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In Argentina's Mendoza River Basin (33° S), glaciers provide an essential supply of freshwater. They act as sensitive climate change indicators and are crucial for comprehending and evaluating changes in local and global climate. Based on Landsat remote sensing imagery from 1990 to 2020, this study aims to understand the distribution and changing patterns of glaciers in the Mendoza Basin and their influence on regional water supplies and ecosystems. It makes use of ratio threshold algorithms and manual interpretation to get glacier boundary data from seven different eras, using the Argentine National Glacier Inventory and the RGI glacier catalog. Furthermore, by integrating climate data from TerraClimate, the study examined the influence of regional climate change on glacier fluctuations and demonstrated the trajectory of climate change in this area during the study period. The findings show that: (1) The Mendoza Basin's glacier area was 134.09± 11.86 km² in 2020. The glacier area decreased considerably (p<0.01) between 1990 and 2020, totaling 86.87±21.30 km² (39.31±10.14%). The greatest rate of retreat was recorded between 2010 and 2020. (2) The majority of glaciers are more than 10 km², while the least common are less than 0.1 km². The biggest glaciers are melting the quickest. The majority of the glaciers are found on the southern slopes, with the northwest slopes having the fewest and the southeast and northeast slopes seeing the quickest rate of retreat. Their range of slopes is mostly 5° to 40°, with 50° to 55° being the quickest of retreat. With the greatest retreat rates below 4000 meters, the bulk are located at elevations between 4 200 and 5 400 meters. (3) The Mendoza region has seen a considerable increase in temperature since the late 1950s (p<0.001), with an average decadal rise in maximum and minimum temperatures of 0.53 °C and 0.29 °C, respectively. In the Mendoza Basin, glacier retreat is mostly caused by long-term increases in temperature; short-term factors include variations in precipitation. This research offers a guide for mitigating the effects of glacier fluctuations on the Mendoza Basin's water resource availability and geological calamities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological stress is a global issue that affects at least one-third of the population worldwide and increases the risk of numerous psychiatric disorders. Accumulating evidence suggests that the gut and its inhabiting microbes may regulate stress and stress-associated behavioral abnormalities. Hence, the objective of this review is to explore the causal relationships between the gut microbiota, stress, and behavior. Dysbiosis of the microbiome after stress exposure indicated microbial adaption to stressors. Strikingly, the hyperactivated stress signaling found in microbiota-deficient rodents can be normalized by microbiota-based treatments, suggesting that gut microbiota can actively modify the stress response. Microbiota can regulate stress response via intestinal glucocorticoids or autonomic nervous system. Several studies suggest that gut bacteria are involved in the direct modulation of steroid synthesis and metabolism. This review provides recent discoveries on the pathways by which gut microbes affect stress signaling and brain circuits and ultimately impact the host's complex behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Ketocarotenoids were synthesized successfully in Camelina sativa seeds by genetic modification without using a traditional selection marker genes. This method provided an interesting tool for metabolic engineering of seed crops. Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is an important oil crop with many excellent agronomic traits. This model oil plant has been exploited to accumulate value-added bioproducts using genetic manipulation that depends on antibiotic- or herbicide-based selection marker genes (SMG), one of the major concerns for genetically modified foods. Here we reported metabolic engineering of C. sativa to synthesize red ketocarotenoids that could serve as a reporter to visualize transgenic events without using a traditional SMG. Overexpression of a non-native β-carotene ketolase gene coupled with three other carotenogenous genes (phytoene synthase, β-carotene hydroxylase, and Orange) in C. sativa resulted in production of red seeds that were visibly distinguishable from the normal yellow ones. Constitutive expression of the transgenes led to delayed plant development and seed germination. In contrast, seed-specific transformants demonstrated normal growth and seed germination despite the accumulation of up to 70-fold the level of carotenoids in the seeds compared to the controls, including significant amounts of astaxanthin and keto-lutein. As a result, the transgenic seed oils exhibited much higher antioxidant activity. No significant changes were found in the profiles of fatty acids between transgenic and control seeds. This study provided an interesting tool for metabolic engineering of seed crops without using a disputed SMG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social interactions among animals mediate essential behaviours, including mating, nurturing, and defence1,2. The gut microbiota contribute to social activity in mice3,4, but the gut–brain connections that regulate this complex behaviour and its underlying neural basis are unclear5,6. Here we show that the microbiome modulates neuronal activity in specific brain regions of male mice to regulate canonical stress responses and social behaviours. Social deviation in germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice is associated with elevated levels of the stress hormone corticosterone, which is primarily produced by activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Adrenalectomy, antagonism of glucocorticoid receptors, or pharmacological inhibition of corticosterone synthesis effectively corrects social deficits following microbiome depletion. Genetic ablation of glucocorticoid receptors in specific brain regions or chemogenetic inactivation of neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus that produce corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) reverse social impairments in antibiotic-treated mice. Conversely, specific activation of CRH-expressing neurons in the paraventricular nucleus induces social deficits in mice with a normal microbiome. Via microbiome profiling and in vivo selection, we identify a bacterial species, Enterococcus faecalis, that promotes social activity and reduces corticosterone levels in mice following social stress. These studies suggest that specific gut bacteria can restrain the activation of the HPA axis, and show that the microbiome can affect social behaviours through discrete neuronal circuits that mediate stress responses in the brain.The gut microbiota in mice can modulate social behaviour by influencing activity in stress-related brain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the implant orientation, especially the combined anteversion measurements in total hip arthroplasty (THA) using lateral approach, and to compare with implant orientation using posterior‐lateral (P‐L) approach. The secondary goal was to identify the factors associated with implant orientation. Methods: Five hundred and one patients (545 hips) who underwent primary THA with the modified Hardinge approach between January 2016 and November 2019 by one senior surgeon in our department in a retrospective study were followed up. A survey to inquire about the history of dislocation of the hip after THA was designed and responses were gathered by telephone, WeChat software, and outpatient follow‐up. The mean age of the patients was 61.97 ± 11.72 years, and there were 254 males and 247 females. The average follow‐up time was 25.2 ± 13.7 months (range, 3.2–49.7 months). Among the patients who were followed up, 97 patients (104 hips) underwent computed tomography (CT) scans from L4 to the tuberosity of the tibia. The implant orientation, including the anteversion and inclination of the cup, anteversion of the stem, combined anteversion, and pelvic tilt were measured based on CT scans of these patients. The results were compared with the implant orientation reported in previous reports measured by CT. Factors that may be associated with implant orientation were investigated, including the patient's age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and diagnosis; size of the cup; diameter of the femoral head component; and pelvic tilt. Data and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0. Results: No cases of dislocation were found in the 501 patients (545 hips) who underwent primary THA during this period. The mean inclination and anteversion of the cups were 38.83° ± 5.04° (24.5°–53.1°) and 9.26° ± 11.19° (−15°–48°), respectively. The mean anteversion of the stem was 13.83° ± 10.7° (−10.2°–42.3°). The combined anteversion was 23.1° ± 13.4° (−7.4°–54.6°). Compared with the reported combined anteversion and anteversion of the cup, the mean anteversion of the cup and combined anteversion using the lateral approach were much lower than the reported values in the literature using the P‐L approach. Pelvic tilt was found to be the only independent factor for cup anteversion. Factors including age, sex, BMI, diagnosis, cup size, and diameter of the femoral head component were not associated with implant orientation. Conclusion: THA using the lateral approach yields smaller cup anteversion and combined anteversion values than using the P‐L approach. Pelvic tilt is the only predictor for cup anteversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two series of imperatorin analogs were synthesized based on our previous research and evaluated for their vasodilatation activities on in vitro rat mesenteric artery, basilar artery, and renal artery ring models. Target compounds were characterized by infrared, 1H NMR, and mass spectra. Most derivatives possessed significant vasodilatory activity on the mesenteric artery, and compound 3a exhibited favorable and broad vasodilatation activities on three kinds of rat artery ring models. The pharmacological results indicated that introducing nitrogen-contained ring in side chain or large steric hindrance at the distal end could increase the vasodilatory activity. Further, replacement of oxygen atom (–O–) in the skeleton of furocoumarin derivatives with nitrogen (–NH–) could cause the decrease of vasodilatory activity. The molecular docking also indicated that compound 3a showed a best affinity with α-1C receptor (PDB ID: 3G43). All these results suggested compound 3a would be a potential vasodilatory agent for hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points The inheritance of two defective alleles of SLC4A4, the gene that encodes the widely-expressed electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe1, results in the bicarbonate-wasting disease proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA)., In the present study, we report the first case of compound-heterozygous inheritance of pRTA (p.Arg510His/p.Gln913Arg) in an individual with low blood pH, blindness and neurological signs that resemble transient ischaemic attacks., We employ fluorescence microscopy on non-polarized (human embryonic kidney) and polarized (Madin-Darby canine kidney) renal cell lines and electrophysiology on Xenopus oocytes to characterize the mutant transporters (R510H and Q913R)., Both mutant transporters exhibit enhanced intracellular retention in renal cells, an observation that probably explains the HCO3− transport deficit in the individual., Both mutants retain a close-to-normal per molecule Na+/HCO3− cotransport activity in Xenopus oocytes, suggesting that they are suitable candidates for folding-correction therapy. However, Q913R expression is uniquely associated with a depolarizing, HCO3− independent, Cl−-conductance in oocytes that could have pathological consequences if expressed in the cells of patients., Abstract Proximal renal tubular acidosis (pRTA) is a rare, recessively-inherited disease characterized by abnormally acidic blood, blindness, as well as below average height and weight. pRTA is typically associated with homozygous mutation of the solute carrier 4 family gene SLC4A4. SLC4A4 encodes the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransporter NBCe1, a membrane protein that acts to maintain intracellular and plasma pH. We present the first description of a case of compound-heterozygous inheritance of pRTA. The individual has inherited two mutations in NBCe1: p.Arg510His (R510H) and p.Gln913Arg (Q913R), one from each parent. In addition to the usual features of pRTA, the patient exhibits unusual signs, such as muscle spasms and fever. We have recreated these mutant transporters for expression in model systems. We find that both of the mutant proteins exhibit substantial intracellular retention when expressed in mammalian renal cell lines. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we find that the R510H and Q913R-mutant NBCe1 molecules exhibit apparently normal Na+/HCO3− cotransport activity but that Q913R is associated with an unusual HCO3− independent anion-leak. We conclude that a reduced accumulation of NBCe1 protein in the basolateral membrane of proximal-tubule epithelia is the most probable cause of pRTA in this case. We further note that the Q913R-associated anion-leak could itself be pathogenic if expressed in the plasma membrane of mammalian cells, compromising the benefit of strategies aiming to enhance mutant NBCe1 accumulation in the plasma membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a hereditary bone disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia. The HPGD gene encoding 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase and SLCO2A1 encoding one type of prostaglandin transporter were found to be responsible for PHO. Mutations of either gene would lead to increased level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which might contribute to the constellation of the symptoms. The aim of the study was to analyze the HPGD gene and the clinical characteristics in nine patients with the diagnosis of PHO. Nine patients, (eight males and one female) including two siblings and seven sporadic cases, were enrolled in the study. Clinical features were summarized, and blood and urine samples were collected. Sanger method was used to sequence the HPGD gene to detect mutations. Urinary PGE2 and prostaglandin metabolite (PGE-M) levels for each patient were measured and compared to the healthy controls. A recurrent c.310_311delCT mutation was identified in all patients, of which six were homozygous, two were heterozygous, and one was compound heterozygous with this mutation and a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.488G>A (p.R163H). The levels of PGE2 in urine were much higher than normal in all patients, along with lower PGE-M levels. In conclusion, nine PHO patients were characterized by typical clinical manifestations including digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia. A common mutation and a novel mutation in HPGD gene were identified to be responsible for the disease, and c.310_311delCT mutation is likely to be a hot-spot mutation site for Asian PHO patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology of through silicon via (TSV) is one of the most promising enablers for 3-D integrated circuit (IC) integration. The embedded TSVs in silicon chips would, however, cause the problem of carrier mobility changes in surrounding devices. There are two objectives in this paper. The first objective is to numerically and experimentally investigate the effect of via-middle Cu TSV on the mobility change of metal–oxide–semiconductor transistors in the wafer-level silicon chips for this 3-D IC integration. The second objective is to further determine the keep-out zone (KOZ) in terms of the key parameters such as the SiO2 layer effect, the zero-stress temperature, the single and array vias, the through and blind vias, silicon material properties, as well as the diameter and pitch of vias. KOZs based on the >10\% change in carrier mobility are identified by finite element numerical calculations associated with the corresponding piezoresistance coefficients. The numerical results of the changes in saturated current are experimentally validated with good agreements. With the results of detailed analyzes using this validated model, the key parameters affecting the KOZs are presented and further discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents a study which examined the design and implementation of a diversified telecare service network based on service oriented architecture (SOA) in Taiwan as of June 2012. Also cited are the Health Care Value-Added Platinum Program being implemented in the country, and the network's use of the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) standard.

The current study reanalyzed 250 electrical fatalities in the construction industry from 1996 to 2002 into seven patterns based on source of electricity (power line, energized equipment, improperly installed or damaged equipment), direct contact or indirect contact through some source of injury (boom vehicle, metal bar or pipe, and other conductive material). Each fatality was coded in terms of age, company size, experience, performing tasks, source of injury, accident cause and hazard pattern. The Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) was applied to the coded data of the fatal electrocution to find a subset of predictors that might derive meaningful classifications or accidents scenarios. A series of Flow Diagrams was constructed based on CHAID result to illustrate the flow of electricity travelling from electrical source to human body. Each of the flow diagrams can be directly linked with feasible prevention strategies by cutting the flow of electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]