bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammasome signaling proteins as biomarkers of COVID-19
Authors: Hadad Roey , Keane Robert W. , de Rivero Vaccari Juan Pablo
Published: April 2023

Introduction

One of the main characteristics of COVID-19 is an exacerbated inflammatory response that results in cardiometabolic complications and dysfunction in the nervous system. Moreover, these complications may extend beyond the period of active SARS-CoV2 infection and even extend over a year. Thus, it is important to better understand the contribution of the inflammatory responses in COVID-19 patients, not just in the acute phase but also after the infection has subsided.

Methods

We measured the protein levels of inflammasome signaling proteins using Simple Plex microfluidics technology in patients with an active SARS-CoV2 infection and in recovered patients to determine their potential use as biomarkers of COVID-19. We carried out statistical analyses to identify which proteins were increased in COVID-19 patients with active infection and in recovered patients. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) were calculated for each analyte to determine their potential fit as biomarkers.

Results

The inflammasome proteins caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 were elevated in the plasma of patients with active infection and remained elevated after the infection was resolved for approximately 2 months after. Levels of caspase-1 and ASC continued to increase long after patients had recovered from the infection. Furthermore, when measuring biomarkers of inflammation during active infection, analyses with area under the curve (AUC) values above 0.75 indicated that caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 are reliable biomarkers of the inflammatory response during active COVID-19 infection. Moreover, when measuring biomarkers of inflammation after recovery from active infection, caspase-1 and ASC presented AUC values above 0.9.

Discussion

These findings indicate that inflammasome signaling proteins can be used to reliably monitor the inflammatory innate immune response in COVID-19 patients.
Combination of machine learning-based bulk and single-cell genomics reveals necroptosis-related molecular subtypes and immunological features in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Liu Lichun , Fu Qingxian , Ding Huaili , Jiang Hua , Zhan Zhidong , Lai Yongxing
Published: April 2023

Background

Necroptosis is a novel form of controlled cell death that contributes to the progression of various illnesses. Nonetheless, the function and significance of necroptosis in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) remain unknown and require further investigation.

Methods

We utilized single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) data to assess the expression patterns of necroptosis in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on 159 necroptosis-related genes. We identified differentially expressed NRGs and used an unsupervised clustering approach to divide ASD children into distinct molecular subgroups. We also evaluated immunological infiltrations and immune checkpoints using the CIBERSORT algorithm. Characteristic NRGs, identified by the LASSO, RF, and SVM-RFE algorithms, were utilized to construct a risk model. Moreover, functional enrichment, immune infiltration, and CMap analysis were further explored. Additionally, external validation was performed using RT-PCR analysis.

Results

Both snRNA-seq and bulk transcriptome data demonstrated a greater necroptosis score in ASD children. Among these cell subtypes, excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and endothelials displayed the highest activity of necroptosis. Children with ASD were categorized into two subtypes of necroptosis, and subtype2 exhibited higher immune activity. Four characteristic NRGs (TICAM1, CASP1, CAPN1, and CHMP4A) identified using three machine learning algorithms could predict the onset of ASD. Nomograms, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) based on 3-NRG have been shown to have clinical benefit in children with ASD. Furthermore, necroptosis-based riskScore was found to be positively associated with immune activation. Finally, RT-PCR demonstrated differentially expressed of these four NRGs in human peripheral blood samples.

Conclusion

A comprehensive identification of necroptosis may shed light on the underlying pathogenic process driving ASD onset. The classification of necroptosis subtypes and construction of a necroptosis-related risk model may yield significant insights for the individualized treatment of children with ASD.
Commensal bacteria of the lung microbiota synergistically inhibit inflammation in a three-dimensional epithelial cell model
Authors: Goeteyn Ellen , Grassi Lucia , Van den Bossche Sara , Rigauts Charlotte , Vande Weygaerde Yannick , Van Braeckel Eva , Maes Tania , Bracke Ken R. , Crabbé Aurélie
Published: April 2023

Patients with chronic lung disease suffer from persistent inflammation and are typically colonized by pro-inflammatory pathogenic bacteria. Besides these pathogens, a wide variety of commensal species is present in the lower airways but their role in inflammation is unclear. Here, we show that the lung microbiota contains several species able to inhibit activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway and production of interleukin 8 (IL-8), triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or H2O2, in a physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) lung epithelial cell model. We demonstrate that the minimal dose needed for anti-inflammatory activity differs between species (with the lowest dose needed for Rothia mucilaginosa), and depends on the type of pro-inflammatory stimulus and read out. Furthermore, we evaluated synergistic activity between pairs of anti-inflammatory bacteria on the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway and IL-8 secretion. Synergistic anti-inflammatory activity was observed for 4/10 tested consortia. These findings indicate that various microbiota members can influence lung inflammation either alone or as a consortium. This information can contribute to a better understanding of the lung microbiota in chronic lung disease development and process, and could open up new avenues for treatment.
Simulation of coastal resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River delta coastal zone based on shared socioeconomic pathways
Authors: Liu Rongjuan , Pu Lijie , Huang Sihua
Published: April 2023

Study of resource and environmental carrying capacity is an important research content of sustainable development science and the theoretical support for land space optimization. Existing research theories need to be deepened, and spatial simulation studies are relatively lacking. This study aimed to assess the current and future resource and environmental carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Delta region’s coastal zone and enhance sustainable development by exploring the application of shared socioeconomic pathway (SSPs) scenarios at the spatial pattern scale in regional resource and environmental carrying capacity simulation studies. Based on the FLUS and InVEST models, this study introduced the Coastal Resource and Environmental Carrying Capacity Index (CRECC) from the dimensions of “pressure” and “support” using land use remote sensing monitoring data and SSPs scenario data. A CRECC evaluation index system and quantitative evaluation method for the Yangtze River Delta were constructed. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the CRECC of the Yangtze River Delta coastal zone increased, the carrying capacity decreased, and the spatial distribution was low in the north and high in the south. The carrying capacity under the five SSP scenarios did not improve. The mismatch between natural ecological conditions and the intensity of human activities in the shoreline area was more prominent than in the study area, with the SSP1 and SSP5 scenarios being the most obvious. The supporting indicators have a more significant influence on improving CRECC than the pressure indicators, among which the supply capacity of water resources, land resources, and atmospheric environmental quality are the main limiting factors in the process of future sustainable economic-ecological development. This study provides ideas and examples for exploring spatial and temporal predictions of resources and environmental carrying capacity in coastal zones.
Pathway to sustainability: the Marine Stewardship Council certification standard as an improvement framework for African fisheries
Authors: Oloruntuyi Oluyemisi , Barendse Jaco , Marriott Michael , Gordon Andrew Kenneth , Montero-Castaño Carlos
Published: April 2023

Fishery certification is increasingly employed as a multi-stakeholder, market-based mechanism to promote sustainability of fisheries. Preparing for, and achieving certification continues to deliver tangible improvements and benefits to fisheries, but the number of certified fisheries from Africa remains low. Some of the factors that constrain certification of fisheries in the region include limited data to assess and manage fisheries, the open access nature of many fisheries, overfishing, poor management, inadequate enforcement, and low demand for certified seafood. To overcome these constraints, several fisheries employ a “pathway to sustainability” approach that involves using the MSC fisheries standard as a framework for gap analysis, action planning, progress tracking and improvement. Certification may not always be the goal. This allows fisheries to make ongoing improvements over prior performance, regardless of whether they immediately achieve certification or not. Progress towards the desired goal, sustainable management, can be tracked over time. Some of the reported benefits include clarity of objectives, consolidation and focus of stakeholder efforts, participatory engagement, ability to attract resources for improvements, benchmarking of performance and, ultimately, improved environmental performance through better fisheries management. This paper discusses the uptake of this approach in Africa, by presenting case study fisheries from the continent. It outlines mechanisms through which these fisheries embarked on a pathway to sustainability using the MSC fisheries standard, and the outcomes from these initiatives. It highlights the successes and challenges associated with implementation. The paper concludes that the MSC standard and the improvements that it incentivizes can make a positive contribution to regional efforts to improve environmental sustainability, fisheries governance and consequently the socio-economic viability and resilience of fisheries in Africa.
Trait response of three Baltic Sea spring dinoflagellates to temperature, salinity, and light gradients
Authors: Haraguchi Lumi , Kraft Kaisa , Ylöstalo Pasi , Kielosto Sami , Hällfors Heidi , Tamminen Timo , Seppälä Jukka
Published: April 2023

Climate change is driving Baltic Sea shifts, with predictions for decrease in salinity and increase in temperature and light limitation. Understanding the responses of the spring phytoplankton community to these shifts is essential to assess potential changes in the Baltic Sea biogeochemical cycles and functioning. In this study we use a high-throughput well-plate setup to experimentally define growth and the light acquisition traits over gradients of salinity, temperature and irradiance for three dinoflagellates commonly occurring during spring in the Baltic Sea, Apocalathium malmogiense, Gymnodinium corollarium and Heterocapsa arctica subsp. frigida. By analysing the response of cell volume, growth, and light-acquisition traits to temperature and salinity gradients, we showed that each of the three dinoflagellates have their own niches and preferences and are affected differently by small changes in salinity and temperature. A. malmogiense has a more generalist strategy, its growth being less affected by temperature, salinity, and light gradients in comparison to the other tested dinoflagellates, with G. corollarium growth being more sensitive to higher light intensities. On the other hand, G. corollarium light acquisition traits seem to be less sensitive to changes in temperature and salinity than those of A. malmogiense and H. arctica subsp. frigida. We contextualized our experimental findings using data collected on ships-of-opportunity between 1993-2011 over natural temperature and salinity gradients in the Baltic Sea. The Apocalathium complex and H. arctica subsp. frigida were mostly found in temperatures<10°C and salinities 4-10 ‰, matching the temperature and salinity gradients used in our experiments. Our results illustrate that trait information can complement phytoplankton monitoring observations, providing powerful tools to answer questions related to species’ capacity to adapt and compete under a changing environment.
Quantifying connectivity between mesophotic and shallow coral larvae in Okinawa Island, Japan: a quadruple nested high-resolution modeling study
Authors: Takeyasu Kimika , Uchiyama Yusuke , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: April 2023

Coral bleaching has recently been occurring extensively across the world’s oceans, primarily because of high water temperatures. Mesophotic corals that inhabit depths of approximately 30–150 m are expected to survive bleaching events and reseed shallow water corals afterward. In Okinawa, Japan, mesophotic coral ecosystems have been reported to serve as a refuge for preserving the genotypic diversity of bleaching-sensitive corals. The connectivity of larval populations among different habitats is a key element that determines the area to be conserved in desirable coral ecosystems. Because coral larvae are largely transported passively by ambient oceanic currents, particularly in the horizontal direction, numerical ocean circulation models greatly help to quantify connectivity with detailed spatiotemporal network structures. The present study aimed to quantify the short-distance connectivity of shallow and mesophotic coral larvae in reef areas on the northwest coast of Okinawa Island. To this end, a quadruple nested high-resolution synoptic ocean model at a lateral spatial grid resolution of 50 m was developed, which was capable of realizing detailed coastal currents influenced by complex nearshore topography, and coupled with an offline 3-D Lagrangian particle-tracking model. After validating the developed model, short-distance horizontal coral connectivity across reef areas on the northwest coast was successfully evaluated. The alongshore lateral connectivity had apparent asymmetry caused by depth-dependent horizontal currents, whereas the larvae spawned at shallow and mesophotic depths were reachable to each other. Such across-depth larval dispersal was attributable to the mixed-layer depth in the spawning period, viz., the boreal spring, which approximately coincides with the boundary between shallow and mesophotic coral, leading to the intensive vertical exchange of virtual larvae.
Exploring the plankton bacteria diversity and distribution patterns in the surface water of northwest pacific ocean by metagenomic methods
Authors: Wang Yafei , Lin Hongmei , Huang Ranran , Zhai Weidong
Published: April 2023

The study of marine microbial communities is crucial for comprehending the distribution patterns, adaptations to the environment, and the functioning of marine microorganisms. Despite being one of the largest biomes on Earth, the bacterioplankton communities in the Northwest Pacific Ocean (NWPO) remain understudied. In this research, we aimed to investigate the structure of the surface bacterioplankton communities in different water masses of the NWPO. We utilized metagenomic sequencing techniques and cited previous 16S rRNA data to explore the distribution patterns of bacterioplankton in different seasons. Our results revealed that Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria dominated the microbial communities, accounting for over 95% of the total. During spring, we observed significant differentiation in community structure between the different water masses. For instance, Prochlorococcus and Pseudoalteromonas were primarily distributed in the nutrient-deficient subtropical countercurrent zone, while Flavobacteriaceae and Rhodobacteraceae were found in the Kuroshio-Oyashio mixing zone. During summer, the surface planktonic bacteria communities became homogenized across regions, with Cyanobacteria becoming the dominant group (68.6% to 84.9% relative abundance). The metabolic processes of the microorganisms were dominated by carbohydrate metabolism, followed by amino acid transport and metabolism. However, there was a low relative abundance of functional genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in the Kuroshio-Oyashio mixing zone. The metagenomic data had assembled 37 metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs), which belong to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Euryarchaeota. In conclusion, our findings highlight the diversity of the surface bacterioplankton community composition in the NWPO, and its distinct geographic distribution characteristics and seasonal variations.
Estimating thermohaline structures in the tropical Indian Ocean from surface parameters using an improved CNN model
Authors: Qi Jifeng , Xie Bowen , Li Delei , Chi Jianwei , Yin Baoshu , Sun Guimin
Published: April 2023

Accurately estimating the ocean’s subsurface thermohaline structure is essential for advancing our understanding of regional and global ocean dynamics. In this study, we propose a novel neural network model based on Convolutional Block Attention Module-Convolutional Neural Network (CBAM-CNN) to simultaneously estimate the ocean subsurface thermal structure (OSTS) and ocean subsurface salinity structure (OSSS) in the tropical Indian Ocean using satellite observations. The input variables include sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface salinity (SSS), sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), eastward component of sea surface wind (ESSW), northward component of sea surface wind (NSSW), longitude (LON), and latitude (LAT). We train and validate the model using Argo data, and compare its accuracy with that of the original Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model using root mean square error (RMSE), normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), and determination coefficient (R²). Our results show that the CBAM-CNN model outperforms the CNN model, exhibiting superior performance in estimating thermohaline structures in the tropical Indian Ocean. Furthermore, we evaluate the model’s accuracy by comparing its estimated OSTS and OSSS at different depths with Argo-derived data, demonstrating that the model effectively captures most observed features using sea surface data. Additionally, the CBAM-CNN model demonstrates good seasonal applicability for OSTS and OSSS estimation. Our study highlights the benefits of using CBAM-CNN for estimating thermohaline structure and offers an efficient and effective method for estimating thermohaline structure in the tropical Indian Ocean.
Legged robots for object manipulation: A review
Authors: Gong Yifeng , Sun Ge , Nair Aditya , Bidwai Aditya , CS Raghuram , Grezmak John , Sartoretti Guillaume , Daltorio Kathryn A.
Published: April 2023

Legged robots can have a unique role in manipulating objects in dynamic, human-centric, or otherwise inaccessible environments. Although most legged robotics research to date typically focuses on traversing these challenging environments, many legged platform demonstrations have also included “moving an object” as a way of doing tangible work. Legged robots can be designed to manipulate a particular type of object (e.g., a cardboard box, a soccer ball, or a larger piece of furniture), by themselves or collaboratively. The objective of this review is to collect and learn from these examples, to both organize the work done so far in the community and highlight interesting open avenues for future work. This review categorizes existing works into four main manipulation methods: object interactions without grasping, manipulation with walking legs, dedicated non-locomotive arms, and legged teams. Each method has different design and autonomy features, which are illustrated by available examples in the literature. Based on a few simplifying assumptions, we further provide quantitative comparisons for the range of possible relative sizes of the manipulated object with respect to the robot. Taken together, these examples suggest new directions for research in legged robot manipulation, such as multifunctional limbs, terrain modeling, or learning-based control, to support a number of new deployments in challenging indoor/outdoor scenarios in warehouses/construction sites, preserved natural areas, and especially for home robotics.
Case report: A comatose patient with pregabalin overdose successfully treated with continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Nielsen Visti Torbjørn , Wijayasinghe Nelun , Høgberg Lotte Christine Groth , Bøgevig Søren
Published: April 2023

Pregabalin (PB) overdose causes mild symptoms and coma is rarely seen unless the patient has also ingested sedatives and/or has preexisting renal disease. We present a case report of a suicide attempt with PB where the patient presented in a comatose state that was successfully treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Treatment of PB overdose is usually supportive.

However, previous reports of PB overdose have been treated with intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in patients with preexisting renal disease. The problem with IHD is that it is only available in specialist centers and unsuitable for unstable patients. In the following case report, the patient presented to the emergency department (ED) unconscious and hypotensive. It was thought that the patient tried to commit suicide by taking an overdose of zopiclone tablets, as empty packets of zopiclone tablets were found beside the patient. There was no effect with flumazenil treatment, so the patient was intubated, mechanically ventilated, and admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) where inotropic support was started. Despite supportive therapy, there was no improvement in the patient’s condition. Further investigation into the patient’s medical records uncovered prescriptions of PB. Based on this finding, plasma PB levels were measured and found to be 20 times the upper limit of the therapeutic reference range. CRRT was instituted and after 6 h of treatment the patient woke up. Hospitals with ICUs often have CRRT available in their units whereas IHD is less readily available. This case report demonstrates that CRRT is an effective method for treating PB overdose in an unconscious unstable patient that was unsuitable for transfer to another hospital.
Temperature dependence of nitrification in a membrane-aerated biofilm reactor
Authors: Németh András , Ainsworth Jude , Ravishankar Harish , Lens Piet N. L. , Heffernan Barry
Published: April 2023

The membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) is a novel method for the biological treatment of wastewaters and has been successfully applied for nitrification. To improve the design and adaptation of MABR processes for colder climates and varying temperatures, the temperature dependence of a counter-diffusional biofilm’s nitrification performance was investigated. A lab-scale MABR system with silicone hollow fibre membranes was operated at various temperatures between 8 and 30°C, and batch tests were performed to determine the ammonia oxidation kinetics. Biofilm samples were taken at 8 and 24°C and analysed with 16S rRNA sequencing to monitor changes in the microbial community composition, and a mathematical model was used to study the temperature dependence of mass transfer. A high nitrification rate (3.08 g N m–2 d–1) was achieved at 8°C, and temperature dependence was found to be low (θ = 1.024–1.026) compared to suspended growth processes. Changes in the community composition were moderate, Nitrospira defluvii remaining the most dominant species. Mass transfer limitations were shown to be largely responsible for the observed trends, consistent with other biofilm processes. The results show that the MABR is a promising technology for low temperature nitrification, and appropriate management of the mass transfer resistance can optimise the process for both low and high temperature operation.
Modulation of gut microbiota and intestinal immune response in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) by dietary bile salt supplementation
Authors: Ruiz Alberto , Andree Karl B. , Furones Dolors , Holhorea Paul G. , Calduch-Giner Josep À. , Viñas Marc , Pérez-Sánchez Jaume , Gisbert Enric
Published: April 2023

Given their role in lipid digestion, feed supplementation with bile salts could be an economic and sustainable solution to alterations in adiposity and intestinal inflammation generated by some strategies currently used in aquaculture. An important part of the metabolism of bile salts takes place in the intestine, where the microbiota transforms them into more toxic forms. Consequently, we aimed to evaluate the gut immune response and microbial populations in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) fed a diet supplemented with a blend of bile salts with proven background as a regulator of lipid metabolism and fat content. After the 90-day feeding trial, a differential modulation of the microbiota between the anterior and posterior intestine was observed. While in the anterior intestine the relative abundance of Desulfobacterota doubled, in the posterior intestine, the levels of Firmicutes increased and Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Campylobacterota were reduced when supplementing the diet with bile salts. Even so, only in the anterior intestine, there was a decrease in estimated richness (Chao1 and ACE indices) in presence of dietary bile salts. No significant differences were displayed in alpha (Shannon and Simpson indices) nor beta-diversity, showing that bile sales did not have a great impact on the intestinal microbiota. Regarding the gene expression profile in 2 h postprandial-fish, several changes were observed in the analyzed biomarkers of epithelial integrity, nutrient transport, mucus production, interleukins, cell markers, immunoglobulin production and pathogen recognition receptors. These results may indicate the development of an intestinal immune-protective status to tackle future threats. This work also suggests that this immune response is not only regulated by the presence of the dietary bile salts in the intestine, but also by the microbial populations that are in turn modulated by bile salts. After a fasting period of 2 days, the overall gene expression profile was stabilized with respect to fish fed the unsupplemented diet, indicating that the effect of bile salts was transient after short periods of fasting. On the balance, bile salts can be used as a dietary supplement to enhanceS. auratafarming and production without compromising their intestinal health.
Metabolomic profiling and its association with the bio-efficacy of Aspergillus niger strain against Fusarium wilt of guava
Authors: Gangaraj R. , Kundu Aditi , Rana Virendra Singh , Das Amrita , Chawla Gautham , Prakash G. , Debbarma Rubin , Nagaraja A. , Bainsla Naresh Kumar , Gupta Navin Chandra , Kamil Deeba
Published: April 2023

Bio-control agents are the best alternative to chemicals for the successful management of plant diseases. The fungus Aspergillus niger is known to produce diverse metabolites with antifungal activity, attracting researchers to exploit it as a bio-control agent for plant disease control. In the present study, 11 A. niger strains were isolated and screened for their antagonism against the guava wilt pathogen under in vitro and in planta conditions. Strains were identified morphologically and molecularly by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin, and calmodulin genes. The strains were evaluated through dual culture, volatile, and non-volatile methods under an in vitro study. AN-11, AN-6, and AN-2 inhibited the test pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. psidii (FOP) at 67.16%, 64.01%, and 60.48%, respectively. An in planta study was conducted under greenhouse conditions with 6 months old air-layered guava plants (var. Allahabad Safeda) by pre- and post-inoculation of FOP. The AN-11 strain was found to be effective under both pre- and post-inoculation trials. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was carried out to characterize the volatile compounds of the most potential strain, A. niger. The hexane soluble fraction showed the appearance of characteristic peaks of hexadecenoic acid methyl ester (4.41%), 10-octadecanoic acid methyl ester (3.79%), dodecane (3.21%), undecane (3.19%), gibepyrone A (0.15%), 3-methylundecane (0.36%), and citroflex A (0.38%). The ethyl acetate fraction of the bio-control fungi revealed the occurrence of major antifungal compounds, such as acetic acid ethyl ester (17.32%), benzopyron-4-ol (12.17%), 1,2,6-hexanetriol (7.16%), 2-propenoic acid ethanediyl ester (2.95%), 1-(3-ethyloxiranyl)-ethenone (0.98%), 6-acetyl-8-methoxy dimethyl chromene (0.96%), 4-hexyl-2,5-dihydro dioxo furan acetic acid (0.19%), and octadecanoic acid (1.11%). Furthermore, bio-control abilities could be due to hyper-parasitism, the production of secondary metabolites, and competition for sites and nutrients. Indeed, the results will enrich the existing knowledge of metabolomic information and support perspectives on the bio-control mechanism of A. niger.
Staphylococcus aureus increases Prostaglandin E2 secretion in cow neutrophils by activating TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathways
Authors: Zhang Kai , Jia Yan , Qian Yinghong , Jiang Xueying , Zhang Shuangyi , Liu Bo , Cao Jinshan , Song Yongli , Mao Wei
Published: April 2023

Introduction

In clinical settings, dairy cows are often attacked by pathogenic bacteria after delivery, especially Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Neutrophils have long been regarded as essential for host defense against S. aureus. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can additionally be used as an inflammatory mediator in pathological conditions to promote the repair of inflammatory injuries. However, whether S. aureus can promote the accumulation of PGE2 after the infection of neutrophils in cows and its mechanism remain unclear. Lipoprotein is an important immune bioactive ingredient of S. aureus.

Methods

In this study, the changes in neutrophils were monitored in dairy cows infected with wild-type S. aureus (SA113) and an S. aureus lipoprotein-deficient strain (Δlgt); meanwhile, we established whether pattern recognition receptors mediate this process and whether S. aureus lipoproteins are necessary for causing the release of PGE2 from cow neutrophils.

Results

The results showed that Δlgt was less effective than SA113 in inducing the production of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and PGE2 within neutrophils; furthermore, TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 receptors were found to mediate the inducible effect of lipoprotein on the above inflammation mediators and cytokines, which depended on MAPK and Caspase-1 signaling pathways. In addition, TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 inhibitors significantly inhibited PGE2 and cytokine secretion, and PGE2 was involved in the interaction of S. aureus and neutrophils in dairy cows, which could be regulated by TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 receptors. We also found that S. aureus was more likely to be killed by neutrophils when it lacked lipoprotein and TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 were involved, but PGE2 seemed to have no effect.

Discussion

Taken together, these results suggest that lipoprotein is a crucial component of S. aureus in inducing cytokine secretion by neutrophils as well as killing within neutrophils, which could be accomplished by the accumulation of PGE2 by activating MAPK and the Caspase-1 signaling pathways through TLR2, TLR4, and NLRP3 receptors. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the interaction between S. aureus and host immune cells in dairy cows.
LTF induces senescence and degeneration in the meniscus via the NF-κB signaling pathway: A study based on integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhu Jiayong , Zhao Boming , Nie Daibang , Wang Wang , Qi Yongjian , Chen Liaobin , Li Bin , Chen Biao
Published: April 2023

Background: The functional integrity of the meniscus continually decreases with age, leading to meniscal degeneration and gradually developing into osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we identified diagnostic markers and potential mechanisms of action in aging-related meniscal degeneration through bioinformatics and experimental verification.

Methods: Based on the GSE98918 dataset, common differentially expressed genes (co-DEGs) were screened using differential expression analysis and the WGCNA algorithm, and enrichment analyses based on Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were further performed. Next, the co-DEGs were imported into the STRING database and Cytoscape to construct a protein‒protein interaction (PPI) network and further validated by three algorithms in cytoHubba, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the external GSE45233 dataset. Moreover, the diagnostic marker lactotransferrin (LTF) was verified in rat models of senescence and replicative cellular senescence via RT‒qPCR, WB, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and then the potential molecular mechanism was explored by loss of function and overexpression of LTF.

Results: According to the analysis of the GSE98918 dataset, we identified 52 co-DEGs (42 upregulated genes and 10 downregulated genes) in the OA meniscus. LTF, screened out by Cytoscape, ROC curve analysis in the GSE98918 dataset and another external GSE45233 dataset, might have good predictive power in meniscal degeneration. Our experimental results showed that LTF expression was statistically increased in the meniscal tissue of aged rats (24 months) and senescent passage 5th (P5) meniscal cells. In P5 meniscal cells, LTF knockdown inhibited the NF-κB signaling pathway and alleviated senescence. LTF overexpression in passage 0 (P0) meniscal cells increased the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and induced senescence by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. However, the senescence phenomenon caused by LTF overexpression could be reversed by the NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC).

Conclusion: For the first time, we found that increased expression of LTF was observed in the aging meniscus and could induce meniscal senescence and degeneration by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results revealed that LTF could be a potential diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for age-related meniscal degeneration.
A comparative analysis of near-infrared image colorization methods for low-power NVIDIA Jetson embedded systems
Authors: Shi Shengdong , Jiang Qian , Jin Xin , Wang Weiqiang , Liu Kaihua , Chen Haiyang , Liu Peng , Zhou Wei , Yao Shaowen
Published: April 2023

The near-infrared (NIR) image obtained by an NIR camera is a grayscale image that is inconsistent with the human visual spectrum. It can be difficult to perceive the details of a scene from an NIR scene; thus, a method is required to convert them to visible images, providing color and texture information. In addition, a camera produces so much video data that it increases the pressure on the cloud server. Image processing can be done on an edge device, but the computing resources of edge devices are limited, and their power consumption constraints need to be considered. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-based NVIDIA Jetson embedded systems offer a considerable advantage over Central Processing Unit (CPU)-based embedded devices in inference speed. For this study, we designed an evaluation system that uses image quality, resource occupancy, and energy consumption metrics to verify the performance of different NIR image colorization methods on low-power NVIDIA Jetson embedded systems for practical applications. The performance of 11 image colorization methods on NIR image datasets was tested on three different configurations of NVIDIA Jetson boards. The experimental results indicate that the Pix2Pix method performs best, with a rate of 27 frames per second on the Jetson Xavier NX. This performance is sufficient to meet the requirements of real-time NIR image colorization.
The “chameleon” sellar lesions: a case report of unexpected sellar lesions
Authors: Bove Ilaria , Franca Raduan Ahmed , Ugga Lorenzo , Solari Domenico , Elefante Andrea , De Caro Maria Laura Del Basso , Cavallo Luigi Maria
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The sellar region and its boundaries represent a challenging area, harboring a variety of tissues of different linings. Therefore, a variety of diseases can arise or involve in this area (i.e., neoplastic or not). A total of three challenging cases of “chameleon” sellar lesions treated via EEA were described, and the lesions mimicked radiological features of common sellar masses such as craniopharyngiomas and/or pituitary adenomas, and we also report a literature review of similar cases.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of three primary cases was conducted at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy. Clinical information, radiological examinations, and pathology reports were illustrated.

Results

A total of three cases of so-called “chameleon” sellar lesions comprising two men and one woman were reported. Based on the intraoperative finding and pathological examination, we noticed that case 1 had suprasellar glioblastoma, case 2 had a primary neuroendocrine tumor, and case 3 had cavernous malformation.

Conclusion

Neurosurgeons should consider “unexpected” lesions of the sellar/suprasellar region in the preoperative differential diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach with the collaboration of neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, and pathologists plays a fundamental role. The recognition of unusual sellar lesions can help surgeons with better preoperative planning; so an endoscopic endonasal approach may represent a valid surgical technique to obtain decompression of the optic apparatus and vascular structures and finally a pathological diagnosis.
GPi DBS treatment outcome in children with monogenic dystonia: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Chudy Darko , Raguž Marina , Vuletić Vladimira , Rački Valentino , Papić Eliša , Nenadić Baranašić Nataša , Barišić Nina
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Dystonia is the third most common pediatric movement disorder and is often difficult to treat. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal pallidum (GPi) has been demonstrated as a safe and effective treatment for genetic dystonia in adolescents and adults. The results of DBS in children are limited to individual cases or case series, although it has been proven to be an effective procedure in carefully selected pediatric cohorts. The aim of our study was to present the treatment outcome for 7- to 9-year-old pediatric patients with disabling monogenic isolated generalized DYT-THAP1 and DYT-KMT2B dystonia after bilateral GPi-DBS.

Patients and results

We present three boys aged <10 years; two siblings with disabling generalized DYT-THAP1 dystonia and a boy with monogenic-complex DYT-KMT2B. Dystonia onset occurred between the ages of 3 and 6. Significantly disabled children were mostly dependent on their parents. Pharmacotherapy was inefficient and patients underwent bilateral GPi-DBS. Clinical signs of dystonia improved significantly in the first month after the implantation and continued to maintain improved motor functions, which were found to have improved further at follow-up. These patients were ambulant without support and included in everyday activities. All patients had significantly lower Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) values, indicating >25% improvement over the first 15 months. However, there was a decline in speech and upper limb function, manifesting with bradylalia, bradykinesia, and dysphonia, which decreased after treatment with trihexyphenidyl.

Conclusion

Although reports of patients with monogenic dystonia, particularly DYT-THAP1, treated with DBS are still scarce, DBS should be considered as an efficient treatment approach in children with pharmacoresistent dystonia, especially with generalized monogenic dystonia and to prevent severe and disabling symptoms that reduce the quality of life, including emotional and social aspects. Patients require an individual approach and parents should be properly informed about expectations and possible outcomes, including relapses and impairments, in addition to DBS responsiveness and related improvements. Furthermore, early genetic diagnosis and the provision of appropriate treatments, including DBS, are mandatory for preventing severe neurologic impairments.
Investigation of the association between central arterial stiffness and aggregate g-ratio in cognitively unimpaired adults
Authors: Laporte John P. , Faulkner Mary E. , Gong Zhaoyuan , Palchamy Elango , Akhonda Mohammad A.B.S. , Bouhrara Mustapha
Published: April 2023

Stiffness of the large arteries has been shown to impact cerebral white matter (WM) microstructure in both younger and older adults. However, no study has yet demonstrated an association between arterial stiffness and aggregate g-ratio, a specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measure of axonal myelination that is highly correlated with neuronal signal conduction speed. In a cohort of 38 well-documented cognitively unimpaired adults spanning a wide age range, we investigated the association between central arterial stiffness, measured using pulse wave velocity (PWV), and aggregate g-ratio, measured using our recent advanced quantitative MRI methodology, in several cerebral WM structures. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and systolic blood pressure, our results indicate that higher PWV values, that is, elevated arterial stiffness, were associated with lower aggregate g-ratio values, that is, lower microstructural integrity of WM. Compared to other brain regions, these associations were stronger and highly significant in the splenium of the corpus callosum and the internal capsules, which have been consistently documented as very sensitive to elevated arterial stiffness. Moreover, our detailed analysis indicates that these associations were mainly driven by differences in myelination, measured using myelin volume fraction, rather than axonal density, measured using axonal volume fraction. Our findings suggest that arterial stiffness is associated with myelin degeneration, and encourages further longitudinal studies in larger study cohorts. Controlling arterial stiffness may represent a therapeutic target in maintaining the health of WM tissue in cerebral normative aging.
Design of virtual BCI channels based on informer
Authors: Sun Hang , Li Changsheng , Zhang He
Published: April 2023

The precision and reliability of electroencephalogram (EEG) data are essential for the effective functioning of a brain-computer interface (BCI). As the number of BCI acquisition channels increases, more EEG information can be gathered. However, having too many channels will reduce the practicability of the BCI system, raise the likelihood of poor-quality channels, and lead to information misinterpretation. These issues pose challenges to the advancement of BCI systems. Determining the optimal configuration of BCI acquisition channels can minimize the number of channels utilized, but it is challenging to maintain the original operating system and accommodate individual variations in channel layout. To address these concerns, this study introduces the EEG-completion-informer (EC-informer), which is based on the Informer architecture known for its effectiveness in time-series problems. By providing input from four BCI acquisition channels, the EC-informer can generate several virtual acquisition channels to extract additional EEG information for analysis. This approach allows for the direct inheritance of the original model, significantly reducing researchers’ workload. Moreover, EC-informers demonstrate strong performance in damaged channel repair and poor channel identification. Using the Informer as a foundation, the study proposes the EC-informer, tailored to BCI requirements and demanding only a small number of training samples. This approach eliminates the need for extensive computing units to train an efficient, lightweight model while preserving comprehensive information about target channels. The study also confirms that the proposed model can be transferred to other operators with minimal loss, exhibiting robust applicability. The EC-informer’s features enable original BCI devices to adapt to a broader range of classification algorithms and relax the operational requirements of BCI devices, which could facilitate the promotion of the use of BCI devices in daily life.
Atypical developmental trajectories of white matter microstructure in prenatal alcohol exposure: Preliminary evidence from neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging
Authors: Gimbel Blake A. , Roediger Donovan J. , Ernst Abigail M. , Anthony Mary E. , de Water Erik , Rockhold Madeline N. , Mueller Bryon A. , Mattson Sarah N. , Jones Kenneth L. , Riley Edward P. , Lim Kelvin O. ,   CIFASD, Wozniak Jeffrey R.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), a life-long condition resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), is associated with structural brain anomalies and neurobehavioral differences. Evidence from longitudinal neuroimaging suggest trajectories of white matter microstructure maturation are atypical in PAE. We aimed to further characterize longitudinal trajectories of developmental white matter microstructure change in children and adolescents with PAE compared to typically-developing Controls using diffusion-weighted Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI).

Materials and methods

Participants: Youth with PAE (n = 34) and typically-developing Controls (n = 31) ages 8–17 years at enrollment. Participants underwent formal evaluation of growth and facial dysmorphology. Participants also completed two study visits (17 months apart on average), both of which involved cognitive testing and an MRI scan (data collected on a Siemens Prisma 3 T scanner). Age-related changes in the orientation dispersion index (ODI) and the neurite density index (NDI) were examined across five corpus callosum (CC) regions defined by tractography.

Results

While linear trajectories suggested similar overall microstructural integrity in PAE and Controls, analyses of symmetrized percent change (SPC) indicated group differences in the timing and magnitude of age-related increases in ODI (indexing the bending and fanning of axons) in the central region of the CC, with PAE participants demonstrating atypically steep increases in dispersion with age compared to Controls. Participants with PAE also demonstrated greater increases in ODI in the mid posterior CC (trend-level group difference). In addition, SPC in ODI and NDI was differentially correlated with executive function performance for PAE participants and Controls, suggesting an atypical relationship between white matter microstructure maturation and cognitive function in PAE.

Discussion

Preliminary findings suggest subtle atypicality in the timing and magnitude of age-related white matter microstructure maturation in PAE compared to typically-developing Controls. These findings add to the existing literature on neurodevelopmental trajectories in PAE and suggest that advanced biophysical diffusion modeling (NODDI) may be sensitive to biologically-meaningful microstructural changes in the CC that are disrupted by PAE. Findings of atypical brain maturation-behavior relationships in PAE highlight the need for further study. Further longitudinal research aimed at characterizing white matter neurodevelopmental trajectories in PAE will be important.