Region Of Arm Research Articles

High hydrostatic pressure promotes gene transcription via a cystathionine-β-synthase domain-containing protein in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus yayanosii.

Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) domains are ubiquitously prevalent in all kingdoms of life. Remarkably, in archaea, proteins consisting of solely CBS domains are widespread. However, the biological functions of CBS proteins in archaea are still unknown. Here, we identified a high hydrostatic pressure regulator (HhpR) that comprises four CBS domains serving as a transcriptional activator via specifically binding to the UAS (upstream activating sequence) motif situated within the promoter region of an operon in a hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus yayanosii under high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). By combining molecular dynamics simulations,in vitro and in vivo assays, we revealed the potential binding interfaces between HhpR and its specific DNA binding site. Particularly, one stem-loop region in HhpR (termed as 'Arm') was found to play a critical role in regulating the transcription activity,and the 192 position in the Arm region is an essential site in dictating the conformational changes of HhpR at HHP condition. Our work provides novel insights into the structure-function relationship of CBS-containing proteins that participate in archaeal gene regulation as general transcriptional activators.

The problem of pain in systemic lupus erythematosus: A comprehensive analysis of pain distribution using the CHOIR body map and PROMIS measures.

Our study investigates the associations between pain distribution, biopsychosocial factors, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) measures in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Employing self-reported pain body maps, we aim to characterize the distribution of pain and its impact on biopsychosocial measures. We retrospectively analyzed the electronic health records (EHR) of 332 adult patients with SLE attending pain clinics at an academic medical center. The study included demographics, pain distribution assessed via self-reported body maps, and PROMIS assessments of biopsychosocial experiences. We used linear regression models adjusted for age and sex to investigate associations between pain distribution and PROMIS outcomes. Men, on average, indicated pain in 3.2 regions, whereas women reported pain in 5.6 regions. Women predominantly highlighted the hip, buttock, and leg region, whereas men primarily emphasized the shoulder and arm region. We found a positive correlation between pain widespreadness and worse PROMIS measures, including pain interference, behavior, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and social isolation. Additionally, widespread pain was associated with lower physical function, emotional support, and satisfaction in roles and activities. Female patients reported higher levels of pain and PROMIS measures compared to males. Our findings highlight the multidimensional impact of pain on SLE patients' lives underscoring the need for holistic pain management approaches. The intricate associations between pain distribution and biopsychosocial factors emphasize the importance of considering spatial dimensions of pain in clinical interventions. Further research is warranted to explore effective interventions addressing psychosocial aspects of pain in SLE, aiming to enhance patient symptom management and quality of life.

Stable minichromosome and functional neocentromere derived from rye 7R chromosome arm

BackgroundThe study of newly formed centromere with stable transmission ability can provide theoretical guidance for the construction of artificial chromosomes. More neocentromeres are needed to study the mechanisms of their formation.ResultsIn this study, a minichromosome 7RLmini was derived from the progeny of wheat-rye 7R monosomic addition line. The minichromosome 7RLmini contained subtelomeric tandem repeats pSc119.2 and rye-specific pSc200, and it came from the distal region of the long arm of 7R chromosome. A neocentromere was formed in this minichromosome, and it did not contain centromeric repetitive sequences CCS1 and pAWRC.1. CENH3 ChIP-seq and ssDRIP-seq data confirmed that a 2.4 Mb segment from the rye 7R chromosome was involved in the neocentromere formation and enrichment of R-loops in this region. Within the 2.4 Mb segment, the GC content was higher that of AT, and a major binding position of CENH3 nucleosomes was identified on a 6 kb unknown LTR retrotransposon TE00002448. This unknown LTR retrotransposon was rye-specific and distributed through all the arms of rye chromosomes. The minichromosome exhibited stable generational transmission.ConclusionA minichromosome from rye 7R with neocentromere was obtained in this study and the neocentromere was formed at the position far away from its native equivalent. This minichromosome provides additional material for the research on the mechanism of neocentromere formation. We theorize that R-loops and transposable element might be involved in the positioning of CENH3 nucleosomes in a functional neocentromere.

Ultrasound Examination of Skin, Fasciae and Subcutaneous Tissue: Optimizing Rehabilitation for Secondary Upper Limb Lymphedema.

Lymphedema represents a frequent cause of disability for patients undergoing oncological treatments and, being a chronic, non-reversible pathology, requires targeted and continuous rehabilitation treatments. To date, the studies available on the use of ultrasound in patients with lymphedema mainly report descriptive data; therefore, with this study, we wanted to describe in a more objective way the typical ultrasound alterations found in these patients, measuring the thickness of the different superficial structures, and defining subcutis echogenicity. 14 patients affected by secondary lymphedema of the upper limbs were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study (12 had breast cancer and 2 with melanoma as their primary diagnosis). All patients were classified as stage II according to the ISL classification. Patients were examined between March and July 2023 with a clinical and an ultrasound evaluation. Ultrasound evaluation was performed following a protocol and took into consideration thickness of the cutis, subcutis, superficial and deep fascia, and subcutis echogenicity. The cutis of the affected limbs was thicker in the distal anterior region of the arm and throughout the anterior region of the forearm. The subcutaneous tissue was thicker in the posterior region of the distal arm and throughout the forearm, including the dorsum of the hand and excluding only the proximal posterior region of the forearm. Fascial structures did not demonstrate statistically significant differences in thickness between pathological and healthy limbs, despite undergoing significant changes from a qualitative point of view (loss of the trilaminar skin appearance and the development of anechoic areas due to fluid accumulation around the hyperechoic adipose lobule). A statistically significant difference in the echogenicity of subcutaneous tissue was found at the distal anterior region of the arm and at the entire anterior forearm. High-resolution ultrasound has been confirmed to be a tool capable of supporting the diagnosis of lymphedema and identifying the most compromised regions of the limb. A tailored rehabilitation plan can be developed based on the non-uniform alterations in subcutaneous tissue, where some areas are affected earlier than others. This compartmentalization should be considered in lymphedema staging and management. Ultrasound may provide early detection of these changes, guiding a more precise therapeutic approach.

Developing an observational technique for agricultural ergonomics risk assessment (AERA)

Background Ergonomics risk assessment tools are vital for evaluating awkward postures in various industries, with a primary focus on biomechanical factors. However, existing observational techniques often fail to meet specific postural loading criteria or are inadequate to establish validity, especially in agricultural settings. Enhancements in these tools have been guided by extensive literature reviews. Objective This study aimed to develop a new assessment tool, the Agricultural Ergonomics Risk Assessment (AERA), by utilizing electromyography (EMG) to classify postural loads and prioritize risks. Method This paper describes an experimental study utilizing EMG to analyze postural loads, emphasizing biomechanical factors and including an evaluation of individual and occupational risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The validity and reliability of AERA were assessed by five experts and thirty evaluators. Results The study revealed strong effects of varying loads and postures on muscle activation. A key finding was the application of biomechanical factors to assess risk levels associated with awkward postures, especially regarding the prevalence of MSD in the neck, trunk, and arm regions. The evaluation indicated a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.97 for precision in content validity of risk assessment criteria. Reliability tests comparing AERA with OWAS, RULA, and REBA yielded Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.99, 0.84, 0.93, and 0.88, respectively. Conclusion AERA's evaluation criteria incorporating specific and comprehensive risk factors produced the highest levels of test-retest reliability, making it a valuable screening tool for the agricultural sector.

Unilateral Extragenital Lichen Sclerosus Following Blaschko's Lines.

Lichen sclerosus is a chronic, immune-mediated dermatologic disorder primarily affecting the genital skin. Extragenital lichen sclerosus is rare, especially in men. We present a case of ELS in a 23-year-old male with lesions on the left upper extremity that had persisted for seven years. Over time, the lesions gradually spread to the left upper arm and scapular region. These lesions followed a band-like distribution along Blaschko's lines, without associated pruritus or pain. This unusual presentation posed a diagnostic challenge, highlighting the rarity of such manifestations.

Karyotypes and chromosomal mapping of some repetitive DNAs in two stingless bee species (Apidae: Meliponini), with the description of a B chromosome in Plebeia genus.

Cytogenetic studies on stingless bees have significantly contributed to our understanding of karyotypic evolution and the composition of euchromatin and heterochromatin regions, including repetitive sequences. In this study, we performed classical cytogenetics, chromosomal banding, and mapping of some repetitive sequences in two stingless bee species, Frieseomelitta trichocerata and Plebeia poecilochroa. The species exhibit the typical diploid chromosome number of each genera, 2n=30 for Frieseomelitta and 2n=34 for Plebeia. Additionally, some individuals of P. poecilochroa presented a small heterochromatic B chromosome, showing a numeric variation of n=17 to 18 in males and 2n=34 to 35 in females. In both species heterochromatin is primarily distributed in the short arm and centromeric regions. Centromeric regions were found to be AT-rich in both species, while subterminal/terminal regions of the short arms of one and six chromosomes presented GC-rich sites in P. poecilochroa and F. trichocerata, respectively. The rDNA clusters mapped on two chromosome pairs in F. trichocerata, and in only one in P. poecilochroa. Microsatellites (GA)n, (GAG)n, and (CAA)n were predominantly mapped in euchromatic regions, while the telomeric motif (TTAGG)n mapped to the ends of most chromosomes, including the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. The other repetitive probes used, including the rDNA clusters, do not label the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. Our cytogenetic data highlight both similarities and differences when compared to other congeneric species, expanding the chromosomal data for both genera.

Evaluating the feasibility of upper arm ECG for cardiac monitoring

Abstract Background Ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring is essential for detecting paroxysmal cardiac events and tracking long-term physiological parameters. However, traditional Holter devices are cumbersome, restrict movement, and can cause skin irritation, resulting in sub-optimal patient compliance during extended monitoring periods. Wearable devices utilizing non-conventional form factors are emerging as promising non-intrusive alternatives for ECG monitoring. Purpose To determine the optimal location for single-lead ECG acquisition on the upper arm and assess the feasibility of using dry electrode armbands for cardiac monitoring when coupled with robust ECG processing software. Methods Stationary ECGs from 20 healthy adult participants were recorded across a two-phase data collection protocol and processed with clinically validated ECG software. In the first phase, the average signal amplitudes of wet-electrode ECGs obtained from 30 different configurations across the mid-brachial and proximal-brachial regions of the upper arm were assessed. In the second, the performance of two proprietary dry-electrode armbands, featuring either a single-point or three-point electrode strap, were evaluated on the optimal upper arm configuration using QRS detection and heart rate (HR) metrics. Comparative analysis was performed throughout using data simultaneously acquired on a gold standard Holter device in modified lead III (MLIII) configuration. Performance metrics were calculated relative to manually generated signal annotations. Results Wet-electrode-acquired ECGs from the proximal-brachial region exhibited significantly higher average signal amplitudes (0.12 ± 0.06 mV) compared to those from the mid-brachial region (0.05 ± 0.04 mV) of the upper arm (p < 0.05). The optimal configuration (A-F), positioned at the lateral and medial extents of the proximal-brachial region, demonstrated comparable average signal amplitudes (0.16 ± 0.07 mV, 0.16 ± 0.06 mV, 0.19 ± 0.08 mV) for single-point dry, three-point dry, and wet-electrode setups, respectively. Upon processing with ECG software, data from optimal dry-electrode configurations showed excellent average QRS sensitivity and specificity of 98.2% and 98.9% for the one-point strap, and 98.9% and 99.8% for the three-point strap, respectively. HR metrics from the optimized dry-electrode setups were comparable in accuracy to those derived from the reference Holter device, with the average HR error being similar across the three-point dry electrode strap (0.57% ± 0.28%), one-point dry electrode strap (1.16% ± 1.46%), and Holter device (0.74% ± 1.50%). Conclusion(s) Optimized upper arm single-lead ECG with dry electrodes can yield signals with sufficient amplitude and quality for automated ECG analysis. Coupled with robust ECG signal processing software, the cardiac metrics obtained from the optimized upper arm setups exhibited comparable performance to those derived from medical Holter data.

Research on Obstacle-Avoidance Trajectory Planning for Drill and Anchor Materials Handling by a Mechanical Arm on a Coal Mine Drilling and Anchoring Robot.

At present, China's coal mine permanent tunneling support commonly uses mechanized drilling and anchoring equipment; there are low support efficiency, labor intensity, and other issues. In order to further improve the support efficiency and liberate productivity, this paper further researches the trajectory planning of the drilling and anchoring materials of the robotic arm for the drilling machine "grasping-carrying-loading-unloading" on the basis of the drilling and anchoring robotic system designed by the team in the previous stage. Firstly, the kinematic model of the robotic arm with material was established by improving the D-H parameter method. Then, the working space of the robotic arm with the material was analyzed using the Monte Carlo method. The singular bit-shaped region of the robotic arm was restricted, and obstacles were removed from the working space. The inverse kinematics was utilized to solve the feasible domain of the robotic arm with material. Secondly, in order to avoid blind searching, the guidance of the Bi-RRT algorithm was improved by adding the target guidance factor, and the two-way tree connection strategy for determining the feasible domain was combined with the Bi-RRT algorithm's feasible domain judgment bi-directional tree connection strategy to improve the convergence speed of the Bi-RRT algorithm. Then, in order to adapt to the dynamic environment and avoid the global planning algorithm from falling into the local minima, on the basis of the above planning methods, an improved Bi-RRT trajectory planning algorithm incorporating the artificial potential field was proposed, which takes the planned paths as the guiding potential field of the artificial potential field to make full use of the global information and avoid falling into the local minimization. Finally, a simulation environment was built in a ROS environment to compare and analyze the planning effect of different algorithms. The simulation results showed that the improved Bi-RRT trajectory planning algorithm incorporating the artificial potential field improved the optimization speed by 69.8% and shortened the trajectory length by 46.6% compared with the traditional RRT algorithm.

What is the True Karyotype of <i>Bufotes latastii</i> (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae)?

The karyotype is one of the most important characteristics of an animal species and can be very useful for identifying taxa. The chromosome sets of the West Himalayan endemic Ladakh toad, Bufotes latastii, were previously described in several papers, but differed greatly from each other. To deal with these contradictions, we re-examined the karyotype of B. latastii from India and compared it with the sets of chromosomes of the most morphologically similar toad species inhabiting East Asia. It turned out that the diploid set of B. latastii consists of 22 chromosomes (2n = 22; NF = 44), of which six pairs are large and five are small. As a rule, the 4th, 5th, and 7th pairs of chromosomes are submetacentric and all the others are metacentric. The chromosomal formula is 2n = 16 m + + 6 sm = 22. The nucleolar organizers (NOR) in B. latastii are located on the long arms of submetacentric chromosomes of the 5th pair, which greatly distinguishes this species from most diploid species of the genus Bufotes. Karyotypes of two other studied species (Duttaphrynus stomaticus and Strauchbufo raddei), which can be morphologically similar to B. latastii, also consist of 22 chromosomes (2n = 22; NF = 44) of which six pairs are large and five are small, but there is only a pair of submetacentric chromosomes (2n = 20 m + 2 sm = 22). The most notable differences between these three species were in the position of NORs. In B. latastii they were located in the telomeric region of the long arm of the 5th pair, in D. stomaticus in the submedial region of the short arm of the 7th pair, and in S. raddei in the telomeric region of the short arm of the 4th pair. Discriminant analyses of the relative length of chromosomes and centromeric indices also revealed significant differences between the karyotypes of these three species. Our study made it possible to clearly distinguish B. latastii from D. stomaticus and S. raddei by karyotype characteristics. This may be important if it is necessary to identify East Asian morphologically similar toad species.

Changes in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition scores in females following exercise-induced body fluid redistribution

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine changes in dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition scores in females following exercise-induced body fluid redistribution. Methods: Thirty females completed sessions of upper-body exercise (UBE), lower-body exercise (LBE), and a seated control (NEC), and body composition was assessed before and after sessions. ANOVA computed interactions between experimental conditions and body composition measurements. Results: For the arms region, fat tissue showed mean differences for NEC (M = 0.56 ± 0.20%; p = 0.009) and UBE (M = 0.68 ± 0.18%; p = 0.001). The fat region showed mean differences for NEC (M = 0.54 ± 0.19%; p = 0.007) and UBE (M = 0.59 ± 0.17%; p = 0.002). The UBE showed mean differences for tissue (M = 0.24 ± 0.03 kg; p ≤ 0.0001), lean mass (M = 0.19 ± 0.02 kg; p ≤ 0.0001), and total mass (M = 0.24 ± 0.03 kg; p ≤ 0.0001). The legs region showed for UBE a mean difference for fat tissue (M = 0.32 ± 0.14%; p = 0.025), fat region (M = 0.31 ± 0.13%; p = 0.026), and lean mass (M = 0.17 ± 0.07 kg; p = 0.021). For the total body region, significant mean differences were found for UBE (M = 0.11 ± 0.02 kg; p ≤ 0.0001) and LBE (M = 0.20 ± 0.03 kg; p ≤ 0.0001). Total mass for UBE (M = 0.14 ± 0.03 kg; p ≤ 0.0001) and LBE (M = 0.21 ± 0.03kg; p ≤ 0.0001) showed significant mean differences. Reliability scores were high within experimental conditions (CV = 0.17% to 3.76%). Conclusion: Exercise-induced body fluid redistribution in females elicited small and reliable changes in body composition scores.

Azoospermia factor gene microdeletions in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia and normal karyotype: First case-control study from Kashmir

BackgroundMicro-deletions in the Y chromosome are recognized as the causative factor for male infertility. The prevalence of Y chromosome micro-deletions exhibits variation among infertile males across different areas and races globally. The study of Y chromosome micro- deletions is crucial among genetic variables owing to their ability to transmit genetic defects to the progeny. Microdeletion of the azoospermia factor (AZF) region associated with the long arm of the Y chromosome (Yq) has three sub-regions (AZFa, AZFb, and AZFc) that play an important role in spermatogenesis. The genes associated with the AZF region of the Y chromosome are believed to play a crucial role in the process of spermatogenesis by performing several activities such as gene silencing, transcription, ubiquitination, and maintenance of microtubule networks. Due to the absence of epidemiological research on Y chromosome micro-deletions in ethnic infertile male population of Kashmir, our study sought to examine the Y chromosome micro-deletions among non-obstructive azospermic infertile men in Kashmir. ObjectiveThe research was aimed to establish the frequency and characteristics of micro-deletions in the AZF region of Y chromosome in infertile males of our population with non-obstructive Azoospermia and normal Karyotype. MethodsA total of 120 subjects were included in the study. Samples from 60 male patients with fertility issues (non-obstructive azoospermia) and an equal number of samples from normal men having established fatherhood (biological fathers) were taken for the study. The average age in years of cases and controls were 32.80 and 34.88 respectively. A total of 26.66 % of cases and 13.33 % of controls were found to be consanguineous, 36.66 % of cases and 40 % of controls were urban while 63.33 % of cases and 60 % of controls were from rural population. Molecular analysis was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using sequence tagged sites (STS) from 3 different regions of AZF of Y chromosome. To assess the frequency of AZF micro-deletions, molecular analysis was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using sequence tagged sites (STS) from 3 different regions of the Y chromosome (sY84 and sY86 for AZFa region; sY127 and sY134 for AZFb; sY254 and sY255 for AZFc region). ResultsIn the present study a total of 9 out of 60 cases (15 %) were found to have Y chromosome micro- deletions in AZF region of Yq arm. The most frequent micro deletions were observed in AZFb region, 8 out of 60 cases (13.33 %) from AZFb region were found to have deletions.5 out of 60 cases (8.33 %) were reported with deletions associated to AZFc region region and 6.66 % of cases were found to harbor deletions in both AZFb and AZFc region. However no deletion was reported in the AZFa region in all the studied cases. No micro-deletions were reported in the controls during the study. ConclusionThe study represents the first report on the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men from our population. The findings from the present study indicate the prevalence of these gene microdeletions as a major contributing factor to the etiology of infertility in males. This study emphasizes that the multiplex PCR based screening is a reliable method in ruling Y chromosome micro deletions as a factor in the pathogenicity of male infertility and recommends genetic testing prior to planning of any reproductive assistance.

Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Analysis of Oligonucleotide 5S Ribosomal DNA, 45S Ribosomal DNA, and (TTTAGGG)3 Locations in Gloriosa superba L.

Introduction: Gloriosa superba L. is a horticulturally and medicinally important plant native to Africa. However, the few cytogenetic studies of the species are mainly focused on chromosome counting and chromosome morphology-based karyotyping. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a powerful tool for the detection of DNA repetitive elements in a specific region of a chromosome. Methods: Here, detailed karyotypes of G. superba were constructed by FISH using 5S and 45S rDNAs, and telomeric repeat (TTTAGGG)3 oligonucleotides. Results and Conclusion: Twenty-two chromosomes were observed. Two 5S rDNA hybridization signals were detected in the proximal regions of the short arms of one pair of chromosomes, which were adjacent to the (TTTAGGG)3 terminal signals. Four 45S rDNA signals were detected near the centromere region of the short arm of the four chromosomes, but one of these was very weak and almost undetectable compared to the others. Telomeric repeat hybridization signals were distributed at the terminal region of each chromosome. The chromosomes displayed were intact, and the chromosome counts were accurate. Chromosome length ranged from 3.46 to 9.31 μm. These results will facilitate the cytogenetic mapping of other major repeats, thus contributing to an improved understanding of the G. superba genome structure and evolutionary history.

Молекулярно-генетический анализ персональных культур клеток увеальной меланомы

Relevance. Uveal melanoma (UM) is a subtype of melanoma that represents the majority of adult ocular cancers. The rare frequency of the disease does not allow to conduct large-scale clinical trials of new agents and approaches, which limits progress in its treatment. Half of patients with UM develop metastatic forms of the disease, which generally have unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, personal cell cultures derived from tumor material of patients are relevant for determining molecular and genetic features of tumor melanocytes and for testing new antitumor drugs. Purpose. To evaluate the aggressiveness of choroidal melanoma by molecular and genetic characterization of melanocytes isolated from the tumor. Material and methods. The study was performed using personal cultures of human UM cells. Karyotyping of cells was performed by GTG staining analysis of the metaphase plates, mutational burden was assessed by NGS sequencing, protein products were evaluated by western blotting. Results. In this work, three personal cultures of human UM cells, uMel1, uMel3 and uMel5, cultured for at least 22 passages, were obtained from tumor material of patients diagnosed with UM for the analysis of molecular and genetic characteristics. Since the development of the metastatic form of UM correlates with chromosomal alterations in tumor melanocytes, karyotyping was performed, which showed that in all cultures, most cells had a near-diploid phenotype. Only in uMel1 and uMel3 cells were chromosomal rearrangements specific for UM – in chromosomes 3, 6, and 8. In uMel5 cells, a deletion was found in the region of the long arm of chromosome 11. In addition, the patient with uMel5 tumor had a history of skin melanoma, for which the typical somatic mutation profile differs from that of UM. Somatic mutations in hotspots of ALK, BRAF, EGFR, HER2, IL17RA, KRAS, METand NRASgenes were analyzed by NGS-sequencing method. No mutations were detected at the tested loci in cells from all cultures tested. Analysis of tumor suppressor BAP1 (BRCA-associated protein) showed its low level in uMel3 and uMel5 cell cultures, which may indicate a high risk of metastasis. Conclusion. The obtained personalized cultures of UM cells are models that allow in vitroand in vivoinvestigation of UM with different molecular and genetic signatures. Key words: uveal melanoma, personalized cell cultures, karyotype, BAP1, BRAF, NGS-sequencing

Effects of hot isostatic pressing on the micron-scale residual stress of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys

Quantifying the residual stress at micron-scale is crucial for comprehending the trans- and inter-granular deformation mechanisms and the influence of heat treatment, but remains technically challenging. This study utilized focused ion beam and digital image correlation (FIB-DIC) techniques to assess residual stress within the dendrite stem and arm of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys. The influence of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the microstructure and residual stress was also elucidated. Our results revealed that the residual stresses in the dendrite stem and arm regions manifest as tensile stress along the x-axis and compressive stress along the y-axis, with a range of -720 MPa to 680 MPa. HIP treatment effectively improved microstructure and regulated residual stress in nickel-based single-crystal superalloys, leading to a rapid reduction in residual stress levels. The present study lays a solid theoretical groundwork for optimizing processing strategies to regulate residual stress and enhance mechanical properties in next-generation single-crystal superalloys.

The Role of Spiral Arms in Galaxies

We test the influence of spiral arms on the star formation activity of disk galaxies by constructing and fitting multiwavelength spectral energy distributions for the two nearby spiral galaxies NGC 628 and NGC 4321, at a spatial scale of 1–1.5 kpc. Recent results in the literature support the “gatherers” picture, i.e., that spiral arms gather material but do not trigger star formation. However, ambiguities in the diagnostics used to measure star formation rates (SFRs) and other quantities have hampered attempts at reaching definite conclusions. We approach this problem by utilizing the physical parameters output of the Multi-wavelength Analysis of Galaxy Physical Properties fitting code, which we apply to the ultraviolet-to-far infrared photometry, in ≥20 bands, of spatially resolved regions in the two galaxies. We separate the regions into arm and interarm, and study the distributions of the specific SFRs (sSFR = SFR/M star), stellar ages, and star formation efficiencies (SFE = SFR/M gas). We find that the distributions of these parameters in the arm regions are almost indistinguishable from those in the interarm regions, with typical differences of a factor of 2 or less in the medians. These results support the “gatherer” scenario of spiral arms, which we plan to test with a larger sample in the near future.

First Karyotype Description for Acanthognathus rudis Brown & Kempf, 1969 (Formicidae: Myrmicinae) with Notes on Its Natural History

The trap-jaw ant Acanthognathus Mayr (Myrmicinae: Dacetina) has been subject of various studies since 1969, but there has been no progress in its cytogenetics. This study describes provides the first karyotype description of a representative of the genus, A. rudis, including chromosomal number, morphology, and the distribution of repetitive sequences. A colony collected in Southeastern Brazil exhibited a diploid number of 2n = 14 (12 metacentrics + 2 submetacentrics), the lowest number among the Daceton genus-group and the first Neotropical representative of this group to be karyologically studied. The rDNA clusters were located in the pericentromeric region of a single chromosome pair, (GA)n blocks were present only in the terminal regions of both chromosome arms in the euchromatic regions, and (TTAGG)n hybridized with the telomeres of all chromosomes, without interstitial telomeric sites. The repetitive sequence patterns align with those observed in other Neotropical Formicidae. Additionally, we documented new behavioral aspects of mandible use in A. rudis workers and provided the first images of its immature stages. These findings emphasize the need for further research on Acanthognathus and the other Daceton genus-group.

Fluorescence assay for aflatoxin B1 based on aptamer-binding triggered DNAzyme activity.

As a kind of mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is often found in agricultural products, poses a threat to human health. Developing asimple sensitive method for AFB1 detection is in great demand. Here, we reported an aptamer-based fluorescence assay for AFB1 detection by using DNAzyme to generate and amplify asignal. We redesigned a pair of DNA sequences, which originated from the anti-AFB1 aptamer and RNA-cleaving DNAzyme 10-23. In the absence of AFB1, the aptamer hybridized with the region of thesubstrate-binding arm of the DNAzyme, inhibiting the activity of theDNAzyme. In the presence of AFB1, the binding of AFB1 to theaptamer led to the displacement of theDNAzyme from theaptamer. The substrate-binding arm was unblocked, and the activity of theDNAzyme was restored for the hydrolysis of thefluorophore and quencher-labeled substrate, causing asignificant fluorescence increase. This assay could detect AFB1 in the dynamic range from 0.98 to 2000nmol/L with high selectivity, and the detection limit was 0.98nmol/L. Moreover, the assay was able to detect AFB1 in acomplex sample matrix. This work provides a useful tool for the analysis of AFB1.

Smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders in students

Objective: Smartphone addiction may lead to many health issues. Excessive smartphone usage has been linked to musculoskeletal disorders and sleep problems. We aimed to examine the correlation between smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders. Materials and Methods: 60 university students were included in the study. Individuals' smartphone addiction, sleep quality and musculoskeletal disorders were evaluated with the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), respectively. Results: There was a weak correlation between SAS and PSQI’s sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction subscales, PSQI total score, and CMDQ’s lower extremity and spine subscales (p=0.021; p=0.020; p=0.008; p=0.008; p=0.029; p=0.019). There was a well correlation between SAS and CMDQ’s upper extremity subscale and CMDQ total score (p=0.001) Conclusion: It was concluded that as smartphone addiction increases in students, musculoskeletal disorders increase. Smartphone addiction was particularly associated with the neck, shoulder, back, upper arm, wrist and hip regions. It was also concluded that smartphone addiction worsens sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction and general sleep quality.

Nociceptive Pain in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.

Muscle pain is a common symptom in patients with neuromuscular disorders (NMD) and accounts for severely reduced quality of life. OBJECTIVE: This clinical study aimed to observe possible differences in pain prevalence among distinct NMDs and to determine whether the patients' nociceptive pain is influenced by gender, muscle strength and psychological factors and to examine potential pain-associated alterations in muscle properties. The cross-sectional study on nociceptive pain in various NMDs involved patient-reported outcomes, muscle strength evaluations (dynamometry and quick motor function test (QMFT)), nociceptive pain evaluations (muscular pressure pain threshold (PPT)), and non-invasive measurement of muscle stiffness, frequency, decrement, relaxation, and creep (myotonometry). Involving 81 NMD patients and a control group, the study found high variability in pain prevalence among the subgroups. Patients with DM2 and FSHD had significantly higher levels of pain prevalence compared to other examined NMD subgroups and the control group. Female gender, high fatigue levels (representing factors such as depression, anxiety, stress, and impairment of quality of life), and low QMFT scores (representing reduced muscle strength) showed an association with increased sensitivity to pressure pain in the arm and leg region. As assessed by myotonometry, less pain is experienced in neck muscles with a high muscle tone, high stiffness, and a short relaxation time highlighting the importance of intrinsic muscular tone for their pressure pain sensitivity. Individualized therapeutic concepts including psychological and physical approaches in the pain management of patients with NMDs, especially in women, should be considered. Further research in this field is necessary to gain a more detailed insight into the perception of muscle pain.