bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metafiction, intertextuality, and consumerism in transmedia resemiotization: a postmodern analysis of a comic book adaptation of the Chinese classic Journey to the West
Authors: Zhang Kunkun , Wu Siying
Published: August 2024

Classic Chinese novels have frequently been adapted into other media formats. Such transmedia adaptations involve shifts in meaning, which are often shaped by contemporary postmodern culture. This article explores the textual transformations in a comic book adaptation of the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West, and the postmodern culture behind these transformations. Viewing transmedia adaptation as resemiotization, we analyse the metafictional strategies, intertextuality, and representation of consumerism in the comic book. These three aspects, which subvert the narrative of the original novel, define the postmodern nature of the comic book adaptation. We conclude that the comic book adaptation is not only a nostalgic representation but also a critical rewriting of the Chinese classic, which is shaped by postmodern norms and values. This study enriches our understanding of the adaptation and reception of the classical novel Journey to the West in contemporary popular culture, thus shedding light on the postmodern rewriting of Chinese classics in general.
Utilizing biological experimental data and molecular dynamics for the classification of mutational hotspots through machine learning
Authors: Davies James G , Menzies Georgina E
Published: August 2024

Motivation

Benzo[a]pyrene, a notorious DNA-damaging carcinogen, belongs to the family of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons commonly found in tobacco smoke. Surprisingly, nucleotide excision repair (NER) machinery exhibits inefficiency in recognizing specific bulky DNA adducts including Benzo[a]pyrene Diol-Epoxide (BPDE), a Benzo[a]pyrene metabolite. While sequence context is emerging as the leading factor linking the inadequate NER response to BPDE adducts, the precise structural attributes governing these disparities remain inadequately understood. We therefore combined the domains of molecular dynamics and machine learning to conduct a comprehensive assessment of helical distortion caused by BPDE-Guanine adducts in multiple gene contexts. Specifically, we implemented a dual approach involving a random forest classification-based analysis and subsequent feature selection to identify precise topological features that may distinguish adduct sites of variable repair capacity. Our models were trained using helical data extracted from duplexes representing both BPDE hotspot and nonhotspot sites within the TP53 gene, then applied to sites within TP53, cII, and lacZ genes.

Results

We show our optimized model consistently achieved exceptional performance, with accuracy, precision, and f1 scores exceeding 91%. Our feature selection approach uncovered that discernible variance in regional base pair rotation played a pivotal role in informing the decisions of our model. Notably, these disparities were highly conserved among TP53 and lacZ duplexes and appeared to be influenced by the regional GC content. As such, our findings suggest that there are indeed conserved topological features distinguishing hotspots and nonhotpot sites, highlighting regional GC content as a potential biomarker for mutation.

Availability and implementation

Code for comparing machine learning classifiers and evaluating their performance is available at https://github.com/jdavies24/ML-Classifier-Comparison, and code for analysing DNA structure with Curves+ and Canal using Random Forest is available at https://github.com/jdavies24/ML-classification-of-DNA-trajectories.
Diagnostic testing and the evolution of detection avoidance by pathogens
Authors: Wood Jason , Ashby Ben
Published: August 2024

Diagnostic testing is a key tool in the fight against many infectious diseases. The emergence of pathogen variants that are able to avoid detection by diagnostic testing therefore represents a key challenge for public health. In recent years, variants for multiple pathogens have emerged which escape diagnostic testing, including mutations in Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) and SARS-Cov-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) (Coronavirus disease 2019). However, little is currently known about when and the extent to which diagnostic test escape will evolve. Here we use a mathematical model to explore how the frequency of diagnostic testing, combined with variation in compliance and efficacy of isolating, together drive the evolution of detection avoidance. We derive key thresholds under which a testing regime will (i) select for diagnostic test avoidance, or (ii) drive the pathogen extinct. Crucially, we show that imperfect compliance with diagnostic testing regimes can have marked effects on selection for detection avoidance, and consequently, for disease control. Yet somewhat counterintuitively, we find that an intermediate level of testing can select for the highest level of detection avoidance. Our results, combined with evidence from various pathogens, demonstrate that the evolution of diagnostic testing avoidance should be carefully considered when designing diagnostic testing regimes.
A Study of Patient Concerns in the Modern Therapeutic Era of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Gsenger Victoria , Rodriguez Adriana , Araka Elizabeth , Oza Fouzia , Eskarous Hany , Kochar Bharati , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin N
Published: August 2024

Background

Patient concerns and preferences are important in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD: Crohn’s disease [CD], ulcerative colitis). In the absence of contemporary data, we aimed to determine patient concerns and preferences and establish if there are demographic or disease-related differences.

Methods

We surveyed patients with IBD at Massachusetts General Hospital between July and September 2023. The Rating Form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patient Concerns (RFIPC) and a set of supplemental questions rated on a visual analog scale (0-100 mm) were administered to patients and compared by age, disease type, sex, and surgery status. Additionally, a survey administered to treating providers gathered insight into the difference between patient and provider perceptions of concerns.

Results

A total of 350 patients and 30 providers completed the survey. The mean age was 47 years; 50% were female, 49% had CD, and 80% were on advanced IBD therapy. Effects of medication (median = 54), energy level (median = 53), and having an ostomy bag (median = 52) were rated highest by patients. Older patients rated most disease complication and treatment-related concerns similar to younger adults; those aged 35-59 years had the greatest level of concern for most questions. Sex, disease activity, and prior surgical history also impacted patients’ concerns. Providers perceived patients’ worries as higher than those rated by patients themselves.

Conclusions

A shared decision-making model targeting the achievement of disease remission and addressing concerns rated highly by patients is important to meet the goal of care for patients with IBD.
Pregnancy complications and new-onset maternal autoimmune disease
Authors: Scime Natalie V , Grandi Sonia M , Ray Joel G , Dennis Cindy-Lee , De Vera Mary A , Banack Hailey R , Vigod Simone N , Boblitz Alexa , Brown Hilary K
Published: August 2024

Background

Autoimmune diseases disproportionately impact women and female-specific aspects of reproduction are thought to play a role. We investigated the time-varying association between pregnancy complications and new-onset autoimmune disease in females during the reproductive and midlife years.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cohort study of 1 704 553 singleton births to 1 072 445 females in Ontario, Canada (2002–17) with no pre-existing autoimmune disease. Pregnancy complications were preeclampsia, stillbirth, spontaneous preterm birth and severe small for gestational age (SGA). Royston-Parmar models were used to estimate the time-varying association between pregnancy complications and a composite of 25 autoimmune diseases from date of delivery to date of autoimmune disease diagnosis or censoring at death, loss of health insurance, or 31 March 2021. Models were adjusted for baseline socio-demographics, parity and comorbidities.

Results

At 19 years (median = 10.9 years of follow-up), cumulative incidence of autoimmune disease was 3.1% in those with a pregnancy complication and 2.6% in those without complications. Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) curves as a function of time since birth were generally L-shaped. Universally, risks were most elevated within the first 3 years after birth [at 1 year: preeclampsia AHR 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.36; stillbirth AHR 1.36, 95% CI 0.99–1.85; spontaneous preterm birth AHR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18–1.44; severe SGA AHR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99–1.31] and plateaued but remained elevated thereafter.

Conclusions

Prior history of pregnancy complications may be an important female-specific risk factor to consider during clinical assessment of females for possible autoimmune disease to facilitate timely detection and treatment.
A Decade of Chronic Norovirus Infection Surveillance at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center: Clinical Characteristics, Molecular Epidemiology, and Replication
Authors: Chaimongkol Natthawan , Kim Daniel Y , Matsushima Yuki , Durkee-Shock Jessica , Barton Karenna , Ahorrio Courtney N , Fahle Gary A , Bok Karin , Behrle-Yardley Allison , Johnson Jordan A , de Jesús-Díaz Dennise A , Parra Gabriel I , Levenson Eric A , Maeda Fernando Yukio , Sosnovtsev Stanislav V , Green Kim Y
Published: August 2024

Background

Noroviruses are an important viral cause of chronic diarrhea in immunocompromised individuals.

Methods

We collected norovirus-positive stool samples (n = 448) from immunocompromised patients (n = 88) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Research Center from 2010 to 2022. We assessed norovirus molecular epidemiology and infectivity in human intestinal enteroid (HIE) monolayers and clinical characteristics of the cohort.

Results

Noroviruses were genetically diverse: both genogroup I (GI.2, GI.5 and GI.6) and genogroup II (GII.1-GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, GII.12, GII.14, and GII.17) genotypes were detected, with GII.4 variants (Osaka, Apeldoorn, Den Haag, New Orleans, and Sydney) predominant (51/88 [57.9%]). Viruses belonging to the GII.4 Sydney variant group that replicated in HIEs (n = 9) showed a higher fold-increase in RNA genome copies compared to others that replicated. Chronic norovirus infection was documented in thirty-nine patients with shedding levels ranging from 104 to 1011 genome copies/g of stool. The majority (32/39 [82%]) had clinical evidence of an inborn error of immunity (13 identified monogenic diseases), most with combined immunodeficiency (15 of 32) or common variable immunodeficiency (11 of 32).

Conclusions

Genetically and biologically diverse noroviruses established chronic infection in NIH patients with both inborn and acquired immunologic defects.
Reporting patient experiences within elective perioperative care: a scoping review
Authors: Mickan Sharon , Fletcher Jenna , Burrows Rosanne , Bateup Sarah , Stokes Alison , Tsung Jason
Published: August 2024

Patient experience is an important descriptor of the human experience of healthcare. Specifically, it is described as the sum of all interactions, shaped by an organization’s culture, that influence patient perceptions, across the continuum of care. Currently, patient experience is measured with a focus on the hospital experience. By focussing on elective perioperative care, patient experience across the full continuum of care can be explored. A scoping review was designed to map the important components of patient experience, reported from previous studies of patients’ perspectives, across the full continuum of care. The aims of this scoping review were to identify (i) key components of patients’ experience and (ii) strategies where clinicians have influenced this experience. A systematic search of four key databases was performed in 2022 and updated in 2023 to identify primary research articles describing the complete perioperative experience for adults who have had elective surgery. Patient reports were extracted and compared to summarize key components of patient experience across preoperative, in-hospital, and postoperative care and to identify components of patient experience that clinicians could influence. From 10 included studies, four important patient experience themes have emerged as realistic expectations, accurate information, consistent communication, and individualized care. Four foci for clinicians to influence patients’ experience include careful monitoring around pain management, psychological recovery, coordination of care, and return to function. A matrix of clinicians’ points of influence and patient experience is presented to demonstrate how clinicians have influenced important components of patient experience across preoperative, in-hospital, and postoperative care. This review summarizes patients’ reports of their experience across the complete perioperative continuum of care. The multidimensional nature of the patient experience is represented in four patient experience themes. Four focus areas in which clinicians can influence patients’ experiences across the continuum of care are key to understanding and respecting the human experience in healthcare. This dynamic description of patient experience may focus clinicians’ understanding of this complex construct and assist their practical engagement with patients. Further work is needed to ensure these themes are sufficiently relevant and comprehensive for current and future patients. Practical strategies will be important for clinicians to individualize and deliver perioperative care that respects and enhances their patients’ experiences.
Learning to Fight Together: UN Peacekeeping Coalitions and Civilian Protection
Authors: Morgan Michael A , Morey Daniel S
Published: August 2024

Since the end of the Cold War, the United Nations has increasingly used peacekeeping operations (PKOs) to manage crises between and within states. The mandates of contemporary PKOs are demanding, calling on peacekeeping personnel to separate belligerent parties, enforce ceasefire agreements, and protect the physical security of civilians. The pursuit of these distinct objectives presents a unique challenge for the UN because it relies on member states to volunteer personnel for these missions. Therefore, the achievement of mandated goals depends on the ability of diverse national contingents to overcome coordination problems and function as a cohesive force. Integrating research of PKOs and international military coalitions, we argue that as national contingents share operational experience within a UN mission, they develop common institutional practices, and become more effective at protecting the civilian population. Using monthly data on UN PKOs from 1990 to 2019, we find that increasing operational experience within a peacekeeping coalition reduces civilian fatalities significantly.
Ubiquitination plays an important role during the formation of chicken primordial germ cells
Authors: Gong Wei , Liu Xin , Lv Xiaoqian , Zhang Yani , Niu Yingjie , Jin Kai , Li Bichun , Zuo Qisheng
Published: August 2024

As an important posttranslational modification, ubiquitination plays an important role in regulating protein homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. In our previous studies, both the transcriptome and proteome suggested that ubiquitination is involved in the formation of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). Here, affinity enrichment combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to analyze the ubiquitome during the differentiation from embryonic stem cells to PGCs, and we identify that 724 lysine ubiquitinated sites were up-regulated in 558 proteins and 138 lysine ubiquitinated sites were down-regulated in 109 proteins. Furthermore, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that ubiquitination regulates key proteins to participate in the progression of key events related to PGC formation and the transduction of key signals such as Wnt, MAPK, and insulin signals, followed by the detailed explanation of the specific regulatory mechanism of ubiquitination through the combined proteome and ubiquitome analysis. Moreover, both the activation and inhibition of neddylation were detrimental to the maintenance of the biological characteristics of PGCs, which also verified the importance of ubiquitination. In conclusion, this study provides a global view of the ubiquitome during the formation of PGCs by label-free quantitative ubiquitomics, which lays a theoretical foundation for the formation mechanism and specific application of chicken PGCs.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced neuroinflammation by protecting against traumatic spinal cord injury through the histone deacetylase 3/ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator pathway
Authors: He Lijiang , Ye Jingfang , Zhuang Xunrong , Shi Jinnan , Wu Wenhua
Published: August 2024

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) attenuate inflammatory responses in the central nervous system, leading to neuroprotective effects. Inhibition of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) has neuroprotective effects after spinal cord injury (SCI) through the SIRT1 pathway, but the pathophysiological mechanisms of SCI are complex and the interactions between ω-3 PUFAs and organelles remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ω-3 PUFAs on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced neuroinflammation through the HDAC3/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (PGC)-1ɑ pathway after SCI. To this end, a contusion-induced SCI rat model was established to evaluate the effects of ω-3 PUFAs on ER stress-mediated inflammation in SCI. ER stress was rapidly induced in spinal cord lesions after SCI and was significantly reduced after ω-3 PUFA treatment. Consistent with reduced ER stress, HDAC3 expression levels and inflammatory responses were decreased, and PGC-1ɑ expression levels were increased after SCI. We found that ω-3 PUFA treatment attenuated ER stress through HDAC3 inhibition, thereby reducing SCI-induced inflammation. Taken together, these results suggest a role for ω-3 PUFA in protecting against SCI-induced neuroinflammation and promoting neurological functional recovery by regulating the histone deacetylase 3/ peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator pathway.
Abundance and diversity of the culturable nectar mycobiome in Rhododendron catawbiense varies with elevation
Authors: Barker Daniel A , Khan Ayesha , Kaverina Ekaterina , Martel Carlos , Arceo-Gómez Gerardo
Published: August 2024

The nectar microbiome can influence pollinator choice and plant fitness. Previous research has shown that changes in environmental conditions at large spatial scales can influence nectar microbiome composition. However, little is known about how changes in climate with increasing elevation affect nectar microbiome abundance and composition. Here, we describe the culturable nectar mycobiome (CNMB) of Rhododendron catawbiense (Ericaceae) by quantifying colony abundance, identity and richness of fungal genera. We further evaluate how the CNMB abundance, diversity and composition (i.e. the fungal species within the nectar microbiome) varies at two different elevations. Nectar samples were collected from R. catawbiense individuals at a high and low elevation and were cultured on yeast agar with 0.01% chloramphenicol media. Fungal colonies were categorized morphologically, quantified and then identified using DNA barcoding. In total, 2822 fungal colonies were recorded belonging to six genera across both elevations. Elevation did not influence CNMB diversity (Simpson’s diversity index) or genera richness per flower, however only three genera were found at the high elevation while six were found at the low elevation. Elevation had a significant effect on colony abundance with a 95% increase in the number of colonies in nectar samples at low compared with the high elevation. Variation in abundance and the overall genera composition of fungal colonies across elevations may have the potential to affect nectar quantity and quality and ultimately pollination success. This study adds to our understanding of the drivers of CNMB composition across spatial scales and its potential implications for plant–pollinator interactions.
Interpretation of Convention and gap-filling
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter considers the interpretation of the CISG, as described in Article 7. Article 7 contains two rules which are simple in principle, but may be problematic when applied in certain cases. Although serving different purposes, there is some overlap between paragraphs 1 and 2. Article 7(1) seeks to ensure an autonomous interpretation of the provisions of the CISG and its general principles. Article 7(2) addresses gap-filling. Both paragraphs are relevant for adapting the Convention to new technological and economic developments not foreseen by its drafters. In principle, Article 7 is of great theoretical and practical importance. Unfortunately, from a practical perspective, some of the noisiest debates surrounding Article 7 are not productive and do not contribute to the objectives of the provision.
Offer (including incorporation of standard terms)
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on Article 14. Article 14 governs essential requirements for the first of the two building blocks for a contract’s formation, the offer (offre, oferta). Article 14’s central role is underlined by its position as the first provision in Part II of the Convention. The existence of an offer that fulfils the requirements of Article 14 is not an indispensable prerequisite for a contract’s formation, because sales contracts can, at least in theory, also be concluded under the Sales Convention in ways other than by offer and acceptance. In practice, such alternative ways of contract formation have nevertheless been rare. An offer can be (and in practice usually is) made through a declaration, but may also be expressed by mere conduct of the offeror. It is not subject to any form requirements (Article 11) and may therefore also be made implicitly, as long as it meets the minimum requirements listed in Article 14. The content of an offer has to be determined by way of interpretation in accordance with Article 8.
Withdrawal of acceptance
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter turns to Article 22, which authorizes the offeree (acceptor) to withdraw their acceptance before it has reached the offeror. If such a withdrawal occurs in time, it prevents the contract from being formed. The rule in Article 22 differs from Common Law and its ‘mailbox rule’ by not focusing on the dispatch of declarations of offer and acceptance, but on their receipt by the respective addressee. A comparable provision governing the withdrawal of offers can be found in Article 15(2). In fact, Article 22 has correctly been regarded as expression of a general principle also underlying Article 15(2).
Third party claims in general
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter explores the rules of third party claims in Article 47. Third party rights include the sale of third party goods, rights in personam and in rem, public law encumbrances, and intellectual property rights. Uniform law departs from the rule in many domestic legal systems that make liability subject to the existence of the third party’s right. Moreover, the buyer should not be expected to have to deal with a third party. Article 41 is based on the assumption that the seller must be responsible for third party rights or claims that originate from circumstances before delivery and the scope of the seller’s risk.
Third party claims based on intellectual property
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter explains the third party claims based on industrial or intellectual property. The CISG exclusively governs the relationship between buyer and seller. The chapter notes intellectual property as the intangible property rights, encompassing both copyright and industrial property. Domestic law applicable under the rules of private international law of the forum determines whether third-party industrial or intellectual property rights or remedies exist in relation to the goods. Additionally, the seller’s rights and claims are included in Article 42. The third-party right existing at the time of the conclusion of the contract does not give rise to liability because the seller may discharge the right before delivery.
Buyer’s excuse for not giving notice
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter tackles the reasonable excuses of buyers for not giving appropriate notification in line with Article 44. It explains how the failure to give notice does not allow the right to require delivery of substitute goods or repair, the right to avoid the contract, and the right to claim damages for loss of profit. The mitigation of the consequences of a failure to give notice under Article 44 only applies when the buyer has failed to observe the time limits. The chapter highlights the importance of understanding and leniency in relation to the discretion of reasonable excuses. It also includes the consequences such as price reduction and seller’s right to cure defects.
Price fixed by weight
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter deals with contracts under which the price is fixed according to the weight of the goods. Article 56 states that in the case of such a price determination, the price is to be determined by the net weight. This rule of interpretation applies only if the parties have neither expressly nor impliedly agreed otherwise and are not bound by any usage or any practice to the contrary. Article 56 will also not apply if the price is fixed per unit, even if the weight of the units is given for purposes of specification. The chapter underscores that net weight means the weight of the goods without packaging material unless the contract specifies otherwise. Furthermore, it discusses the dispute whether the net weight shall be determined at the place of delivery or at the place where the risk passes to the buyer.
Seller’s right to avoid contract
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter discusses when the seller may exercise the right to declare the contract avoided: if the failure by the buyer to perform any of his obligations under the contract or the Convention amounts to a fundamental breach of contract; or if the buyer does not, within the additional period of time fixed by the seller in accordance with Article 63, perform his obligation to pay the price or take delivery of the goods, or if he declares that he will not do so within the period so fixed. The chapter also tackles some scenarios wherein the seller would not lose the right to declare the contract avoided even if the buyer has paid the price. Furthermore, the discussion explains the effects of contract avoidance.
Introduction to Articles 66–70 CISG: General questions regarding the passing of risk
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on the passing of risk. It emphasizes that goods, from the beginning of their existence, are exposed to risks such as physical damage, import and export bans, and loss due to theft, among others. The purpose of the applicable rules on passing of risks is to determine the effects of this event on the seller-buyer relationship. Nonetheless, these rules do not address economic risks. The chapter also offers comparative law considerations on the problem of passing of risk before shedding light on the principles of how the Convention on the International Sale of Goods (CISG) addresses it. The CISG uses the handing-over approach as the starting point and requires identification of the goods for risk to pass. Furthermore, the chapter differentiates price risk from performance risk. The former means that the buyer, after passing of risk, must pay the full price despite loss of or damage to the goods. The latter, on the other hand, means that the seller must deliver a second quantity of the goods without additional pay, if the first is lost or damaged before risk has passed.
Passing of risk when sale involves carriage
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter looks at the passage of risk when a sale involves the carriage of goods. Article 67 stresses that if the contract of sale involves carriage of the goods and the seller is not bound to hand them over at a particular place, the risk passes to the buyer when the goods are handed over to the first carrier for transmission to the buyer in accordance with the contract of sale. On the other hand, if the seller is bound to hand the goods over to a carrier at a particular place, the risk does not pass to the buyer until the goods are handed over to the carrier at that place. The fact that the seller is authorized to retain documents controlling the disposition of the goods does not affect the passage of the risk. Nevertheless, the chapter highlights that the risk does not pass to the buyer until the goods are clearly identified to the contract, whether by markings on the goods, by shipping documents, by notice given to the buyer, or otherwise.
Interest and benefits in case of restitution
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter introduces Articles 85 to 88, which lay down that the parties are obliged to take care of the goods if they are rejected or not taken over by the buyer. It looks at the cases that involved Articles 85 to 88 that may be unclear whether the buyer’s complaints are rightful. If the liability for the preservation of the goods depends on this question, both parties could be tempted to leave the goods to their own fate. The chapter explains the rules in Articles 85 to 88 that prevent such tactics by obliging the seller or the buyer, respectively, to preserve the goods even if the other side is wrong. It has been suggested that, in terms of dogma, at least some of the requirements laid down in Articles 85 et seq should be regarded not as obligations but as mere legal requirements to act.
Right to deposit preserved goods in warehouse
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter covers Article 88, which grants to a party under an obligation to preserve the goods the right to sell the goods, which is also known as ‘self-help sale.’ It explains how the party is obliged to sell or have an emergency sale if the conditions are met. In both cases, the purpose of Article 88 is to avoid unnecessary expense. The chapter emphasizes that Article 88 is applicable only if the party performing the self-help or emergency sale is obliged to preserve the goods according to Articles 85 or 86. It cannot be applied if there is no such obligation, such as because the buyer has rightfully rejected the goods or wants to reject the goods already delivered without cause.
Signature, ratification and accession
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter talks about Article 91 that governs the different means of States to express their consent to be bound by the Sales Convention, with the goal to becoming a CISG Contracting State. It considers Article 91 as a purely diplomatic clause as its interpretation has no impact on the Sales Convention’s everyday application to individual sales contracts. The draft version of Article 91 in the 1977 Secretariat Draft was modelled on Articles 41–43 of the 1974 Limitation Convention. The chapter explains how Article 91 added ‘approval’ and ‘acceptance’ as alternative means of treaty consent, mirroring Article 11 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. The agreed wording reflected today’s Article 91(1) with minor drafting changes and was adopted in the Plenary without discussion or dissent.
Multi-territorial States
Authors: Schwenzer Ingeborg , Schroeter Ulrich G
Published: August 2024

This chapter discusses Article 93 that contains a standard final provision found in many uniform law making conventions that is commonly referred to as ‘federal State clause’ or ‘federal clause’. It describes the background of Article 93, which is the customary international law rule reflected in Article 29 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. By providing an exception to this rule, Article 93 corresponds to the difficulty of some multi-territorial States where the central government lacks the necessary treaty power to assume an unqualified obligation in international law to apply the Sales Convention to contracts. The chapter elaborates how Article 93 allows federal and other multi-territorial States to limit the Sales Convention’s application to only some of its territories. An Article 93 declaration affects the territories’ status as ‘Contracting State’ territory under Article 1(1).
Induction of Heat Shock Proteins 27, 60, 70, and 90 in the Cerebellum of Rats After Hyperthermia During Postnatal Development
Authors: Kandil Banu , Bayraktaroglu Alev Gürol
Published: August 2024

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are induced in response to stressful stimuli and play an important role in cell repair and protection. This study, using immunohistochemistry, aimed to determine whether HSPs are induced in the cerebellum of rats subjected to hyperthermia during postnatal development (PND). The results showed that unlike HSP27 and HSP70, HSP60 and HSP90 were constitutively expressed in the cerebellum of rats. However, hyperthermia induced HSP27 in the white matter (WM) and HSP70 in the Bergmann glial cells, the internal granule layer (IGL), and the WM. In the WM, HSP27 induction was only observed on days PND20, PND25, and PND30, and HSP27 expression was higher on day PND30 compared with days PND20 and PND25 (p < 0.001). In the Bergmann glial cells, HSP70 induction was only observed on days PND5, PND10, and PND20, and HSP70 expression was greater on days PND5 and PND10 compared with day PND20 (p < 0.001). In the IGL and the WM, HSP70 expression was higher on days PND20, PND25, and PND30 compared with days PND5 and PND10 (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that unlike HSP60 and HSP90, HSP27 and HSP70 have different expression patterns in the cerebellum of rats after hyperthermia during PND.
Protective Role of Melatonin Against Abamectin-Induced Biochemical, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Alterations in the Testicular Tissues of Rats
Authors: Adiguzel Caglar , Karaboduk Hatice , Uzunhisarcikli Meltem
Published: August 2024

Abamectin is one of the most widely used pesticides due to its strong insecticidal and anthelmintic activities. Melatonin is a neurohormone with potent antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential ameliorative effects of melatonin against abamectin-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: control group (1 mL/kg/day corn oil), melatonin-treated group (10 mg/kg/day), abamectin-treated group (0.5 mg/kg/day), and melatonin plus abamectin-treated group. Test substances were administered via oral gavage once daily for 28 days. While MDA and 8-OHdG levels increased in the testicular tissue of rats treated with abamectin, SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST enzyme activities decreased significantly. While interleukin-17 levels, TNF-α, and caspase3 expression increased in the testicular tissue, acetylcholinesterase activity decreased. At the same time, serum gonadotropins (luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones) and testosterone levels decreased. Light microscope examinations of testicular tissues revealed severe histopathological changes, such as atrophic hyalinized seminiferous tubules, basement membrane irregularity, degeneration, spermatogenic cell loss, and necrosis. Electron microscopy examinations revealed large vacuoles in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells, swelling and vacuolization in mitochondria, lysosomal structures, and increased pyknotic nuclei. In contrast, melatonin supplementation significantly ameliorated abamectin-induced testicular toxicity in rats through antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Solid Metal Chemical and Thermal Injury Management
Authors: Kemp Bohan Phillip M , Coulthard Stacy L , Yelon Jay A , Bass Gary A , Decoteau Mary A , Cannon Jeremy W , Kaplan Lewis J
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Solid metals may create a variety of injuries. White phosphorous (WP) is a metal that causes both caustic and thermal injuries. Because of its broad use in munitions and smoke screens during conflicts and wars, all military clinicians should be competent at WP injury identification and acute therapy, as well as long-term consequence recognition.

Materials and Methods

English-language manuscripts addressing WP injuries were curated from PubMed and Medline from inception to January 31, 2024. Data regarding WP injury identification, management, and sequelae were abstracted to construct a Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles guideline-consistent narrative review.

Results

White phosphorous appears to be ubiquitous in military conflicts. White phosphorous creates a characteristic wound appearance accompanied by smoke, a garlic aroma, and spontaneous combustion on contact with air. Decontamination and burning prevention or cessation are key and may rely on aqueous irrigation and submersion or immersion in substances that prevent air contact. Topical cooling is a key aspect of preventing spontaneous ignition as well. Disposal of all contaminated clothing and gear is essential to prevent additional injury, especially to rescuers. Long-term sequelae relate to phosphorous absorption and may lead to death. Chronic or repeated exposure may induce jaw osteonecrosis. Tactical Combat Casualty Care recommendations do not currently address WP injury management.

Conclusions

Education and management regarding WP acute injury and late sequelae is essential for acute battlefield and definitive facility care. Resource-replete and resource-limited settings may use related approaches for acute management and ignition prevention. Current burn wound management recommendations should incorporate specific WP management principles and actions for military clinicians at every level of skill and environment.
Horizontal Gene Transfer of a key Translation Factor and its Role in Polyproline Proteome Evolution
Authors: Brewer Tess E , Wagner Andreas
Published: August 2024

Prolines cause ribosomes to stall during translation due to their rigid structure. This phenomenon occurs in all domains of life and is exacerbated at polyproline motifs. Such stalling can be eased by the elongation factor P (EF-P) in bacteria. We discovered a potential connection between the loss of ancestral EF-P, the appearance of horizontally transferred EF-P variants, and genomic signs of EF-P dysfunction. Horizontal transfer of the efp gene has occurred several times among bacteria and is associated with the loss of highly conserved polyproline motifs. In this study, we pinpoint cases of horizontal EF-P transfer among a diverse set of bacteria and examine genomic features associated with these events in the phyla Thermotogota and Planctomycetes. In these phyla, horizontal EF-P transfer is also associated with the loss of entire polyproline motif-containing proteins, whose expression is likely dependent on EF-P. In particular, three proteases (Lon, ClpC, and FtsH) and three tRNA synthetases (ValS, IleS1, and IleS2) appear highly sensitive to EF-P transfer. The conserved polyproline motifs within these proteins all reside within close proximity to ATP-binding-regions, some of which are crucial for their function. Our work shows that an ancient EF-P dysfunction has left genomic traces that persist to this day, although it remains unclear whether this dysfunction was strictly due to loss of ancestral EF-P or was related to the appearance of an exogenous variant. The latter possibility would imply that the process of “domesticating” a horizontally transferred efp gene can perturb the overall function of EF-P.
MUT-7 exoribonuclease activity and localization are mediated by an ancient domain
Authors: Busetto Virginia , Pshanichnaya Lizaveta , Lichtenberger Raffael , Hann Stephan , Ketting René F , Falk Sebastian
Published: August 2024

The MUT-7 family of 3′–5′ exoribonucleases is evolutionarily conserved across the animal kingdom and plays essential roles in small RNA production in the germline. Most MUT-7 homologues carry a C-terminal domain of unknown function named MUT7-C appended to the exoribonuclease domain. Our analysis shows that the MUT7-C is evolutionary ancient, as a minimal version of the domain exists as an individual protein in prokaryotes. In animals, MUT7-C has acquired an insertion that diverged during evolution, expanding its functions. Caenorhabditis elegans MUT-7 contains a specific insertion within MUT7-C, which allows binding to MUT-8 and, consequently, MUT-7 recruitment to germ granules. In addition, in C. elegans and human MUT-7, the MUT7-C domain contributes to RNA binding and is thereby crucial for ribonuclease activity. This RNA-binding function most likely represents the ancestral function of the MUT7-C domain. Overall, this study sheds light on MUT7-C and assigns two functions to this previously uncharacterized domain.
Synergistic action of human RNaseH2 and the RNA helicase-nuclease DDX3X in processing R-loops
Authors: Secchi Massimiliano , Garbelli Anna , Riva Valentina , Deidda Graziano , Santonicola Carolina , Formica Teresa Maria , Sabbioneda Simone , Crespan Emmanuele , Maga Giovanni
Published: August 2024

R-loops are three-stranded RNA-DNA hybrid structures that play important regulatory roles, but excessive or deregulated R-loops formation can trigger DNA damage and genome instability. Digestion of R-loops is mainly relying on the action of two specialized ribonucleases: RNaseH1 and RNaseH2. RNaseH2 is the main enzyme carrying out the removal of misincorporated rNMPs during DNA replication or repair, through the Ribonucleotide Excision Repair (RER) pathway. We have recently shown that the human RNA helicase DDX3X possessed RNaseH2-like activity, being able to substitute RNaseH2 in reconstituted RER reactions. Here, using synthetic R-loop mimicking substrates, we could show that human DDX3X alone was able to both displace and degrade the ssRNA strand hybridized to DNA. Moreover, DDX3X was found to physically interact with human RNaseH2. Such interaction suppressed the nuclease and helicase activities of DDX3X, but stimulated severalfold the catalytic activity of the trimeric RNaseH2, but not of RNaseH1. Finally, silencing of DDX3X in human cells caused accumulation of RNA-DNA hybrids and phosphorylated RPA foci. These results support a role of DDX3X as a scaffolding protein and auxiliary factor for RNaseH2 during R-loop degradation.
CRISPR-Cas target recognition for sensing viral and cancer biomarkers
Authors: Rahimi Shadi , Balusamy Sri Renukadevi , Perumalsamy Haribalan , Ståhlberg Anders , Mijakovic Ivan
Published: August 2024

Nucleic acid-based diagnostics is a promising venue for detection of pathogens causing infectious diseases and mutations related to cancer. However, this type of diagnostics still faces certain challenges, and there is a need for more robust, simple and cost-effective methods. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), the adaptive immune systems present in the prokaryotes, has recently been developed for specific detection of nucleic acids. In this review, structural and functional differences of CRISPR-Cas proteins Cas9, Cas12 and Cas13 are outlined. Thereafter, recent reports about applications of these Cas proteins for detection of viral genomes and cancer biomarkers are discussed. Further, we highlight the challenges associated with using these technologies to replace the current diagnostic approaches and outline the points that need to be considered for designing an ideal Cas-based detection system for nucleic acids.
Orchestration of phosphate homeostasis by the ITPK1-type inositol phosphate kinase in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Pullagurla Naga Jyothi , Shome Supritam , Liu Guizhen , Jessen Henning J , Laha Debabrata
Published: August 2024

Land plants have evolved sophisticated sensing mechanisms and signaling pathways to adapt to phosphate-limited environments. While molecular players contributing to these adaptations in flowering plants have been described, how nonvascular bryophytes regulate phosphate (Pi) homeostasis remained largely unknown. In this study, we present findings that both male and female plants of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha respond to altered phosphate availability through substantial developmental changes. We show that the second messenger inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) respond more quickly to changes in cellular Pi status than the lower inositol phosphates, highlighting a functional relationship between PP-InsP and Pi homeostasis in M. polymorpha. To further corroborate the possible involvement of PP-InsP in Pi homeostasis, we characterized M. polymorpha INOSITOL (1,3,4) TRIPHOSPHATE 5/6 KINASE1 (MpITPK1) that phosphorylates InsP6 to generate InsP7 both in vitro and in vivo. Consistent with the role of PP-InsPs in Pi homeostasis, M. polymorpha lines with enhanced MpITPK1 expression leading to the accumulation of 5-InsP7 and an InsP8 isomer, exhibit altered expression of phosphate starvation induced (PSI) genes and display attenuated responses to low phosphate. The characterization of MpPHO1-deficient plants with dramatically increased levels of 1,5-InsP8 further supports the role of PP-InsP in Pi homeostasis in this liverwort species. Notably, our study unveiled that MpITPK1 rescues the deregulated Pi homeostasis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) ITPK1-deficient plants, suggesting that liverwort and eudicots share a functional ITPK1 homolog. In summary, our study provides insights into the regulation of Pi homeostasis by ITPK1-derived PP-InsPs in M. polymorpha.
Animalization
Authors: Tarasenko-Struc Aleksy
Published: August 2024

Although the concept of objectification is seen as a valuable tool in feminist theorizing, far less attention has been paid to animalization: treating or regarding a person as a nonhuman animal. I argue that animalization is a distinctive category of wrongdoing, modeling a theory of the phenomenon on Kantian theories of objectification in feminist philosophy. Actions are animalizing, I claim, when they embody a kind of disregard for a person's characteristically human capacities that are analogous to the fitting treatment of animals. I contend that my view overcomes standard objections to the use of the concept of animalization and shows how, despite surface similarities, animalization is different from both objectification and infantilization.
The Care Subsidy to the Labor Market: Rethinking the Care Diamond
Authors: Heatley Tejada Ana
Published: August 2024

The market is considered one of the four care agents and has been studied as a provider of paid services. However, the first part of this article posits the relevance of distinguishing two roles the market plays in care provision—private care provider and as the labor market—which shows, as feminist economics argues, that the market receives a subsidy from care work because the capital appropriates the value generated by the mostly female unpaid work in households through the family wage. The second part presents a methodology to estimate this subsidy of care to capital, based on time-use surveys and the computation of how many hours of total work are not paid for with household labor income using data from Mexico as a case study. With these figures, it is possible to develop public policy mechanisms that make the labor market co-responsible in care provision.