bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of cerebral circulation impairment in humans and horses: Implications for veterinary and human medicine
Authors: Khaidarov N. , Abdullayeva M. , Tursunova M.
Published: November 2024

The comparison of cerebral circulation impairment in humans and horses provides important insights into the dynamics of blood flow in the brain across different species, connecting veterinary and human medicine. This analysis brings together findings from various studies to highlight the similarities in anatomy and physiology between humans and horses, which can improve our understanding of cerebrovascular health. Research emphasizes the importance of maintaining stable cerebral blood flow to prevent damage from lack of oxygen, which is essential for the brain’s metabolism in both humans and horses. Studies on the factors affecting overall blood flow in the body reveal strong connections between cardiovascular health and blood flow to the brain, showing how baroreflex sensitivity and blood pressure play a role in maintaining brain function. Understanding the reactivity of blood vessels in the brain is associated with neurological disorders, emphasizing the need for non-invasive evaluation techniques that can be used for both humans and horses. Research on the coupling of nerve and blood vessel activity further explains how blood flow is regulated during brain activity, highlighting potential weaknesses under unhealthy conditions. While the role of exercise in promoting cerebrovascular health is recognized, there are still gaps in our knowledge of its effects on the brain, especially in horses. Advanced imaging techniques like MRI are presented as essential tools for assessing the health of small blood vessels and blood flow in the brain, offering potential applications in the early detection and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. By comparing the dynamics of blood flow in the brain in humans and horses, this review not only increases our understanding but also suggests a more integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment, improving practices in both fields. These insights emphasize the common principles and specific differences in cerebrovascular health in different species, and support the need for collaborative research in veterinary and human medicine.
The role of human sciences in horse breeding, selection, and biotechnology
Authors: Muhiddinova Nafisa , Kadirova Ziyoda , Aytbayev Mansurbek , Rustamova Nodira
Published: November 2024

This extensive and insightful research delves deeply into the important role of human sciences in horse breeding, selection, and advancements in biotechnology. Understanding the complex interactions between humans and animals, human sciences contribute to improving equine behavior, leading to the welfare of these magnificent creatures. Biotechnology breakthroughs have revolutionized the field by enhancing genetic diversity and combating hereditary diseases in horses. The study also highlights the importance of addressing ethical concerns in horse breeding and biotechnology, integrating sociological insights and education to effectively address these concerns. Education plays a critical role in balancing technological innovations with moral and ethical considerations. The interdisciplinary approach of the study bridges the gap between technological advancements and their broader implications, enriching the field of horse breeding and biotechnology and prioritizing potential benefits while mitigating potential risks. Collaboration between human sciences and biological sciences is crucial for implementing sustainable practices. This study underscores the value of human sciences in horse breeding and biotechnology, emphasizing collaboration between disciplines to prioritize the welfare of these remarkable animals.
The effect of gibberellin stimulants on the growth and formation of small-leaved linden and silver birch seedlings
Authors: Yuldashev Khamza , Kholturayev Sharofiddin , Turdiyev Saydali
Published: November 2024

The article presents the results of a study on the effect of gibberellin stimulants on the growth and formation of small-leaved linden (Tilia Cordata Mill.) and silver birch (Betula Pendula Roth.) seedlings under typical sierozem conditions in the Tashkent region. The main criterion for assessing the effect of gibberellin and the feasibility of its use is the growth of seedlings. It has been established that the growth of small- leaved linden and silver birch seedlings is enhanced by treatment with gibberellin. The growth rates depend on the concentration of the gibberellin solution.
Changes in the agrochemical properties of the soil during fertilization of the watermelon plant
Authors: Zokirov Kurbonalijon , Xosilova Ziyofat , Shermatov Botir , Komilov Akhmadjon , Mengnorov Almardon , Abdullayev Dadaxon
Published: November 2024

Increasing the fertilizer dose from N100P80K40 kg/ha to N140P120K60 kg/ha did not contribute to an increase in mobile phosphorus in the soil, which indicates the property of phosphorus: when interacting with the soil, it forms poorly accessible compounds of phosphoric acid and is bound by the soil.During the growing season, some increase in the content of mobile potassium is observed in June-July and its gradual decrease by the end of the growing season. The application of mineral fertilizers improves the nutrient regime of the soil and contributes to an increase in the available forms of nutrients in alluvial meadow soils of the Astrakhan region. But the application of high doses of mineral fertilizers (N140P120K60 kg/ha) does not lead to an increase in the available forms of nutrients, compared with a lower dose.
The changes in the profundal benthos during the extremely low water level in the deep lake Arakhley (Siberia)
Authors: Matafonov P.V.
Published: November 2024

Data on the impact of long-term water level fluctuations on benthic invertebrate communities of the deep lakes in Siberia are scarce due to the rarity of such events and the short history of observations. The studies of the dynamics of zoobenthos and the Chironomus anthracinus population in the central part of the profundal zone of the deep Lake Arakhley (Transbaikalia region, Russia) were carried out in December 2020-2023. The lake level was extremely low in 2020-2023. Zoobenthos biomass increased by 10.9 times from 6.6 g to 71.8 g/m2 from 2020 to 2023. The increase in zoobenthos abundance is due to increases in the number and biomass of oligochaetes Tubifex tubifex and chironomids Chironomus anthracinus. In December 2022, the Chironomus anthracinus population was dominated by second-instar larvae with a size of 8.7±0.08 mm, in 2023 - third-instar larvae with a size of 13.2±0.10 mm. The growth rate of Chironomus anthracinus corresponded to a three-year life cycle. Annual production of Chironomus anthracinus in 2022 was 16 g/m2, in 2023 – 22.8 g/m2. The results of the study revealed significant fluctuations in the structure, abundance and production of zoobenthos in the profundal zone of Lake Arakhley during the extremely low-water period.
The content of heavy metals in the soil–plant chain
Authors: Smolentsev Sergey , Sarbaeva Elena , Alyabysheva Elena , Dudina Arina , Gordeeva Kristina , Zaitseva Lyubov , Kadikov Ilnur
Published: November 2024

The materials of long–term monitoring on the accumulation of heavy metals in the chain “soil - plant – feed – animal - meat raw materials” are presented. We have established the relationship between the content of heavy metals in the animal habitat, feed and meat raw materials and between the animal habitat and meat raw materials in terms of heavy metal content, necessary for the development of ways to ensure high quality and safety of meat raw materials intended for the production of baby food products.
Formation of technical requirements for mechatronic transmissions components of modern eco-friendly vehicles
Authors: Sosnin Aleksander , Buzunov Nikolay , Kartashov Aleksander , Nazarenko Sergey
Published: November 2024

In electric modern energy efficient trucks and buses, transmissions with an electric motor and inverter located directly in the drive axle are increasingly used to increase the useful volume of the passenger compartment or cargo space and improve performance. This highly integrated electromechanical unit is called a mechatronic transmission. The procedure for forming technical requirements for the parameters and operating modes of traction electric motors is relevant and different from that of energy efficient trucks with traditional transmission in this case [1, 2]. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the requirements for different values of traction electric motor power as components of mechatronic transmission based on the analysis of the driving modes of vehicles with internal combustion engines and mechanical transmission. In the course of the work, a number of representative recorded cycles of movement of mainline modern energy efficient trucks of PJSC KAMAZ on the roads of the Russian Federation were studied and a synthesis of a generalized cycle with identical statistical characteristics was carried out. In addition, the article provides a comparative analysis of the formulated requirements with the parameters of similar samples of mechatronic transmissions from global manufacturers.
Uninterrupted supply of tankers on distribution facility
Authors: Tursunov Bakhodir
Published: November 2024

At present, the delivery of oil products to agricultural enterprises and farms of the region is carried out by tank trucks from the distribution tank farm Uzneftegaz AK. At the same time, tank trucks may belong to farms or they may be organized into separate specialized auto detachments and belong to specialized enterprises (centralized delivery). Optimization of the number of liquids makes it possible to reduce the waiting time for tankers in the queue by 2.2 6.7 times, time loss of tanker trucks - 1.3 times. 3.5 times, reduce the amount of losses from downtime of tankers and the cost of maintaining liquid funds by 1.6 2.7 times compared to the values of these indicators that exist in practice. A comparison of the initial and calculated data shows (Table 5) that the average relative error does not exceed 8%, and therefore we can assume that the obtained correlation dependence corresponds to the experimental data.Under the current system, the average queue waiting time for one autocis turn in a relaxed period is 66 minutes, the maximum waiting time is 192 minutes, in a busy period - 165 and 417 minutes, respectively.
Phenotyping and genotyping of rice breeding material by grain quality traits and blast resistance
Authors: Vakhrusheva Nadezhda , Tumanian Natalia , Zelensky Grigory , Chukhir Nikolai , Chizhikova Svetlana , Savenko Elena , Mukhina Zhanna , Yesaulova Luba
Published: November 2024

The article discusses phenotyping and genotyping of 86 rice breeding samples for key grain quality traits, as well as identification of the allelic state of the blast resistance gene Pi-z. The study is aimed at developing rice varieties with high grain quality and resistance to blast, the most harmful disease in all rice-growing regions. Based on the results of phenotyping and genotyping, seven promising variety samples were selected - prototypes of varieties with good grain quality and resistance to the pathogen.
La maladie de Carré : un ennemi oublié ?
Authors: Del Fabbro Nicolas , Cambournac Maxime , Goy-Thollot Isabelle , Pouzot-Nevoret Céline
Published: November 2024

La maladie de Carré est une vaccination habituelle chez le chien. Cette affection est souvent oubliée dans le diagnostic différentiel des affections respiratoires, gastroentérologiques ou neurologiques, car elle est peu fréquente de nos jours.

Cet article présente le cas d’un jeune chiot atteint par cette maladie, ainsi que la prise en charge médicale dont il a bénéficié.

Les signes cliniques, les méthodes diagnostiques et les données épidémiologiques de cette affection sont rappelés.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Ficuseptine and Its Derivatives: Determination of Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Tasker Sarah Z. , Hoang Nghia L. T. , Nsereko Nina N. P. , Sheetz Sydney A.
Published: November 2024

The indolizinium natural product ficuseptine, produced by the tropical fig tree Ficus septica, has been reported to have antibacterial properties. Herein, the synthesis of ficuseptine, ten analogues with differing aryl substituents, and two aryl regioisomers is reported. Despite several previous total syntheses, synthetically prepared ficuseptine has not been subjected to biological testing to confirm its activity. In our hands, ficuseptine was moderately active in Gram-positive B. spizizenii, with an MIC of 32 μg/mL, which was maintained for most aryl substituents. The position of the aryl rings was crucial, however, since regioisomeric ficuseptine analogues, mimicking related natural products, were found to be inactive. Finally, all ficuseptine derivatives were inactive (MIC >128 μg/mL) against Gram-negative E. coli. Understanding these structure–activity relationships (SAR) is helpful for future studies to understand the molecule’s mechanism of action or further develop its antibacterial properties.
Systematics of cybaeid spiders endemic to the Japanese Archipelago, and their historical biogeographic implications (Araneae: Cybaeidae)
Authors: Sugawara Yusuke , Ihara Yoh , Koike Naoki , Seo Hong-Yul , Prozorova Larisa A. , Zhang Zhi-Sheng , Nakano Takafumi
Published: November 2024

The epigean and subterranean spiders of the genus Cybaeus L. Koch, 1868 are distributed in the Holarctic, and are highly diversified in western North America and Japan. More than 100 species have been described from the Japanese Archipelago and several species assemblages have also been recognised among the Japanese Cybaeus based on their morphological similarities. However, their phylogenetic backbone remains unclear. Moreover, genus-level classification of several of the Japanese species appear to be questionable. In this study we performed extensive molecular analyses of the family Cybaeidae in East Asia, mainly the Japanese Archipelago, to clarify their fundamental phylogenetic relationships. We also conducted a divergence time estimation to provide insights into their historical biogeography and evolutionary history. Our divergence dating results indicate that the diversification of the major lineages of the East Asian cybaeid spiders might be related to the opening of the Sea of Japan c. 20 million years ago. On the basis of the morphological evaluation and obtained phylogenies, some East Asian species formerly placed in Cybaeus are transferred to the cybaeid genera Allocybaeina Bennett, 2020, Sincybaeus Wang & Zhang, 2022 and Cybaeina Chamberlin & Ivie, 1932, i.e. Allocybaeina petegarina (Yaginuma, 1972), comb. nov., Sincybaeus monticola (Kobayashi, 2006), comb. nov., Sincybaeus rarispinosus (Yaginuma, 1970), comb. nov., Sincybaeus yoshiakii (Yaginuma, 1968), comb. nov., and Cybaeina whanseunensis (Paik & Namkung, 1967), comb. nov. Our results clarify the genus-level richness of cybaeids in the Japanese Archipelago for the first time, and reveal the fine-scale phylogenetic relationships of Cybaeus species endemic to the Japanese Archipelago and adjacent regions. ZooBank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AF2A3C0E-7F0F-4253-85BA-D995A075F00D
A band of brothers? Capetian princes in Anglo–French diplomacy, 1230s–1260s
Authors: Pélissié du Rausas Amicie
Published: November 2024

Robert of Artois, Alphonse of Poitiers and Charles of Anjou spent their lives within the inner circles of power of their brother, King Louis IX (1214–70). Princes of a realm where the upper aristocracy no longer automatically shared in governmental decision-making, the king’s brothers also controlled new apanages that did not challenge the inalienability of the kingdom, and they enjoyed a particularly strong position close to the king. This article examines the political roles and cohesion of this group of brothers, who have frequently been presented in historiography as a strong family unit. It focuses upon their diplomatic activities, which gave them greater visibility as the king’s representatives, and which allow us to assess the distinctive nature of their roles. Comparisons with the Plantagenet dynasty during the reign of King Henry III (1216–71) highlight just how much Louis IX relied on blood ties yet simultaneously forced his brothers to remain in the background when he was shaping policy.
Constructing methylation-driven ceRNA networks unveil tumor heterogeneity and predict patient prognosis
Authors: Li Xinyu , Peng Chuo , Liu Hongyu , Dong Mingjie , Li Shujuan , Liang Weixin , Li Xia , Bai Jing
Published: November 2024

Cancer development involves a complex interplay between genetic and epigenetic factors, with emerging evidence highlighting the pivotal role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks in regulating gene expression. However, the influence of ceRNA networks by aberrant DNA methylation remains incompletely understood. In our study, we proposed DMceNet, a computational method to characterize the effects of DNA methylation on ceRNA regulatory mechanisms and apply it across eight prevalent cancers. By integrating methylation and transcriptomic data, we constructed methylation-driven ceRNA networks and identified a dominant role of lncRNAs within these networks in two key ways: (i) 17 cancer-shared differential methylation lncRNAs (DMlncs), including PVT1 and CASC2, form a Common Cancer Network (CCN) affecting key pathways such as the G2/M checkpoint, and (ii) 24 cancer-specific DMlncs construct unique ceRNA networks for each cancer type. For instance, in LUAD and STAD, hypomethylation drives DMlncs like PCAT6 and MINCR, disrupting the Wnt signaling pathway and apoptosis. We further investigated the characteristics of these methylation-driven ceRNA networks at the cellular level, revealing how methylation-driven dysregulation varies across distinct cell populations within the tumor microenvironment. Our findings also demonstrate the prognostic potential of cancer-specific ceRNA relationships, highlighting their relevance in predicting patient survival outcomes. This integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis provides new insights into cancer biology and regulatory mechanisms.
Underreporting of adverse events to health authorities by healthcare professionals: a red flag-raising descriptive study
Authors: Lavallée Maude , Corbin Sonia , Pradhan Pallavi , Guefack Laura Blonde , Thibault Magalie , Méthot Julie , Bérard Anick , Piché Marie-Eve , Gimenes Fernanda Raphael Escobar , Darveau Rosalie , Cloutier Isabelle , Leclerc Jacinthe
Published: November 2024

Background

An adverse event (AE) is any undesirable medical manifestation in an individual who has received pharmacological treatment. To be considered serious (SAE), it needs to meet minimally one of the severity criteria by Health Canada. The most recent data (2006) suggested that AEs were underreported (<6%) to health authorities. In Canada, since the implementation of Vanessa’s Law (2019), hospitals are required to report SAEs; however, this law remains relatively unknown. The objectives of the study were: (i) to document the incidence of any AE and SAE over time in a ‘real’ clinical context, (ii) to quantify SAEs reported to Health Canada, and (iii) to assess whether Vanessa’s Law has led to an increase in mandatory reporting to Health Canada.

Methods

We carried out a descriptive retrospective study at the Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec-Université Laval, including 500 patients hospitalized between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021 and randomized into 4 cohorts (125 patients/year). Descriptive and comparative analyses were performed.

Results

The characteristics of the cohorts were: 43.6% women; median age: 69 years (min–max: 21–96 years), number of comorbidities: 4 (1–12). During their hospitalization, patients consumed 18 different drug products (2–56) and the median of observed SAEs/patients was 0 (0–10) (total: 302). The overall percentage of SAEs reported to Health Canada was 0%, before and following the implementation of Vanessa’s Law.

Conclusion

According to 500 electronic medical records, SAEs were underreported to Health Canada, even after the implementation of Vanessa’s law.
Rhizosphere bacteria from the Bolivian highlands improve drought tolerance in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)
Authors: Gonzales Virginia , Huallpan María , Ramirez Ximena , Miguel Yessica San , Dubey Mukesh , Jensen Dan Funck , Karlsson Magnus , Crespo Carla
Published: November 2024

Aims

Drought is one of the most destructive abiotic factors for agricultural production, causing considerable yield losses. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is cultivated worldwide in different environmental conditions due to its nutritional characteristics and ability to grow in harsh environments. This study aims to select drought stress tolerant rhizosphere bacteria from the Bolivian altiplano to evaluate their quinoa growth-promoting capacity, including in vitro germination, seedling growth under drought stress in greenhouse conditions and field studies.

Methods and results

Rhizosphere soil from the southern highlands of Bolivia was collected to isolate 164 drought-stress tolerant bacteria. From these, 28 strains were shown to produce indole acetic acid, and/or to possess nitrogen-fixing or phosphate solubilizing capacity under in vitro conditions. Furthermore, all strains were evaluated for improvement of in vitro quinoa seed germination. Based on these properties, nine bacterial strains were formulated in three different matrixes and evaluated for quinoa seedling growth promotion during drought stress in a 3-month greenhouse experiment. Three strains were shown to significantly (P < 0.05) increase root length of the quinoa seedlings. One strain was selected and shown to significantly (P < 0.05) increase leaf number in a field trial under semi-arid conditions in the southern altiplano in Bolivia. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S locus putatively identified the three strains with growth-promoting potential under drought stress as members of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Serratia.

Conclusion

Microorganisms from the arid Bolivian altiplano constitute a potential biological source of bioinoculants to improve quinoa productivity and provide sustainable mitigation of climate change effects.
Frames of Minds
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

Psychiatry has a long and controversial history, and its legacy is often questioned in the arts. But how is psychiatry used by filmmakers, what do they think of mental illness, and how do they use it? What is their frame of mind? Psychoanalytically? Biologically? Sociologically or anthropologically? Cinema has not only produced a full spectrum of elements of mental illness but also showed its treatment (or lack thereof). Frames of Minds traces the historical display of interpreted neuropsychiatry and explains why it is a story about medicine and why it should interest us. Patterns and paradigm shifts in neuropsychiatry over the last century have emerged over the decades, and mental disorders on screen became more specific. The influence of the anti-psychiatry movement in documentary filmmaking was evident. The takeaway is that filmmakers like to break the rules and take chances with the awkwardness of mental illness and psychotic breakdown.
The Mind and the Brain
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

This is an introductory chapter on the cinema of psychiatry through the ages. Often, cinematic depictions of psychiatric disorders were short on theme development, but interest peaked postwar and in the 1960s. This chapter describes how cinema created characters with psychiatric disorders derived from classic descriptions in the literature. Early filmmakers in the silent era certainly found rich material for screenplays within psychiatry, but it was nothing more than vaudeville. The cinematic portrayal of psychiatry would change dramatically, and the following decades would show the influences of the anti-psychiatry movement and a focus on specific psychiatric illnesses. These mental disorders would include PTSD, drug and alcohol use, depression, suicide, and later, schizophrenia and bipolar disease.
The Mind Readers
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

Neurology and psychiatry have a common ancestor: the neuropsychiatrist. How did this physician emerge in cinema, and when did the specialty move away from neurology? Fear of psychiatrists and damaged minds were exemplified in the expressionist masterpieces. Later, Hollywood became enamored with psychoanalysis, partly because more than a few actors, directors, and even producers were in analysis. Psychiatrists were considered “mind readers,” and this concept appeared early in psychiatry. Hollywood loved the idea that when we do not function as we should, a major childhood (or perceived) traumatic event is hidden somewhere in our subconscious. This simplification of the Freudian theory worked well and gave films a flashback structure in which sordid details could be revealed. Several iconic practicing movie psychiatrists have appeared, and although practice has changed, the portrayal of psychoanalysts has persisted.
The Imagining Brain
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

Imagination disorders have found their way in cinema. They take the form of classic hysteria (better known as functional neurologic disorder), “the hysteric female,” and mass hysteria in young female teenagers. Cinema has also ventured into religious ecstasy and imagined demonic possession. The major depictions of each of these states are linked to the interpretations of the time. The “hysteric” is a preconceived opinion rather than a medical diagnosis. It is a prejudice that may have originated from hysteria, which, then and now, has a striking female preponderance. The brain can imagine illness, hear a message sent by God, or believe itself controlled by spirits, ghosts, or demons. Cinema always has a propensity to engage with the dark side of human nature, and it has used imaginative flourishes of these states. This chapter must address its unsettling history of this portrayal.
The Dreaming Brain
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

By cinematic standards, dreams are a hall of mirrors. By Freudian standards, dreams are “the royal road to a knowledge of the unconscious activities of the mind.” Screenwriters and film directors preferred Freud’s interpretation and wanted to replicate it because it generated uncanny story lines drawing from a repository of repressed memories. It is a common horror trope. Audiences are deliberately left aghast trying to figure out what is imagination, dream, or reality. This chapter looks at how filmmakers have used this trope and how they have misunderstood their biologic function. Attention is paid to changed dreaming after brain injury and dreaming (or not) in coma or in a state of limbo. Many now believe dreams are our dramatic thoughts on what interests and concerns us. In dreams, we organize our impressions, including the ones we do not distinctly pay attention to, and, basically, create a “movie.”
The Drugged Brain
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

Recreational use of drugs and dope turn up widely in cinema. Alcohol intoxication and alcohol withdrawal figured greatly in early film. Heroin and other opioid addictions figure strongly. So-called mind-altering drugs are creating an ideal visual world for filmmakers, who portray the human brain’s perception of time and visual disturbances that come with it. Many films have depicted the effects of psilocybin, LSD, and peyote, and mushrooms have been used to show hallucinatory dreams. What was cinema’s mindset, and what were they planning to curate? Was a ruthless, competitive society responsible for substance abuse, job loss, and poverty-stricken outcomes? Addiction is a public health problem, and cinema has found a way to show the crippling effects of drugs and dope. This chapter explores how the film industry responded to drug use disorders and increasing accessibility to drugs over time and how cultural changes (or shock) colored the narrative.
The Shocked and Lesioned Brain
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

Invasive treatments to control severe and violent agitation or resolve severely depressed moods were introduced in the 1930s. Medical historians have struggled with these interventions, but few considered them “understandable” for the times. Shocking or piercing the brain to treat uncontrollable behavior was always an easy target. While it was possibly effective for some patients, filmmakers perceived it as an aggressive way of brainwashing the audience. How did ECT and psychosurgery enter cinema, how were they portrayed, and what was the potential effect on the audience? Audiences (and even healthcare workers in other specialties) may still not know how ECT is used in current psychiatric practices. Virtually no movie showed improvement after ECT; in fact, many movies implied that ECT made the patients worse. Lobotomy has been strongly associated with Dr. Walter Freeman. Films parody him, and one film was based on the supposed (never-corroborated) lobotomy of actor Frances Farmer.
Epilogue
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F.M.
Published: November 2024

How do directors imagine mental illness, and what do they want us to see? Their research can be in depth, or they rely on tropes they think the audience will easily recognize. A more realistic answer is that they do not need to know psychiatry or neuropsychiatry or have an acquaintance with mental illness or behavior difficulties after severe brain injury. This Epilogue includes information on how psychiatrists became involved with filmmaking and directors. Several iconic filmmakers used their individual experiences. Filmmakers use singular ideas from psychiatry and psychology to weave a complex, often incongruous plot. Directors and actors have sought psychiatric help since the early days of Hollywood—for their scriptwriting and for their own sanity. When directors claim special insight into the inner lives of the psychotic person or the person with a damaged brain, it is fair to ask for their sources or experiences.
“I Shouldn’t Have Moved That Flowerpot.”: Acute Back Pain in a 78-Year-Old Woman
Authors: Eubanks James E. , Standaert Christopher J.
Published: November 2024

Any older adult presenting with acute, severe low back pain (LBP) warrants an urgent and thorough evaluation, with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) being a particular concern. These patients should be assumed to have significant pathology until proven otherwise. VCFs involve a loss of vertebral body height due to excessive axial or compressive load and are most often secondary to weakening of the vertebral body from osteoporosis. Approximately 25% of postmenopausal females have at least one VCF, the most common of all osteoporotic fractures. Most VCFs occur in the thoracolumbar region, contributing to the potential development of kyphotic deformities of the spine, and are discovered incidentally on diagnostic imaging. Radiographs should be obtained and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required for almost all of these patients. Treatment centers on patient education and social support, pain control, rehabilitation, and risk factor mitigation. VCFs are stable injuries and typically heal on their own.
“My Hip Hurts.”: Is It Her Back?
Authors: Levy Isaiah , Standaert Christopher J.
Published: November 2024

The first question to ask anyone complaining of “hip pain” is, “What do you mean by ‘hip’?” People often describe pain in their groin, lateral hip, posterior pelvis, or low back as “ their hip.” These regions tends to have different etiologies for pain. Hip joint pathology typically causes groin pain. Lateral hip pain may be from the spine but is often from local soft tissue structures, generally termed “greater trochanteric pain syndrome” (GTPS). “Greater trochanteric bursitis” is inaccurate in most cases, as tendon pathology is more common. GTPS typically occurs in those over 50 and is more common in women than in men. It is best treated with comprehensive rehabilitation including education, physical therapy, adaptive activities, adaptive gait devices (e.g. cane), weight loss, and smoking cessation. Corticosteroid injections are likely more harmful than helpful for GTPS, and imaging is generally not required in the initial treatment of GTPS.
Tetramerization of deoxyadenosine kinase meets the demands of a DNA replication substrate challenge in Giardia intestinalis
Authors: Ranjbarian Farahnaz , Rafie Karim , Shankar Kasturika , Krakovka Sascha , Svärd Staffan G , Carlson Lars-Anders , Hofer Anders
Published: November 2024

The protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis is one of only a few organisms lacking de novo synthesis of DNA building blocks (deoxyribonucleotides). Instead, the parasite relies exclusively on salvaging deoxyadenosine and other deoxyribonucleosides from its host environment. Here, we report that G. intestinalis has a deoxyribonucleoside kinase with a 1000-fold higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) for deoxyadenosine than the corresponding mammalian kinases and can thereby provide sufficient deoxyadenosine triphosphate levels for DNA synthesis despite the lack of de novo synthesis. Several deoxyadenosine analogs were also potent substrates and showed comparable EC50 values on cultured G. intestinalis cells as metronidazole, the current first-line treatment, with the additional advantage of being effective against metronidazole-resistant parasites. Structural analysis using cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography showed that the enzyme is unique within its family of deoxyribonucleoside kinases by forming a tetramer stabilized by extended N- and C-termini in a novel dimer–dimer interaction. Removal of the two termini resulted in lost ability to form tetramers and a markedly reduced affinity for the deoxyribonucleoside substrate. The development of highly efficient deoxyribonucleoside kinases via oligomerization may represent a critical evolutionary adaptation in organisms that rely solely on deoxyribonucleoside salvage.
Updated resources for exploring experimentally-determined PDB structures and Computed Structure Models at the RCSB Protein Data Bank
Authors: Burley Stephen K , Bhatt Rusham , Bhikadiya Charmi , Bi Chunxiao , Biester Alison , Biswas Pratyoy , Bittrich Sebastian , Blaumann Santiago , Brown Ronald , Chao Henry , Chithari Vivek Reddy , Craig Paul A , Crichlow Gregg V , Duarte Jose M , Dutta Shuchismita , Feng Zukang , Flatt Justin W , Ghosh Sutapa , Goodsell David S , Green Rachel Kramer , Guranovic Vladimir , Henry Jeremy , Hudson Brian P , Joy Michael , Kaelber Jason T , Khokhriakov Igor , Lai Jhih-Siang , Lawson Catherine L , Liang Yuhe , Myers-Turnbull Douglas , Peisach Ezra , Persikova Irina , Piehl Dennis W , Pingale Aditya , Rose Yana , Sagendorf Jared , Sali Andrej , Segura Joan , Sekharan Monica , Shao Chenghua , Smith James , Trumbull Michael , Vallat Brinda , Voigt Maria , Webb Ben , Whetstone Shamara , Wu-Wu Amy , Xing Tongji , Young Jasmine Y , Zalevsky Arthur , Zardecki Christine
Published: November 2024

The Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB, RCSB.org), the US Worldwide Protein Data Bank (wwPDB, wwPDB.org) data center for the global PDB archive, provides access to the PDB data via its RCSB.org research-focused web portal. We report substantial additions to the tools and visualization features available at RCSB.org, which now delivers more than 227000 experimentally determined atomic-level three-dimensional (3D) biostructures stored in the global PDB archive alongside more than 1 million Computed Structure Models (CSMs) of proteins (including models for human, model organisms, select human pathogens, crop plants and organisms important for addressing climate change). In addition to providing support for 3D structure motif searches with user-provided coordinates, new features highlighted herein include query results organized by redundancy-reduced Groups and summary pages that facilitate exploration of groups of similar proteins. Newly released programmatic tools are also described, as are enhanced training opportunities.
Exploring the metaverse: opportunities for nephrology in patient care and education
Authors: Zoccali Carmine , Mallamaci Francesca
Published: November 2024

The metaverse, a digital ecosystem characterized by the convergence of physical and virtual realities through technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality, is reshaping societal and economic landscapes. In healthcare, the metaverse promises to revolutionize service delivery and medical education by overcoming geographical barriers and democratizing access to information. However, challenges such as the digital divide and privacy concerns persist. Economically, the metaverse is projected to significantly boost global GDP, with healthcare sectors poised for substantial growth through innovations like virtual clinics and telemedicine. In nephrology, the metaverse offers new avenues for patient education, treatment planning, and collaborative research. The integration of VR and AR technologies can enhance patient engagement by providing interactive platforms for understanding their condition, treatment options and lifestyle modifications. This approach empowers patients to take an active role in managing their health, potentially improving adherence to treatment regimens and overall outcomes. Furthermore, VR applications in hemodialysis have shown promise in reducing treatment-related symptoms and improving psychological well-being. The development of virtual clinics for chronic kidney disease patients could facilitate remote monitoring and management, reducing the need for emergency dialysis and improving long-term patient outcomes. Despite the burgeoning interest and research in this field, the integration of VR and AR into routine clinical practice remains in its nascent stages. The potential of these technologies to enhance patient care, improve surgical precision and provide immersive educational experiences is immense, paving the way for a future where technology and medicine are intricately linked.
The Cult of Gay Relics and Queer Medievalism in 1980s Sydney
Authors: Pattenden Miles , Barbezat Michael D
Published: November 2024

This article explains how the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of radical queer nuns, created gay ‘religious relics’ in San Francisco and Sydney, Australia, in the 1980s. The Sisters’ relics are a neglected part of twentieth-century queer history and reflect the role of urban spaces and sexual cultures in the formation of contemporary queer identities. They also represent an early effort to preserve and commemorate queer histories. The Sisters drew on deliberately archaic medieval models to preserve pieces of destroyed sex-on-premises venues and cruising sites that were important to gay men. During the early 1980s, arson and hostile civic authorities destroyed these places and the HIV/AIDS epidemic began to threaten the gay community which patronized them. In Sydney, the Sisters also held reliquary exhibitions which commemorated and defended gay identity and dignity through the veneration of campy pieces of popular culture and the reclamation of seemingly homophobic religious discourses and concepts. The refashioning of the medieval cult of relics into a vehicle for queer identity and history speaks to the ongoing role of imagined pasts in the formation of present selves, and of the erasure of certain kinds of sexual experience from mainstream presentations of queer history.
Comparison of WP-2 and MOCNESS plankton samplers for measuring zooplankton biomass in the Barents Sea ecosystem
Authors: Skjoldal Hein Rune , Aarflot Johanna Myrseth , Knutsen Tor , Wiebe Peter H
Published: November 2024

Zooplankton in the Barents Sea has been monitored on an annual autumn survey since the late 1980s, using vertical WP-2 and oblique Multiple Opening and Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System (MOCNESS) tows over the water column. Sampling with MOCNESS is used to describe the vertical distribution and more frequent sampling with WP-2 (~3:1) to describe the horizontal distribution. We use here a large cumulative data set of 874 MOCNESS and 2850 WP-2 stations with data on size-fractioned dry-weight biomass to compare the two zooplankton sampling gears. MOCNESS is consistently collecting more biomass of the large size fraction (>2 mm screen size) by ~20% and less of the small fraction (<1 mm) by ~30% compared to WP-2. This is interpreted to reflect more extrusion of small plankton and less avoidance by larger plankton with the MOCNESS. The data set has been collected by three research vessels. There was a difference in vertical speed in oblique tows of MOCNESS among the ships but no clear effect on volume filtered per unit time. This demonstrates operational consistency and suggests the use of a constant flow factor (distance per flowmeter count) when calculating results over the time series. The issue of calibration of traditional flowmeters on oblique tows needs further examination.
Immunometabolic effects of β-carotene and vitamin A in atherogenesis
Authors: Blanco Amparo , Amengual Jaume
Published: November 2024

Carotenoids are a diverse group of lipids produced by photosynthetic organisms, and therefore, these compounds are major components of healthy diets. Carotenoids are among the most extensively studied micronutrients to date due to their antioxidant and provitamin A properties. β-carotene is one of the most abundant carotenoids in our diet, but more importantly, it is the main vitamin A precursor in humans. This review summarizes the key metabolic steps involved in vitamin A formation in mammals. It also highlights the recent advancements in the bioactive properties of β-carotene and vitamin A in relationship with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We examine the dual effect retinoic acid, the transcriptionally active form of vitamin A, has on lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis development. Finally, we cover recent findings on the immunomodulatory role retinoic acid plays in macrophages and T cells in the context of atherosclerosis development and resolution.
Morphologic Analysis of Nasal Airway in 137 Patients With Operated Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhang Zhilu , Sun Weiyi , Song Tao , Yin Ningbei , Wang Yongqian
Published: November 2024

Objective:

The authors aim to clarify the morphology of the nasal airway in patients with cleft lip nose deformities and to analyze the causes of increased nasal resistance.

Methods:

One hundred thirty-seven patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities and 30 non-cleft controls were enrolled in this study. These participants were classified into subgroups based on the severity of cleft lip at birth: occult, incomplete, and complete cleft lip. Nasal airway morphologic characteristics were obtained using an acoustic rhinometer, including nasal volume (NV0-2, NV2-7, NV7-11, distance from nostril 0–2, 2–7, 7–11 cm), internal nasal valve area (INVa), and external nasal valve area (ENVa).

Results:

When compared with the control group, each group of patients exhibited significantly lower ENVa on the cleft side. However, no significant differences were observed in INVa. The ENVa progressively decreased with the increasing severity of cleft lip, whereas the INVa remained relatively unchanged. Regarding the nasal volume, only the NV0-2 on the cleft side of patients with complete cleft lip showed a significant reduction compared with the control group.

Conclusions:

Understanding the morphologic characteristics of the nasal airway in patients with cleft lip nasal deformity can further determine the site of nasal airway stenosis in cleft lip patients. Airway stenosis mainly occurred in the external nasal valve and nasal vestibule regions, whereas the area of the internal nasal valve and the volume of the middle and posterior segments of the nasal airway did not change significantly.
Bio-Accelerated Weathering of Ultramafic Minerals with Gluconobacter oxydans
Authors: Lee Joseph J. , Plante Luke , Pian Brooke , Marecos Sabrina , Medin Sean A. , Klug Jacob D. , Reid Matthew C. , Gadikota Greeshma , Gazel Esteban , Barstow Buz
Published: November 2024

Ultramafic rocks are an abundant source of cations for CO2 mineralization (e.g., Mg) and elements for sustainability technologies (e.g., Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, Al). However, there is no industrially useful process for dissolving ultramafic materials to release cations for CO2 sequestration or mining them for energy-critical elements. Weathering of ultramafic rocks by rainwater, release of metal cations, and subsequent CO2 mineralization already naturally sequesters CO2 from the atmosphere, but this natural process will take thousands to hundreds of thousands of years to remove excess anthropogenic CO2, far too late to deal with global warming that will happen over the next century. Mechanical acceleration of weathering by grinding can accelerate cation release but is prohibitively expensive. In this article we show that gluconic acid-based lixiviants produced by the mineral-dissolving microbe Gluconobacter oxydans accelerate leaching of Mg2+ by 20x over deionized water, and that leaching of Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni further improves by 73% from 24 to 96 hours. At low pulp density (1%) the G. oxydans biolixiviant is only 6% more effective than gluconic acid. But, at 60% pulp density the G. oxydans biolixiviant is 3.2x more effective than just gluconic acid. We demonstrate that biolixiviants made with cellulosic hydrolysate are not significantly worse than biolixiviants made with glucose, dramatically improving the feedstock available for bioleaching. Finally, we demonstrate that we can reduce the number of carbon atoms in the biolixiviant feedstock (e.g., glucose or cellulosic hydrolysate) needed to release one Mg2+ ion and mineralize one atom of carbon from CO2 from 525 to 1.
Implications of gen(om)e duplications on the expansion and evolution of the GPCR signalling pathway
Authors: Barradas Ana , Kwong Waldan K.
Published: November 2024

Gene and genome duplications are important evolutionary events associated with the emergence of gene families and novel biological functions. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute the largest family of membrane proteins, and their associated signalling pathways control crucial physiological functions such as neurotransmission, endocrine activity, and immunity. However, the duplication history of the entire pathway across evolutionary time is unknown. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the duplication events of the main interactors of the GPCR signalling cascade. We show that different components of the pathway evolved under distinct frequencies of duplication events, with G proteins and GPCRs exhibiting higher frequencies than the downstream mediators and regulators. We also found that GPCRs are evolutionarily younger than G proteins and that most receptors evolved before their ligands. Additionally, the GPCR signalling system experienced significant gene expansion through duplication during the emergence of placental mammals, which played an important role in all human body systems, particularly concerning ligands and G proteins. These results indicate that the expansion and diversification of the GPCR signalling pathway was based on independent and discrete duplication events of its main components, suggesting that the maintenance of duplicate genes within the pathway may have been mediated by the selection of complementary duplication and divergence processes between the signalling components at specific evolutionary stages.