Integer linear programming formulations for treewidth

In this paper we consider an ILP-based approach to tackle the problem of determining a treewidth of the graph. We give an overview of existing attempts and develop further LP-based techniques for the problem. We present two different ILP formulations for the treewidth. To obtain the first one we merge the chordalization-based ILP by Koster and Bodlaender and flow metrics approach by Bornstein and Vempala. The second brand-new ILP is based on the structural properties of the tree-decomposition. It has a nice application of the local branching techniques by Fischetti and Lodi.mathematical applications;

The epidemiology of excess mortality in people with mental illness

Objective: To investigate the burden of excess mortality among people with mental illness in developed countries, how it is distributed, and whether it has changed over time. Method: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, restricting our attention to peer-reviewed studies and reviews published in English relating to mortality and mental illness. Because of the large number of studies that have been undertaken during the last 30 years, we have selected a representative cross-section of studies for inclusion in our review. Results: There is substantial excess mortality in people with mental illness for almost all psychiatric disorders and all main causes of death. Consistently elevated rates have been observed across settings and over time. The highest numbers of excess deaths are due to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. With life expectancy increasing in the general population, the disparity in mortality outcomes for people with mental illness is increasing. Conclusions: Without the development of alternative approaches to promoting and treating the physical health of people with mental illness, it is possible that the disparity in mortality outcomes will persist

Erythrocyte Senescent Markers by Flow Cytometry

Background: Mature red blood cells lack protein synthesis and are unable to restore inactivated enzymes, damaged cytoskeleton and membrane proteins. An oxidation breakdown of band 3 is probably part of the mechanism leading to the generation of a senescent cell antigen. This specific signal serves for the clearance of RBCs by inducing the binding of autologous IgG and C3, leading to phagocytosis. In addition, phosphatidilserin molecules appear in the outer membrane and the CD47 expression diminishes. Methods: Erythrocytes of different ages from whole blood were studied by flow cytometry analysing light scatter proprieties, binding of autologous IgG, C3 complement deposits, externalization of phosphatidylserine and CD47 expression. Dot-plot analysis based on forward scatter versus side scatter parameters showed two RBCs populations of different sizes and density. RBCs were further incubated with Alexa 488 IgG, APC-anti-C3, PE-annexin-V and PE-CD47. The comparison of the values obtained for the different variables studied in SeRBC and YRBC populations was carried out by the Student t-test for matched samples or by the Wilcoxon test (after verification of the normality assumption). Results: The percentage of IgG and C3 positive cells was significantly higher in senescent red blood cells population. The fraction of annexin-V positive RBCs was also larger in SeRBCs while the CD47 expression was lower in this population. Conclusions: These results indicate that flow cytometry allow differenciation of erythrocytes populations of different ages, turning this tool into an useful alternative option to study erythrocyte aging process. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the process and mechanisms involved in erythrocyte senescence process.Fil: Ensinck, María Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Luján Brajovich, Melina Eliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: García Borrás, Silvia Estela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Cotorruelo, Carlos Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Biondi, Claudia Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentin

Polar protein Wag31 both activates and inhibits cell wall metabolism at the poles and septum

Mycobacterial cell elongation occurs at the cell poles; however, it is not clear how cell wall insertion is restricted to the pole or how it is organized. Wag31 is a pole-localized cytoplasmic protein that is essential for polar growth, but its molecular function has not been described. In this study we used alanine scanning mutagenesis to identify Wag31 residues involved in cell morphogenesis. Our data show that Wag31 helps to control proper septation as well as new and old pole elongation. We have identified key amino acid residues involved in these essential functions. Enzyme assays revealed that Wag31 interacts with lipid metabolism by modulating acyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) activity. We show that Wag31 does not control polar growth by regulating the localization of cell wall precursor enzymes to the Intracellular Membrane Domain, and we also demonstrate that phosphorylation of Wag31 does not substantively regulate peptidoglycan metabolism. This work establishes new regulatory functions of Wag31 in the mycobacterial cell cycle and clarifies the need for new molecular models of Wag31 function.Habibi Arejan N, Ensinck D, Diacovich L, Patel PB, Quintanilla SY, Emami Saleh A, Gramajo H and Boutte CC (2023) Polar protein Wag31 both activates and inhibits cell wall metabolism at the poles and septum. Front. Microbiol. 13:1085918. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1085918Fil: Habibi Arejan, Neda. University of Texas at Arlington. Department of Biology; United States.Fil: Patel, Parthvi Bharatkumar. University of Texas at Arlington. Department of Biology; United States.Fil: Quintanilla, Samantha Y. University of Texas at Arlington. Department of Biology; United States.Fil: Boutte, Cara C. University of Texas at Arlington. Department of Biology; United States.Fil: Ensinck, Delfina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET). Laboratory of Physiology and Genetics of Actinomycetes; Argentina.Fil: Diacovich, Lautaro. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET). Laboratory of Physiology and Genetics of Actinomycetes; Argentina.Fil: Gramajo, Hugo Cesar. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR-CONICET). Laboratory of Physiology and Genetics of Actinomycetes; Argentina.Fil: Emami Saleh, Arash. University of Texas at Arlington. Department of Civil Engineering; United States

Validation of Retrospective Measurements of Alcohol Consumption Through Alcohol Consumption Diaries

Se analizó la correspondencia entre estimaciones de consumo de alcohol obtenidas mediante mediciones retrospectivas (Cuestionario de Consumo de Alcohol —CCA—) y un Diario de Consumo. Participaron 134 jóvenes de la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina (M edad = 23,31, DE = 3,18) que reportaron diariamente y por 60 días su consumo de alcohol. Al final del primer y segundo mes, completaron el CCA con preguntas que medían retrospectivamente conductas de consumo de alcohol durante los 30 y 60 días previos, el Cuestionario de Identificación de Patrón Perjudicial de Consumo de Alcohol y el Cuestionario de Consecuencias del Consumo de Alcohol en Jóvenes Adultos. La recolección de datos se hizo mediante encuestas online, por lo que la muestra fue no probabilística por conveniencia. Se examinó la correlación entre las estimaciones obtenidas mediante el Diario de Consumo y aquellas obtenidas retrospectivamente (CCA). Los resultados mostraron, en general, una alta correlación entre estas estimaciones. Las correlaciones entre las estimaciones de cantidad (≥ 0,75), frecuencia usual (≥ 0,64) y frecuencia de consumo hasta la ebriedad (≥ 0,74) tuvieron un tamaño del efecto grande, tanto para los datos del primer como del segundo mes. La mayor correspondencia se encontró para las estimaciones de cantidad usual (0,77). Este estudio aporta evidencia sobre la validez de las estimaciones retrospectivas del consumo de alcohol, al mismo tiempo que se enfatiza la importancia de utilizar indicadores de consumo usual y riesgoso de alcohol en periodos temporales recientes.The present study aimed to analyze the correspondence between estimates of alcohol consumption obtained through retrospective measurements (Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire—ACQ—) and an Alcohol Consumption Diary. A sample of 134 young people (M age = 23.31 years, SD = 3.18) from Cordoba, Argentina, reported their alcohol consumption daily over a 60-day period. At the end of the first and second month, the participants completed the ACQ, which measures alcohol use retrospectively during the last 30 and 60 days. The participants also completed the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire. Data collection was done through online surveys, so the sample was non-probabilistic (i.e., a convenience sample). The correlation between estimates obtained through the Alcohol Consumption Diary and those obtained retrospectively (ACQ) was examined. Overall, these estimates were found to be strongly correlated. The correlations between estimates of quantity (≥ 0.75), usual frequency (≥ 0.64), and frequency of consumption until drunkenness (≥ 0.74) had a large effect size for both the first- and second-month data. The greatest correspondence was found between estimates of usual quantity (0.77). This study provides evidence on the validity of retrospective estimates of alcohol consumption while also emphasizing the importance of using indicators of usual and hazardous alcohol consumption in recent time periods.Fil: Pilatti, Angelina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Ensinck Atienza, Maria Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Rivarola Montejano, Gabriela Belen. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Psicología; Argentin

Identifying the research, advocacy, policy and implementation needs for the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in low- and middle-income countries

Introduction: The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children disproportionately occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PROUD (Preventing RespiratOry syncytial virUs in unDerdeveloped countries) Taskforce of 24 RSV worldwide experts assessed key needs for RSV prevention in LMICs, including vaccine and newer preventive measures. Methods: A global, survey-based study was undertaken in 2021. An online questionnaire was developed following three meetings of the Taskforce panellists wherein factors related to RSV infection, its prevention and management were identified using iterative questioning. Each factor was scored, by non-panellists interested in RSV, on a scale of zero (very-low-relevance) to 100 (very-high-relevance) within two scenarios: (1) Current and (2) Future expectations for RSV management. Results: Ninety questionnaires were completed: 70 by respondents (71.4% physicians; 27.1% researchers/scientists) from 16 LMICs and 20 from nine high-income (HI) countries (90.0% physicians; 5.0% researchers/scientists), as a reference group. Within LMICs, RSV awareness was perceived to be low, and management was not prioritised. Of the 100 factors scored, those related to improved diagnosis particularly access to affordable point-of-care diagnostics, disease burden data generation, clinical and general education, prompt access to new interventions, and engagement with policymakers/payers were identified of paramount importance. There was a strong need for clinical education and local data generation in the lowest economies, whereas upper-middle income countries were more closely aligned with HI countries in terms of current RSV service provision. Conclusion: Seven key actions for improving RSV prevention and management in LMICs are proposed