bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AlphaFold-Multimer accurately captures interactions and dynamics of intrinsically disordered protein regions
Authors: Omidi Alireza , Møller Mads Harder , Malhis Nawar , Bui Jennifer M. , Gsponer Jörg
Published: October 2024

Interactions mediated by intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDRs) pose formidable challenges in structural characterization. IDRs are highly versatile, capable of adopting diverse structures and engagement modes. Motivated by recent strides in protein structure prediction, we embarked on exploring the extent to which AlphaFold-Multimer can faithfully reproduce the intricacies of interactions involving IDRs. To this end, we gathered multiple datasets covering the versatile spectrum of IDR binding modes and used them to probe AlphaFold-Multimer’s prediction of IDR interactions and their dynamics. Our analyses revealed that AlphaFold-Multimer is not only capable of predicting various types of bound IDR structures with high success rate, but that distinguishing true interactions from decoys, and unreliable predictions from accurate ones is achievable by appropriate use of AlphaFold-Multimer’s intrinsic scores. We found that the quality of predictions drops for more heterogeneous, fuzzy interaction types, most likely due to lower interface hydrophobicity and higher coil content. Notably though, certain AlphaFold-Multimer scores, such as the Predicted Aligned Error and residue-ipTM, are highly correlated with structural heterogeneity of the bound IDR, enabling clear distinctions between predictions of fuzzy and more homogeneous binding modes. Finally, our benchmarking revealed that predictions of IDR interactions can also be successful when using full-length proteins, but not as accurate as with cognate IDRs. To facilitate identification of the cognate IDR of a given partner, we established “minD,” which pinpoints potential interaction sites in a full-length protein. Our study demonstrates that AlphaFold-Multimer can correctly identify interacting IDRs and predict their mode of engagement with a given partner.
Reconfigurable, zero-energy, and wide-temperature loss-assisted thermal nonreciprocal metamaterials
Authors: Lei Min , Jin Peng , Zhou Yuhong , Li Ying , Xu Liujun , Huang Jiping
Published: October 2024

Thermal nonreciprocity plays a vital role in chip heat dissipation, energy-saving design, and high-temperature hyperthermia, typically realized through the use of advanced metamaterials with nonlinear, advective, spatiotemporal, or gradient properties. However, challenges such as fixed structural designs with limited adjustability, high energy consumption, and a narrow operational temperature range remain prevalent. Here, a systematic framework is introduced to achieve reconfigurable, zero-energy, and wide-temperature thermal nonreciprocity by transforming wasteful heat loss into a valuable regulatory tool. Vertical slabs composed of natural bulk materials enable asymmetric heat loss through natural convection, disrupting the inversion symmetry of thermal conduction. The reconfigurability of this system stems from the ability to modify heat loss by adjusting thermal conductivity, size, placement, and quantity of the slabs. Moreover, this structure allows for precise control of zero-energy thermal nonreciprocity across a broad temperature spectrum, utilizing solely environmental temperature gradients without additional energy consumption. This research presents a different approach to achieving nonreciprocity, broadening the potential for nonreciprocal devices such as thermal diodes and topological edge states, and inspiring further exploration of nonreciprocity in other loss-based systems.
A protein phosphatase 1 specific
phos
phatase
ta
rgeting
p
eptide (PhosTAP) to identify the PP1 phosphatome
Authors: Choy Meng S. , Nguyen Hieu T. , Kumar Ganesan S. , Peti Wolfgang , Kettenbach Arminja N. , Page Rebecca
Published: October 2024

Phosphoprotein phosphatases (PPPs) are the key serine/threonine phosphatases that regulate all essential signaling cascades. In particular, Protein Phosphatase 1 (PP1) dephosphorylates ~80% of all ser/thr phosphorylation sites. Here, we developed a phosphatase targeting peptide (PhosTAP) that binds all PP1 isoforms and does so with a stronger affinity than any other known PP1 regulator. This PhosTAP can be used as a PP1 recruitment tool for Phosphorylation Targeting Chimera (PhosTAC)-type recruitment in in vitro and cellular experiments, as well as in phosphoproteomics experiments to identify PP1-specific substrates and phosphosites. The latter is especially important to further our understanding of cellular signaling, as the identification of substrates and especially phosphosites that are targeted by specific phosphatases lags behind that of their kinase counterparts. Using PhosTAP-based proteomics, we show that, counter to our current understanding, many PP1 regulators are also substrates, that the number of residues between regulator PP1-binding and phosphosites vary significantly, and that PP1 counteracts the activities of mitotic kinases. Finally, we also found that Haspin kinase is a direct substrate of PP1 and that its PP1-dependent dephosphorylation modulates its activity during anaphase. Together, we show that PP1-specific PhosTAPs are a powerful tool for +studying PP1 activity in vitro and in cells.
Broadening efficient sound absorption bandwidth of spatial bending acoustic metasurfaces with multi-parameter variation
Authors: Zhang Jiesen , Chen Ke , Xiao Yinglong , Li Bin , Hou Hong , Liu Yang , Cheng Baozhu
Published: October 2024

Due to limitations in the space for the installation of noise reduction structures in some engineering application fields, broadband efficient noise reduction has always been a key issue in academic and engineering fields. Faced with this issue, in this work, a deep-subwavelength acoustic metasurface with embedded necks and bending channels is proposed. Firstly, theoretical models for the sound absorption coefficient of traditional Helmholtz resonators(THRs), embedded Helmholtz resonators(EHRs), and spatial bending acoustic metasurfaces (SBAMs) with a thickness of 12 mm were established using the thermal-viscous model, end acoustic radiation correction theory, and transfer matrix method, which prove that the SBAM unit has deep-subwavelength characteristics. Subsequently, adopting theoretical models and the complex frequency plane method, the SBAM unit with a side length of 50 mm and a thickness of 12 mm was designed, which exhibited perfect absorption at 541 Hz. The perfect absorption mechanism was elucidated through simulations. Theoretical and simulation models were used to analyze the regulation law of different geometric parameters on the acoustic performance for ultra-thin SBAM units. The results indicate that by accurately tuning multiple geometric parameters, ultrathin and perfect-absorption SBAM units with a thickness of 12 mm in the broadband range of 463–672 Hz can be achieved. Furthermore, it was experimentally studied how the equivalent length L influences the sound absorption performance of SBAM units, and the correctness of the theoretical and simulation results was verified. These results will provide a theoretical reference and engineering application for broadening the low-frequency noise reduction frequency band in compact spaces, improving the spatial utilization of sound absorption structures, and achieving broadband noise control at low and medium frequencies.
History and development of large-scale oil palm plantations of PT BPK and PT GKG in West Kalimantan
Authors: Putra H Y P
Published: October 2024

The European Union (EU) has issued and enforced a new anti-deforestation trade policy known as the EUDR policy, which demands that several commodities, including palm oil and its derivative products, be exported on deforestation-free status. Since the EU Parliament Resolution on palm oil and rainforest deforestation, Indonesian palm oil products have been blamed for being the main cause of deforestation and climate change due to developing the palm oil industry. West Kalimantan is one of the provinces in Indonesia that has the largest area of oil palm plantations and the most palm oil products. The study of land use change is evolving rapidly and has led to many approaches to understanding changes in land use.. This study aims to determine the history of the origin of the status and history of land use of large scale of oil palm plantations of PT BPK and PT GKG and to determine the development of land cover changes of large oil palm plantations in the two companies. The methods used were interviews, literature studies and analysis of satellite image interpretation and overlaying forest use maps and spatial plans of West Kalimantan province. The results showed that based on the Decree of the Minister of Forestry and the West Kalimantan RTRWP, the entire area of PT BPK and PT GKG has no status as a forest area and has become an area for other uses (APL). The history of land use in PT BPK shows that the land is a former community farms. In PT GKG, the land area is a former bauxite mine of PT Harita. The initial land cover at PT GKG was shrubs (76.23% of total land) and open land (23.77% of total land) in 2004 and PT BPK had an initial land cover of shrubs (22.13% of total land) and secondary swamp forest (70.56% of total land) in 1993.
Identification of wetland cover change in the upstream of Negara and Barito river in 1988 – 2014
Authors: Simanjuntak F , Rizqi A L , Suwardi  , Sumawinata B
Published: October 2024

The expansion of oil palm plantations has always been linked to the conversion of forests into non-forest areas in Indonesia. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct routine land cover monitoring to confirm land cover change over a specific period, specifically the conversion from primary forest to oil palm plantations between 1988 and 2014, using Landsat 5 and Landsat 8 (OLI) imagery in the upstream of the Negara-Barito River, South Kalimantan. Land cover transformations are observed throughout the analysis periods of 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2007, and 2014, followed by quantifying the extent of these changes. The secondary data were analyzed for image pre-processing, which involved steps such as Georeferencing, cropping, radiometric correction, cloud masking, and composite image generation, facilitated by ArcGIS 10.3 and ERDAS Imagine version 9.1. The results show that oil palm plantations originating from primary forest conversion did not occur within the study area. Most oil palm plantations were established by converting different types of land cover: 46% shrubs, 14% secondary forests, 14% mixed plantations, and the rest from other land uses. This showed that the expansion of oil palm plantations was not the main catalyst for the conversion of forest to non-forest in the study area.
Application of Taguchi design to optimize the operational parameters of pyramid solar still integrated with TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Senthilkumar N , Yuvaperiyasamy M , Deepanraj B
Published: October 2024

The global community is currently grappling with mounting concerns over the scarcity of fresh water, a situation that has emerged due to a complex interplay of various factors. One viable solution to address this issue is the use of renewable energy-powered water desalination. This study presents a thorough assessment of pyramid solar still (PSS) and its modified versions (MPSS) efficiency, which involves the integration of phase change material (PCM) and nano titanium dioxide (nTiO2) in the solar still. The experiments were conducted simultaneously under identical conditions for both the PSS and the modified still. Assessment of the MPSS was conducted, taking into account various operating parameters, including solar intensity (300–900 W m−2), water depth (4–8 cm), water inlet temperature (30 °C–50 °C), and the nTiO2 concentration (0.5–1.5 wt%). In addition, the Taguchi method was used to pinpoint the factors influencing the efficiency of the solar stills, as well as their respective levels. The signal-to-noise ratio and mean response were employed to identify the ideal levels of these parameters. Furthermore, the ANOVA method was utilized to assess the important factors and their impact on the overall production. Additionally, the regression method was employed to examine the type and magnitude of the correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Finally, the estimated optimum production was compared to both the predicted productivity and the actual experimental productivity. An ideal condition was 900 W m−2 intensity of solar radiation, 4 cm depth of water, 50 °C of saline water temperature, and 1 wt% nTiO2 concentration.
Feminist Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Jenkins Katharine
Published: October 2024

Feminist Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction explains some key ideas and debates in feminist philosophy. It provides an overview of the notion of gender oppression and asks what it is to be a woman and whether there is a distinctive kind of women’s knowledge. The VSI adopts an intersectional approach focused on the combined impact of several factors like race and class alongside gender. It discusses feminist views on the relationship between the personal and the political, including accounts of beauty, objectification, and sexuality. It also considers the extent to which broader aspects of the world, such as justice, work, and the environment, can be considered feminist issues.
Are women oppressed?
Authors: Jenkins Katharine
Published: October 2024

This chapter examines the idea that women are oppressed. It notes Marilyn Frye’s worry that the term oppression can be stretched to meaninglessness due to the word being applied to any human experience of limitation or suffering regardless of the cause, degree, or consequence. The chapter assesses Frye’s account of oppression in terms of interlocking structures of social barriers that limit some people but not others. It also highlights feminist work, including by Kimberlé Crenshaw, showing that gender does not operate alone, but rather intersects with other aspects of oppression, such as race and class. Finally, it considers whether the idea of women as a social group can survive this observation.
The death of authoritarian regimes
Authors: Loxton James
Published: October 2024

This chapter examines the death of authoritarian regimes and the related concept of democratization. It begins by discussing modernization theory, which argues that economic development makes democracy more likely. It then discusses two additional factors that can have a major impact: the international environment and leadership. The chapter shows how in the final decades of the 20th century, changes in the United States, the Soviet Union, and the Catholic Church made the world less hospitable to authoritarianism. At the same time, the conciliatory gestures and policy concessions made by opposition leaders like Nelson Mandela made democracy less frightening to supporters of authoritarianism in countries such as South Africa.
The puzzle of authoritarian durability
Authors: Loxton James
Published: October 2024

This chapter discusses the puzzle of authoritarian durability, or why some authoritarian regimes are more resilient than others. Why, for example, did communist regimes collapse in Eastern Europe in 1989, but not in China despite the outbreak of mass protests in Tiananmen Square that same year? After considering the possible role of culture, the chapter discusses three factors that can help to prop up authoritarian regimes: natural resource wealth, origins in violent revolution, and cross-border collaboration. It shows how these factors have contributed to authoritarian durability in countries such as Saudi Arabia, China, and Belarus.
Legacies of authoritarianism
Authors: Loxton James
Published: October 2024

This chapter considers how legacies of authoritarianism may persist after a transition to democracy. After discussing the unhealed wound of human rights abuses in countries like Argentina, it turns its attention to two lesser-known but extremely widespread legacies: “holdover constitutions” imposed by outgoing authoritarian officials, and “authoritarian successor parties” created by those officials. The frequent success of the latter is especially disturbing, since these parties can only succeed under democracy if voters voluntarily choose to support them. The chapter shows how authoritarian successor parties often inherit resources from the old regime that help them to thrive in democratic elections. It concludes by asking how democratic leaders should respond to authoritarian legacies, arguing that there may be pragmatic reasons to proceed with caution.
The failed experiment of democratic constitutionalism
Authors: Taylor Brian D.
Published: October 2024

The dominant political order in Russia for centuries has been autocratic. In 1993, Russia adopted a new constitution that was supposed to underpin a democratic political order in which citizens had extensive rights and the various branches of government would check and balance each other. However, democratic constitutionalism has failed in Russia—at least so far. The president dominates the political system, and the other branches of power are weak. The state uses both propaganda and repression to prevent challenges to the ruler. This chapter examines the reasons that Russia became an electoral authoritarian regime and a personalist dictatorship under Vladimir Putin.
Tsars and courtiers
Authors: Taylor Brian D.
Published: October 2024

This chapter discusses the roles of leaders and elites in Russian politics. Historians have debated whether in the past Russia was an autocracy (the rule of one) or an oligarchy (the rule of the few), and similar debates continue about Russian politics. Informal connections between elites often matter more than formal state positions, a way of organizing politics sometimes referred to as “patronal.” Different elite groupings vie for influence and wealth. The chapter discusses the relative influence of the desire for wealth and power versus elite ideas in driving Russian politics. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future possible directions for Russian politics.
Parasitic plants show striking convergence in host preference across angiosperm lineages
Authors: Hatt Sebastian A , Grace Olwen M , Zuntini Alex R , Cameron Duncan D , Thorogood Chris J
Published: October 2024

Background and aims

The host specificity of a parasite underpins its ecology, distribution, invasive potential and adaptability, yet for most parasitic plants host ranges are poorly understood. We examine host-parasite relationships across lineages to infer how host specificity may have influenced the evolution of parasitism in plants.

Methods

Host preference data for all plant holoparasite species were manually collected from literature and herbarium specimens, then analysed to investigate and visualise host diversity and specificity.

Key Results

We reveal a disproportionality in host preference across host lineages: the Asteraceae contains 10% of angiosperm diversity but is infected by 31% of parasite species; meanwhile Monocots comprise 23% but are infected by just 3.2%. Furthermore, we observe striking convergence in host preference: Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae are infected by six, five and four independent parasite lineages, respectively. We also demonstrate considerable variation in the degree of host specificity among closely related parasite species; a result that does not reflect the expectation of holoparasites – especially endoparasites - as host specialists.

Conclusions

The marked pattern of convergence in preference across disparate lineages points to a common pathway in the evolution of parasitism of eudicots in preference to monocots, which may have in turn have been driven by a divergence in host root and vascular architecture. The unexpected variation in host specificity among closely related species suggests that even apparent generalists may comprise cryptic host-specific taxa. This highlights the value of host preference as an additional consideration in parasitic plant taxonomy. Together, our data point to a complex interplay between ecological and physiological factors driving the evolution of host-parasite interactions. Moreover, they emphasize how little is known about the ecology of most holoparasitic plants, a group of organisms that are especially vulnerable at a time of unprecedented biodiversity loss and extinction.
MicroHDF: predicting host phenotypes with metagenomic data using a deep forest-based framework
Authors: Shi Kai , Liu Qiaohui , Ji Qingrong , He Qisheng , Zhao Xing-Ming
Published: October 2024

The gut microbiota plays a vital role in human health, and significant effort has been made to predict human phenotypes, especially diseases, with the microbiota as a promising indicator or predictor with machine learning (ML) methods. However, the accuracy is impacted by a lot of factors when predicting host phenotypes with the metagenomic data, e.g. small sample size, class imbalance, high-dimensional features, etc. To address these challenges, we propose MicroHDF, an interpretable deep learning framework to predict host phenotypes, where a cascade layers of deep forest units is designed for handling sample class imbalance and high dimensional features. The experimental results show that the performance of MicroHDF is competitive with that of existing state-of-the-art methods on 13 publicly available datasets of six different diseases. In particular, it performs best with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9182 ± 0.0098 and 0.9469 ± 0.0076 for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and liver cirrhosis, respectively. Our MicroHDF also shows better performance and robustness in cross-study validation. Furthermore, MicroHDF is applied to two high-risk diseases, IBD and autism spectrum disorder, as case studies to identify potential biomarkers. In conclusion, our method provides an effective and reliable prediction of the host phenotype and discovers informative features with biological insights.
Prediction of human O-linked glycosylation sites using stacked generalization and embeddings from pre-trained protein language model
Authors: Pakhrin Subash Chandra , Chauhan Neha , Khan Salman , Upadhyaya Jamie , Beck Moriah Rene , Blanco Eduardo
Published: October 2024

Motivation

O-linked glycosylation, an essential post-translational modification process in Homo sapiens, involves attaching sugar moieties to the oxygen atoms of serine and/or threonine residues. It influences various biological and cellular functions. While threonine or serine residues within protein sequences are potential sites for O-linked glycosylation, not all serine and/or threonine residues undergo this modification, underscoring the importance of characterizing its occurrence. This study presents a novel approach for predicting intracellular and extracellular O-linked glycosylation events on proteins, which are crucial for comprehending cellular processes. Two base multi-layer perceptron models were trained by leveraging a stacked generalization framework. These base models respectively use ProtT5 and Ankh O-linked glycosylation site-specific embeddings whose combined predictions are used to train the meta-multi-layer perceptron model. Trained on extensive O-linked glycosylation datasets, the stacked-generalization model demonstrated high predictive performance on independent test datasets. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the distinction between nucleocytoplasmic and extracellular O-linked glycosylation, offering insights into their functional implications that were overlooked in previous studies. By integrating the protein language model’s embedding with stacked generalization techniques, this approach enhances predictive accuracy of O-linked glycosylation events and illuminates the intricate roles of O-linked glycosylation in proteomics, potentially accelerating the discovery of novel glycosylation sites.

Results

Stack-OglyPred-PLM produces Sensitivity, Specificity, Matthews Correlation Coefficient, and Accuracy of 90.50%, 89.60%, 0.464, and 89.70%, respectively on a benchmark NetOGlyc-4.0 independent test dataset. These results demonstrate that Stack-OglyPred-PLM is a robust computational tool to predict O-linked glycosylation sites in proteins.

Availability and implementation

The developed tool, programs, training, and test dataset are available at https://github.com/PakhrinLab/Stack-OglyPred-PLM.
Intra-atrial block after COVID-19 vaccination-induced fulminant myocarditis: a case report
Authors: Ozaki Masatomo , Okawa Keisuke , Oka Akihiro , Okumura Ken
Published: October 2024

Background

Myocarditis is associated with an increased risk of conduction disturbances during the acute phase, which recovers in most cases but rarely recurs during the chronic phase.

Case summary

A 50-year-old man who developed fulminant myocarditis after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination was discharged 24 days after admission. He was readmitted for heart failure associated with two P waves: one P wave (P1) had a normal amplitude and was dissociated from the QRS, and the other (P2) had a very low amplitude and was associated with the QRS. The patient was referred for pacemaker implantation. Before implantation, an electrophysiological study was conducted using electro-anatomical mapping (EAM). During the P1 wave activation, the sinus rhythm spread to the right atrium but was blocked in the atrioventricular (AV) node area. During P2 activation, the activation originated from the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), spread to the left atrium and AV node area through the interatrial septum, and was conducted to the right ventricle, exhibiting a complete intra-atrial block with two discrete rhythms. An atrial lead was successfully placed in a narrow area in the right atrial septum where the pacing captured the left atrium and AV node area under the guidance of EAM findings.

Discussion

The EAM technology has demonstrated intra-atrial block and two types of atrial rhythms, sinus and RSPV. Electro-anatomical mapping findings were also useful for identifying the ideal pacemaker implantation site. Synchrony between the left atrium and ventricle via His-Purkinje conduction, which was achieved with EAM-guided atrial septal pacing, was prioritized.
A comprehensive organ protection strategy in total arch replacement: a propensity-weighted analysis
Authors: Zhou Sangyu , Liu Yanxiang , Zhang Bowen , Wang Luchen , Zhao Ruojin , Xie Mingxin , Chen Xuyang , Dun Yaojun , Sun Xiaogang
Published: October 2024

OBJECTIVES

The goal was to report the outcomes and determine the effectiveness of a comprehensive organ protection strategy in total arch replacement.

METHODS

A total of 350 patients who underwent total arch replacement were enrolled. Fifty-four patients underwent the comprehensive organ protection strategy with bilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion and the aortic balloon occlusion technique (comprehensive strategy group); 296 patients underwent the standard strategy with unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (standard strategy group). Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to balance the baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

After inverse probability of treatment weighting, the comprehensive strategy group had lower incidences of 30-day mortality (0.9% vs 4.9%, P = 0.002), continuous renal replacement therapy (0.6% vs 10.3%, P < 0.001), renal failure (4.6% vs 13.7%, P < 0.001), hepatic dysfunction (11.6% vs 21.1%, P = 0.001) and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation [16 (13, 31) vs 20 (14, 48) h, P = 0.011]. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that the comprehensive strategy was an independent protective factor of 30-day mortality [odds ratio (OR): 0.242, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.068–0.867, P = 0.029], continuous renal replacement therapy (OR: 0.045, 95% CI: 0.008–0.264, P = 0.001), renal failure (OR: 0.351, 95% CI: 0.156–0.788, P = 0.011) and mechanical ventilation >20 h (OR: 0.531, 95% CI: 0.319–0.883, P = 0.015). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that mid-term survival was comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive organ protection strategy might improve early survival, reduce the use of continuous renal replacement therapy, have protective effects on the kidney and shorten mechanical ventilation time in total arch replacement. This strategy might be considered a viable alternative in total arch replacement.
Autonomic nervous system responses to hypo- and hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Authors: Lundqvist Martin H , Pereira Maria J , Wiklund Urban , Hetty Susanne , Eriksson Jan W
Published: October 2024

Objective

Previous research points to a role of the brain in the regulation of glucose and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) via modulation of counter-regulatory hormone secretion and activity in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to investigate glucose-dependent responses of catecholamines and ANS activity in individuals with T2D, prediabetes (PD), and normoglycemia (NG).

Design

Cross-sectional.

Methods

Individuals with T2D (n = 19, 7 men, HbA1c 49 mmol/mol), PD (n = 18, 8 men), and NG (n = 17, 3 men) underwent 1 stepwise hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic–hypoglycemic and 1 hyperglycemic clamp with repeated measurements of catecholamines, symptoms, heart rate variability (HRV), and hemodynamics.

Results

The hypoglycemic response of adrenaline was augmented in T2D and PD vs NG (both P < .05), and there was a strong association with insulin resistance (P < .05 for M-value). In relation to achieved glucose levels in both clamps, noradrenaline exhibited a steeper rise during hypoglycemia in T2D vs NG and PD (both P < .05). There were trends toward more marked autonomic hypoglycemic symptoms in T2D vs PD and NG. By contrast, insulin resistance was associated with attenuated responses of heart rate and HRV indices PLF and PHF at the target glucose plateau of 2.7 mmol/L (P < .05), independent of BMI and HbA1c.

Conclusion

Alterations in glucose-dependent responses of counter-regulatory hormones and the ANS appear before, and probably contribute to, the onset of T2D. Together with other reported alterations in neuroendocrine pathways, the findings suggest that a maladaptation of the brain's responses to glucose fluctuations is important in T2D progression.
Codon optimality influences homeostatic gene expression in zebrafish
Authors: DeVore Michelle L , Bazzini Ariel A
Published: October 2024

The ribosome plays a crucial role in translating mRNA into protein; however, the genetic code extends beyond merely specifying amino acids. Upon translation, codons, the 3-nucleotide sequences interpreted by ribosomes, have regulatory properties affecting mRNA stability, a phenomenon known as codon optimality. Codon optimality has been previously observed in vertebrates during embryogenesis, where specific codons can influence the stability and degradation rates of mRNA transcripts. In our previous work, we demonstrated that codon optimality impacts mRNA stability in human cell lines. However, the extent to which codon content influences vertebrate gene expression in vivo remained unclear. In this study, we expand on our previous findings by demonstrating that codon optimality has a robust effect on homeostatic mRNA and protein levels in whole zebrafish during normal physiological conditions. Using reporters with nearly identical nucleotide sequences but different codon compositions, all expressed from the same genomic locus, we show that codon composition can significantly influence gene expression. This study provides new insights into the regulatory roles of codon usage in vertebrate gene expression and underscores the importance of considering codon optimality in genetic and translational research. These findings have broad implications for understanding the complexities of gene regulation and could inform the design of synthetic genes and therapeutic strategies targeting mRNA stability.
Late-Onset Caloric Restriction Improves Cognitive Performance and Restores Circadian Patterns of Neurotrophic, Clock, and Epigenetic Factors in the Hippocampus of Old Male Rats
Authors: Altamirano Fernando Gabriel , Castro-Pascual Ivanna , Ponce Ivana Tamara , Coria-Lucero Cinthia Daiana , Cargnelutti Ethelina , Ferramola Mariana Lucila , Delgado Marcela Silvia , Anzulovich Ana Cecilia , Lacoste María Gabriela
Published: October 2024

Aging is a complex multifactorial process that results in a general functional decline, including cognitive impairment. Caloric restriction (CR) can positively influence the aging processes and delay cognitive decline. There is a rhythmic variation in memory and learning processes throughout the day, indicating the involvement of the circadian clock in the regulation of these processes. Despite growing evidence on the efficacy of CR, it has not yet been fully determined whether starting this strategy at an advanced age is beneficial for improving quality of life and eventually, for protection against age-related diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of late-onset CR on the temporal organization of the molecular clock machinery, molecules related to cognitive processes and epigenetic regulation, in the hippocampus of old male rats maintained under constant darkness conditions. Our results evidenced the existence of a highly coordinated temporal organization of Bmal1, Clock, Bdnf, Trkb, Dnmts, Sirt1, and Pgc-1α in the hippocampus of young adult rats. We observed that aging led to cognitive deficits and loss of circadian oscillations of all the above variables. Interestingly, CR restored circadian rhythmicity in all cases and, in addition, improved the cognitive performance of the old animals. This work would highlight the importance of the circadian clock and its synchronization with feeding signals, as the basis of the beneficial effects of CR. Thus, lifestyle modifications, such as CR, might be a powerful intervention to preserve hippocampal circadian organization and cognitive health during aging.
Colonial Dis/Continuities in Cameroon and the Postcolonial Dilemma in the Archive
Authors: Ketzmerick-Calandrino Maria
Published: October 2024

Despite how significantly processes of decolonization have shaped contemporary political and social realities, their study remains marginal in the peace and security fields. Understanding historical legacies and how embedded they are in today’s peace and conflict structures is essential to the analysis of current conflicts. This article argues that by tracing dis/continuities in colonial relations, we can gain a better understanding of these contentious processes and of the marginalized positionalities they create. In doing so, much needed research on the ambiguities of these legacies and on who had a say in shaping historical events can be done without reiterating colonial power relations. Alongside its analysis of the Cameroonian internationalized decolonization process under a UN Trusteeship and of how it developed into the current Anglophone conflict, this article uncovers and explores the existing dilemmas in, and potential new avenues for security studies research on colonial dis/continuities using post- and decolonial theories. Its findings and discussion contribute widely to debates within post- and decolonial research, peace, security, and conflict studies.
Biodiversity loss in a gradient of urbanization: rodent community structure in a subtropical area of Northern Argentina
Authors: Burgos Eliana Florencia , Vadell Maria Victoria , Urdapilleta Mara , Salomón Oscar Daniel , Gómez Villafañe Isabel Elisa
Published: October 2024

Urbanization promotes habitat degradation because it involves irreversible processes that homogenize habitats and favor the exclusion of native species. This research evaluates rodent community structure at different levels of urbanization in Misiones, Argentina. We expect that rodent communities are less diverse in more highly urbanized areas and that communities differ between each level of urbanization. To assess these hypotheses, rodent capture sessions were carried out from July 2017 to March 2020, totaling 21,985 trap-nights. Alpha and beta diversity were calculated for each level of urbanization. We captured a total of 684 individuals belonging to 8 sylvan-native and 2 commensal-exotic species. Species richness was greatest and evenness was lowest in natural protected areas. The native species Akodon montensis was the most abundant, while the remaining 7 native species represented less than 23% of the total of captures. The rural area showed the second-highest richness, and the community was principally represented by 2 native and 2 exotic species. The periurban area was ranked third in richness and with the highest evenness, dominated by A. montensis followed by Mus musculus and Rattus rattus. The urban area exhibited the lowest richness represented only by the 2 commensal-exotic species. In agreement with our expectations, these results show a negative association between urbanization level and small rodent diversity, evidenced by a reduction in the number of native species in highly urbanized areas.
The Need for an Improved Mental Health Care System
Authors: Blau Gary M. , Petrila John , Keller Andy
Published: October 2024

What is referred to in the United States as the “mental health care system” is actually a set of fragmented services provided inequitably by a haphazard array of specialty providers, often only tenuously connected to health care systems for other health needs. COVID-19 exacerbated these challenges, significantly worsening the mental health of many people. This chapter provides a historical context for the need to transform the mental health system in America. We describe the shift from treating mental illnesses as threats to public safety to approaches that conceptualize mental illnesses as treatable health conditions. This chapter describes a path to accelerate the transformation of mental health and addiction care in the United States, offering six “seismic shifts” that will allow people with mental illness to benefit from advances in medicine and end the brain/body dichotomy that historically and culturally has marked and impeded equitable care for people with mental illness.
The Architecture of a Modern Psychiatric Facility
Authors: Murdock Pitts Francis
Published: October 2024

“The Architecture of a Modern Psychiatric Facility” discusses the importance of architectural design in creating therapeutic environments for people with mental illness. It emphasizes the use of environment as a clinical tool to support patient recovery. Traditional psychiatric hospitals often lacked supportive design, reflecting a gap between clinical needs and architectural innovation. Modern psychiatric hospitals emerged from interdisciplinary developments starting in the 1950s, including Humphry Osmond’s work, Team X’s human-centered design, environmental psychology, and the consumer-driven person-centered care movement. These advances have led to a new cohort of clinicians and designers who see the built environment as integral to recovery-based care. Despite these trends, there is still a tendency to prioritize functional and security mechanisms over supportive environments. This chapter highlights the need for ongoing collaboration between clinicians and architects to create spaces that truly support mental health care.
Improving Access through Collaboration and Consultation in Washington State
Authors: Unützer Jürgen , Sladek Rebecca
Published: October 2024

In this chapter, we discuss efforts to improve access to behavioral health care through consultation and collaboration with primary care, school-based care, and other health and social service providers. Examples of partnerships between the university, local communities, and statewide efforts are highlighted. As with the prior chapter, we incorporate considerations about the unique geography of the state that impacts relevant polices, funding and organization of behavioral health care in Washington State. This chapter describes the efforts of thousands of dedicated individuals, families, stakeholders, and experts throughout the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region and the work of more than a thousand faculty, staff, and trainees in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington. The programs described are only a small sampling of local and statewide efforts, and the authors wish to express their gratitude for the seemingly endless dedication and inspiration of our colleagues and partners working together to improve behavioral health care in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.
Beyond the Surface: Medical Evaluation of Anxiety Conditions
Authors: Mehra Ash , Padilla Vanessa
Published: October 2024

In this chapter on the medical evaluation of anxiety conditions, the case of Ms. T, a 45-year-old woman with acute-onset severe anxiety symptoms, serves as a focal point for understanding the importance of thorough medical assessment in such cases. Ms. T’s history, physical examination, and laboratory findings are explored to highlight key indicators that can point clinicians toward underlying medical illnesses causing anxiety symptoms. This chapter emphasizes that anxiety symptoms can sometimes be a result of medical conditions, medications, or substances, rather than a primary anxiety disorder. Several medical conditions commonly associated with anxiety are discussed. The importance of a comprehensive medical evaluation is emphasized. It underscores the need for clinicians to consider and investigate medical conditions that can mimic or exacerbate anxiety symptoms to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Early identification and appropriate management of underlying medical causes are essential for providing optimal care to patients presenting with anxiety.
When Fear Collides: Panic Attacks Within the Spectrum of Anxiety Disorders
Authors: Alkharboush Feras , Alhajji Lujain
Published: October 2024

This chapter introduces Ms. A, a 30-year-old woman with a history of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) who presents to the emergency department in the midst of a panic attack. After a thorough medical evaluation ruling out physical causes, it becomes evident that Ms. A’s symptoms are rooted in acute panic triggered by her fear of public speaking. However, it is not just panic disorder at play here; she also exhibits signs of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and GAD. The chapter delves into the assessment of panic attacks in various anxiety disorders. The primary focus of treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of panic attacks while addressing underlying conditions. A combination of lifestyle changes, psychotherapy, and medications is often the approach. This chapter emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment for panic attacks in the context of SAD and GAD.
Worry or Obsession? Distinguishing Obsessions From Everyday Worries
Authors: Kabli Moayad R. , Ezzedine Reem , Botros Mousa
Published: October 2024

In this chapter, Ms. S, a 34-year-old woman, visits an obstetrics clinic for a postpartum checkup 6 weeks after giving birth. While her physical condition and her newborn daughter’s health are good, she expresses increasing distress due to constant worry about her baby’s well-being. She experiences distressing thoughts about something terrible happening to her child, leading to compulsive behaviors like checking on her baby multiple times a day and frequently calling her husband for reassurance. These intrusive thoughts and behaviors disrupt her sleep and daily activities. This chapter discusses the differentiation between generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatment approaches for both disorders include psychotherapy and medication.
I Really Want Help for My Anxiety; It’s Taking Over My Life, but My Drinking Is Not the Problem
Authors: Celentano Lauren , Sabbag Samir
Published: October 2024

In this chapter, the case of Ms. F, a 56-year-old woman with persistent anxiety and alcohol use disorder (AUD), is examined. Ms. F’s presentation highlights the complex relationship between anxiety and AUD, which is a common challenge for clinicians. Anxiety disorders and AUD affect a significant portion of the population. The chapter emphasizes the need for clinicians to understand the features of both conditions, including the diagnostic criteria for AUD and various forms of anxiety disorders that may be comorbid. Distinguishing between primary anxiety disorders and substance-induced anxiety is crucial. Treatment for co-occurring anxiety and AUD should address both conditions concurrently. Pharmacological treatments for anxiety should be carefully chosen, and individuals with comorbid anxiety and AUD may benefit from different psychotherapeutic interventions. This chapter provides valuable insights into the complexities of this comorbidity and offers guidance for clinicians in assessing, diagnosing, and treating individuals who struggle with both conditions.
I Can’t Understand Why She Won’t Speak at School When She’s Perfectly Fine Talking to Her Siblings
Authors: Valerstain Dennis , Castro Anthony
Published: October 2024

This chapter discusses the case of E, a 5-year-old girl who recently started kindergarten and is facing communication challenges, both with her peers and in the classroom. She exhibits selective mutism, a condition where a child can’t speak in certain situations despite being capable of speech. Selective mutism typically begins in early childhood, with girls being more prone. Immigrant families and children with speech or language difficulties are at higher risk. It is often triggered by anxiety-provoking situations, and symptoms vary in severity. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent academic and social consequences, as children may struggle to acquire essential skills. Treatment focuses on psychotherapy. Play and family therapy are also employed to provide a supportive environment. Collaboration with schools and teachers is vital, and speech and language therapy help children develop language skills. Early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach can significantly improve the prognosis for children with selective mutism.
My Doctor Prescribed Medication, but I Am Afraid to Take It
Authors: Hincapie Diana , Ortega Alexandra , Kitaigorodsky Marcela
Published: October 2024

This chapter discusses the case of Ms. V, a 68-year-old woman suffering from panic disorder and agoraphobia following a motor vehicle accident. She has been experiencing intense fears and avoidance behaviors, leading to social isolation and significant impairment in her daily life. This chapter discusses treating these anxiety disorders using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT empowers individuals to challenge and reframe their maladaptive thoughts and beliefs. Cognitive interventions involve identifying and addressing cognitive distortions. Behavioral interventions, particularly exposure therapy, play a pivotal role in CBT. Patients gradually confront their fears and avoidance behaviors, learning that their anxieties are unfounded or manageable. This chapter also discusses the importance of systematic exposure and the role of relaxation techniques in reducing anxiety during exposures. The chapter underscores the holistic approach of CBT, which addresses both cognitive distortions and behavioral avoidance, ultimately empowering individuals to overcome their fears and regain control over their lives.
Selecting a Journal
Authors: Zylke Jody W.
Published: October 2024

Selecting a journal for submission of a scientific manuscript for possible publication requires a dispassionate assessment of the work described in the manuscript and the characteristics and requirements of relevant journals, and then matching the attributes of the manuscript and characteristics of the journal to maximize the possibility of acceptance. This chapter provides suggestions for how to select a journal for manuscript submission, including identifying potential journals based on audience and types of articles published and understanding the journal’s profile, reach, evaluation processes, acceptance rates, and publication times. Other considerations when evaluating journals are discussed, such as whether a journal is part of a network or group of journals, has publication costs (for example, with open access options), and is regarded as “author friendly.”