The hydrothermal springs (HTSs) are unique environments characterised by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater that often releases large amounts of dissolved minerals. Despite interest in HTSs, the microbial composition of these sites remains largely under-explored, particularly concerning the interactions between marine invertebrates and microorganisms. As an example, the shallow HTSs of Trapani (West coast of Sicily, Italy) maintain a constant temperature of 31 °C throughout the year and two invertebrates and are inhabited by the nudibranch Peltodoris atromaculata (P. atromaculata) and the sponge Petrosia ficiformis (P. ficiformis). This study aimed to analyse the bacterial communities associated with the sponge P. ficiformis and the mantle and gut of P. atromaculata. Our results, based on Next-Generation sequencing of the bacterial marker gene (16S rDNA), revealed that the bacterial communities associated with the sponge P. ficiformis and the mantle of P. atromaculata are strikingly similar, suggesting a shared bacterial community, while also exhibiting distinct bacterial differences. However, signatures of bacterial families were found in the gut and mantle of P. atromaculata. These findings shed light on the bacterial composition of the nudibranch P. atromaculata and the sponge P. ficiformis, both considered bioindicators of environmental conditions and highlight the importance of investigating the microbial biodiversity in these peculiar environments to be preserved at every taxonomic level. Additionally, to date, we have provided a brief introduction to understanding the role of host-bacteria interactions in marine invertebrates and these unique environments in shaping entire communities.

Objective: Individuals with schizotypal traits can be considered at high-risk for schizophrenia. Studies have shown that individuals with schizotypal traits exhibited neurophysiological abnormalities. However, whether and to what extent could electroencephalogram (EEG) data discriminate individuals with high and low schizotypal traits remained unknown. The present study aimed to examine this issue using a deep learning approach. Method: The resting-state EEG data were collected in 48 individuals with high schizotypal traits and 50 individuals with low schizotypal traits during both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. Three EEG datasets were constructed: the eyes-open dataset, the eyes-closed dataset, and the combined dataset. Subsequently, the EEG data of the two groups were classified using the Long and Short-Term Memory Network combined with a one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (LSTM-1DCNN) model. Results: The LSTM-1DCNN model demonstrated high accuracy in identifying individuals with schizotypal traits across the eyes-open, eyes-closed and combined datasets, with an accuracy of 94.86%, 94.26%, and 95.30%, respectively. The state of participants’ eyes (open or closed) did not affect the identification accuracy. Conclusion: Individuals with high schizotypal traits exhibited distinct EEG patterns compared to those with low schizotypal traits. EEG data and deep learning algorithm can be employed to identify individuals at risk for schizophrenia.

Aim The genus Camellia is widely distributed, primarily in East Asia. Camellia japonica is located at the northern limit of this genus distribution, and elucidating its distribution changes is crucial for understanding the evolution of plants in this region, as well as their relationship with geological history and climate change. Also, the classification of sect. Camellia in Japan has not been clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study is to understand the evolutionary history of Japanese sect. Camellia. Location Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the coastal area of China Taxon Camella (Theaceae). Methods The genetic population structure was analyzed by SNP data using MIG-seq. The relationship between Japanese sect. Camellia including the related species in China was further inferred from the phylogeny generated by RA x ML, SplitsTree and PCA. Population genetic structure was inferred using a Bayesian clustering method (ADMIXTURE). We then employed approximate Bayesian computation to explore the changes in population, asking which events best explain the phylogeographical signature. Ecological niche modeling was combined with genetic analyses to compare current and past distributions. Results The analyses consistently showed that C. japonica and C. rusticana are distinct, having diverged from each other between approximately 5.4 and 12 million years ago. Furthermore, C. japonica differentiated into four major populations (North, South, Ryukyu-Taiwan, and Continent). Main Conclusion Japanese sect. Camellia underwent speciation during archipelago formation, reflecting its ancient evolutionary history compared with other native Japanese plants. The conventional hypothesis that C. rusticana diverged from C. japonica in snow-rich environments under Quaternary period was rejected. Our results suggest that both species have been independent since ancient times, and that ancestral populations of C. japonica have persisted in northern regions. Furthermore, it is estimated that C. japonica population on the continent experienced a back-dispersal event from southern Japan during the late Pleistocene glaciation.

Background and Purpose Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is synthesised endogenously through cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST). Although exogenous H2S is known to produce vasodilatation, the vascular effect of H2S produced through 3-MST is unknown. In this study we demonstrate the effect of a novel inhibitor of 3-MST, DPHE, and determined the effect of this compound on contractile responses in porcine coronary artery. Experimental Approach Synthesis of H2S through 3-MST, and CBS/CSE was determined in rat liver cytosols. Effects of 3-MST inhibitors DPHE, 3-PAB, or I3MT-3, or CBS/CSE inhibitors AOAA and PPG on contractile responses in porcine coronary arteries were determined using isolated tissue baths. Key Results DPHE inhibited the production of H2S from 3-meraptopyruvate (IC50 ~8 µM). The 3-MST inhibitors DPHE, I3MT-3, and 3-PAB all inhibited contractions to U46619 in porcine coronary artery segments through an endothelium-independent mechanism. DPHE and 3MT-3 reduced the U46619 contractions in the absence of extracellular calcium and inhibited the contraction to the L-type calcium channel opener BAY K8644. The combination of AOAA (100 µM) and PPG (10 µM) had no effect on the U46619 contractions. The inhibitory effect of the 3-MST inhibitors does not appear to involve Rho kinase, ERK-MAP kinase, or the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Conclusions and Implications Inhibition of 3-MST in coronary arteries leads to an inhibition of both calcium-dependent and -independent contractions, whereas CBS/CSE inhibitors had no effect on receptor mediated contractions. These data suggest that 3-MST, not CBS/CSE, regulates vascular tone in porcine coronary artery.

Sub-models representing transformation processes by microorganisms and hydrolases, a one-dimensional (1-D) biofilm, and a bioreactor were integrated to simulate organic-matter fermentation and methane (CH 4) production in an anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (AnMBBR). The integrated models correctly represented all experimental observations and identified mechanisms underlying how and why AnMBBR performance changed when the volumetric loading rate (VLR) of total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) increased from 3.9 to 19.5 kg COD T/m 3-d. The fractional removal of TCOD and CH 4 production decreased as the VLR of TCOD increased due in part to an increasing biofilm thickness that filled the interior channels of plastic carriers and led to a decrease in biofilm surface area and an increase in the mass-transfer boundary layer. Also, the ~25-day duration for each VLR of TCOD was too short to allow the biofilm to establish a new quasi steady state with respect to biofilm thickness. The mechanistic understanding of how biofilm characteristics and process performance respond to increased VLR of TCOD can be applied in engineering practice to improve AnMBBR process design and operation.

Background: Current protocols for the management of severe asthma exacerbations include step therapy with bronchodilators (short-acting beta 2-agonists, and ipratropium bromide) administered by nebulizer or meter doses inhaler (MDI) with a valved holding chamber, corticosteroids, and magnesium sulfate EV. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a new device (SOBIstat-F ®) for bronchodilator administration via MDI compared to the conventional method. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted in children with severe acute asthma seen in two pediatric emergency departments. Patients were assigned to one of the following groups: MDI-SOBx in which they received bronchodilators in MDI through the SOBIstat-F® device, or in MDI with oxygen via cannula or mask (MDI-OxStand). The main outcome was the need for hospitalization at the end of 8 hours of treatment. Results: 84 patients participated in the study, of which 43 were treated with the MDI-SOBx device and 41 with MDI-OxStand. There were no differences in demographic characteristics or severity of the exacerbations between the groups. Those children treated with MDI-SOBx had a lower hospitalization rate versus those with the MDI-OxStand (9.3% vs. 26.8%, respectively, p=0.036). Also, a significant clinical improvement (pulmonary score) was observed from 90 minutes (p<0.001) and oxygen saturation from 60 min (p<0.001) in children in the MDI-SOBx group. Side effects were similar. Conclusions: The administration of bronchodilators using the SOBIstat-F ® device demonstrated, for the first time, to be more effective than the conventional method in reducing hospitalizations and in the clinical improvement of children with severe asthma exacerbations.

Killer whales (Orcinus orca) have been documented to prey on white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias), in some cases causing localised shark displacement and triggering ecological cascades. Notably, a series of such predation events have been reported from South Africa over the last decade, with killer whales specifically targeting shark’s liver. However, observations of these interactions are rare and knowledge of their frequency across the world’s oceans remain limited. In October 2023, a 4.7 m (total length) white shark carcass washed ashore in south-eastern Australia, coinciding with reports from citizen scientists of killer whales hunting a large, unidentified prey item in the area. Visual inspection of the carcass revealed that the liver, digestive and reproductive organs were missing, and the presence of four distinctive bite wounds, one of which was characteristic of killer whale liver extraction as seen in South Africa. Genomic analyses performed on swabs taken from the bite wounds confirmed the presence of killer whale DNA in the major bite area, while the other bites were embedded with genetic material from the scavenging broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus). These results provide confirmed evidence of killer whale predation on white sharks in Australia, and the likely selective consumption of the liver, suggesting predations of this nature are more globally prevalent than currently assumed.

TitleAn Often Missed Cause of Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report on the Rare Presentation of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Short Root Anomaly. A rare case of distortion in dental anatomy

Tubridge flow diverter for the treatment of pseudoaneurysm ruptured M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery: A case reportFangdi Xua, Hui Lib, Fuyang Wanga, Pengjie Zhanga, Jian Lic, Yuhai Liud, Yang Chend, Jing CaidaLinyi People’s Hospital, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, ChinabDepartment of Neurosurgery, Feixian People’s Hospital, Linyi, 273400, ChinacSchool of Clinical Medicine, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250117, ChinadDepartment of Neurosurgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, 276003, ChinaCorrespondence: Jing Cai, Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, 276003, ChinaEmial: [email protected]

Environmental high flows, or e-floods, released from dams to restore aquatic and riparian habitats are a key management strategy to mitigate the impacts of dam regulation. While there is extensive literature on the design and implementation of e-floods, the role of instream large wood—downed trees, trunks, branches, and root wads—in enhancing e-flood outcomes in regulated rivers has not been adequately explored. This paper presents insights from the Spöl River in the Swiss Alps, where years of observations highlight the significant impact of large wood on the success of e-floods. Large wood contributes to geomorphological dynamics, increases habitat complexity, and enhances ecosystem resilience, yet it has been largely overlooked in e-flood planning. The study argues that the inclusion of instream wood can define the difference between success and failure in e-floods by supporting the continuity of the wood regime, which, along with flow and sediment regimes, is crucial for ecological integrity, and emphasizes the importance of integrating wood management into e-flood design. The Spöl River serves as a case study, demonstrating how wood management during e-floods can restore or sustain essential functions, ultimately improving the ecological health of river systems. The insights gained can be applied to the management of other regulated mountain rivers.

Emotional states influence postural control, but previous studies have primarily focused on postural dynamics during quiet standing while viewing emotional pictures, using the center of pressure as a measure. However, the effects of emotions on neuromuscular activities related to postural control remain unclear. During quiet standing, neuromuscular activities of ankle plantarflexors are crucial for maintaining postural balance, both in terms of and synchronized muscle activity. This study aimed to clarify the emotional effects on the individual and synchronized neuromuscular activities of ankle plantarflexors during quiet standing. Twenty-four healthy male participants were instructed to view emotional pictures for 72 seconds while standing. The task was repeated four times with four picture conditions, which composed of two arousals (High and Low) and two valences (Pleasant and Unpleasant). During the task, electromyograms (EMG) of the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), and medial (MG) and lateral gastrocnemius muscles (LG) were recorded. The EMG signals were rectified, and mean amplitude was calculated to assess individual neuromuscular activity. Inter-muscular coherence (IMC) between ankle plantarflexors was calculated to assess synchronized neuromuscular activity, with mean IMC calculated at 0–4 Hz and 8–12 Hz. Results showed that aroused emotions induced a reduction in SOL neuromuscular activity, leading to partial backward body leaning. Furthermore, synchronized neuromuscular activities at 8–12 Hz in the SOL-MG and MG-LG pairs were increased under aroused emotional states, indicating enhanced physiological tremor and a reduced capacity for postural adjustment. These findings deepen our understanding of the emotional impacts on standing postural control.

Background: A majority of patients with psychosis have experienced trauma, but trauma-focused (TF) treatment is not routinely offered. As new studies are published continuously, updated reviews are necessary to guide clinical practice, including a broader focus on several outcome variables. The current systematic review set out to examine the effect of TF treatments in patients with a psychotic disorder and comorbid trauma symptoms on symptoms of (1) trauma, (2) psychosis and (3) anxiety, depression, and psychosocial functioning. Methods: A systematic search following the PRISMA guideline yielded 17 studies reported in 19 records, which were evaluated and presented. Results: Overall, results indicated positive effects on trauma symptoms following TF Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Prolonged Exposure, Written Emotional Disclosure, and Imagery Rescripting. Results were inconclusive but suggestive of positive effects for other outcomes. Discussion: The present findings gives preliminary support for the effect of TF treatment on trauma symptoms, but are more inconclusive for outcomes related to symptoms of psychosis, anxiety, depression, and psychosocial functioning. In addition, support was found for treatments delivered both individually and by group. The current evidence base on TF treatment in psychosis is, however, still at an early stage and challenged by methodological issues.

A document by Suryasnata Bhowmik. Click on the document to view its contents.

Clinical letter

Software development is a multifaceted endeavor, requiring a profound grasp of both social dynamics and technical intricacies. Poor collaboration often leads to the accumulation of social debt, manifesting as unforeseen project costs due to sub-optimal team interactions. Community smells have emerged as indicators of these socio-technical inefficiencies and potential social debt. While previous research has focused on automated detection of community smells through analyzing developer communication patterns, our study offers a complementary approach. We emphasize the critical role of project managers in assessing socio-technical dynamics and propose a novel, tool-supported catalog of symptoms. This catalog can be used for manual inspections to identify early signs of community smells at the individual level, allowing managers to address issues before they escalate. Using a mixed-method design that leveraged an existing literature review and a user survey, we cataloged symptoms related to four community smell types. Additionally, we developed TOAST, a tool that operationalizes this catalog, and assessed its usability. The paper concludes by shedding light on the potential impact of our work and its contribution to advancing the detection and analysis of community smells.

RATIONALE: Understanding plant defense mechanisms against pathogens is critical for agricultural productivity and crop protection. This study focuses on the quantification of camalexin and scopoletin, essential phytoalexins in Arabidopsis thaliana, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. Accurate measurement of these compounds can provide insights into plant resistance and support agricultural research. METHODS: Camalexin and scopoletin were quantified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (MALDI-HRMS). The matrix and solvent conditions were optimized to enhance sensitivity and accuracy. MS/MS experiments confirmed the identification with high mass accuracy (mass error < 5 ppm). RESULTS: The method demonstrated high linearity for scopoletin (R 2 = 0.9992) and camalexin (R 2 = 0.9987) over concentration ranges of 0.16-5 µM and 0.31-5 µM, respectively. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.16 µM for camalexin and 0.04 µM for scopoletin, while the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.31 µM for camalexin and 0.16 µM for scopoletin. The average relative standard deviation was 1.43% for scopoletin and 2.46% for camalexin, with average relative errors of 3.91% and 4.11%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a precise, and accurate method for the quantification of key phytoalexins in Arabidopsis thaliana. The developed MALDI-HRMS approach significantly contributes to the understanding of plant defense mechanisms and offers potential applications in agricultural and biotechnological research.

Rationale: Sex estimation by analysis of amelogenin peptides in archaeological and fossil material has recently been gaining great traction within the fields of archaeology and palaeontology. Current widely used proteomic amelogenin sex estimation methods are hindered by relatively long mass spectrometric run times, or targeting peptides specific to human amelogenin proteins. Untargeted, high-throughput amelogenin sexing would be invaluable for a range of applications, from sex estimation of remains at mass grave sites to broadening the application of rapid amelogenin sexing to non-hominin species for husbandry and evolutionary studies. Methods: A new acid etch amelogenin analysis protocol followed by Evosep-LC-TIMS-TOF mass spectrometry is presented, providing global peptide data through rapid mass spectrometric methods in under 20 minutes per sample (including sample preparation, mass spectrometric acquisition and data processing). Furthermore, this method is applied to a preliminary study of both modern and archaeological Bos taurus remains, alongside archaeological human remains, showing the potential of straightforward application of this rapid amelogenin sexing method to a range of taxa. Results: Application of the developed Evosep-LC-TIMS-TOF mass spectrometry shows the novel acid etch approach improved peptide counts. Furthermore, rapid untargeted mass spectrometry using the Evosep-LC-TIMS-TOF gave comparable peptide counts to conventional long untargeted methods, while maintaining similar, or faster, acquisition times to those reported in methods targeting specific human amelogenin peptides. Conclusions: Rapid, untargeted Evosep-LC-TIMS-TOF mass spectrometry was successfully implemented in sex estimation of modern and archaeological material from Bos taurus and human teeth. This demonstrates an advancement in low-cost, high-throughput amelogenin sex estimation, for both human and zooarchaeological applications.