bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitrification of immature oocytes of goats in Bangladesh
Authors: Sharif MN , Choudhury SM , Rahman MM , Rahman MM , Juyena NS , Bhuiyan MMU
Published: May 2021

Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos by vitrification can have advantages in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in mammals. The aim of this study was to establish an effective vitrification procedure and cryodevice for goat’s oocytes in Bangladesh. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from ovaries from slaughterhouse. COCs with more than 3 layers of cumulus cells were selected. COCs were vitrified by two-step procedure using 7.5% and 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) as cryoprotective agent (CPA), loaded on Cryotop or French mini-straw, then directly plunged into liquid nitrogen (LN2). Then the COCs containing Cryotop or French mini-straws were warmed in 0.25 M sucrose and 20% FBS-supplemented tissue culture medium (TCM) 199 followed by in vitro culture in 50 μl droplets of bicarbonate-buffered TCM 199 supplemented with 10% FBS, pyruvate, FSH and oestradiol for 24 h at 39°C with 5% CO2 in humidified air. After maturation culture, oocytes were denuded and examined under inverted microscope for presence of polar body as the indication of maturation. The in vitro maturation rate of goat’s oocytes after vitrification and warming was 39.3 ± 6.8%, 31.3 ± 9.4%, 61.6 ± 14.2% when using Cryotop (cryodevice), French mini-straws and without vitrification (control), respectively. Maturation rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) without vitrification. It is suggested that both Cryotop and French mini-straw are efficient cryodevices for vitrification of goat’s oocytes and further investigation is required to optimize the protocol for vitrification and warming procedure for the satisfactory survival of goat’s oocytes.

The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 7-12
Comparison of green tea and probiotic as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler ration
Authors: Hasan MM , Hossain ME , Azad MAK , Hossain MM , Afsana AS
Published: May 2021

Feed supplements were used up to 35 days in 240 Cobb-500 broilers divided randomly into four groups. The treatments were: control (basal diet; no additives), antibiotic (basal diet + antibiotic), probiotic (basal diet + protexin) and green tea (basal diet + 0.25% green tea powder). Body weight and body weight gain increased significantly (P<0.05) in the antibiotic, probiotic and green tea groups compared to the control. Lower (P<0.05) feed intake and better (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio occurred in the supplemented groups than the control group. Supplementation of antibiotic and green tea increased (P<0.05) crude protein content of the meat, while probiotic and green tea decreased (P<0.05) fat content compared to the control. Gizzard weight increased (P<0.05) in antibiotic group, whereas wing and caeca weight increased in green tea group. Supplemented groups had decreased (P<0.05) caecal microbial number compared to the control group. It is suggested that addition of probiotic and green tea improves growth parameters, composition of broiler meat and reduced microbial population.

The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2018) 35(1&2): 13-24
PENERAPAN ASESMEN KINERJA PADA MATA KULIAH TELAAH KURIKULUM BIOLOGI UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRODUKTIVITAS KERJA KELOMPOK MAHASISWA
Authors: Irawati Sri
Published: May 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan menerapkan asesmen kinerja yang digunakan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas kerja kelompok mahasiswa dan meningkatkan hasil belajar mahasiswa serta untuk mendapatkan bentuk atau model asesmen alternatif yang tepat bagi peningkatan produktivitas kerja kelompok mahasiswa dalam perkuliahan Telaah Kurikulum Biologi. Jenis penelitian yang dilakukan adalah penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilakukan secara bersiklus yang setiap siklusnya terdiri atas 3 tahap yaitu 1) Tahap perencanaan, 2) Tahap pelaksanaan tindakan dan observasi serta evaluasi, dan 3) Tahap refleksi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan asesmen kinerja dalam perkuliahan telaah kurikulum mampu meningkatkan profil produktivitas kerja kelompok mahasiswa yang dapat dilihat dari kenaikan jumlah mahasiswa yang terlibat dalam diskusi mengalami kenaikan, jika sebelum penerapan asesmen kinerja keterlibatan mahasiswa hanya 20,13% meningkat menjadi 76,56 %. Pada siklus I ketuntasan belajar klasikal mahasiswa sebesar 65,625%, dan pada siklus II diperoleh ketuntasan belajar klasikal mahasiswa sebesar 93,75%, terjadi kenaikan sebesar 28,125%.Kata kunci :  Asesment Kinerja, Kerja Kelompok, Telaah Kurikulum
Vantaggi e Limiti Delle Tecniche Emodialitiche
Authors: Santoro A. , Spongano M.
Published: May 2021

Abstract non disponibile
Optimal harvesting in a changing climate
Authors: Lee AM , Sæther BE
Published: May 2021

Choosing the right harvesting strategy is crucial for sustainable utilization of biological resources but is challenging in real systems with fluctuating environments. This challenge is expected to become even greater with global warming, as environmental variability is predicted to increase. Additionally, harvesting strategies based on single-species models have been shown to carry a severe risk of species extinctions when species interactions are ignored, particularly in systems with more than one harvested species. As the climate continues to warm, we therefore need new reference points for harvesting in an ecosystem context with environmental fluctuations. In this paper, we discuss the development of harvesting strategies and suggest that a proportional threshold harvesting framework could be a useful starting point for developing such reference points and tackling the challenge of sustainable harvesting in the future.
Histological assessment of systemic granulomatosis progression in meagre Argyrosomus regius during cage ongrowing phase
Authors: Gustinelli A , Čolak S , Quaglio F , Sirri R , Kolega M , Mejdandžić D , Caffara M , Baric R , Fioravanti ML
Published: May 2021

Meagre Argyrosomus regius is a potential candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture diversification, although several health issues still represent important bottlenecks for its sustainable production, including systemic granulomatosis (SG). To evaluate the SG progression in meagre during a 10 mo period of cage ongrowing, a histopathological investigation was carried out on 108 meagre fed 3 different diets (commercial pellets, hydrated commercial pellets and defrosted sardines). Histological sections of the gills and visceral organs were examined and lesions referable to SG scored from 1-3 according to the severity of the granulomatosis. The kidney and liver were the most affected organs, showing the highest percentage of positivity for granulomas and severity of lesions along the whole observation period. Using a statistical mixed model (GLMM) followed by odds ratio analysis, an effect of diet and temperature was found: the severity of liver and digestive tract SG scores decreased in the Cage 3 group (defrosted sardines) and with increasing temperature (p < 0.05, negative estimates, odds ratio <1). These observations, in accordance with the literature, suggest that SG in meagre could be related to nutritional-metabolic factors with the possible influence of environmental factors such as temperature.
Potansiyel Erkek Girişimcilerin Perspektifinden Kadın Girişimciliği
Authors: Çitçi Umut Sanem , Memiş Sağır Pınar
Published: May 2021

Bu çalışmada kadın girişimciliği kadın emeğinin neoliberal politikalar bağlamında teşvik edilen karşılığı ile ele alınmaktadır. Çalışmanın araştırma sorusu kadın girişimciliğine bakışta toplumsal cinsiyet kalıplarının neoliberal söylemin üretildiği bir alanda ne derece etkili olduğudur. Araştırma sorusunun arka planında kadın girişimciliğinin toplumsal kabulüne ilişkin bir sorgulama yer almaktadır. Bu sorgulama, girişimcilik misyonunu üstlenen üniversitelerde girişimci olmaya aday erkek öğrencilerin bakış açısından hareketle somutlaştırılarak pratiğe dökülmektedir. Çalışmanın temel amacı/iddiası, neoliberal politikalar aracılığıyla dönüşmüş girişimci üniversite(ler)de verilen girişimcilik eğitimi temelinde, potansiyel girişimci adayı erkek öğrencilerin kadın girişimcileri değerlendirirken ne derece toplumsal cinsiyet kalıplarına başvurdukları ortaya koyabilmektir. Çalışmanın amacına ve araştırma sorusuna uygun olarak, derinlemesine bilgi edinmek esas alınmış ve bu amaçla yorumsamacı bir yöntem aracı olan ZMET tekniği seçilmiştir. Araştırmada, “girişimci üniversite” modeline uygun olarak girişimci bireyler yetiştiren bir üniversitede, mezun olma durumundaki erkek öğrencileri kapsayan gönüllü bir grup oluşturulmuştur. “Potansiyel erkek girişimciler” olarak kabul edilen bu öğrencilerden, araştırmacılar tarafından amacına uygun olarak seçilmiş resimleri kullanarak kadın girişimcileri tasvir eden kolajlar yapmaları istenmiştir. Araştırmanın analizi için erkek öğrencilerin kadın girişimciliğini hangi boyutlarda kavradıklarını görmek amacıyla Carter ve Malow’un yapmış olduğu sınıflandırmadan yararlanılmıştır. Bu sınıflandırmaya yerleştirilen yüzeysel metaforlardan hareketle Adem-Havva, taş, hayatta kalma, toprak ana, devlet baba, kontrol, gel-git/medcezir ve bağlantı derin metaforları belirlenmiştir. Katılımcıların kolajlara yerleştirdikleri imgeleri değerlendirmeleriyle belirlenen bu metaforların araştırmacılar tarafından yorumlanması sonucu, neoliberal söylemin piyasada konumlandırdığı kadın girişimci temsilinin olağan şekilde benimsendiği ve cinsiyet kalıplarına yapılan atıfların ataerkil toplumsal yapıyı koruyucu nitelikte olduğu görülmüştür.
John Rawls’un Ev-içi Adalet Yaklaşımının Eleştirisi
Authors: Çağlar Gürgey İrem
Published: May 2021

20. yüzyılın en önemli siyaset felsefecilerinden birisi olan John Rawls’un adalet teorisi zamanının çok sayıda teorisyenini olduğu gibi feministleri de etkilemiştir. Liberal düşünürlerin aile adaletine ilişkin yaklaşımlarını toplumsal cinsiyet açısından sorunlu gören feministler benzer bir problemi Rawls’un adalet teorisinde de gördüler. Bu çalışmada kronolojik olarak Rawls’un temel eserlerinde yer alan aile yaklaşımlarına yönelik feminist eleştiriler ele alınmaktadır.
Kendini Gerçekleştiren Kehanet Teorisi Bağlamında Kadınlarla İlgili Kalıp Yargılara Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: Mercan Nuray
Published: May 2021

Kalıp yargılar; algılayışları, toplumsal gruplara ilişkin bilgileri inançlarımızı ve beklentileri içeren bilişsel yapılardır. Toplumsal cinsiyet kalıp yargıları, toplumsal cinsiyet beklentilerini doğurur ve bu beklentiler bizim diğerlerine bakışımızda birer algısal filtre görevi görürler. İnsanlar, sınıflandırma süreci yoluyla dünyayı birçok farklı toplumsal gruba ayırır ve bu toplumsal gruplara ilişkin bilgilerini, inançlarını ve beklentilerini içeren bilişsel bir yapı geliştirir. Araştırmanın amacı: Üniversitesi öğrencilerinin kadınlara yönelik yargı ve kalıp yargılara ne derece katılmaktadırlar?” sorusuna cevap aramaktır. Ayrıca, kendini gerçekleştiren kehanetin kalıp yargıların üzerinde oluşumu açıklanacaktır. Araştırma yöntem olarak anket tekniğiyle üniversite öğrencilerine yönelik olarak internet ortamında uygulanmıştır. Araştırmada, kadına yönelik toplam kırk iki kalıp yargı sorusu yöneltilmiştir. Kalıp yargılara yönelik düşünceler aritmetik ortalamalarla gösterilmiştir. Araştırmanın sonucunda bazı kalıp yargıların zaman içinde değiştiği bazıların ise hala ataerkil özellikler sergilediği yönündedir.
Long-Term Soil Nutrient Management Affects Taxonomic and Functional Weed Community Composition and Structure
Authors: Cordeau Stéphane , Wayman Sandra , Ketterings Quirine M. , Pelzer Chris J. , Sadeghpour Amir , Ryan Matthew R.
Published: May 2021

Weed communities can be influenced by nutrient availability, nutrient form (e. g., ammonium vs. nitrate), amendment timing, amendment type (e.g., organic vs. inorganic), and by immigration of seeds during amendment applications. The objective of this research was to compare the long-term effect of different fertility treatments in a corn (Zea mays L.)-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) rotation on taxonomic and functional structure and composition of weed communities by analyzing the soil weed seedbank. After 14 years of a long-term experiment in Aurora, NY, United States, soils were sampled in five fertility treatments for corn years in the rotation: liquid dairy manure, semi-composted separated dairy solids; or inorganic nitrogen (N) as starter fertilizer with either no sidedress N, a low rate or a high rate of inorganic N as sidedress fertilizer. Soil was collected in early spring 2015 and a greenhouse weed seed germination bioassay was used to quantify the germinable soil weed seedbank. Total weed seedbank density, species richness, and evenness did not vary by treatment. However, fertility treatments modified the ecological niche represented by 20 environmental descriptors, which filtered the weed community creating distinct functional group assemblages. A trait-based analysis revealed that nitrophilic dicotyledons preferring alkaline soil were associated with high concentrations of inorganic N fertilizer, whereas highly specialist monocotyledons preferring high amounts of light were associated with low concentrations of inorganic N fertilizer. Because fertility treatments affected weed community composition but not seed bank density and richness, results encourage the development of holistic management strategies that adopt coherent weed management and crop fertilization.
Reciprocal Effect of Copper and Iron Regulation on the Proteome of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Zhen Zhang-He , Qin Song , Ren Qing-Min , Wang Yu , Ma Yu-Ying , Wang Yin-Chu
Published: May 2021

Cyanobacteria can acclimate to changing copper and iron concentrations in the environment via metal homeostasis, but a general mechanism for interpreting their dynamic relationships is sparse. In this study, we assessed growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and investigated proteomic responses to copper and iron deductions. Results showed that copper and iron exerted reciprocal effect on the growth and photosynthesis of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 at combinations of different concentrations. And some proteins involved in the uptake of copper and iron and the photosynthetic electron transport system exhibit Cu–Fe proteomic association. The protein abundance under copper and iron deduction affected the photosynthetic electronic activity of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and eventually affected the growth and photosynthesis. Based on these results, we hypothesize that the Cu–Fe proteomic association of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 can be elucidated via the uptake system of outer membrane-periplasmic space-inner plasma membrane-thylakoid membrane, and this association is mainly required to maintain electron transfer. This study provides a broader view regarding the proteomic association between Cu and Fe in cyanobacteria, which will shed light on the role of these two metal elements in cyanobacterial energy metabolism and biomass accumulation.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Spermatozoa From High- and Low-Fertile Crossbred Bulls: Implications for Fertility Prediction
Authors: Prakash Mani Arul , Kumaresan Arumugam , Ebenezer Samuel King John Peter , Nag Pradeep , Sharma Ankur , Sinha Manish Kumar , Kamaraj Elango , Datta Tirtha Kumar
Published: May 2021

Crossbred bulls produced by crossingBos taurusandBos indicussuffer with high incidence of infertility/subfertility problems; however, the etiology remains poorly understood. The uncertain predictability and the inability of semen evaluation techniques to maintain constant correlation with fertility demand for alternate methods for bull fertility prediction. Therefore, in this study, the global differential gene expression between high- and low-fertile crossbred bull sperm was assessed using a high-throughput RNA sequencing technique with the aim to identify transcripts associated with crossbred bull fertility. Crossbred bull sperm contained transcripts for 13,563 genes, in which 2,093 were unique to high-fertile and 5,454 were unique to low-fertile bulls. After normalization of data, a total of 776 transcripts were detected, in which 84 and 168 transcripts were unique to high-fertile and low-fertile bulls, respectively. A total of 176 transcripts were upregulated (fold change > 1) and 209 were downregulated (<1) in low-fertile bulls. Gene ontology analysis identified that the sperm transcripts involved in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway and biological process such as multicellular organism development, spermatogenesis, andin uteroembryonic development were downregulated in low-fertile crossbred bull sperm. Sperm transcripts upregulated and unique to low-fertile bulls were majorly involved in translation (biological process) and ribosomal pathway. With the use of RT-qPCR, selected sperm transcripts (n= 12) were validated in crossbred bulls (n= 12) with different fertility ratings and found that the transcriptional abundance ofZNF706,CRISP2,TNP2, andTNP1genes was significantly (p< 0.05) lower in low-fertile bulls than high-fertile bulls and was positively (p< 0.05) correlated with conception rate. It is inferred that impaired oxidative phosphorylation could be the predominant reason for low fertility in crossbred bulls and that transcriptional abundance ofZNF706,CRISP2,TNP2, andTNP1genes could serve as potential biomarkers for fertility in crossbred bulls.
miRNA Landscape in Pathogenesis and Treatment of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Disease
Authors: Vega-Tapia Fabian , Bustamante Mario , Valenzuela Rodrigo A. , Urzua Cristhian A. , Cuitino Loreto
Published: May 2021

miRNAs, one of the members of the noncoding RNA family, are regulators of gene expression in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Changes in miRNA pool expression have been associated with differentiation of CD4+ T cells toward an inflammatory phenotype and with loss of self-tolerance in autoimmune diseases. Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease is a chronic multisystemic pathology, affecting the uvea, inner ear, central nervous system, and skin. Several lines of evidence support an autoimmune etiology for VKH, with loss of tolerance against retinal pigmented epithelium-related self-antigens. This deleterious reaction is characterized by exacerbated inflammation, due to an aberrant TH1 and TH17 polarization and secretion of their proinflammatory hallmark cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-17, interferon γ, and tumor necrosis factor α, and an impaired CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+ regulatory T cell function. To restrain inflammation, VKH is pharmacologically treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs as first and second line of therapy, respectively. Changes in the expression of miRNAs related to immunoregulatory pathways have been associated with VKH development, whereas some genetic variants of miRNAs have been found to be risk modifiers of VKH. Furthermore, the drugs commonly used in VKH treatment have great influence on miRNA expression, including those miRNAs associated to VKH disease. This relationship between response to therapy and miRNA regulation suggests that these small noncoding molecules might be therapeutic targets for the development of more effective and specific pharmacological therapy for VKH. In this review, we discuss the latest evidence regarding regulation and alteration of miRNA associated with VKH disease and its treatment.
Macro, Micro, and Molecular. Changes of the Osteochondral Interface in Osteoarthritis Development
Authors: Fan Xiwei , Wu Xiaoxin , Crawford Ross , Xiao Yin , Prasadam Indira
Published: May 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term condition that causes joint pain and reduced movement. Notably, the same pathways governing cell growth, death, and differentiation during the growth and development of the body are also common drivers of OA. The osteochondral interface is a vital structure located between hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone. It plays a critical role in maintaining the physical and biological function, conveying joint mechanical stress, maintaining chondral microenvironment, as well as crosstalk and substance exchange through the osteochondral unit. In this review, we summarized the progress in research concerning the area of osteochondral junction, including its pathophysiological changes, molecular interactions, and signaling pathways that are related to the ultrastructure change. Multiple potential treatment options were also discussed in this review. A thorough understanding of these biological changes and molecular mechanisms in the pathologic process will advance our understanding of OA progression, and inform the development of effective therapeutics targeting OA.
Sexual Dimorphism in Mouse Meiosis
Authors: Hua Rong , Liu Mingxi
Published: May 2021

Meiosis is a highly conserved and essential process in gametogenesis in sexually reproducing organisms. However, there are substantial sex-specific differences within individual species with respect to meiosis-related chromatin reorganization, recombination, and tolerance for meiotic defects. A wide range of murine models have been developed over the past two decades to study the complex regulatory processes governing mammalian meiosis. The present review article thus provides a comprehensive overview of the knockout mice that have been employed to study meiosis, with a particular focus on gene- and gametogenesis-related sexual dimorphism observed in these model animals. In so doing, we aim to provide a firm foundation for the future study of sex-specific differences in meiosis at the molecular level.
Does Chronic Intestinal Inflammation Promote Atrial Fibrillation: A Mendelian Randomization Study With Populations of European Ancestry
Authors: Chen LaiTe , Jiang ChenYang
Published: May 2021

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD), has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the causal role of the chronic intestinal inflammation (CII) in the development of AF remains controversial. We use Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal inference of CII on AF.

Methods: A two-sample MR analysis was performed to estimate the potential causal effect of CII on AF. Statistical summaries for the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and phenotypes of CII were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with cohorts of CD (n = 51,874), UC (n = 47,745), and IBD (n = 65,642) of European descent. The GWAS of 1,030,836 people of European ancestry, including 60,620 AF cases and 970,216 controls was collected to identify genetic variants underlying AF. The causal inference was estimated using the multiplicative random effects inverse-variance weighted method (IVW). The methods of MR-Egger, simple median, and weighted median were also employed to avoid the bias of pleiotropy effects.

Results: Using three sets of SNPs (75 SNPs of CD, 60 SNPs of UC, and 95 SNPs of IBD), multiplicative random-effect IVW model estimated a universal null effect of CII on AF (CD: OR = 1.0059, 95% CI: 0.9900, 1.0220, p = 0.47; UC: OR = 1.0087, 95% CI: 0.9896, 1.0281, p = 0.38; IBD: OR = 1.0080, 95% CI: 0.9908, 1.0255, p = 0.37). Similar results were observed using the MR-Egger, simple median, weighted median methods.

Conclusion: As opposing to the traditional observational studies, our two-sample MR analysis did not find enough evidence to support a causal role of either CD or UC in the development of AF.
Mutual Learning in Innovation and Co-Creation Processes: Integrating Technological and Social Innovation
Authors: Kohlgrüber Michael , Maldonado-Mariscal Karina , Schröder Antonius
Published: May 2021

New digital solutions are often lacking integration and acceptance by potential users. Therefore, only a small amount of innovative software solutions is really in use. The article describes a co-creation process by integrating end-users and relevant stakeholders right in the beginning in a social innovation process. Within this process, technology is seen as an enabler of innovation getting its relevance from new social practices of the people using it (e.g. working practices). Against the background of EU funded projects conducted by the authors (GT-VET, GREEN STAR, COCOP, and ROBOHARSH) the relevance of mutual learning processes of engineers / researchers / trainers on the one side and end-users / beneficiaries / learners on the other side will become evident. Moreover, new (digital and analogue) skills of employees have been identified as key for a successful digital transformation. Thereby, this article shows a twofold perspective on social innovation in education: new skills demands for employees and mutual learning processes of developers and users/stakeholders. To obtain needed skills, traditional innovation practices have to be changed by setting up a social innovation process. Such a process design has to include stakeholder and user involvement beyond pure feedback on a new technology. Co-creation means that experience, knowledge and ideas of users will be considered to ensure high usability and impact of the new technology framed by organisational and people related measures. In this respect, the innovation process and the innovation itself is much more than technological functionality–it is a contribution to new social practices and performances of the people that innovate and use the technology.
Optimising Follicular Development, Pituitary Suppression, Triggering and Luteal Phase Support During Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Delphi Consensus
Authors: Orvieto Raoul , Venetis Christos A. , Fatemi Human M. , D’Hooghe Thomas , Fischer Robert , Koloda Yulia , Horton Marcos , Grynberg Michael , Longobardi Salvatore , Esteves Sandro C. , Sunkara Sesh K. , Li Yuan , Alviggi Carlo
Published: May 2021

Background

A Delphi consensus was conducted to evaluate global expert opinions on key aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment.

Methods

Ten experts plus the Scientific Coordinator discussed and amended statements plus supporting references proposed by the Scientific Coordinator. The statements were distributed via an online survey to 35 experts, who voted on their level of agreement or disagreement with each statement. Consensus was reached if the proportion of participants agreeing or disagreeing with a statement was >66%.

Results

Eighteen statements were developed. All statements reached consensus and the most relevant are summarised here. (1) Follicular development and stimulation with gonadotropins (n = 9 statements): Recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) alone is sufficient for follicular development in normogonadotropic patients aged <35 years. Oocyte number and live birth rate are strongly correlated; there is a positive linear correlation with cumulative live birth rate. Different r-hFSH preparations have identical polypeptide chains but different glycosylation patterns, affecting the biospecific activity of r-hFSH. r-hFSH plus recombinant human LH (r-hFSH:r-hLH) demonstrates improved pregnancy rates and cost efficacy versus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in patients with severe FSH and LH deficiency. (2) Pituitary suppression (n = 2 statements): Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists are associated with lower rates of any grade ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and cycle cancellation versus GnRH agonists. (3) Final oocyte maturation triggering (n=4 statements): Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) represents the gold standard in fresh cycles. The efficacy of hCG triggering for frozen transfers in modified natural cycles is controversial compared with LH peak monitoring. Current evidence supports significantly higher pregnancy rates with hCG + GnRH agonist versus hCG alone, but further evidence is needed. GnRH agonist trigger, in GnRH antagonist protocol, is recommended for final oocyte maturation in women at risk of OHSS. (4) Luteal-phase support (n = 3 statements): Vaginal progesterone therapy represents the gold standard for luteal-phase support.

Conclusions

This Delphi consensus provides a real-world clinical perspective on the specific approaches during the key steps of ART treatment from a diverse group of international experts. Additional guidance from clinicians on ART strategies could complement guidelines and policies, and may help to further improve treatment outcomes.
Diversity Metrics Are Robust to Differences in Sampling Location and Depth for Environmental DNA of Plants in Small Temperate Lakes
Authors: Drummond Jennifer A. , Larson Eric R. , Li Yiyuan , Lodge David M. , Gantz Crysta A. , Pfrender Michael E. , Renshaw Mark A. , Correa Adrienne M. S. , Egan Scott P.
Published: May 2021

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis methods permit broad yet detailed biodiversity sampling to be performed with minimal field effort. However, considerable uncertainty remains regarding the spatial resolution necessary for effective sampling, especially in aquatic environments. Also, contemporary plant communities are under-investigated with eDNA methods relative to animals and microbes. We analyzed eDNA samples from six small temperate lakes to elucidate spatial patterns in the distributions of algae and aquatic and terrestrial plants, using metabarcoding of the Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS1) genomic region. Sampling locations were varied across horizontal and vertical space: sites in each lake included a mixture of nearshore and offshore positions, each of which was stratified into surface (shallow) and benthic (deep) samples. We detected the expected community variation (beta diversity) from lake to lake, but only small effects of offshore distance and sampling depth. Taxon richness (alpha diversity) was slightly higher in nearshore samples, but displayed no other significant spatial effects. These diversity metrics imply that plant eDNA is more evenly distributed than its generating organisms in these small lake environments. Read abundances were heavily weighted toward aquatic macrophytes, though taxon richness was greatest in the algae and other non-vascular plants. We also identified representatives of many phylogenetically and ecologically varied plant taxa, including terrestrial species from surrounding areas. We conclude that freshwater plant eDNA surveys successfully capture differences among lake communities, and that easily accessible, shore-based sampling may be a reliable technique for informing research and management in similar ecosystems.
Historical Biogeography and the Evolution of Hematophagy in Rhodniini (Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae)
Authors: de Paula Alexandre Silva , Barreto Carlos , Telmo Mike Cerqueira Martins , Diotaiuti Lileia , Galvão Cleber
Published: May 2021

The Rhodniini tribe is one of the five tribes in the subfamily Triatominae and is notorious for its domestic blood-sucking pests and vectors ofTrypanosoma cruziacross Latin America. The human and economic costs of the Chagas disease in the American tropics are considerable, and these insects are of unquestionable importance to humans. We used mitochondrial rDNA (16S), nuclear ribosomal RNA (28S) and wingless (Wg) sequences to perform phylogenetic analysis to derive trees based on parsimony and maximum likelihood. Nucleotide sequences were used in molecular-clock analyses to estimate time divergence between species of Rhodniini. The potential distribution of each species was modeled and compared with Kappa statistic. Multivariate niches with bioclimatic variables were used to describe differences between the species using discriminant analysis. The results of this study indicate that the Rhodniini originated 17.91 Mya ago.Rhodnius domesticusis the oldest species having its origin at 9.13 Mya. Rhodniini are closely related to Salyavatinae that are specialist termite predators and diverged from this subfamily 30.43 Mya. Most species are clearly allopatric and have distinct bioclimatic niches. The colonization of bromeliads, palms trees and bird nests represent important events for the speciation of these taxa. The hematophagous habit can be described as a scenario where Rhodniini’s ancestor could be pre-adapted for the invasion of bromeliads, palm trees, and bird nests where they would find significant water availability and thermal damping. These environments are widely used by vertebrate inquilines that would be the source of food for the species of Rhodniini. Lastly, our results show an alternative position ofPsammolestesin the phylogenetic tree.
Occurrence of Chordoid Glioma With Sodium Ion Metabolism Disorder 5 Years After Meningioma Surgery and Whole-Exome Sequencing: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Zhang Mei , Xu Baofeng , Li Chang , Liu Ziwei , Gao Yuanyuan , Song Yuming , Liu Rui
Published: May 2021

Chordoid glioma (CG), a rare slow-growing brain tumor, mainly occurs in the region of the third ventricle. Although its degree of malignancy is relatively low, its clinical prognosis is poor due to obscure clinical manifestations and the particular growing position. Currently, gross total resection is the best available method for treatment of CG. However, the tumor is located in the deep structure of the brain and close to neurovascular structure so it is difficult to remove completely. This study reported a case of CG of the third ventricle 5 years after surgery of right frontal parietal fibrous meningioma, accompanied with peri and post-operative sodium ion metabolism disorder. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed 25 gene mutations shared by meningioma and CG. In addition, the PRKCAD463H CG marker gene mutation also existed in this patient. We reviewed the latest literature on this rare brain tumor, summarized its clinical manifestations, imaging and pathological characteristics, and discussed the mechanism related to its occurrence and the reasons for sodium ion disorder.
Transcriptome Analysis of Choroid and Retina From Tree Shrew With Choroidal Neovascularization Reveals Key Signaling Moieties
Authors: Jia Jie , Qiu Dandan , Lu Caixia , Wang Wenguang , Li Na , Han Yuanyuan , Tong Pinfen , Sun Xiaomei , Wu Min , Dai Jiejie
Published: May 2021

Pathological neovascularization in choroid, a leading cause of blindness, is a characteristic of many fundus diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The present study aimed to elucidate the key signaling pathways in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by analyzing the mRNA profiles of choroid and retina in tree shrews with CNV. We induced choroidal angiogenesis by laser photocoagulation in 15 tree shrews and obtained mRNA profiles of their choroids and retinas by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. Hierarchical cluster analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, CD31 immunohistochemistry (IHC), and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed. After laser photocoagulation, we obtained a total of 350 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the choroid, including 59 genes in Module-FASN (“ME-FASN”) module and 28 genes in Module-RPL (“ME-RPL”) module. A total of 69 DEGs in retina, including 20 genes in Module-SLC (“ME-SLC”) module. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that DEGs in choroid were mainly involved in membrane transport; DEGs in “ME-RPL” were prominent in pathways associated with IgA production, antigen presentation, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) signaling. DEGs in “ME-FASN” were involved in fatty acid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway, while DEGs in “ME-SLC” were involved in GABAergic synapse, neuroactive life receptor interaction, cholinergic synapse, and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling pathway. PPI network analysis demonstrated that the ribosomal protein family genes (RPL31, RPL7, RPL26L1, and RPL19) are key factors of “ME-RPL,” acyl-CoA superfamily genes (ACACA, ACAT1, ACAA2, and ACACB) and FASN are key factors of “ME-FASN” and superfamily of solid carrier genes (SLC17A6, SLC32A1, SLC12A5, and SLC6A1) and complement genes (C4A, C3, and C2) are key factors of “ME-SLC.” In conclusion, the present study discovered the important signal transductions (fatty acid metabolic pathway and CAMs signaling) and genes (ribosomal protein family and the complement system) in tree shrew CNV. We consider that our findings hold implications in unraveling molecular mechanisms that underlie occurrence and development of CNV.
Bispecific Antibody PD-L1 x CD3 Boosts the Anti-Tumor Potency of the Expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T Cells
Authors: Yang Rui , Shen Susu , Gong Cheng , Wang Xin , Luo Fang , Luo Fengyan , Lei Yang , Wang Zili , Xu Shasha , Ni Qian , Xue Yan , Fu Zhen , Zeng Liang , Fang Lijuan , Yan Yongxiang , Zhang Jing , Gan Lu , Yi Jizu , Zhou Pengfei
Published: May 2021

Vγ2Vδ2 T cell-based immunotherapy has benefited some patients in clinical trials, but the overall efficacy is low for solid tumor patients. In this study, a bispecific antibody against both PD-L1 and CD3 (PD-L1 x CD3), Y111, could efficiently bridge T cells and PD-L1 expressing tumor cells. The Y111 prompted fresh CD8+ T cell-mediated lysis of H358 cells, but spared this effect on the fresh Vδ2+ T cells enriched from the same donors, which suggested that Y111 could bypass the anti-tumor capacity of the fresh Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. As the adoptive transfer of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells was approved to be safe and well-tolerated in clinical trials, we hypothesized that the combination of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells with the Y111 would provide an alternative approach of immunotherapy. Y111 induced the activation of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in a dose-dependent fashion in the presence of PD-L1 positive tumor cells. Moreover, Y111 increased the cytotoxicity of the expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells against various NSCLC-derived tumor cell lines with the releases of granzyme B, IFNγ, and TNFα in vitro. Meanwhile, the adoptive transferred Vγ2Vδ2 T cells together with the Y111 inhibited the growth of the established xenografts in NPG mice. Taken together, our data suggested a clinical potential for the adoptive transferring the Vγ2Vδ2 T cells with the Y111 to treat PD-L1 positive solid tumors.
Temperature Responses of Heterotrophic Bacteria in Co-culture With a Red Sea Synechococcus Strain
Authors: Labban Abbrar , Palacio Antonio S. , García Francisca C. , Hadaidi Ghaida , Ansari Mohd I. , López-Urrutia Ángel , Alonso-Sáez Laura , Hong Pei-Ying , Morán Xosé Anxelu G.
Published: May 2021

Interactions between autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria are fundamental for marine biogeochemical cycling. How global warming will affect the dynamics of these essential microbial players is not fully understood. The aims of this study were to identify the major groups of heterotrophic bacteria present in a Synechococcus culture originally isolated from the Red Sea and assess their joint responses to experimental warming within the metabolic ecology framework. A co-culture of Synechococcus sp. RS9907 and their associated heterotrophic bacteria, after determining their taxonomic affiliation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, was acclimated and maintained in the lab at different temperatures (24–34°C). The abundance and cellular properties of Synechococcus and the three dominant heterotrophic bacterial groups (pertaining to the genera Paracoccus, Marinobacter, and Muricauda) were monitored by flow cytometry. The activation energy of Synechococcus, which grew at 0.94–1.38 d–1, was very similar (0.34 ± 0.02 eV) to the value hypothesized by the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) for autotrophs (0.32 eV), while the values of the three heterotrophic bacteria ranged from 0.16 to 1.15 eV and were negatively correlated with their corresponding specific growth rates (2.38–24.4 d–1). The corresponding carrying capacities did not always follow the inverse relationship with temperature predicted by MTE, nor did we observe a consistent response of bacterial cell size and temperature. Our results show that the responses to future ocean warming of autotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria in microbial consortia might not be well described by theoretical universal rules.
Lipid Droplets in the Pathogenesis of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia
Authors: Tadepalle Nimesha , Rugarli Elena I.
Published: May 2021

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are genetically heterogeneous conditions caused by the progressive dying back of the longest axons in the central nervous system, the corticospinal axons. A wealth of data in the last decade has unraveled disturbances of lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis, maturation, turnover and contact sites in cellular and animal models with perturbed expression and function of HSP proteins. As ubiquitous organelles that segregate neutral lipid into a phospholipid monolayer, LDs are at the cross-road of several processes including lipid metabolism and trafficking, energy homeostasis, and stress signaling cascades. However, their role in brain cells, especially in neurons remains enigmatic. Here, we review experimental findings linking LD abnormalities to defective function of proteins encoded by HSP genes, and discuss arising questions in the context of the pathogenesis of HSP.
Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of FFPE Tumor Samples Reveals the Influences of NET-1 siRNA Nanoparticles and Sonodynamic Therapy on Tetraspanin Protein Involved in HCC
Authors: Wu Bolin , Shang Haitao , Liu Jiayin , Liang Xitian , Yuan Yanchi , Chen Yichi , Wang Chunyue , Jing Hui , Cheng Wen
Published: May 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a severe threat to human health. The NET-1 protein has been proved to be strongly associated with HCC proliferation and metastasis in our previous study. Here, we established and validated the NET-1 siRNA nanoparticles system to conduct targeted gene therapy of HCC xenograft in vivo with the aid of sonodynamic therapy. Then, we conducted a label-free proteome mass spectrometry workflow to analyze formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded HCC xenograft samples collected in this study. The result showed that 78 proteins were differentially expressed after NET-1 protein inhibited. Among them, the expression of 17 proteins upregulated and the expression of 61 proteins were significantly downregulated. Of the protein abundance, the vast majority of Gene Ontology enrichment terms belong to the biological process. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the 78 differentially expressed proteins significantly enriched in 45 pathways. We concluded that the function of the NET-1 gene is not only to regulate HCC but also to participate in a variety of biochemical metabolic pathways in the human body. Furthermore, the protein–protein interaction analysis indicated that the interactions of differentially expressed proteins are incredibly sophisticated. All the protein–protein interactions happened after the NET-1 gene has been silenced. Finally, our study also provides a useful proposal for targeted therapy based on tetraspanin proteins to treat HCC, and further mechanism investigations are needed to reveal a more detailed mechanism of action for NET-1 protein regulation of HCC.
Neurophysiological Changes After Paired Brain and Spinal Cord Stimulation Coupled With Locomotor Training in Human Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Pulverenti Timothy S. , Zaaya Morad , Grabowski Monika , Grabowski Ewelina , Islam Md. Anamul , Li Jeffrey , Murray Lynda M. , Knikou Maria
Published: May 2021

Neurophysiological changes that involve activity-dependent neuroplasticity mechanisms via repeated stimulation and locomotor training are not commonly employed in research even though combination of interventions is a common clinical practice. In this randomized clinical trial, we established neurophysiological changes when transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex was paired with transcutaneous thoracolumbar spinal (transspinal) stimulation in human spinal cord injury (SCI) delivered during locomotor training. We hypothesized that TMS delivered before transspinal (TMS-transspinal) stimulation promotes functional reorganization of spinal networks during stepping. In this protocol, TMS-induced corticospinal volleys arrive at the spinal cord at a sufficient time to interact with transspinal stimulation induced depolarization of alpha motoneurons over multiple spinal segments. We further hypothesized that TMS delivered after transspinal (transspinal-TMS) stimulation induces less pronounced effects. In this protocol, transspinal stimulation is delivered at time that allows transspinal stimulation induced action potentials to arrive at the motor cortex and affect descending motor volleys at the site of their origin. Fourteen individuals with motor incomplete and complete SCI participated in at least 25 sessions. Both stimulation protocols were delivered during the stance phase of the less impaired leg. Each training session consisted of 240 paired stimuli delivered over 10-min blocks. In transspinal-TMS, the left soleus H-reflex increased during the stance-phase and the right soleus H-reflex decreased at mid-swing. In TMS-transspinal no significant changes were found. When soleus H-reflexes were grouped based on the TMS-targeted limb, transspinal-TMS and locomotor training promoted H-reflex depression at swing phase, while TMS-transspinal and locomotor training resulted in facilitation of the soleus H-reflex at stance phase of the step cycle. Furthermore, both transspinal-TMS and TMS-transspinal paired-associative stimulation (PAS) and locomotor training promoted a more physiological modulation of motor activity and thus depolarization of motoneurons during assisted stepping. Our findings support that targeted non-invasive stimulation of corticospinal and spinal neuronal pathways coupled with locomotor training produce neurophysiological changes beneficial to stepping in humans with varying deficits of sensorimotor function after SCI.
The Value of Cranial CT Imaging in Patients With Headache at the Emergency Department
Authors: Lemmens Cynthia M. C. , van der Linden M. Christien , Jellema Korné
Published: May 2021

Background: Headache is among the most prevalent complaints in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Clinicians are faced with the difficult task to differentiate primary (benign) from secondary headache disorders, since no international guidelines currently exist of clinical indicators for neuroimaging in headache patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 501 patients who presented at the ED with headache as a primary complaint between April 2018 and December 2018. Primary outcomes included the amount of diagnostic imaging, the different conclusions provided by diagnostic imaging, and the clinical factors associated with abnormal imaging results.

Results: About half of the patients were diagnosed with a primary headache disorder. Cranial CT imaging at the ED was performed regularly (61% of the patients) and led to the diagnosis of underlying pathology in 1 in 7.6 patients. In a multivariate model, factors significantly associated with abnormal cranial CT results were age 50 years or older, presentation within 1 h after headache onset, clinical history of aphasia, and focal neurological deficit at examination.

Conclusions: As separate clinical characteristics have limited value in detecting severe underlying headache disorders, cranial imaging is regularly performed in the ED. Clinical prediction model tools applied to headache patients may identify patients at risk of intracranial pathology prior to diagnostic imaging and reduce cranial imaging in the future.