed by mode coarsening, dissipating the initial droplet kinetic energy and converting the remaining into elastic energy of the filament. To elucidate this phenomenon, we construct two phase diagrams, one while fixing the filament height and the other the droplet diameter. Notably, we observe that the energy conversion rate is inversely proportional to a Cauchy number, defining the transition between attached and detached droplet in the filament length–falling height diagram. This enables us to derive an expression for the critical falling height as a function of the filament parameters, accounting for the energy conversion rate, which emerges as a key factor for droplet detachment.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Intraspecific body size variation across distributional moments reveals trait filtering processes
Authors: Fitzgerald Jacquelyn L. , Ogilvie Jane E. , CaraDonna Paul J.
Published: October 2024

Natural populations are composed of individuals that vary in their morphological traits, timing and interactions. The distribution of a trait can be described by several dimensions, or mathematical moments—mean, variance, skew and kurtosis. Shifts in the distribution of a trait across these moments in response to environmental variation can help to reveal which trait values are gained or lost, and consequently how trait filtering processes are altering populations.

To examine the role and drivers of intraspecific variation within a trait filtering framework, we investigate variation in body size among five wild bumblebee species in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. First, we examine the relationships between environmental factors (climate and floral food resources) and body size distributions across bumblebee social castes to identify demographic responses to environmental variation. Next, we examine changes in the moments of trait distributions to reveal potential mechanisms behind intraspecific shifts in body size. Finally, we examine how intraspecific body size variation is related to diet breadth and phenology.

We found that climate conditions have a strong effect on observed body size variation across all distributional moments, but the filtering mechanism varies by social caste. For example, with earlier spring snowmelt queens declined in mean size and became negatively skewed and more kurtotic. This suggests a skewed filter admitting a greater frequency of small individuals. With greater availability of floral food resources, queens increased in mean size, but workers and males decreased in size. Observed shifts in body size variation also correspond with variation in diet breadth and phenology. Populations with larger average body size were associated with more generalized foraging in workers of short‐tongued species and increased specialization in longer‐tongued workers. Altered phenological timing was associated with species‐ and caste‐specific shifts in skew.

Across an assemblage of wild bumblebees, we find complex patterns of trait variation that may not have been captured if we had simply considered mean and variance. The four‐moment approach we employ here provides holistic insight into intraspecific trait variation, which may otherwise be overlooked and reveals potential underlying filtering processes driving such variation within populations.
Drivers of interspecific synchrony and diversity–stability relationships in floodplain fish communities
Authors: Granzotti Rafaela V. , Cassemiro Fernanda A. S. , Agostinho Angelo A. , Bini Luis M.
Published: October 2024

Diversity and interspecific synchrony are among the main drivers behind the temporal stability of community abundance. Diversity can increase stability through the portfolio effect, while higher synchrony generally decreases stability. In turn, species interactions and similar responses to environmental variation are considered the main factors underlying the strength of interspecific synchrony, despite the challenges in determining their relative roles. The analysis of the relationship between interspecific synchrony and the trait (or phylogenetic) distance between species can increase the robustness of inferences about these factors.

Here, we used pairwise interspecific and community‐wide analyses to investigate, respectively, the drivers of interspecific synchrony and the influence of trait and phylogenetic diversity on the stability of fish communities. For that, we used 18 years of fish abundance data from the Upper Paraná River floodplain.

At the interspecific level, we used quantile regressions to test within‐guild relationships between interspecific synchrony and trait and phylogenetic distance between species. At the community level, we tested the relationships between community‐wide synchrony, stability, and (trait and phylogenetic) diversity.

We found that interspecific synchrony decreased with trait and phylogenetic distances. In the community‐level analysis, we found that more synchronous fish communities were less stable, but the relationship between diversity and stability was in general weak.

At the interspecific level, our study highlights the role of similar responses to environmental variation in driving species' temporal dynamics. At the community level, the strength of the relationships between trait or phylogenetic diversity and community stability depended on the feeding guild. On the other hand, we found strong relationships between synchrony and stability. These results suggest that increased synchrony levels in response to regional environmental changes could decrease the stability of fish communities in this floodplain.
Control of Pseudomonas fluorescens in milk by a novel bacteriophage YZU_PF006
Authors: Yuan Lei , Yuan Xinhai , Chen Caowei , Zhou Wenyuan , Xu Zhenbo , Soteyome Thanapop , Yang Zhenquan
Published: October 2024

Pseudomonas fluorescens is a psychrophilic bacterium that can cause dairy spoilage through the production of heat‐stable enzymes. Bacteriophages are proved as one of the alternatives to control spoilage bacteria in the dairy industry. In this work, a lytic bacteriophage YZU_PF006 against P. fluorescens was isolated from sewage samples in China. Morphology and one‐step growth results indicated that this short‐tailed phage (a tail length of 5 nm and a head diameter of 58 nm) had a high burst size (180 PFU/infected cells) but a relatively short latent period (60 min). This phage can be inactive after pasteurisation and Clean‐In‐Place (CIP) procedures. The genomic sequence showed that phage YZU_PF006 had 47 open reading frames (ORFs) but did not have genes for virulence, lysogeny and antibiotic resistance. Phage YZU_PF006 effectively controlled P. fluorescens growth at 7°C and 28°C in milk, which indicates potential for the control P. fluorescens in the dairy industry.
The hepatopancreas microbiome of velvet crab, Necora puber
Authors: Martin Signe , Smith Cindy , Stewart Kelly , Barr William , Cheslett Deborah , O'Connor Ian , Swords Fiona , Ijaz Umer Zeeshan , O'Dwyer Katie
Published: October 2024

Crustaceans are a valuable resource globally, both ecologically and economically, and investigations into their health are becoming increasingly important as exploitation rises. The microbiome plays a crucial role in crustacean immunity, and understanding its composition and structure can provide insights into the health of an organism and its interactions with various factors. In this study, we investigated the hepatopancreas microbiome of the velvet swimming crab, Necora puber, and compared its composition and structure with several study factors, including two different sampling points and infection with a paramyxid parasite, Paramarteilia canceri. To our knowledge, we provide the first description of a velvet crab microbiome, highlighting the dominance of a single microorganism, Candidatus hepatoplasma. We identified variations in microbiome composition between sampling points and discussed the possible processes affecting microbiome assembly. We also outline a core microbiome for the velvet crab hepatopancreas, consisting of 12 core phyla. Our study adds to the growing literature on crustacean microbiomes and provides a baseline for future investigations into the velvet crab microbiome and the health of this crustacean species.
Dosing levels of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder: A Nationwide cohort study on relapse risk and treatment safety
Authors: Lintunen Jonne , Hamina Aleksi , Lähteenvuo Markku , Paljärvi Tapio , Tanskanen Antti , Tiihonen Jari , Taipale Heidi
Published: October 2024

Background

Finding effective treatment regimens for bipolar disorder is challenging, as many patients suffer from significant symptoms despite treatment. This study investigated the risk of relapse (psychiatric hospitalization) and treatment safety (non‐psychiatric hospitalization) associated with different doses of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in persons with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Individuals aged 15–65 with bipolar disorder were identified from Finnish national health registers in 1996–2018. Studied antipsychotics included olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, aripiprazole; mood stabilizers lithium, valproic acid, lamotrigine, and carbamazepine. Medication use was divided into three time‐varying dose categories: low, standard, and high. The studied outcomes were risk of psychiatric hospitalization (relapse) and the risk of non‐psychiatric hospitalization (treatment safety). Stratified Cox regression in within‐individual design was used.

Results

The cohort included 60,045 individuals (mean age 41.7 years, SD 15.8; 56.4% female). Mean follow‐up was 8.3 years (SD 5.8). Of antipsychotics, olanzapine and aripiprazole were associated with a decreased risk of relapse in low and standard doses, and risperidone in low dose. The lowest adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) was observed for standard dose aripiprazole (aHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.57–0.82). Quetiapine was not associated with a decreased risk of relapse at any dose. Mood stabilizers were associated with a decreased risk of relapse in low and standard doses; lowest aHR was observed for standard dose lithium (aHR 0.61, 95% CI 0.56–0.65). Apart from lithium, high doses of antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were associated with an increased risk of non‐psychiatric hospitalization. Lithium was associated with a decreased risk of non‐psychiatric hospitalization in low (aHR 0.88, 95% CI 0.84–0.93) and standard doses (aHR 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.88).

Conclusions

Standard doses of lithium and aripiprazole were associated with the lowest risk of relapse, and standard dose of lithium with the lowest risk of non‐psychiatric hospitalization. Quetiapine was not associated with decreased risk of relapse at any dose.
Precision medicine approaches in obstructive sleep apnoea: The role of dentist–sleep physician partnerships
Authors: Stewart GM , Tong BK , Cistulli PA
Published: October 2024

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a common heterogenous sleep disorder that is associated with a wide range of comorbidities and consequences, including the development of neurocognitive and cardiometabolic disorders. The heterogeneity of OSA necessitates a precision medicine approach to accurately diagnose this condition and to effectively manage patients. One of the primary models of precision medicine is described by the P4 approach of predicting those who are susceptible to disease, preventing the occurrence of disease, personalizing treatment, and encouraging patients to participate in their individual healthcare journey. Recent advances in oral appliance therapy and OSA monitoring techniques have fostered an exciting opportunity for enhanced collaboration between dentists and sleep physicians to optimize OSA precision medicine care. This review aims to discuss the sources of heterogeneity among OSA patients, provide an overview of the growing applications of oral appliance therapy and tailored monitoring programs for OSA that are shifting treatment to a more personalized and participatory model of care, and outline the pivotal role of dentists in managing patients with OSA.
hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2B1, and hnRNP K are dysregulated in tauopathies, but do not colocalize with tau pathology
Authors: Kavanagh Tomas , Balcomb Kaleah , Ahmadi Rastegar Diba , Lourenco Guinevere F. , Wisniewski Thomas , Halliday Glenda , Drummond Eleanor
Published: October 2024

Tau interacts with multiple heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs)—a family of RNA binding proteins that regulate multiple known cellular functions, including mRNA splicing, mRNA transport, and translation regulation. We have previously demonstrated particularly significant interactions between phosphorylated tau and three hnRNPs (hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2B1, and hnRNP K). Although multiple hnRNPs have been previously implicated in tauopathies, knowledge of whether these hnRNPs colocalize with tau aggregates or show cellular mislocalization in disease is limited. Here, we performed a neuropathological study examining the colocalization between hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2B1, hnRNP K, and phosphorylated tau in two brain regions (hippocampus and frontal cortex) in six disease groups (Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, Pick's disease, and controls). Contrary to expectations, hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2B1, and hnRNP K did not colocalize with AT8‐immunoreactive phosphorylated tau pathology in any of the tauopathies examined. However, we did observe significant cellular mislocalization of hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2B1 and hnRNP K in tauopathies, with unique patterns of mislocalization observed for each hnRNP. These data point to broad dysregulation of hnRNP A1, A2B1 and K across tauopathies with implications for disease processes and RNA regulation.
Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ART‐648, a PDE4 inhibitor in healthy subjects: A randomized, placebo‐controlled phase I study
Authors: Tanaka Akira , Nagabukuro Hiroshi , Kuniyeda Kanako , Ando Haruhi , Higashi Toshinori , Wakuda Hirokazu , Otani Naoyuki , Kudo Hideo , Kuranari Masae , Furuie Hidetoshi , Uemura Naoto
Published: October 2024

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor is associated with a broad‐spectrum anti‐inflammatory mechanism. However, securing clinically efficacious doses with sufficient safety margins remains challenging due to class specific adverse events that are often unavoidable in the clinic. ART‐648 is an orally available PDE4 inhibitor being developed for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. According to the estimated clinical doses based on an in vitro whole‐blood assay, a phase I study was designed. The purpose of this phase I study was to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) following single and multiple administration of ART‐648 in healthy subjects. PD was assessed by suppression of lipopolysaccharide‐induced TNFα release in ex vivo whole‐blood assay. In the single rising dose study, ART‐648 was safe and well tolerated with a dose‐proportional increase in exposures up to 4 mg. Single doses of ART‐648 demonstrated dose‐dependent PD response, indicating target engagement at 2‐8 mg doses. In the multiple rising dose study, doses up to 4 mg BID after careful titration were well tolerated, while doses up to 6 mg BID were tolerated not in all but the majority of subjects. In conclusion, ART‐648 exhibits a favorable PK profile with robust target engagement at clinically safe and tolerated doses identified in healthy subjects.
Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Chen Wei , Liu Lili , Hu Fang
Published: October 2024

Aim

To assess the effects of vitamin D interventions on glycaemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies. Serum 25(OH)D, fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, fasting insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA‐IR) were analysed.

Results

We identified 39 randomized controlled trials involving 2982 subjects. Results showed a significant decline in the vitamin D group, as shown by the FBG weighted mean difference (WMD; −0.49 [95% confidence interval {CI}: −0.69 to −0.28] mmol/L), HbA1c (WMD −0.30% [95% CI: −0.43 to −0.18]), HOMA‐IR (WMD −0.39 [95% CI −0.64 to −0.14]) and insulin (WMD −1.31 [95% CI: −2.06 to −0.56] μIU/mL). Subgroup analyses indicated that the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glycaemic control depend on the dosage and duration of supplementation, baseline 25(OH)D levels and the body mass index of patients with T2D.

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplementation can significantly reduce serum FBG, HbA1c, HOMA‐IR and fasting insulin levels in T2D patients; the effects were especially prominent when vitamin D was given in a short‐term, high dosage to patients with a vitamin D deficiency, who were overweight, or had an HbA1c of 8% or higher at baseline. Our study suggests that vitamin D supplements can be recommended as complementary treatment for T2D patients.
Association of a composite trait for anthropometrics, adiposity and energy expenditure with cardiometabolic diseases: An age‐stratified cohort and genetic risk score analysis
Authors: Meulmeester Fleur L. , van Dijk Ko Willems , van Heemst Diana , Noordam Raymond
Published: October 2024

Aim

Various anthropometric measures capture distinct as well as overlapping characteristics of an individual's body composition. To characterize independent body composition measures, we aimed to reduce easily‐obtainable individual measures reflecting adiposity, anthropometrics and energy expenditure into fewer independent constructs, and to assess their potential sex‐ and age‐specific relation with cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods

Analyses were performed within European ancestry participants from UK Biobank (N = 418,963, mean age 58.0 years, 56% women). Principal components (PC) analyses were used for the dimension reduction of 11 measures of adiposity, anthropometrics and energy expenditure. PCs were studied in relation to incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Multivariable‐adjusted Cox regression analyses, adjusted for confounding factors, were performed in all and stratified by age. Genome‐wide association studies were performed in half of the cohort (N = 156,295) to identify genetic variants as instrumental variables. Genetic risk score analyses were performed in the other half of the cohort stratified by age of disease onset (N = 156,295).

Results

We identified two PCs, of which PC1 reflected lower overall adiposity (negatively correlated with all adiposity aspects) and PC2 reflected more central adiposity (mainly correlated with higher waist–hip ratio, but with lower total body fat) and increased height, collectively capturing 87.8% of the total variance. Similar to that observed in the multivariable‐adjusted regression analyses, we found associations between the PC1 genetic risk score and lower risks of CAD and T2D [CAD cases <50 years, odds ratio: 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.87, 0.94) per SD; T2D cases <50 years, odds ratio: 0.76 (0.72, 0.81)], which attenuated with higher age (p‐values 8.13E‐4 and 2.41E‐6, respectively). No associations were found for PC2.

Conclusions

The consistently observed weaker associations of the composite traits with cardiometabolic disease suggests the need for age‐specific cardiometabolic disease prevention strategies.
International monetary fund conditionality and structural reforms: Evidence from developing countries
Authors: Apeti Ablam Estel , Gomado Kwamivi Mawuli
Published: October 2024

The global economy, dominated by the consequences of a disastrous health crisis and international tensions, needs policy support to regain its growth dynamic. To regain an inclusive and sustainable growth dynamic, structural policies of governments are needed to allow a reallocation of resources and to stimulate productivity. International cooperation seems to be necessary and the IMF's contribution could play an important role in promoting reforms. Indeed, in IMF‐supported programmes, the conditions for developing countries' transition to liberalization and open markets are often common. We address the question of whether periods of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionality contribute to the promotion of structural reforms in developing countries. Through the entropy balancing method and alternative identification strategies, we show that IMF conditionality programmes promote structural reforms in developing countries. We show that the effect of IMF conditionality can vary depending on the type of conditionality, the type of reform, the time frame and the initial level of structural reforms and can depend on some structural factors including the business cycle, the quality of fiscal and monetary policy, the level of development and the quality of institutions. Furthermore, we show that IMF conditionality can have spillover effects on trading partners and that IMF conditionality programmes that are met tend to have a greater impact on structural reforms. Finally, the effects of adopting reforms under IMF conditionality depend on domestic partisan politics.
The Relationship Between Maturation Size and Maximum Tree Size From Tropical to Boreal Climates
Authors: Journé Valentin , Bogdziewicz Michał , Courbaud Benoit , Kunstler Georges , Qiu Tong , Acuña Marie‐Claire Aravena , Ascoli Davide , Bergeron Yves , Berveiller Daniel , Boivin Thomas , Bonal Raul , Caignard Thomas , Cailleret Maxime , Calama Rafael , Camarero J. Julio , Chang‐Yang Chia‐Hao , Chave Jerome , Chianucci Francesco , Curt Thomas , Cutini Andrea , Das Adrian , Daskalakou Evangelia , Davi Hendrik , Delpierre Nicolas , Delzon Sylvain , Dietze Michael , Calderon Sergio Donoso , Dormont Laurent , Espelta Josep Maria , Farfan‐Rios William , Fenner Michael , Franklin Jerry , Gehring Catherine , Gilbert Gregory , Gratzer Georg , Greenberg Cathryn H. , Guignabert Arthur , Guo Qinfeng , Hacket‐Pain Andrew , Hampe Arndt , Han Qingmin , Hanley Mick E. , Lambers Janneke Hille Ris , Holík Jan , Hoshizaki Kazuhiko , Ibanez Ines , Johnstone Jill F. , Knops Johannes M. H. , Kobe Richard K. , Kurokawa Hiroko , Lageard Jonathan , LaMontagne Jalene , Ledwon Mateusz , Lefèvre François , Leininger Theodor , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Lutz James , Macias Diana , Mårell Anders , McIntire Eliot , Moran Emily V. , Motta Renzo , Myers Jonathan , Nagel Thomas A. , Naoe Shoji , Noguchi Mahoko , Norghauer Julian , Oguro Michio , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Parmenter Robert , Pearse Ian , Pérez‐Ramos Ignacio M. , Piechnik Łukasz , Podgórski Tomasz , Poulsen John , Redmond Miranda D. , Reid Chantal D. , Samonil Pavel , Scher C. Lane , Schlesinger William H. , Seget Barbara , Sharma Shubhi , Shibata Mitsue , Silman Miles , Steele Michael , Stephenson Nathan , Straub Jacob , Sutton Samantha , Swenson Jennifer J. , Swift Margaret , Thomas Peter A. , Uriarte Maria , Vacchiano Giorgio , Whipple Amy , Whitham Thomas , Wright S. Joseph , Zhu Kai , Zimmerman Jess , Żywiec Magdalena , Clark James S.
Published: October 2024

The fundamental trade‐off between current and future reproduction has long been considered to result in a tendency for species that can grow large to begin reproduction at a larger size. Due to the prolonged time required to reach maturity, estimates of tree maturation size remain very rare and we lack a global view on the generality and the shape of this trade‐off. Using seed production from five continents, we estimate tree maturation sizes for 486 tree species spanning tropical to boreal climates. Results show that a species' maturation size increases with maximum size, but in a non‐proportional way: the largest species begin reproduction at smaller sizes than would be expected if maturation were simply proportional to maximum size. Furthermore, the decrease in relative maturation size is steepest in cold climates. These findings on maturation size drivers are key to accurately represent forests' responses to disturbance and climate change.
Hormonal regulation of the phenotype into environmentally appropriate pace‐of‐life syndromes
Authors: Weidner Jacqueline , Jensen Camilla Håkonsrud , Giske Jarl , Eliassen Sigrunn , Jørgensen Christian
Published: October 2024

The risk of predation is an important driver that tailors life histories in various ways. Using an evolutionary model based on hormonal control, we study how different predation regimes affect adaptive risk‐taking and growth in fish populations. Growth, metabolism and foraging in the modelled fish are regulated by three simplified hormone functions: growth hormone, orexin, and thyroid hormone. A dynamic state‐dependent optimization model finds optimal hormone profiles for adaptive growth strategies in juvenile fish. We consider a gradient from species where behaviour and metabolic activity have large consequences for risk (typically benthic and camouflaged species), to the opposite endpoint where behaviour may modify predation risk to a smaller degree (as in the pelagic). Along this gradient, the model predicts changes in the pace of life from slow to fast, enacted by up‐regulation of the three hormone functions which in turn increase foraging and metabolism and change the priorities of energy reserves versus growth. Under all types of predation risk investigated, growth is faster when food availability is higher. Energy reserves are maintained primarily during periods of poor food availability and are used to accelerate growth during periods when food availability is high. The thyroid hormone function is up‐regulated predominantly when food availability is high and has an important role in trade‐offs balancing energetic gain and survival. At the individual time scale, the hormone system improves organismic flexibility and robustness. Over the phylogenetic time scale, hormone system adaptations have also restricted the phenotypic plasticity of individuals.
Prospective observational study on scar sequelae after MPOX infection: an analysis of 40 patients
Authors: Grau‐Echevarría Andrés , Labrandero‐Hoyos Carolina , Peñuelas‐Leal Rodrigo , Finello Malena , Blaya‐Imbernón Daniel , Magdaleno‐Tapial Jorge , García Ángel González , Zafrilla Elena Pérez , García‐García José Ángel , Cuenca Laura Giménez , Albiach Alba Nácher , Aguilera Arjona José , Ocete‐Mochón María Dolores , Díez‐Recio Esther , Hernández‐Bel Pablo
Published: October 2024

Background

Monkeypox (MPOX) caused a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) outbreak between 2022 and 2023, with a recent rise in cases that prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the disease a PHEIC once again. There is little information on its long‐term scarring sequelae.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the risk and characteristics of scarring in patients with MPOX in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study including patients diagnosed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Clinical data were collected and followed up at 12–15 months to assess scarring and its impact on quality of life.

Results

Of the 40 patients, 19 (47.5%) developed scars, which were more common in those with initial cutaneous manifestations. Scars significantly affected the quality of life, especially in the genital and mucosal areas. The limited sample and loss to follow‐up may affect the validity of the results.

Conclusion

Scarring is a frequent and disfiguring sequela of MPOX, particularly in patients with early skin symptoms. Prevention and close follow‐up are crucial in mitigating these complications.
A review of research on computer‐aided translation technologies and their applications to assist learning and instruction
Authors: Shadiev Rustam , Chen Xuan , Altinay Fahriye
Published: October 2024

Background

Our study analysed 46 articles on computer‐aided translation (CAT) and its educational uses. We explored two main areas: CAT technologies in learning and teaching, and the research methodologies of these studies.

Objectives

Our review covered the types of CAT technologies used, their applications in different learning settings, theoretical backgrounds and their pros and cons. We also looked at the research designs, participant demographics and data collection methods used in these studies.

Methods

We conducted an extensive search across academic databases using relevant keywords and employed open coding to analyse and categorize the content of identified articles, focusing on aspects related to CAT technologies in educational contexts.

Results and Conclusions

Our findings showed the use of 22 distinct CAT technologies, with Google Translate being the most common. The studies mostly used empirical research methods and questionnaires. University students were the primary participants. CAT technologies were applied in various contexts, including language learning, translation teaching, cross‐cultural learning and foreign language lectures. We identified five key theoretical foundations for CAT use. Benefits included bridging language barriers, vocabulary enhancement, and grammar improvement as well as providing reference and feedback for writing and translation. Challenges included inaccuracies and inappropriate translations. However, most studies showed a positive impact of CAT on learning outcomes. Based on our analysis, we offer recommendations for educators and researchers in the field. This review provides a thorough understanding of CAT's applications and effects in education, guiding future advancements in this area.
Exploring students' computer‐supported collaborative argumentation with socio‐scientific issues
Authors: Chen Wenli , Han Yiting , Tan Jesmine , Chai Aileen Siew Cheng , Lyu Qianru , Lyna
Published: October 2024

Background

This study examined the effect of computer‐supported collaborative argumentation (CSCA) on secondary school students' understanding of socio‐scientific issues (SSI). Engaging students in collaborative argumentation is known to help with deepening their understanding of SSI.

Methods

In this study, a mixed‐method design is used to investigate 84 students' collaborative argumentation processes and outcomes. The statistical analysis, epistemic network analysis and qualitative uptake analysis results showed that CSCA was effective in supporting secondary school students' evidence‐based argumentation skills on SSI.

Findings and Conclusion

Several cases were presented to show how students engaged in CSCA to explore meaningful learning opportunities and how CSCA helped students' learning on SSI.

Implications

The findings provided insights for future innovative teaching and learning SSI in authentic classroom settings.
First Report of Leaf Blight of Blood Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus) Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae in India
Authors: Varma Penumatsa Kishore , Chandrasekhar Vanapalli , Supriya Puram , Vamsi Krishna Gokarla , Vasanthi V. , Janaki Prasad Ambatipudi , Bavana Keerthi Athmakuri , Manjula Ramappa , Chetan Kadavigere Kumar
Published: October 2024

Leaf blight was detected on potted blood lily (Scadoxus multiflorus) plants in a garden located in Andhra Pradesh, India. Pycnidia resembling a Lasiodiplodia species were consistently detected on the foliage of symptomatic plants. Based on morphology, cultural features and molecular analysis, the species was identified as Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by pathogenicity tests carried out on potted blood lily plants. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of a disease caused by L. theobromae on S. multiflorus.
Content in nine minerals and seven vitamins of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) fed commercial diets and two forms of Nannochloropsis oculata
Authors: Eryalçın Kamil Mert , Dominguez David , Izquierdo Marisol
Published: October 2024

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of spray‐dried and fresh forms of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata and other commonly used commercial diets on vitamin and mineral compositions of rotifer produced under commercial conditions. Experimental rotifers groups were fed Protein‐Plus® (PP treatment), Inactive Beaker's Yeast® (INBY treatment), Algome® (Algome treatment), freshly cultured N. oculata (FA treatment), and spray‐dried N. oculata (SDN treatment). At the end of the experiment, seven essential vitamins, nine macro‐ and micro‐minerals, and two pigments were analyzed in diets and rotifers. All the treatments tested provided adequate levels of Ca, P, Mg, and Co to the rotifers, but insufficient levels of I, Zn, and vitamins B2 and E. Moreover, PP diet produced rotifers with high levels of vitamins B1, B3 and B9, and P; the SDN diet produced rotifers with high levels of P and Cu; the Algome diet produced rotifers high in vitamins B3 and B9, and Ca; the INBY diet produced rotifers with high levels of vitamin B1 and Ca; and the FA diet produced rotifers with more vitamin B6, Se, and Cu. In conclusion, specific minerals or vitamins corrections are required in these feeds for rotifers to adequately meet the nutritional needs for marine larvae.
Energetically costly weaponry in the large morph of male stag beetles
Authors: Chen H. , Huang S.‐P. , Lin C.‐P. , Chen Z.‐Y. , Hsu Y.
Published: October 2024

Males of many species develop disproportionately large weapons, and frequently the weapon size increases more quickly with body size in small than in large males—a trend often considered to result from the depletion of developmental resources limiting male weapon exaggeration. Based on the cost‐minimization hypothesis, a shallower weapon‐body size allometric slope in large than in small males could be selected for if the energetic maintenance costs of having oversized weapons increase faster in large than in small males. Whether males of different size groups that differ in the weapon‐body size allometric relationship also differ in the energetic costs of maintaining their weapons has not yet been investigated. Consequently, we studied this using the stag beetle (Cyclommatus mniszechi), in which males are larger in size and have larger mandibles than do females and are divided into two morphs: majors are larger and have longer mandibles than minors. In both male morphs, mandible size increases disproportionately with their body size, but it increases more quickly in minors than in majors. We measured the standard metabolic rate (SMR) of the three types of these beetles (the two male morphs and females) to investigate whether the energetic maintenance cost of carrying weapons differs among them. Body weight explained 80% of the variation in the SMR in the three types of beetles, and SMR increased more quickly with body weight in major males than in minor males or females. Weapon and body size also jointly explained approximately 80% of the variation in the SMR. Whereas SMR increased with body size in all three types of beetles (with a higher rate of increase in major males than in minor males or females), only the major males' SMR increased with weapon size. Overall, being heavier and larger and carrying oversized weapons are energetically costly in major males, something which could constrain the exaggeration of their weapons.
Tetraspanin 5 orchestrates resilience to salt stress through the regulation of ion and reactive oxygen species homeostasis in rice
Authors: Mani Balaji , Kaur Inderjit , Dhingra Yashika , Saxena Vidisha , Krishna G K , Kumar Rahul , Chinnusamy Viswanathan , Agarwal Manu , Katiyar‐Agarwal Surekha
Published: October 2024

Tetraspanins (TETs) are integral membrane proteins, characterized by four transmembrane domains and a unique signature motif in their large extracellular loop. They form dynamic supramolecular complexes called tetraspanin‐enriched microdomains (TEMs), through interactions with partner proteins. In plants, TETs are involved in development, reproduction and immune responses, but their role in defining abiotic stress responses is largely underexplored. We focused on OsTET5, which is differentially expressed under various abiotic stresses and localizes to both plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticulum. Using overexpression and underexpression transgenic lines we demonstrate that OsTET5 contributes to salinity and drought stress tolerance in rice. OsTET5 can interact with itself in yeast, suggesting homomer formation. Immunoblotting of native PAGE of microsomal fraction enriched from OsTET5‐Myc transgenic rice lines revealed multimeric complexes containing OsTET5, suggesting the potential formation of TEM complexes. Transcriptome analysis, coupled with quantitative PCR‐based validation, of OsTET5‐altered transgenic lines unveiled the differential expression patterns of several stress‐responsive genes, as well as those coding for transporters under salt stress. Notably, OsTET5 plays a crucial role in maintaining the ionic equilibrium during salinity stress, particularly by preserving an elevated potassium‐to‐sodium (K+/Na+) ratio. OsTET5 also regulates reactive oxygen species homeostasis, primarily by modulating the gene expression and activities of antioxidant pathway enzymes and proline accumulation. Our comprehensive investigation underscores the multifaceted role of OsTET5 in rice, accentuating its significance in developmental processes and abiotic stress tolerance. These findings open new avenues for potential strategies aimed at enhancing stress resilience and making valuable contributions to global food security.
Exploring possible causes of lower‐than‐expected suicide rates in Taiwan and South Korea during the 2020–2021 COVID‐19 pandemic: a time trend analysis by sex, age, and method
Authors: Lin Chien‐Yu , Choi Minjae , Lee Yo Han , Ki Myung , Hsu Chia‐Yueh , Chang Shu‐Sen
Published: October 2024

Aims

Decreases in suicide rates during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic were found in several countries, including Taiwan and South Korea. We investigated the pattern of the reduction in suicide by sex, age, method, and outbreak period in the two countries.

Methods

Suicide data for Taiwan (2015–2021) and South Korea (2017–2021) stratified by sex, age, method, and month were extracted from national mortality data files in the two countries. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate suicide rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals across outbreak and inter‐outbreak periods during the pandemic, relative to that expected based on pre‐pandemic trends, and their associations with economic and outbreak control stringency indicators.

Results

There were fewer‐than‐expected suicides in Taiwan (7%–16% fewer suicides over outbreaks and inter‐outbreaks) and South Korea (17% fewer suicides in outbreaks III and IV). Fewer‐than‐expected suicides were found primarily in the working‐age populations aged 25 to 64 years in Taiwan and those aged 45 to 64 years in South Korea. In both countries, fewer‐than‐expected suicides by charcoal burning during the pandemic were consistently found; the greatest reduction occurred when the outbreak control measures were most restricted. Increased time at residence was associated with decreased suicide rates in South Korea.

Conclusion

Taiwan and South Korea showed reduced suicide rates during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020–2021. Potential reasons for the decrease in suicides may include reduced access to suicide means during outbreaks in the two countries.
Fungal communities associated with postharvest strawberries in Western Australia
Authors: Momtaz Farhana , Hardy Giles , Bayliss Kirsty L.
Published: October 2024

Spoilage of postharvest strawberries by fungal pathogens is a major global concern. This study employed culture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods to identify postharvest fungal communities of strawberries in Western Australia (WA). Ripe strawberries from eight varieties were sampled twice, early and late in the growing season, from 20 farms in two growing regions. At the first sampling time, traditional isolation and identification demonstrated a high abundance of Botrytis and Cladosporium in Region 1. Mucor was abundant at the second sampling time in Region 1 and both times in Region 2. Metabarcoding confirmed variety‐specific fungal communities in WA strawberries. Botrytis and Cladosporium were predominant in Region 1 and Region 2 samples with more than 50% read abundance except on variety Suncoast. No Mucor sequences were detected using metabarcoding, although they were isolated from all samples using culture‐based methods. Sisquoc, a hydroponic variety, had a significantly higher fungal diversity than the soil‐grown varieties. Varieties Suncoast and Albion exhibited the lowest fungal diversity compared to others. This study demonstrated the value of using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent methods to investigate the complexity of fungal microbiomes of postharvest strawberries.
Acoustic scattering by smooth and rough elastic cylinders insonified by directional sonars: Bistatic experiments
Authors: Mursaline Miad Al , Stanton Timothy K. , Lavery Andone C.
Published: October 2024

Bistatic laboratory measurements are presented for acoustic scattering from both smooth and rough elastic cylinders insonified by directional spherical waves. A scattering model, accounting for incident directional spherical waves while assuming negligible end effects, was derived in a previous article [Mursaline, Stanton, Lavery, and Fischell, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 154, 307–322 (2023)] but only evaluated for monostatic scattering by smooth cylinders. The evaluation is extended here to bistatic geometries for both smooth and rough cylinders. The effect of axi-symmetric Gaussian roughness (axi-symmetric random variations in cylinder radius) on the cylinder on overall scattering levels and resonances is investigated. Particular emphasis is given to the influence of roughness on the excitation of axially propagating guided wave resonances associated with oblique incident angles. Bistatic laboratory observations presented herein further substantiate the effects on scattering due to the properties of the incident field from practical sonars, such as spherical spreading, as observed in the above-mentioned article. For smooth cylinders, axially propagating guided wave resonances are seen to become more prominent during bistatic in-plane scattering compared to bistatic orthogonal-plane scattering and previously published monostatic data. For rough cylinders, both overall scattering levels and resonances are found to be diminished compared to the smooth case.