ACTA ASTRONOMICA

Unravelling the evolution of medical scientific publishing to hold the promise of science for better patient care
Bertolo R, Campi R, Zaorsky NG, Antonelli A, Serni S, Crestani A and Giannarini G
Effects of a Digital Intervention to Improve DASH and Blood Pressure Among US Adults
Miller HN, Askew S, Berger MB, Kay MC, Palipana A, Trefney E, Blackman Carr LT, Barnes C, Tyson CC, Svetkey LP, Shaw R, Steinberg DM, Yang Q and Bennett GG
Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is a recommended first-line treatment for adults with hypertension, yet adherence to DASH is low. To evaluate the efficacy of a digital health intervention (DHI), compared with attention control, on changes in DASH adherence and blood pressure among adults with hypertension.
FGF21 and APOA1 mRNA-based therapies for the treatment of experimental acute pancreatitis
Lopez-Pascual A, Santamaria E, Ardaiz N, Uriarte I, Palmer T, Graham AR, Gomar C, Barbero RC, Latasa MU, Arechederra M, Urman JM, Berasain C, Fontanellas A, Del Rio CL, Fernandez-Barrena MG, Martini PGV, Schultz JR, Berraondo P and Avila MA
Acute pancreatitis (AP) presents a significant clinical challenge with limited therapeutic options. The complex etiology and pathophysiology of AP emphasize the need for innovative treatments. This study explores mRNA-based therapies delivering fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), alone and in combination, for treating experimental AP.
Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting
McConnell JR, Chellman NJ, Plach A, Wensman SM, Plunkett G, Stohl A, Smith NK, Møllesøe Vinther B, Dahl-Jensen D, Steffensen JP, Fritzsche D, Camara-Brugger SO, McDonald BT and Wilson AI
Ancient texts and archaeological evidence indicate substantial lead exposure during antiquity that potentially impacted human health. Although lead exposure routes were many and included the use of glazed tablewares, paints, cosmetics, and even intentional ingestion, the most significant for the nonelite, rural majority of the population may have been through background air pollution from mining and smelting of silver and lead ores that underpinned the Roman economy. Here, we determined potential health effects of this air pollution using Arctic ice core measurements of Roman-era lead pollution, atmospheric modeling, and modern epidemiology-based relationships between air concentrations, blood lead levels (BLLs), and cognitive decline. Findings suggest air lead concentrations exceeded 150 ng/m near metallurgical emission sources, with average enhancements of >1.0 ng/m over Europe during the Pax Romana apogee of the Roman Empire. The result was blood lead enhancements in young children of about 2.4 µg/dl above an estimated Neolithic background of 1.0 µg/dl, leading to widespread cognitive decline including a 2.5-to-3 point reduction in intelligence quotient throughout the Roman Empire.
'BJUI Clinical Dilemma': the incidental small renal mass in a solitary kidney
Gao B, Kanabur P, Campi R, Tran M, Landman J, Pedrosa I, Challacombe B, Wah TM, Siva S, Jewett M, Stewart GD, Shuch B and Clayman R
Integrated Metabolomics and Transcriptome Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Pathway in
Ye Q, Liu F, Feng K, Fu T, Li W, Zhang C, Li M and Wang Z
is an important landscape tree species whose flower color has high ornamental value. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating flower color in remain unclear. By studying the metabolomics and transcriptomics of three different color varieties under the species lineage of , 'Eigeng' (EG, white), 'Albo-rosea' (AR, pink), and 'Grandiflora' (GF, green), the biosynthetic mechanisms of different flower colors in were revealed. The results showed that the different colors of the petals were related to the content of chlorophyll and anthocyanins. Among these, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucoside) were highly expressed in AR. A combined transcriptomic analysis revealed that five flavonoid structural genes, including two genes and three genes, were specifically expressed. In addition, three key transcription factors, , , and , were identified as regulators of the structural genes and and participants in the forward synthesis of anthocyanin. This study provides convincing evidence elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of anthocyanin synthesis of and provides a theoretical basis for the breeding and development of new varieties and germplasm resource innovation for cherry blossom.
Microscopic Heterogeneity Driven by Molecular Aggregation and Water Dynamics in Aqueous Osmolyte Solutions
Seo J, Singh R and Choi JH
Water dynamics are investigated in binary osmolyte-water mixtures, exhibiting a microscopic heterogeneity driven by molecular aggregation, on the basis of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The protecting osmolyte TMAO molecules in solution are evenly dispersed without the formation of noticeable osmolyte aggregates, while the denaturant TMU molecules aggregate readily, generating microscopic heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of component molecules in TMU-water mixtures. A combined study of MD simulation with graph theoretical analysis and spatial inhomogeneity measurement with -values in the two osmolyte solutions revealed that the translational and rotational motions of water in the microheterogeneous environment of TMU-water mixtures are less hindered than those in the homogeneous media of TMAO-water mixtures. The analysis of the osmolyte-water H-bond lifetime in the binary solutions shows that destabilizing osmolyte TMU makes relatively weak osmolyte-water interaction, compared to that in protecting osmolyte TMAO, enabling the interplay of TMU-TMU or TMU-protein as well as TMU-water interaction. Taken together, the complementary contributions of the two hypotheses are proposed to elucidate the operating mechanism of the osmolyte on protein stability, encompassing a direct mechanism for the preferential interaction between the osmolyte and protein and an indirect mechanism for the modulation of the water structure and dynamics in the osmolyte solutions.
Sorting it out: perceptions of foods among newly arrived adolescent refugees in the Southeastern USA
Jones-Antwi RE, Owens C, Hadley C and Cunningham SA
To explore the meanings that newly arrived refugee adolescents residing in the Southeastern USA attribute to foods.
Directed Cell Growth of C2C12 Cells on ECM Free Bioprinted Nano/Micro Scaffolds
Rani S, Das RK, Suryawanshi T, Jaiswal A, Majumder A, Cheng W, Saxena S and Shukla S
Skeletal muscle cell growth impairment can result in severe health issues, such as reduced mobility, metabolic problems, and cardiovascular issues, which can significantly impact an individual's overall health and lifestyle. To address this issue, it is essential to adopt a multi-faceted approach. Conventional 2D cell culture methods fail to replicate the critical features of in vivo micro/nanoarchitecture, which is crucial for the growth of skeletal muscle cells. In this study, the directed growth of mouse skeletal myoblasts (C2C12) cells on ECM-free biocompatible scaffolds is demonstrated and fabricated using two-photon lithography (TPL). These scaffolds are 2D and 3D and have nano/micro-features derived from chitosan-based carbon quantum dots (Ch-CQDs). Ch-CQDs act as two-photon initiators for TPL and also provide the scaffolds with adequate mechanical strength and specific binding sites. These scaffolds are biocompatible and can support cellular adhesion and growth without the need for ECM coating. The nano/micro scaffolds mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment, enabling directed cell growth on ECM-free surfaces. The fabricated scaffolds have tunable mechanical strength ranging from 0.09 to 0.75 GPa. By using Ch-CQDs, scaffolds are created that promote cell growth and alignment, which is crucial for skeletal muscle cell growth.
In vitro effect of vitaminB on embyro growth by induction of hypoxia in culture
Patat D, Nisari M, Ulger H, Ertekin T, Dagli E, Cayan D, Al O, Guler H, Sengul GF and Tastan M
In this study, effects of vitaminB on embryonic development have been investigated by supplying vitaminB on a hypoxia-induced embryo culture. 9.5-day-old embryos from Wistar albino adult pregnant rats were used in our experimental set up.10 μM and 100 μM vitaminB were added to culture medium which is then exposed to in vitro hypoxia. Additionally, 11.5-day-old embryos and yolksacs were examined morphologically. Different vitaminB doses are compared within experimental groups. It was found that both control and experimental groups in 11.5-day-old embryos are at same developmental stage. It was also determined that oxygen deficiency influenced embryonic development and yolk sac vascularity in hypoxia group, are lagging behind in all experimental groups ( < 0.05). However, the development of vitaminB embryos were similar to control group under normoxic conditions ( > 0.05). It was also observed that development was compensated through supplement of vitaminB to hypoxia group ). It was indicated that the development in H + 100 μM vitB groups was quite close to control group. However, development of H + 10 μM vitB embryos were in parallel with hypoxic group. Furthermore, H + 100 μM vitB group showed higher embryonic development than H + 10 μM vitB group ( < 0.05).VitaminB treatment has been used to prevent intrauterine growth restriction which can be caused by many different pharmacological agents. However, nobody has investigated effects of vitaminB on hypoxia-induced early embryo growth retardation. In the light of our findings, administration of 100 μM vitaminB restores damage of embryonic development due to hypoxia and this application also increases embryonic vascularity and circulation. Thus, supplementation of vitaminB can be offered as a therapeutic approach towards cell death and diseases such as neurovascular and cardiovascular diseases and in the near future.
Substrate prediction for RiPP biosynthetic enzymes masked language modeling and transfer learning
Clark JD, Mi X, Mitchell DA and Shukla D
Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) biosynthetic enzymes often exhibit promiscuous substrate preferences that cannot be reduced to simple rules. Large language models are promising tools for predicting the specificity of RiPP biosynthetic enzymes. However, state-of-the-art protein language models are trained on relatively few peptide sequences. A previous study comprehensively profiled the peptide substrate preferences of LazBF (a two-component serine dehydratase) and LazDEF (a three-component azole synthetase) from the lactazole biosynthetic pathway. We demonstrated that masked language modeling of LazBF substrate preferences produced language model embeddings that improved downstream prediction of both LazBF and LazDEF substrates. Similarly, masked language modeling of LazDEF substrate preferences produced embeddings that improved prediction of both LazBF and LazDEF substrates. Our results suggest that the models learned functional forms that are transferable between distinct enzymatic transformations that act within the same biosynthetic pathway. We found that a single high-quality data set of substrates and non-substrates for a RiPP biosynthetic enzyme improved substrate prediction for distinct enzymes in data-scarce scenarios. We then fine-tuned models on each data set and showed that the fine-tuned models provided interpretable insight that we anticipate will facilitate the design of substrate libraries that are compatible with desired RiPP biosynthetic pathways.
Development and Validation of the Length, Segment, and Etiology Anterior Urethral Stricture Disease Staging System Using Longitudinal Urethroplasty Outcomes Data From the Trauma and Urologic Reconstruction Network of Surgeons
Erickson BA, Tuong MN, Zorn AN, Schlaepfer CH, Alsikafi NF, Breyer BN, Broghammer JA, Buckley JC, Elliott SP, Myers JB, Peterson AC, Rourke KF, Smith TG, Vanni AJ, Voelzke BB and Zhao LC
The purpose of this study was to create and validate an anterior urethral stricture disease (aUSD) staging system based on the previously validated Length (L), Urethral Segment (S), and Etiology (E, LSE) classification system.
Stereoselective synthesis of geminal bromofluoroalkenes by kinetically controlled selective conversion of oxaphosphetane intermediates
Jin J, Song SM, Choi JH and Chung WJ
Geminal bromofluoroalkenes are an important subclass of versatile organic interhalide, which can serve as useful synthetic precursors to monofluoroalkenes that are valuable amide group isosteres. Nonetheless, despite the vast advancement of olefination methodologies, the broadly applicable stereoselective synthesis remained elusive for geminal bromofluoroalkenes before our work. In particular, the seemingly straightforward Wittig-type approach with interhalogenated phosphorus ylide has been unsuccessful because of the difficulty in the diastereoselective oxaphosphetane formation. Here, we describe a conceptually distinctive strategy, by which the stereoselectivity is gained via the selective decomposition of the oxaphosphetane intermediates. The suitably identified phosphorus(III) reagent and reaction medium enabled efficient kinetic differentiation, which was supported by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and density functional theory calculation. Through our method, the highly diastereoselective synthesis of geminal -bromofluoroalkenes was accomplished in one step. Furthermore, the generality was demonstrated by accommodating a wide range of readily available carbonyl compounds, including ketones and pharmaceutical substrates.
Follow-up on patients with initial negative mpMRI target and systematic biopsy for PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesions - an EAU-YAU study enhancing prostate cancer detection
Zattoni F, Gandaglia G, van den Bergh RCN, Marra G, Valerio M, Martini A, Olivier J, Puche-SanzI I, Rajwa P, Maggi M, Campi R, Nicoletti R, Amparore D, De Cillis S, Zhuang J, Guo H, Fuschi A, Veccia A, Ditonno F, Paulino Pereira LJ, Marquis A, Barletta F, Leni R, Kasivisvanathan V, Antonelli A, Rivas JG, Remmers S, Roobol MJ, Briganti A, Dal Moro F and Novara G
To investigate the detection and predictors of prostate cancer (PCA) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCA) in patients with positive multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) followed by a negative MRI - guided target biopsy (TB) and systematic biopsy (SB).
Stereospecific syn-dichlorination of allylic amines enabled by identification of a superior stereo-directing group
Im JK, Choi JH and Chung WJ
Alteration of a well-established reaction mechanism for access to different molecular structures is an inherently intriguing research subject. In that context, syn-stereospecific alkene dihalogenation draws attention as a long-standing problem in synthetic organic chemistry. The simplest approach would be the incorporation of an additional stereo-inverting step within the traditional anti-dihalogenation process. Surprisingly, this seemingly trivial idea turned out challenging, and no suitable stereo-directing group was known before our work. Herein, we describe a highly efficient syn-dichlorination of N-protected allylic amines through the anchimeric assistant phenomenon that has been inapplicable to alkene dihalogenation. Upon rational identification of a superior stereo-director, 1,8-naphthalimide, our practical reaction conditions with mild and convenient dichlorinating reagents can accommodate the formerly unemployable aryl alkenes in excellent yields (>95%) and stereospecificity (>50:1). DFT calculation suggests a concerted internal trapping mechanism without a discrete carbocationic species, which accounts for the conservation of the stereochemical integrity.
The Acute Effect of Different Cluster Set Intra-Set Rest Interval Configurations on Mechanical Power Measures During a Flywheel Resistance Training Session
Ryan S, Browne D, Ramirez-Campillo R, Moody J and Byrne PJ
The aim of this study was to compare the acute effect of three cluster set (CS) intra-set rest intervals (15 s, 30 s, and 45 s) on mechanical performance measures during a flywheel resistance training session. Twelve amateur male field sport athletes attended three training measurement sessions (separated by 14 days of wash-out), consisting of four sets of nine repetitions (as cluster-blocks: 3 + 3 + 3), using a 0.050 kg·m inertial load. The flywheel quarter-squat (QS) and the flywheel Romanian deadlift (RDL) were selected as resistance training exercises. Participants were randomly allocated different CS intra-set rest durations: 15 s, 30 s, or 45 s. The mean power (MP), peak concentric power (PP), peak eccentric power (PP), and eccentric overload (EO) were measured. A two-way (within-within) repeated-measures ANOVA reported that MP, PP, PP, and EO achieved similar values during the QS and RDL sessions involving 30 s and 45 s CS intra-set rest durations. It was noted that the first set did not always result in the greatest performance output for the 30 s and 45 s intervals. Compared to 15 s, the 30 s and 45 s CS intra-set rest durations showed greater MP, PP, and PP during set 2 (all ≤ 0.05), set 3 (all < 0.001), and set 4 (all < 0.001) for both QS and RDL, and greater EO in the QS exercise (the four sets combined). Compared to shorter (15 s) cluster set intra-set rest intervals, longer (30-45 s) configurations allow greater physical performance outcome measures during flywheel QS and RDL resistance training sessions. The implications for longer-term interventions merit further research.
Complication rate across the minimally invasive surgical treatments (MISTs): where do we stand? A systematic review of the literature
Lambertini L, Sandulli A, Coco S, Paganelli D, Cadenar A, Dell'Oglio P, Puliatti S, Di Maida F, Grosso AA, Amparore D, Bertolo R, Campi R, Lombardo R, Ferro M, Rocco B, Vittori G, Antonelli A, De Nunzio C, Minervini A and Mari A
Over the past decade, the range of surgical options to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) has expanded significantly with the advent of minimally invasive surgical therapies (MISTs). Nevertheless, the available evidence in the field is heterogeneous. Efficacy and safety thresholds are yet to be determined.
Implementing digital respiratory technologies for people with respiratory conditions: A protocol for a scoping review
Hui CY, Condon K, Kolekar S, Roberts N, Sreter KB, Simons SO, Figueiredo C, McKeough Z, Salim H, Gawlik-Lipinski A, Gonsard A, Önal Aral A, Vanoverschelde A, Armstrong M, Kohlbrenner D, Paixão C, Stafler P, Papadopoulou E, Rabe AP, Mohammad M, Bouloukaki I, Quach S, Chaabouni M, Kaltsakas G, Loveys K, Reier-Nilsen T, Sunjaya AP, Robinson P, Pinnock H and Chan AHY
The value of 'data-enabled', digital healthcare is evolving rapidly, as demonstrated in the COVID-19 pandemic, and its successful implementation remains complex and challenging. Harmonisation (within/between healthcare systems) of infrastructure and implementation strategies has the potential to promote safe, equitable and accessible digital healthcare, but guidance for implementation is lacking. Using respiratory technologies as an example, our scoping review process will capture and review the published research between 12th December 2013 to 12th December 2023. Following standard methodology (Arksey and O'Malley), we will search for studies published in ten databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, CABI Global Health, and WHO Medicus. Our search strategy will use the terms: digital health, respiratory conditions, and implementation. Using Covidence, screening of abstracts and full texts will be undertaken by two independent reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted into a pilot-tested data extraction table for charting, summarising and reporting the results. We will conduct stakeholder meetings throughout to discuss the themes emerging from implementation studies and support interpretation of findings in the light of their experience within their own networks and organisations. The findings will inform the future work within the ERS CONNECT clinical research collaboration and contribute to policy statements to promote a harmonised framework for digital transformation of respiratory healthcare.
Beyond natural language: an ontology-based description of a new dung beetle from Madagascar (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae)
Montanaro G and Tarasov S
The dung beetle genus (Coleoptera, Scarabaeinae, Scarabaeini), predominantly found in the arid regions of the Old World, includes three endemic species inhabiting the dry ecosystems of western and southern Madagascar. These species are presumed to form a monophyletic clade nested within the African .Semantic modelling of phenotypes using ontologies represents a transformative approach to species description in biology, making phenotypic data FAIR and computable. The recently developed Phenoscript language enables the creation of semantic, computable species descriptions using a syntax akin to human natural language (NL). However, Phenoscript has not yet been tested as a tool for describing new taxa.
Particulates Matter: The Influence of Cumulative Local Air Pollution Exposure on Sixth-Grade Academic Achievement in California
Wassmer RW and Turgeon MD
We examine the influence of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) in ambient air over the previous 6 years on the average standardized test score performance in math, English language arts (ELA), and overall for sixth graders at a sample of California public school districts from 2015 through 2018. Public health research suggests that children exposed to localized air pollution may suffer from cognitive impairment during testing or chronic conditions such as asthma that could influence their academic performance. After controlling for the appropriate confounding variables, our findings indicate that a 1-unit increase (or an equivalent one-third increase in the standard deviation) in the average amount of particulate matter observed over the past 6 years in a school district reduces the average standardized test score by about 4%. In addition, a typical student in a California school district in the two highest quintiles of PM 2.5 exposure (controlling for other causal factors) exhibits standardized test scores closer to the fifth-grade equivalency level than the sixth. These results support the benefits of indoor air pollution mitigation as a likely cost-effective intervention to improve student academic success in primary school.
To heal, grow, and thrive: Engaging Indigenous paradigms and perspectives in developmental science
Tsethlikai M, Cole A, Hoffman AJ, Bang M and Ng FF
A focus on positive child development among Indigenous children has largely been absent from developmental science. In this special section of Child Development, we sought to address continuing inequity in representation and valuing Indigenous knowledge and voices by soliciting articles that identified cultural and strengths-based factors Indigenous children, youth, and families cultivate and leverage to promote positive development. In this introduction to the special section, we provide an overview of the four empirical articles included, with attention to the ways these articles advance Indigenous paradigms and methodologies by focusing on the unique histories and strengths of four distinct Indigenous communities. We end with a discussion of how to promote continued growth and inclusiveness in developmental science with Indigenous communities.