bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unveiling genome plasticity and a novel phage in Mycoplasma felis: Genomic investigations of four feline isolates
Authors: Klose Sara M. , Legione Alistair R. , Bushell Rhys N. , Browning Glenn F. , Vaz Paola K.
Published: March 2024

Mycoplasma felis has been isolated from diseased cats and horses, but to date only a single fully assembled genome of this species, of an isolate from a horse, has been characterized. This study aimed to characterize and compare the completely assembled genomes of four clinical isolates of M. felis from three domestic cats, assembled with the aid of short- and long-read sequencing methods. The completed genomes encoded a median of 759 ORFs (range 743–777) and had a median average nucleotide identity of 98.2 % with the genome of the available equid origin reference strain. Comparative genomic analysis revealed the occurrence of multiple horizontal gene transfer events and significant genome reassortment. This had resulted in the acquisition or loss of numerous genes within the Australian felid isolate genomes, encoding putative proteins involved in DNA transfer, metabolism, DNA replication, host cell interaction and restriction modification systems. Additionally, a novel mycoplasma phage was detected in one Australian felid M. felis isolate by genomic analysis and visualized using cryo-transmission electron microscopy. This study has highlighted the complex genomic dynamics in different host environments. Furthermore, the sequences obtained in this work will enable the development of new diagnostic tools, and identification of future infection control and treatment options for the respiratory disease complex in cats.
ANP32E drives vulnerability to ATR inhibitors by inducing R-loops-dependent Transcription Replication Conflicts in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Lago Sara , Poli Vittoria , Fol Lisa , Botteon Mattia , Fasciani Alessandra , Turdo Alice , Gaggianesi Miriam , Todaro Matilde , Ciani Yari , D’Amato Giacomo , Demichelis Francesca , Zippo Alessio
Published: March 2024

Oncogene-induced replicative stress (RS) plays a central role in tumor progression, leading to genomic instability by eliciting transcription replication conflicts (TRCs), which represent the major source of R-loops, that ultimately favors the onset of the DNA damage response (DDR). We investigated the pathogenic contribution of chromatin factors in increasing TRCs and R-loop frequencies in cancer. We found that in breast cancer patients the concomitant upregulation of MYC and the H2A.Z-specific chaperone ANP32E correlated with an increase genome instability. Genome-wide profiling revealed that the ANP32E-dependent increases turnover of H2A.Z altered RNApol II processivity, leading to accumulation of long R-loops at TRCs. We showed that ANP32E upregulation increases TRCs and activates an ATR-dependent DDR, which predispose cancer cells to R-loop-mediated genomic fragility. By exploiting the vulnerability of ANP32E-expressing cancer cells to ATR inhibitors, we found that tumors relied on this DDR pathway, whose inhibition halted their pro-metastatic capacity.
YTHDC1 m6A-dependent and m6A-independent functions converge to preserve DNA damage response.
Authors: Elvira-Blázquez Daniel , Fernández-Justel José , Arcas Aida , Statello Luisa , Goñi Enrique , González Jovanna , Ricci Benedetta , Zaccara Sara , Raimondi Ivan , Huarte Maite
Published: March 2024

Cells have evolved a robust and highly regulated DNA damage response to preserve their genomic integrity. Although increasing evidence highlights the relevance of RNA regulation, our understanding of its impact on a fully efficient DNA damage response remains limited. Here, through a targeted CRISPR-knockout screen, we identified RNA binding proteins and modifiers that participate in mediating the p53 response. Among the top hits, m6A reader YTHDC1 was identified as a master regulator of p53 expression. YTHDC1 binds to the transcription start sites of TP53 and other genes involved in DNA damage response, promoting their transcriptional elongation. YTHDC1 deficiency leads to reduced TP53 expression, and also retention of introns leading to aberrant protein production of key DNA damage factors. While intron retention is dependent on m6A, YTHDC1 favors TP53 transcriptional pause-release independently of m6A. Depletion of YTHDC1 causes genomic instability and aberrant cancer cell proliferation mediated by genes regulated by YTHDC1. Our results uncover YTHDC1 as an orchestrator of the DNA damage response through distinct mechanisms of co-transcriptional mRNA regulation.
Investors’ intention toward green investment: an extension of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: Hemdan Waleed , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study investigates how to motivate behavioral intentions toward green investment (BIGI) with the moderating effect of social media platforms usage (SMPU) among individual investors in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the data and test hypotheses based on a sample of 550 individual investors with investment experience.

Findings

The results show that attitude, subjective norm (SN), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) have a significant relationship with investors' behavioral intention toward green investment. The moderating effect of (SMPU) supported the relationship between (SN), (PBC), and (BIGI), but (SMPU) does not support the relationship between attitude and (BIGI).

Practical implications

This study provides some implications for investment providers, service providers, and policymakers.

Originality/value

Despite the increasing global interest in climate change and its consequent opportunities and challenges for business, previous studies did not strongly emphasize green investment. So, based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study sheds light on the motivational factors that may push investors' behavioral intentions toward green investment. With the increasing interest in digital transformation, the study also examined how digital platforms support (BIGI), especially in Egypt as a developing country.
An examination of existing research on academic libraries and the social web
Authors: Choi Namjoo
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine research on academic libraries and the social web published from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2023.

Design/methodology/approach

The article search and filtering procedures mirrored those of Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015), resulting in a total sample size of 93 articles. These articles underwent examination based on the same eight variables (i.e. journal outlet, research theme, publication year, social web type, method, keyword, study participant type and study country) as employed by Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015), with the addition of two new variables (i.e. research purpose and the impact of COVID-19).

Findings

The research article volume has consistently maintained a stable trend. A notable difference from Choi and Harper (2020) and Carlsson (2015) is the rise of “user perspectives” as the second most prevalent theme. Unlike Choi and Harper (2020), the “survey” method is predominant. Many research purposes, excluding “marketing and promotion,” lack attention. Additionally, there’s a dearth of studies on the impact of COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from the study not only offer a snapshot of the current research landscape on academic libraries and their engagement with the social web but also offer insights for future scholarly endeavors.

Originality/value

There is a limited effort in exploring the recent literature regarding the role of the social web in academic libraries. This study serves as a valuable guide for contributing to this dynamic research stream and provides various up-to-date implications.
A Theresian Moment: French Catholics and the Spirituality of the Ordinary in the 1930s*
Authors: Drapac Vesna
Published: March 2024

The subject of this article is the lived religion of lay Catholics devoted to the woman described as one of the greatest saints of the modern era, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, known as Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897). It draws on letters written to the Lisieux Carmel in Normandy at the time of the Munich crisis in 1938. Much scholarship on the laity in the interwar years concerns itself with renewal and militancy in the public sphere. By contrast, the body of evidence at hand provides insights into continuities in established forms of devotion and into the religious thinking of the kinds of believers about whom we know relatively little. I argue that Catholics influenced by Thérèse's teachings, notably the “Little Way” and her “Spirituality of the Ordinary,” modelled the saint's destabilisation of the active/contemplative (or public/private) dichotomy. The letters reveal the entanglement of the spiritual and the secular in the lives of ordinary Catholics and how, after Thérèse, they participated in the Christian animation of society beyond the home. In their writing we also see evidence of the correspondents' attachment to the universal Church when they felt, acutely, the uncertainties of the international situation.
Evaluation of Trichopria anastrephae performance as parasitoid of Drosophila suzukii and Zaprionus indianus, under controlled laboratory conditions
Authors: Funes C. F. , Rendon D. , Saez J. V. , Allori Stazzonelli E. , Pastor L. C. , Gibilisco S. M. , Bouvet J. P. , Maza N. , Kirschbaum D. S.
Published: March 2024

Native parasitoids are potential tools for the biological control of invasive exotic pests, such as the frugivorous flies spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, and African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta (both Diptera: Drosophilidae). Following biological invasions, the establishment of exotic species may be restricted, among other things, by their susceptibility to native or established natural enemies. The Neotropical‐native pupal endoparasitoid Trichopria anastrephae Costa Lima (Hymenoptera: Diapriidae), although primarily associated with hosts of the genus Anastrepha (Tephritidae), has also been described to attack Drosophilidae. There are few studies on the interaction between parasitoids native to Argentina and D. suzukii and/or Z. indianus. The present work evaluates the parasitism of T. anastrephae on both species of drosophilids under controlled conditions. Ten larvae (L3) of each host species were exposed separately to a couple of adult T. anastrephae for 72 h (n = 10). For both control and parasitoid treatment, 10 larvae (L3) of D. suzukii and Z. indianus were placed in 10 flasks (repetition) at the L3 stage. Host emergence, the infestation degree index (DI), and the parasitism success rate (SP) were calculated. Drosophila suzukii and Z. indianus emergence differed significantly in controlled conditions being 41% higher for Z. indianus than for D. suzukii. The DI was 100% in D. suzukii and 38% in Z. indianus, and the SP was 48% both in D. suzukii and in Z. indianus. These findings indicate that the native parasitoid T. anastrephae has a high potential as a biocontrol strategy against D. suzukii. In addition, the efficiency of T. anastrephae against Z. indianus, an invasive frugivorous widely spread in the Neotropical region, was evaluated for the first time.
Trends in observation stays for Medicare beneficiaries with and without Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Authors: Burke Laura G. , Burke Ryan C. , Duggan Ciara E. , Figueroa Jose F. , Boltz Marie , Fick Donna M. , Orav E. John , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: March 2024

Background

There has been a marked rise in the use of observation care for Medicare beneficiaries visiting the emergency department (ED) in recent years. Whether trends in observation use differ for people with Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease‐related dementias (AD/ADRD) is unknown.

Methods

Using a national 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries ages 68+ from 2012 to 2018, we compared trends in ED visits and observation stays by AD/ADRD status for beneficiaries visiting the ED. We then examined the degree to which trends differed by nursing home (NH) residency status, assigning beneficiaries to four groups: AD/ADRD residing in NH (AD/ADRD+ NH+), AD/ADRD not residing in NH (AD/ADRD+ NH‐), no AD/ADRD residing in NH (AD/ADRD‐ NH+), and no AD/ADRD not residing in NH (AD/ADRD‐ NH‐).

Results

Of 7,489,780 unique beneficiaries, 18.6% had an AD/ADRD diagnosis. Beneficiaries with AD/ADRD had more than double the number of ED visits per 1000 in all years compared to those without AD/ADRD and saw a faster adjusted increase over time (+26.7 vs. +8.2 visits/year; p < 0.001 for interaction). The annual increase in the adjusted proportion of ED visits ending in observation was also greater among people with AD/ADRD (+0.78%/year, 95% CI 0.77–0.80%) compared to those without AD/ADRD (+0.63%/year, 95% CI 0.59–0.66%; p < 0.001 for interaction). Observation utilization was greatest for the AD/ADRD+ NH+ population and lowest for the AD/ADRD‐ NH‐ population, but the AD/ADRD+ NH‐ group saw the greatest increase in observation stays over time (+15.4 stays per 1000 people per year, 95% CI 15.0–15.7).

Conclusions

Medicare beneficiaries with AD/ADRD have seen a disproportionate increase in observation utilization in recent years, driven by both an increase in ED visits and an increase in the proportion of ED visits ending in observation.
Population dynamics of amphibian community in Lake Çıldır, Northeastern Anatolia
Authors: Cumhuriyet Oğuzkan , Çiçek Kerim
Published: March 2024

Knowledge on life history traits and population dynamics of amphibians from northeastern Anatolia is limited. This results in a heavy reliance on published data regarding the European and Caucasian counterparts of the Anatolian populations in local conservation studies. The present study evaluated the phenology, age structure, population size, and population structure of the amphibian community in Lake Çıldır, northeastern Anatolia, Turkey. The site was surveyed between April 2017 and July 2019, detecting the presence of Bufo verrucosissimus, Bufotes viridis sitibundus, Pelophylax ridibundus, and Rana macrocnemis. The estimated population size ranged from 553 to 789 individuals for P. ridibundus and from 404 to 655 individuals for R. macrocnemis. The estimated mean capture probability was 0.09-0.10 for P. ridibundus and 0.08-0.11 for R. macrocnemis. The mean survival rates were estimated at 0.40-0.60 for P. ridibundus and 0.24-0.56 for R. macrocnemis. A male-biased sex ratio was observed for all species. The mean age was estimated at 5.28 years (2-9) for P. ridibundus, 4.32 years (2-6) for R. macrocnemis, and 5.55 years (3-9) for B. viridis sitibundus. Depending on weather conditions, the amphibian species emerged from brumation in the second half of April, and the breeding period took place between the end of April and June. The metamorphosis was attained in 55-125 days for P. ridibundus, 44-124 days for R. macrocnemis, and 56-128 days for B. viridis sitibundus, depending on weather conditions. The amphibian community of Lake Çıldır comprises healthy frog and toad populations, whose primary threats appear to be weather fluctuations and climate change. In contrast to their western Anatolian conspecifics, the studied amphibians suffered limited habitat loss and degradation, rendering them effective candidates as indicator species for climate change studies.
Ingeborg Levin (1953—2024)
Authors: Vogel Felix , Hammer Samuel
Published: March 2024

Pioneer in radiocarbon and atmospheric research
Midwife-led birthing centres in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Uganda: an economic evaluation of case study sites
Authors: Callander Emily J , Scarf Vanessa , Nove Andrea , Homer Caroline , Carrandi Alayna , Abdullah Abu Sayeed , Clow Sheila , Halim Abdul , Mbalinda Scovia Nalugo , Nabirye Rose Chalo , Rahman AKM Fazlur , Rasheed Saad Ibrahim , Turk Arslan Munir , Bazirete Oliva , Turkmani Sabera , Forrester Mandy , Mandke Shree , Pairman Sally , Boyce Martin
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates will require the expansion and strengthening of quality maternal health services. Midwife-led birth centres (MLBCs) are an alternative to hospital-based care for low-risk pregnancies where the lead professional at the time of birth is a trained midwife. These have been used in many countries to improve birth outcomes.

Methods

The cost analysis used primary data collection from four MLBCs in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Uganda (n=12 MLBC sites). Modelled cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), measured as incremental cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted, of MLBCs to standard care in each country. Results were presented in 2022 US dollars.

Results

Cost per birth in MLBCs varied greatly within and between countries, from US$21 per birth at site 3, Bangladesh to US$2374 at site 2, Uganda. Midwife salary and facility operation costs were the primary drivers of costs in most MLBCs. Six of the 12 MLBCs produced better health outcomes at a lower cost (dominated) compared with standard care; and three produced better health outcomes at a higher cost compared with standard care, with ICERs ranging from US$571/DALY averted to US$55 942/DALY averted.

Conclusion

MLBCs appear to be able to produce better health outcomes at lower cost or be highly cost-effective compared with standard care. Costs do vary across sites and settings, and so further exploration of costs and cost-effectiveness as a part of implementation and establishment activities should be a priority.
How valid is a prescription-based multimorbidity index (Rx-risk) in predicting mortality in the Outcomes and Multimorbidity In Type 2 diabetes (OMIT) study? A nation-wide registry-based cohort study from Norway
Authors: Igland Jannicke , Forster Rachel , Jenum Anne Karen , Strandberg Ragnhild B , Berg Tore Julsrud , Røssberg Jan Ivar , Iversen Marjolein Memelink , Buhl Esben Selmer
Published: March 2024

Objective

The prescription-based Rx-risk index has previously been developed to measure multimorbidity. We aimed to adapt and evaluate the validity of the Rx-risk index in prediction of mortality among persons with type 2 diabetes.

Design

Registry-based study.

Setting

Adults with type 2 diabetes in Norway identified within the ‘Outcomes and Multimorbidity In Type 2 diabetes’ cohort, with linkage to prescriptions from the Norwegian Prescription Database and mortality from the Population Registry.

Participants

We defined a calibration sample of 42 290 adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 1950–2013, and a temporal validation sample of 7085 adults diagnosed 2014–2016 to evaluate the index validity over time

Primary outcome measure

All-cause mortality

Methods

For the calibration sample, dispensed drug prescriptions in 2013 were used to define 44 morbidity categories. Weights were estimated using regression coefficients from a Cox regression model with 5 year mortality as the outcome and all morbidity categories, age and sex included as covariates. The Rx-risk index was computed as a weighted sum of morbidities. The validity of the index was evaluated using C-statistic and calibration plots.

Results

In the calibration sample, mean (SD) age at start of follow-up and duration of diabetes was 63.8 (12.4) and 10.1 (7.0) years, respectively. The overall C-statistic was 0.82 and varied from 0.74 to 0.85 when stratifying on age groups, sex, level of education and country of origin. In the validation sample, mean (SD) age and duration of diabetes was 59.7 (13.0) and 2.0 (0.8) years, respectively. Despite younger age, shorter duration of diabetes and later time period, the C-index was high both in the total sample (0.84) and separately for men (0.83) and women (0.84).

Conclusions

The Rx-risk index showed good discrimination and calibration in predicting mortality and thus presents a valid tool to assess multimorbidity among persons with type 2 diabetes.
First experience with nicotine products and transition to regular tobacco use: a secondary data analysis in 28 European countries
Authors: Rajani Nikita B , Goyal Jyoti , Filippidis Filippos T
Published: March 2024

Objective

The majority of tobacco users have had their first contact with nicotine at a young age. The aim of this study was to explore the association between the first tobacco or nicotine product tried and the transition to regular product use in 28 European countries.

Methods

A secondary analysis of participants aged 15–40 years (n=8884) from 28 countries was conducted (Eurobarometer wave 93.2; August–September 2020). Participants who reported having ever tried tobacco or nicotine products were asked which product they tried first. Self-reported history of tobacco use determined whether they were established users (≥1 time weekly) of a range of products at any point in their life. Multilevel logistic regression was used to measure the association between first product tried and becoming a regular user of tobacco or nicotine products.

Results

There was large variation between countries in the proportion of participants aged ≤40 years that ever tried tobacco or nicotine; Estonia had the highest proportion of ever users (85.8%) and Poland had the lowest (38.9%). Among those who had ever tried tobacco or nicotine, boxed cigarettes were the most common first product (72.3%) and pipe was the least common (0.4%). Compared with those who first tried e-cigarettes, the odds of ever becoming a regular user of any tobacco or nicotine product were higher among those who first had hand-rolled cigarettes (adjusted OR, aOR 2.23; 95% CI 1.43 to 3.48) or boxed cigarettes (aOR 2.08; 95% CI1.43 to 3.02) and lower among those who first tried waterpipe (aOR 0.22; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.34).

Conclusions

Although this study cannot infer causality, the findings show that odds of becoming a regular tobacco user differs widely depending on the first product used. Better understanding of the associations between first product use and regular tobacco use could be informative to tobacco control policy-makers and help tailor prevention programmes.
Graduate student experiences and perspectives related to conducting thesis research within long-term ecological projects
Authors: Wishart Andrea E. , Boudreau Melanie R. , Menzies Allyson K.
Published: March 2024

Long-term ecological research (LTER) projects are considered valuable training grounds for graduate student researchers, yet student voices are largely absent from discussions of LTER merits in the literature. We aimed to identify benefits and challenges encountered by current and former graduate students in conducting graduate research within LTER projects. To explore graduate student experiences and perspectives, we conducted a survey comprising both closed-ended questions (i.e., multiple choice and Likert scale) and open-ended questions. From the responses, we identified emergent categories related to positive and negative experiences using sentiment analysis. We found agreement with purported benefits in areas including networking and access to established field sites and protocols. However, participants also identified data accessibility, authorship decisions, communication, and interpersonal conflicts as significant sources of challenges. We synthesized survey results with existing literature to provide actionable recommendations for principal investigators in four main areas (data, authorship, communication, and management) through an LTER lens. In addition to providing longitudinal data, LTER projects offer graduate students both physical and methodological infrastructure that can serve as the scaffold for new research questions to be developed. However, the likelihood of success of student research, as well as the success of the students themselves, can be improved when the needs of graduate students are prioritized.
The accelerated expansion in F(G,TμνTμν) gravity
Authors: Marciu Mihai , Ioan Dana Maria
Published: March 2024

In this paper, the basic Einstein–Hilbert cosmological model is extended by adding a new functional [Formula: see text] in the fundamental action, encoding specific geometrical effects due to a nontrivial coupling with the Gauss–Bonnet invariant (G), and the energy–momentum squared term ([Formula: see text]). After obtaining the corresponding gravitational field equations for the specific decomposition where [Formula: see text], we have explored the physical features of the cosmological model by considering the linear stability theory, an important analytical tool in the cosmological theory which can reveal the dynamical characteristics of the phase space. The analytical exploration of the corresponding phase space structure revealed that the present model can represent a viable dark energy model, with various stationary points where the effective equation of state corresponds to a de-Sitter epoch, possible explaining the early and late time acceleration of the Universe.
Multifunctional BNT-based ferroelectric ceramics with large electrostrain and strong photoluminescence properties
Authors: Wang Di , Zhao Jiaqi , Li Yue , Zhang Chengshuo , Yu Luchang , Zhang Yaqi , Yang Xiaohua , Hao Jigong , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

The development of multifunctional materials with optical and electrical properties has become a research hotspot in recent years. In this work, multifunctional 0.935(Bi[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text])TiO3–0.065BaTiO3 (BNT–BT)-based ferroelectric ceramics doped with small amounts of CaMAlO4 ([Formula: see text], Ho) were prepared, and the effect of CaMAlO4 on the electrostrain and photoluminescence properties of the ceramics was studied. The results showed that the CaMAlO4 addition weakened the ferroelectric properties of the BNT–BT matrix, and promoted the improvement of the electrostrain performance. For samples doped with 1.5[Formula: see text]mol% CaMAlO4, the unipolar strain [Formula: see text] reached the largest values, which were 0.33% ([Formula: see text]) and 0.38% ([Formula: see text]) under an electric field of 70[Formula: see text]kV/cm, corresponding to a large signal [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) of 471[Formula: see text]pm/V ([Formula: see text]) and 543[Formula: see text]pm/V ([Formula: see text]), respectively. In addition, due to the existing Dy[Formula: see text] and Ho[Formula: see text] luminescent ions, the modified samples exhibited excellent photoluminescence performance, which exhibited bright yellow emission ([Formula: see text]) and green emission [Formula: see text] under the blue excitation. Due to their multifunctional features, these materials have potential applications as “on-off” actuators, optical-electro integration and coupling devices.
Report on the 3rd International Workshop onLearning to Quantify (LQ 2023)
Authors: Bunse Mirko , Gonzalez Pablo , Moreo Alejandro , Sebastiani Fabrizio
Published: March 2024

The 3rd International Workshop on Learning to Quantify (LQ 2023)1 took place on September 18, 2023 in Torino, IT, where it was organised as a satellite event of the 34th European Conference on Machine Learning and Principles and Practice of Knowledge Discovery in Databases (ECML PKDD 2023). Like the main program of the conference, the workshop employed a hybrid format, with all presentations given in presence and with attendees participating in presence or online. This report presents a summary of the workshop, briefly summarising the individual works presented, and touching on the main issues that emerged during the final, open discussion.
Inferring Depression and Its Semantic Underpinnings from Simple Lexical Choices
Authors: Kruse Line , Rocca Roberta , Wallentin Mikkel
Published: March 2024

Spatial demonstratives are highly frequent linguistic universals, with at least two contrastive expressions (proximal (“this”) vs. distal (“that”)) indicating physical, social, or functional proximity of the speaker to the referent object. Recent evidence based on the Demonstrative Choice Task (DCT), in which participants couple words with a spatial demonstrative with no context provided, suggests that demonstrative use is also indicative of experienced or emotional proximity to the self in an imagined mental space. As depression is characterized by increased and maladaptive focus on the self, the DCT may be a simple and reliable way to elicit behaviors that enable inference on the presence of severe depressive states and allow descriptions of the semantic characteristics of individual differences in such states. In two independent cross-sectional studies, including 775 and 879 participants, respectively, we showed that DCT-based classification models reliably capture semantic characteristics of experiential states that are predictive of self-reported depression symptom severity, as measured by PHQ-9. In both samples, DCT classifiers outperformed baseline models and replicated semantic patterns of negative affect previously observed to be associated with depression. This indicates that the paradigm captures semantic characteristics of the experiential states underlying depression symptoms and may be used to map individuals along a broad semantic space, potentially providing novel insights into individual differences in depressive states.
Computer, Computer Science, and Computational Thinking: Relationship between the Three Concepts
Authors: Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: March 2024

Digital computers were invented in the 1940s. They are sophisticated and versatile machines whose functioning is grounded in elaborate theory. Advances in theory and the availability of computers helped computer science to develop as an academic discipline, and university departments for the same started coming up in the 1960s. Computer science covers all phenomenon related to computers and consists primarily of man-made laws governing building, programming, and using computers. Computational thinking is a way of thinking influenced by computers and computer science. There are two schools of thought on computational thinking. The first school sees computational thinking as the use of computers to explore the world, while the other sees computational thinking as the application of concepts from computer science to solve real-world problems. Scholars typically agree that computational thinking has four essential components, viz., abstraction, decomposition, algorithm design, and generalization. Computational thinking is often feted by computer scientists as a useful skill that can be used by anybody anywhere. However, it is necessary to find out ways for successfully using computational thinking in domains other than computer science before it can be declared a universal skill.
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Patients with Vaginal Discharge: A 2019-2022 Analysis at the National Health Laboratory in Eritrea
Authors: Hussein Khalid , Tesfai Berhe , Frezgi Okbu , Hayelom Hagos , Gebremeskel Yosan , Werede Azania , Gebremariam Hailemichael , Kibreab Fitsum , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih
Published: March 2024

Background. Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant global threat to the treatment of bacterial infections, particularly in low- and middle-income regions such as Africa. This study is aimed at analyzing antimicrobial resistance patterns in vaginal swab samples from patients at the National Health Laboratory from 2019 to 2022. Methods. This retrospective study examined patient records from vaginal swab analyses performed at the National Health Laboratory between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ministry of Health Research Ethical Approval and Clearance Committee on 15/02/2023. Results. Of the 622 samples, 83% underwent microbial isolation and identification. Citrobacter spp. exhibited high resistance (>43%) to antibiotics such as cephalexin, ceftazidime, nalidixic acid, ampicillin, gentamicin, and tetracycline. E. coli showed resistance rates of more than 50% to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. exhibited resistance rates that exceeded 47% to specific antibiotics. Gram-positive bacteria have resistance rates of more than 49% with ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, oxacillin, vancomycin, and penicillin G. In particular, S. aureus demonstrated no resistance to rifampicin or clindamycin, while Streptococcus spp. showed 100% resistance to rifampicin and vancomycin. Several species, including Proteus species, Streptococcus spp., S. aureus, and Klebsiella spp. exhibited multidrug resistance. Conclusion. Most gram-negative bacteria displayed higher resistance of >45% to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline. Among gram-positive bacteria, a higher resistance rate with ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, oxacillin, vancomycin, and penicillin G was recorded. S. aureus showed no resistance to rifampicin and clindamycin, and Strep. spp. indicated 100% resistance to rifampicin and vancomycin. This study highlights critical gaps and areas for further exploration. Expanding the spectrum of antibiotics tested and investigating underlying multidrug resistance mechanisms would provide a more comprehensive understanding of resistance patterns.
Figure S5 from MARCH2, a Novel Oncogene-regulated SNAIL E3 Ligase, Suppresses Triple-negative Breast Cancer Metastases
Authors: Ito Koichi , Harada Ibuki , Martinez Criseyda , Sato Katsutoshi , Lee EunJee , Port Elisa , Byerly Jessica H. , Nayak Anupma , Tripathi Ekta , Zhu Jun , Irie Hanna Y.
Published: March 2024

Figure S5 shows effect of MARCH2 on levels of EMT driver proteins
Figure S2 from MARCH2, a Novel Oncogene-regulated SNAIL E3 Ligase, Suppresses Triple-negative Breast Cancer Metastases
Authors: Ito Koichi , Harada Ibuki , Martinez Criseyda , Sato Katsutoshi , Lee EunJee , Port Elisa , Byerly Jessica H. , Nayak Anupma , Tripathi Ekta , Zhu Jun , Irie Hanna Y.
Published: March 2024

Fig S2 shows the effect of PTK6 kinase inhibitor 4f on SNAIL levels in TNBC cells
FIGURE 5 from MARCH2, a Novel Oncogene-regulated SNAIL E3 Ligase, Suppresses Triple-negative Breast Cancer Metastases
Authors: Ito Koichi , Harada Ibuki , Martinez Criseyda , Sato Katsutoshi , Lee EunJee , Port Elisa , Byerly Jessica H. , Nayak Anupma , Tripathi Ekta , Zhu Jun , Irie Hanna Y.
Published: March 2024

PTK6 inhibition enhances MARCH2:SNAIL association. A, MDA-MB-231 cells expressing FLAG-Snail and HA-MARCH2 (WT) were treated with vehicle control or P21d for 4 or 18 hours in the presence of MG132. MARCH2–SNAIL interaction was assessed by immunoblotting FLAG immunoprecipitates with anti-HA antibody. B, Endogenous MARCH2–SNAIL interaction following P21d treatment of MDA-MB-231 was assessed by Duolink PLA. Cells were treated with DMSO or P21d for 8 hours and MG132 cotreatment for the last 4 hours. Cells were stained with antibodies to Snail and MARCH2. PLA signals/cell were quantitated using ImageJ (left). Scale bar, 15 µm.
Editorial v.18 n.3 (2023)
Authors: Ornstein Sheila Walbe
Published: March 2024

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O licenciamento compulsório em tempos de pandemia: possíveis lições do caso efavirenz
Authors: Feres Marcos Vinicio Chein , Machado Belissa Maria Piva , Morais Anderson Resende , Paixão Victória Presoti
Published: March 2024

During the Covid-19 pandemic, partnerships between Brazilian laboratories and international companies were impor tant for the local production of the vaccine, due to the necessity to find an effective measure to preserve public health. However, it is necessary to investigate these partnerships beyond their benefits in order to understand their implications. Compulsory licensing consists of an exception to the transfer of technology contracts to guarantee the Brazilian’s population access to the vaccine and possible new drugs developed against Covid-19. Compulsory licensing has already been implemented in Brazil. In 2007, it was used by the federal government to solve the problem of access to efavirenz, an antiretroviral needed in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Considering the similarities between the epidemics, this article aimed to answer, through empirical analysis, what the efavirenz case reveals about the legaleconomic process of patent exclusivity and the use of compulsory licensing during times of pandemic crises, such as the one of Covid-19. Based on the analysis of the bureaucratic process applied to the Efavirenz case, it was possible to infer that the compulsory license should have been executed by the Brazilian government to guarantee access to medical products during national emergencies.
Uma revolução de hombres jóvenes: as revolucionárias brasileiras no treinamento guerrilheiro em Cuba (1968-1971)
Authors: Codarin Higor
Published: March 2024

Encouraged by the 70th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada headquarter, the beginning of the Cuban revolutionary process, this article aims to analyze the relationship between Brazilian women who engaged in the armed struggle against the civil-military dictatorship and the guerrilla training carried out in Cuba. Through the subjectivity of the militant woman, it seeks to fill a historiographical gap on the relations between Cuba – and its revolutionary model – and the Brazilian revolutionary organizations. Although in a minority, women were present in the Brazilian groups that carried out training on the island from 1964 onwards. In it, they felt the pressures and “unnamed malaise” in the face of a revolutionary model and, especially, a militant model based on a androcentric perspective. The aim is, therefore, to shed light on gender cleavages and difficulties imposed on Brazilian revolutionary women in the context of the predominance of Cuban foquism as a revolutionary strategy.
Place in Painting
Authors: Casey Edward S.
Published: March 2024

This essay examines the role of place in painting. This role is multiple – at once attracting our look but also locatory of whatever is displayed in the painting itself and attracting our attention to it as a place distinct from the place where we are painting it or viewing it. Examined here is also the role of the lived body in the apprehension of place in painting: a corporeal animating force that animates a genuinely lived place as it is set forth or intimated in paintings of seen, remembered, or imagined places. Such placially specific paintings are at once a commentary and a continuation on how we experience places in the context of the lived world. Included are analyses of three placially oriented paintings of my own as well as one by de Kooning – all in an effort to show the multivalence of place in painting.
On Equality and Irreducibility of Female to Male in Safedian Forms of Kabbalah
Authors: Idel Moshe
Published: March 2024

In kabbalistic writings equality between the male and female divine entities recurs in dozens of instances and this is also the case in Safedian forms of Kabbalah. However, there is an additional theme to equality, that is shared by the two main and extensive literary corpora, that of Moses Cordovero and the much later texts of his former disciple, that of R. Hayyim Vital: the irreducibility of the female principle to the male one during the sexual encounter. The present study explores the passages reflecting the details of this similarity, as well as the theurgical impact of the feminine soul, in the wider context of the relationship between some important ideas shared by those distinct kabbalistic writings.
Research advances on short-chain fatty acids in gastrointestinal acute graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Song Xinping , Lao Jing , Wang Lulu , Liu Sixi
Published: March 2024

Gastrointestinal acute graft- versus-host disease (GI-aGVHD) is a severe early complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). It has been shown that the intestinal microbiota plays a critical role in this process. As metabolites of the intestinal microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are vital for maintaining the host-microbiota symbiotic equilibrium. This article provides an overview of the protective effect of SCFAs in the gastrointestinal tract, emphasizes their association with GI-aGVHD, and explores relevant research progress in prevention and treatment research.
The teaching of evolutionary theory and the Cosmos–Evidence–Ideas model
Authors: Christina Ntinolazou , Penelope Papadopoulou
Published: March 2024

Evolutionary theory (ET), as many researchers have pointed out, is one of the cornerstones of Biology, whose understanding facilitates the study of all its other fields since it offers general and dominant explanations for the phenomena it examines. Thus, the intense research activity presented in relation to the teaching and learning of evolution is justified. Various methodological approaches attempt to conclude in an effective way how to overcome the barriers associated with the acceptance and understanding of ET. In the present research, the usefulness of the Cosmos–Evidence–Ideas (CEI) model as a tool for enhancing the effectiveness of selected activities for teaching ET is tested. Two different Teaching Learning Sequences (TLS) were designed, implemented, and evaluated, in one of which CEI was used as a design tool. Next, a comparison of the evaluation outcomes of the two TLSs was conducted. It was found that students from both groups increased their performance. This increase was slightly greater for the students who were taught evolution through the TLS, designed with the CEI model. An interpretation is given for the extent of that increase related to the model's characteristics, and suggestions for better improvement in the future are included. To sum up, there are indications that the CEI model might have the potential to enhance the effectiveness of a TLS for ET when used as a design tool.
Curvilinear association between waist-to-height ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness: a cross-sectional study based on nationwide data from Chinese children and adolescents
Authors: Dong Jiehao , Song Pengwei , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Jia
Published: March 2024

Background

Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) is considered an important summary indicator for assessing the health of children and adolescents. However, there are fewer studies addressing the association between WHtR and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Deriving an optimal WHtR would play an important role in promoting CRF in children and adolescents. Our aim was to analyze the association between WHtR and CRF and determine the optimal value of WHtR.

Methods

In this study, 37,081 (19,125 boys, 51.6%) children and adolescents aged 7–18 years in five regions of China were tested for WHtR and 20-m shuttle run test (20 m SRT). One-way ANOVA was used to compare maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) among children and adolescents with different WHtRs and effect sizes were used to analyze differences between groups. Curvilinear regression was used to analyse the curvilinear relationship that exists between WHtR and VO2max.

Results

In Chinese children and adolescents, the WHtR of boys was higher than that of girls by 0.01, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Overall, in the age groups of 7–9, 10–12, 13–15, and 16–18 years old, the differences in VO2max comparisons between different WHtR groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). In Chinese children and adolescents in the age groups of 7–9, 10–12, 13–15, and 16–18 years old, VO2max levels were highest when the WHtR was 0.34, 0.32, 0.39, and 0.41, respectively.

Conclusions

There is a curvilinear association between WHtR and CRF in Chinese children and adolescents. Both lower and higher WHtR led to a decrease in VO2max in children and adolescents.
The conserved GOLD domain in the Plasmodiophora brassicae effector Pb257 is required for triggering cell death and root swelling
Authors: Yang Hui , Liao Rong , Jin Chuang , Feng Xiaoya , Zhang Yang , Wang Xinyue , Zhang Yuge , Yu Liang , Wang Wenming
Published: March 2024

Plasmodiophora brassicaeis one of the biggest threats to cruciferous plants and one of the most economically significant diseases worldwide. However, our current understanding of its pathogenic mechanisms remains limited. In this study, we have identified an effector, Pb257, which plays a crucial role in the virulence ofP. brassicae. The expression pattern analysis revealed continuous induction of Pb257 during both primary and secondary infections. Ectopic expression of Pb257 strongly triggered cell death inNicotiana benthamianaand several other plants, which was dependent on SOBIR1 and the salicylic acid pathway but not BAK1, a central molecular regulator, to mediate classical defense pathways. Overexpression of Pb257 increased susceptibility ofBrassica rapatoP. brassicae. Silencing of the Pb257-encoding gene led to reduce root swelling. Further investigation showed that the conserved GOLD domain within Pb257 was essential for inducing root enlargement, which is similar to the mild symptoms of clubroot, indicating that it is an important effector for promoting root cell enlargement. GOLD domain-containing family proteins were widely present in the kingdoms of protozoa, fungi, and animalia, and Pb257 was clustered into a clade of protozoa, suggesting the encoding gene as a potential marker gene for classification ofP. brassicae. The GOLD domain-containing proteins are known regulators involved in human cell proliferation and immune system disruption, however, no previous reports have described a pathogen-derived GOLD domain protein with elicitor activity. Our findings demonstrate that Pb257 functions as a crucial effector contributing to the virulence ofP. brassicaeand could be used as a potential molecular target for controlling clubroot disease.
Comparative analysis of clinical symptoms and biochemical alterations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: assessing the impact of type 1 diabetes versus non-diabetic controls
Authors: Yassin Maged M. , Laqqan Mohammed M. , Mwafy Saleh N. , EL-Qreenawy Sana I.
Published: March 2024

Background

Women with type 1 diabetes depend on insulin injections throughout their life. However, the recommendation for strict metabolic control of diabetes requires the administration of supra-physiological doses of insulin, which might result in insulin-mediated stimulation of androgen synthesis. Hyperandrogenism in women with type 1 diabetes may be associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was performed to investigate PCOS and its associated clinical symptoms and biochemical alterations in women with type 1 diabetes in the Palestinian Territories. This retrospective cohort study consists of 50 women with type 1 diabetes and 50 apparently healthy non-diabetic controls. Questionnaire interviews were conducted. The diagnosis of PCOS was based on chronic anovulation and biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism. Serum total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and insulin were measured by ELISA.

Results

The mean waist-to-hip ratio and age at menarche were significantly higher in diabetic women than in non-diabetic controls (81.9 ± 7.9 and 13.9 ± 1.6 years vs. 78.8 ± 5.7 and 13.2 ± 1.2 years, and P = 0.045, P = 0.020, respectively). Oligomenorrhea, acanthosis nigricans, seborrhea, and hirsutism were more frequent in diabetics. The levels of total testosterone and insulin were significantly higher in diabetics (0.58 ± 0.11 ng/ml and 15.8 ± 12.4 mlU/ml vs. 0.44 ± 0.11 ng/ml and 10.8 ± 4.5 mlU/ml, P < 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). PCOS was present in 11 (22.0%) of diabetic women compared to 3 (6.0%) in non-diabetics (P = 0.044). Diabetic women with PCOS received higher doses of insulin than non-PCOS women (72.7 ± 23.9 vs. 55.0 ± 19.8 UI.cc/ml/day, P = 0.023). PCOS women showed more frequent oligomenorrhea (100% vs. 15.4%, P < 0.001) and higher levels of total testosterone and insulin (0.64 ± 0.09 and 23.1 ± 13.0 vs. 0.53 ± 0.11 and 14.1 ± 11.8, P = 0.023 and P = 0.041, respectively). PCOS cases were significantly more frequent in diabetic women receiving intensive insulin therapy than their counterparts with non-intensive insulin therapy (40.9% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Intensive insulin treatment in type 1 diabetes potentiates the development of PCOS and its related clinical and biochemical features particularly oligomenorrhea, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperandrogenemia.