bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How substantive corporate social responsibility attributions promote employee work engagement: A triple mediation model
Authors: Guo Hao , Yan Aimin , He Xiaoxing
Published: October 2022

Increasing evidences suggest that employees exhibit positive attitudinal and behavioral responses when they attribute their company’s demonstrations of corporate social responsibility as substantive. However, there has been insufficient investigation into the underlying psychological processes through which substantive corporate social responsibility attributions are associated with work engagement. Based on the model of psychological conditions for engagement, we proposed that attributions of substantive CSR are positively related to work engagement via work meaningfulness, psychological safety, and organization-based self-esteem. We collected two-wave time-lagged questionnaire data from 503 fulltime employees in mainland China. Hierarchical regression was conducted to test hypothesized model using SPSS Process macro. Results indicated that substantive corporate social responsibility attributions positively predicted work engagement; work meaningfulness, psychological safety and organization-based self-esteem parallel mediated this relationship. The findings contribute to the literature of well-being related outcomes of corporate social responsibility attributions and help a thorough understanding of antecedents of work engagement. It expands our knowledge of the new mechanisms in the relationship between corporate social responsibility attributions and work engagement. Our findings also could shed lights on the management for employees’ work engagement.
Peer effects of enterprise green financing behavior: Evidence from China
Authors: Yang Songling , Zhang Huining , Zhang Qiuyue , Liu Tingli
Published: October 2022

Green finance is critical for adjusting the industrial structure and promoting sustainable economic development; therefore, it is important to understand enterprise green investment and financing behavior. This study aims to investigate the peer effects of enterprise green financing behavior. Based on theoretical analysis, this study selected data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020 as the research sample. In this study, the fixed effects model was used to examine the peer effects of enterprise green financing. Meanwhile, a moderating effect model was employed to explore the function of the economic policy uncertainty and corporate social responsibility commitment on peer effects of enterprise green financing. The results show that the enterprise’s green financing behavior increases significantly with its peer companies’ (i.e., other companies in the same industry or the same region) green financing behavior, and responds to peer companies’ characteristics in the same industry, indicating peer effects on green financing behavior. The peer effects of enterprise green financing are stronger when the economic policy uncertainty is higher, suggesting that the green financing behavior of peer companies reduces external uncertainty by providing comprehensive and useful information, thus enhancing the enterprise’s information environment and enabling it to make better green financing decisions. Moreover, peer effects are more pronounced when corporate social responsibility commitment is higher, indicating that peer companies’ higher performance in social responsibility can improve their information transparency and build good reputation, increasing the enterprise’s disclosure and reputation costs in the capital market. Therefore, our findings highlight the importance of peer effects in enterprise green financing behavior. To enhance the enterprises’ green financing behavior and promote green finance development, the government should focus on the industrial and regional situation to conduct green finance and promote the overall green financing behavior of enterprises by establishing typical enterprises or pilot cities.
Global patterns in symbiont selection and transmission strategies in sponges
Authors: Díez-Vives Cristina , Koutsouveli Vasiliki , Conejero Maria , Riesgo Ana
Published: October 2022

Sponges host dense and diverse communities of microbes (known as the microbiome) beneficial for the host nutrition and defense. Symbionts in turn receive shelter and metabolites from the sponge host, making their relationship beneficial for both partners. Given that sponge-microbes associations are fundamental for the survival of both, especially the sponge, such relationship is maintained through their life and even passed on to the future generations. In many organisms, the microbiome has profound effects on the development of the host, but the influence of the microbiome on the reproductive and developmental pathways of the sponges are less understood. In sponges, microbes are passed on to oocytes, sperm, embryos, and larvae (known as vertical transmission), using a variety of methods that include direct uptake from the mesohyl through phagocytosis by oocytes to indirect transmission to the oocyte by nurse cells. Such microbes can remain in the reproductive elements untouched, for transfer to offspring, or can be digested to make the yolky nutrient reserves of oocytes and larvae. When and how those decisions are made are fundamentally unanswered questions in sponge reproduction. Here we review the diversity of vertical transmission modes existent in the entire phylum Porifera through detailed imaging using electron microscopy, available metabarcoding data from reproductive elements, and macroevolutionary patterns associated to phylogenetic constraints. Additionally, we examine the fidelity of this vertical transmission and possible reasons for the observed variability in some developmental stages. Our current understanding in marine sponges, however, is that the adult microbial community is established by a combination of both vertical and horizontal (acquisition from the surrounding environment in each new generation) transmission processes, although the extent in which each mode shapes the adult microbiome still remains to be determined. We also assessed the fundamental role of filtration, the cellular structures for acquiring external microbes, and the role of the host immune system, that ultimately shapes the stable communities of prokaryotes observed in adult sponges.
Systematic pan-cancer analysis of the nicotinamide n-methyltransferase in human cancer
Authors: Cao Li , Wu Wei , Deng Xiangyu , Peng Yizhong , Chen Yangyang , Guo Haoyu , Wang Lutong , Li Xingyin , Zhang Zhicai , Shao Zengwu
Published: October 2022

In several tumors, Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT) was identified as a bridge between methylation metabolism and tumorigenesis and was associated with a poor prognosis. This research aims is to study the prognostic value of NNMT in cancer, its relationship with DNA methylation, and the immune microenvironment. On the basis of the Cancer Genome Atlas and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, Genotype Tissue-Expression, cBioPortal, Cellminer, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, Human Protein Atlas and Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, we used a series of bioinformatics strategies to investigate the potential carcinogenicity of NNMT, including the relationship between NNMT expression and prognosis, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and sensitivity analysis of anticancer drugs. The GeneMANIA, STRING, and BioGRID databases were examined for protein-protein interactions, and Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes were used to infer the signal pathway. The results indicated that NNMT was significantly expressed in several tumor tissues compared to the matching non-tumor tissues. Increased NNMT expression was linked to reduced OS, DSS, and DFI. In addition, there was a link between NNMT expression and TMB and MSI in 18 cancer types, and between NNMT expression and DNA methylation in 23 cancer types. Further study of NNMT gene alteration data revealed that deletion was the most prevalent form of NNMT mutation, and that there was a significant negative association between NNMT expression and mismatch repair genes. In addition, there was a strong positive connection between NNMT and immune infiltration in 28 types of tumors, and the immune cells that infiltrated the tumors displayed a characteristic NNMT pattern. According to the enrichment study, cell migration, cell motility, and cell adhesion were highly enriched in biological processes, and NNMT may be associated with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. By downregulating gene methylation or impacting the immunological microenvironment widely, NNMT may drive carcinogenesis and cause a poor prognosis. Our research showed that NNMT could be used as a biomarker of tumor immune infiltration and poor prognosis, thus providing a unique strategy for cancer therapy.
Circular RNAs in diabetes and its complications: Current knowledge and future prospects
Authors: Yin Wenfeng , Zhang Ziwei , Xiao Zilin , Li Xia , Luo Shuoming , Zhou Zhiguang
Published: October 2022

A novel class of non-coding RNA transcripts called circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been the subject of significant recent studies. Accumulating evidence points that circRNAs play an important role in the cellular processes, inflammatory expression, and immune responses through sponging miRNA, binding, or translating in proteins. Studies have found that circRNAs are involved in the physiologic and pathologic processes of diabetes. There has been an increased focus on the relevance of between abnormal circRNA expression and the development and progression of various types of diabetes and diabetes-related diseases. These circRNAs not only serve as promising diagnostic and prognostic molecular biomarkers, but also have important biological roles in islet cells, diabetes, and its complications. In addition, many circRNA signaling pathways have been found to regulate the occurrence and development of diabetes. Here we comprehensively review and discuss recent advances in our understanding of the physiologic function and regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs on pancreatic islet cells, different subtypes in diabetes, and diabetic complications.
Identification of genes related to sexual differentiation and sterility in embryonic gonads of Mule ducks by transcriptome analysis
Authors: Yang Yu , Li Xuelian , Ye Shengqiang , Chen Xing , Wang Lixia , Qian Yunguo , Xin Qingwu , Li Li , Gong Ping
Published: October 2022

The key genes of avian gonadal development are of great significance for sex determination. Transcriptome sequencing analysis of Mule duck gonad as potential sterile model is expected to screen candidate genes related to avian gonad development. In this study, the embryonic gonadal tissues of Mule ducks, Jinding ducks, and Muscovy ducks were collected and identified. Six sample groups including female Mule duck (A), male Mule duck (B), female Jinding duck (C), male Jinding duck (D), female Muscovy duck (E), and male Muscovy duck (F) were subjected to RNA sequencing analysis. A total of 9,471 differential genes (DEGs) and 691 protein-protein interaction pairs were obtained. Totally, 12 genes (Dmrt1, Amh, Sox9, Tex14, Trim71, Slc26a8, Spam1, Tdrp, Tsga10, Boc, Cxcl14, and Hsd17b3) were identified to be specifically related to duck testicular development, and 11 genes (Hsd17b1, Cyp19a1, Cyp17a1, Hhipl2, Tdrp, Uts2r, Cdon, Axin2, Nxph1, Brinp2, and Brinp3) were specifically related to duck ovarian development. Seven genes (Stra8, Dmc1, Terb1, Tex14, Tsga10, Spam1, and Plcd4) were screened to be specifically involved in the female sterility of Mule ducks; eight genes (Gtsf1, Nalcn, Tat, Slc26a8, Kmo, Plcd4, Aldh4a1, and Hgd) were specifically involved in male sterility; and five genes (Terb1, Stra8, Tex14 Tsga10 and Spam1) were involved in both female and male sterility. This study provides an insight into the differential development between male and female gonads of ducks and the sterility mechanism of Mule ducks through function, pathway, and protein interaction analyses. Our findings provide theoretical basis for the further research on sex determination and differentiation of birds and the sterility of Mule ducks.
Case Report: The novel hemizygous mutation in the SSR4 gene caused congenital disorder of glycosylation type iy: A case study and literature review
Authors: Wang Jun , Gou Xingqing , Wang Xiyi , Zhang Jing , Zhao Nan , Wang Xiaohong
Published: October 2022

Background: Recently, the hemizygous variation of SSR4 gene has been reported to be associated with congenital disorder of glycosylation type Iy. To date, only 13 patients have been diagnosed with SSR4-CDG in the worldwide, but it has not been reported in the Chinese population.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing and gene copy number variation analysis were used to genetic analysis. The mRNA expression of SSR4 gene in blood was detected by Real-time Quantitative PCR. The clinical manifestations of all patients reported in the literature were reviewed.

Results: WES analysis identified a de novo hemizygous variant c.269G>A (p.Trp90*) of SSR4 gene in the proband with psychomotor retardation, microcephaly, abnormal facial features, and nystagmus. This variant has not been reported in previous studies. The in vivo mRNA expression of SSR4 gene in patient was significantly decreased. Literature review showed that all 14 patients, including our patient, presented with hypotonia, intellectual disability, developmental delay, microcephaly, and abnormal facial features, while most patients had feeding difficulties, growth retardation, and ocular abnormalities, and epilepsy and skeletal abnormalities are less common.

Conclusion: We reported the first case of SSR4-CDG caused by SSR4 variant in Chinese population, expanded the clinical and mutation spectra of the disorder, clarified the genetic etiology of the patient, and offered support for the prenatal diagnosis of the index family.
Gender-related differentially expressed genes in pancreatic cancer: possible culprits or accomplices?
Authors: Ramezankhani Roya , Ghavidel Afshin Abdi , Rashidi Saadyeh , Rojhannezhad Mahbubeh , Abolkheir Hamid Reza , Mirhosseini Malihe , Taleahmad Sara , Vosough Massoud
Published: October 2022

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality worldwide, and its incidence and mortality rate in several regions is higher in male patients. Although numerous efforts have been made to enhance the clinical outcomes of existing therapeutic regimens, their efficiency is still low, and drug resistance usually occurs in many patients. In addition, the exact underlying molecular basis that makes PC slightly more prevalent among males remains unknown. Providing information regarding the possible association between gender and PC tumorigenesis may offer important clues for how certain molecular cross-talks can affect PC initiation and/or progression. In this study, we used several microarray expression data to identify the common up- and downregulated genes within one specific gender, which were also specified to have binding sites for androgen and/or estrogen receptors. Using functional enrichment analysis among the others, for all the gene sets found in this study, we have shed light on the plausible importance of the androgenic effectors in tumorigenesis, such as the androgen-regulated expression of the GLI transcription factor and the potential role of testosterone in the extracellular matrix (ECM)–cell interaction, which are known for their importance in tumorigenesis. Moreover, we demonstrated that the biological process axon guidance was highlighted regarding the upregulated genes in male patients. Overall, identification of gene candidates as the possible link between gender and PC progression or survival rates may help in developing strategies to reduce the incidence of this cancer.
Developmental defects and behavioral changes in a diet-induced inflammation model of zebrafish
Authors: Rehman Saima , Gora Adnan H. , Varshney Shubham , Dias Jorge , Olsvik Pål A. , Fernandes Jorge M. O. , Brugman Sylvia , Kiron Viswanath
Published: October 2022

Soybean meal evokes diet-induced intestinal inflammation in certain fishes. Although the molecular aspects of soybean-induced intestinal inflammation in zebrafish are known, the impact of the inflammatory diet on fish behavior remain largely underexplored. We fed zebrafish larvae with three diets - control, soybean meal and soybean meal with β-glucan to gain deeper insight into the behavioral changes associated with the soybean meal-induced inflammation model. We assessed the effect of the diets on the locomotor behavior, morphological development, oxygen consumption and larval transcriptome. Our study revealed that dietary soybean meal can reduce the locomotor activity, induce developmental defects and increase the oxygen demand in zebrafish larvae. Transcriptomic analysis pointed to the suppression of genes linked to visual perception, organ development, phototransduction pathway and activation of genes linked to the steroid biosynthesis pathway. On the contrary, β-glucan, an anti-inflammatory feed additive, counteracted the behavioral and phenotypic changes linked to dietary soybean. Although we did not identify any differentially expressed genes from the soybean meal alone fed group vs soybean meal + β-glucan-fed group comparison, the unique genes from the comparisons of the two groups with the control likely indicate reduction in inflammatory cytokine signaling, inhibition of proteolysis and induction of epigenetic modifications by the dietary glucan. Furthermore, we found that feeding an inflammatory diet at the larval stage can lead to long-lasting developmental defects. In conclusion, our study reveals the extra-intestinal manifestations associated with soybean meal-induced inflammation model.
Translation suppression underlies the restrained COVID-19 mRNA vaccine response in the high-risk immunocompromised group
Authors: Kim Kangsan , Narasimhan Madhusudhanan , Mahimainathan Lenin , Zhang Ray , Araj Ellen , Kim Elizabeth , Tharpe William , Greenberg Benjamin M. , Greenberg David E. , Li Quan-Zhen , Cheng Chi-An , Sarode Ravi , Malladi Srinivas , Muthukumar Alagarraju
Published: October 2022

Background

Immunocompromised (IC) patients show diminished immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Co-mV). To date, there is no ‘empirical’ evidence to link the perturbation of translation, a rate-limiting step for mRNA vaccine efficiency (VE), to the dampened response of Co-mV.

Materials and methods

Impact of immunosuppressants (ISs), tacrolimus (T), mycophenolate (M), rapamycin/sirolimus (S), and their combinations on Pfizer Co-mV translation were determined by the Spike (Sp) protein expression following Co-mV transfection in HEK293 cells. In vivo impact of ISs on SARS-CoV-2 spike specific antigen (SpAg) and associated antibody levels (IgGSp) in serum were assessed in Balb/c mice after two doses (2D) of the Pfizer vaccine. Spike Ag and IgGSp levels were assessed in 259 IC patients and 50 healthy controls (HC) who received 2D of Pfizer or Moderna Co-mV as well as in 67 immunosuppressed solid organ transplant (SOT) patients and 843 non-transplanted (NT) subjects following three doses (3D) of Co-mV. Higher Co-mV concentrations and transient drug holidays were evaluated.

Results

We observed significantly lower IgGSP response in IC patients (p<0.0001) compared to their matched controls in 2D and 3D Co-mV groups. IC patients on M or S showed a profound dampening of IgGSP response relative to those that were not on these drugs. M and S, when used individually or in combination, significantly attenuated the Co-mV-induced Sp expression, whereas T did not exert significant influence. Sirolimus combo pretreatment in vivo significantly attenuated the Co-mV induced IgMSp and IgGSp production, which correlated with a decreasing trend in the early levels (after day 1) of Co-mV induced Sp immunogen levels. Neither higher Co-mV concentrations (6μg) nor withholding S for 1-day could overcome the inhibition of Sp protein levels. Interestingly, 3-days S holiday or using T alone rescued Sp levels in vitro.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate that ISs, sirolimus and mycophenolate inhibited Co-mV-induced Sp protein synthesis via translation repression. Selective use of tacrolimus or drug holiday of sirolimus can be a potential means to rescue translation-dependent Sp protein production. These findings lay a strong foundation for guiding future studies aimed at improving Co-mV responses in high-risk IC patients.
IgTreeZ, A Toolkit for Immunoglobulin Gene Lineage Tree-Based Analysis, Reveals CDR3s Are Crucial for Selection Analysis
Authors: Neuman Hadas , Arrouasse Jessica , Kedmi Meirav , Cerutti Andrea , Magri Giuliana , Mehr Ramit
Published: October 2022

Somatic hypermutation (SHM) is an important diversification mechanism that plays a part in the creation of immune memory. Immunoglobulin (Ig) variable region gene lineage trees were used over the last four decades to model SHM and the selection mechanisms operating on B cell clones. We hereby present IgTreeZ (Immunoglobulin Tree analyZer), a python-based tool that analyses many aspects of Ig gene lineage trees and their repertoires. Using simulations, we show that IgTreeZ can be reliably used for mutation and selection analyses. We used IgTreeZ on empirical data, found evidence for different mutation patterns in different B cell subpopulations, and gained insights into antigen-driven selection in corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients. Most importantly, we show that including the CDR3 regions in selection analyses – which is only possible if these analyses are lineage tree-based – is crucial for obtaining correct results. Overall, we present a comprehensive lineage tree analysis tool that can reveal new biological insights into B cell repertoire dynamics.
A systematic review and network meta-analysis of first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor combination therapies in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Shao Taihang , Zhao Mingye , Liang Leyi , Tang Wenxi
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Clinical evidence suggests that first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapies can improve survival in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (nsq-NSCLC). However, the optimal strategy remains unknown without a systematic comparison of their long-term effects.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis by retrieving up-to-date literature from PubMed® (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Embase® (Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands), MEDLINE® (National Library of Medicine), ClinicalTrials.gov (National Library of Medicine), and major international conference publications. Published studies and abstracts comparing first-line ICI combination therapies with other treatments for patients with advanced nsq-NSCLC were included. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) was measured over 12 months for progression-free survival (PFS) and 18 months for overall survival (OS), and the Royston–Parmar model was used to extrapolate and compare data for the long-term outcomes.

Results

We included a total of 11 trials involving 12 therapies and 6,130 patients. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy exhibited the best overall survival (OS) benefit at both 18 and 60 months [RMST = 2.95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.96 to 3.97; life-years gained over a 5-year period = 2.18 years]. Nivolumab plus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy was found to present the best progression-free survival (PFS) benefit at 12 months (RMST 3.02, 95% CI 2.11 to 3.91), whereas atezolizumab plus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy showed the best PFS benefit at 36 months (life-years gained over 3 years = 1.22 years). Subgroup analyses showed that among patients with programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression ≥ 50%, atezolizumab plus chemotherapy and nivolumab plus ipilimumab resulted in superior OS benefits at 18 and 60 months, respectively. Among patients with PD-L1 expression< 1%, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy was associated with OS benefits at both 18 and 60 months. Sintilimab plus chemotherapy was associated with relatively fewer grade ≥ 3 adverse events than other ICI combination therapies.

Conclusion

Our results show that ICI combination therapies showed better survival benefits than chemotherapy. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy could provide the best OS benefits to patients with advanced nsq-NSCLC, whereas atezolizumab plus bevacizumab plus chemotherapy could bring the best PFS benefits. The optimal ICI combination therapy varies depending on PD-L1 expression level.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=325005, identifier CRD42022325005.
Inconsistency between ship- and Argo float-based pCO2 at the intense upwelling region of the Drake Passage, Southern Ocean
Authors: Wu Yingxu , Qi Di
Published: October 2022

The Southern Ocean absorbs a quarter of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to modulate the climate system. However, less attention has been paid to the CO2 outgassing phenomenon at the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) region of the Southern Ocean due to strong upwelling. Recent studies using autonomous biogeochemical-Argo float revealed a greater winter CO2 outgassing than previously estimated at ACC zone of the Southern Ocean, which, however, remains controversial and urgently needs to be validated. Here we take the Drake Passage as a case study to present new insights into the Southern Ocean carbon cycle and examine the validity of float-based CO2 outgassing. Upon integrating the ship-based data over the past two decades, we investigate the spatiotemporal variability of sea surface CO2 partial pressure (pCO2) in Drake Passage. We show that Drake Passage is acting as a year-round weak CO2 sink, although some CO2 uptake is counteracted by winter CO2 outgassing. The float-based pCO2 values are overall higher than ship-based values in winter, by 6 to 20 µatm (averaged 14 µatm) at the most intensive upwelling region. We then develop a surface carbon balance calculation (considering mixing between surface, subsurface, and upwelled waters) to estimate the potential of surface pCO2 increase due to upwelling, and we find that upwelling of CO2-rich subsurface waters in Drake Passage cannot support an excess ΔpCO2 of 14 µatm as suggested by float detections. We further compare our results to previous study and find that, although we used same datasets and obtained comparable results, the way to conclude the bias in float-based pCO2 would cause significant difference: an uncertainty of ±2.7% (i.e., ± 11 µatm) in float-based pCO2 estimated by other study seems acceptable, however, it is five times larger than the typical ship-based pCO2 uncertainty ( ± 2 µatm), and would cause ~180% bias in CO2 flux estimates. Going forward, there is special need for caution when interpreting the float-based CO2 flux; meanwhile, further comparisons and corrections between float- and ship-based pCO2 are clearly warranted.
Neuromuscular and acute symptoms responses to progressive elastic resistance exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Cross-sectional study
Authors: Calatayud Joaquin , Torres-Castro Rodrigo , Vera-Uribe Roberto , Olivares-Valenzuela Álvaro , Guzmán-González Benjamín , Torres María E. , Sepúlveda-Cáceres Nicolás , Andersen Lars L. , Cruz-Montecinos Carlos
Published: October 2022

Background

Quadriceps muscle training is a key part in the rehabilitation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, exercise intensity prescription and progression with the typically used elastic bands is challenging. We aimed to evaluate neuromuscular, acute symptoms and cardiorespiratory responses (heart rate and dyspnea) during progressive elastic resistance exercise in patients with COPD.

Methods

Fourteen patients diagnosed with moderate-very severe COPD performed knee extensions at different elastic resistance levels (i.e., colors). The neuromuscular activity was recorded using surface electromyography for the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis, together with rate of perceived exertion, perceived quadriceps fatigue, dyspnea, oxygen saturation and heart rate.

Results

For the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, increase of muscle activity was evident from a two-level increment when using the red color. For the vastus medialis, there were no muscle activity progressions. Dyspnea, quadriceps fatigue and especially rate of perceived exertion increased in a dose-response fashion and were correlated with the resistance level and muscle activity at the three muscles.

Conclusion

Heavy elastic resistance exercise is feasible in COPD patients without excessive dyspnea and a stable cardiorespiratory response. In general, at least two elastic resistance increments are needed to enhance muscle activity for the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris, while there is no increase for the vastus medialis. These results may help to individualize exercise dosing during elastic resistance training in patients with COPD.
Maize-soybean relay strip intercropping reshapes the rhizosphere bacterial community and recruits beneficial bacteria to suppress Fusarium root rot of soybean
Authors: Chang Xiaoli , Wei Dengqin , Zeng Yuhan , Zhao Xinyu , Hu Yu , Wu Xiaoling , Song Chun , Gong Guoshu , Chen Huabao , Yang Chunping , Zhang Min , Liu Taiguo , Chen Wanquan , Yang Wenyu
Published: October 2022

Rhizosphere microbes play a vital role in plant health and defense against soil-borne diseases. Previous studies showed that maize-soybean relay strip intercropping altered the diversity and composition of pathogenic Fusarium species and biocontrol fungal communities in the soybean rhizosphere, and significantly suppressed soybean root rot. However, whether the rhizosphere bacterial community participates in the regulation of this intercropping on soybean root rot is not clear. In this study, the rhizosphere soil of soybean healthy plants was collected in the continuous cropping of maize-soybean relay strip intercropping and soybean monoculture in the fields, and the integrated methods of microbial profiling, dual culture assays in vitro, and pot experiments were employed to systematically investigate the diversity, composition, and function of rhizosphere bacteria related to soybean root rot in two cropping patterns. We found that intercropping reshaped the rhizosphere bacterial community and increased microbial community diversity, and meanwhile, it also recruited much richer and more diverse species of Pseudomonas sp., Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp., and Microbacterium sp. in soybean rhizosphere when compared with monoculture. From the intercropping, nine species of rhizosphere bacteria displayed good antagonism against the pathogen Fusarium oxysporum B3S1 of soybean root rot, and among them, IRHB3 (Pseudomonas chlororaphis), IRHB6 (Streptomyces), and IRHB9 (Bacillus) were the dominant bacteria and extraordinarily rich. In contrast, MRHB108 (Streptomyces virginiae) and MRHB205 (Bacillus subtilis) were the only antagonistic bacteria from monoculture, which were relatively poor in abundance. Interestingly, introducing IRHB3 into the cultured substrates not only significantly promoted the growth and development of soybean roots but also improved the survival rate of seedlings that suffered from F. oxysporum infection. Thus, this study proves that maize-soybean relay strip intercropping could help the host resist soil-borne Fusarium root rot by reshaping the rhizosphere bacterial community and driving more beneficial microorganisms to accumulate in the soybean rhizosphere.
Abundance and biofilm formation capability of Vibrio cholerae in aquatic environment with an emphasis on Hilsha fish (Tenualosa ilisha)
Authors: Dey Subarna Sandhani , Hossain Zenat Zebin , Akhter Humaira , Jensen Peter K. M. , Begum Anowara
Published: October 2022

The potentially deadly and sporadic diarrhea-causing agent, Vibrio cholerae, is present in a great number in the freshwater aquatic environment and can be transmitted to humans by different aquatic organisms. In the perspective of Bangladesh, an anadromous fish species Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) can act as a transmission vehicle of V. cholerae from the aquatic to the household kitchen environment. The present study was carried out to investigate the presence of V. cholerae in the aquatic habitat of Bangladesh with a major emphasis on freshly caught Hilsha fish, along with river water and plankton samples from the fish capture site. The study also detected the biofilm formation capability of V. cholerae within Hilsha fish that might help the transmission and persistence of the pathogen in aquatic habitat. Twenty out of 65 freshly caught fish (30.8%) and 1 out of 15 water samples (6.67%) showed the presence of V. cholerae and none of the plankton samples were positive for V. cholerae. The isolated strains were identified as non-O1 and non-O139 serogroups of V. cholerae and contain some major toxin and virulence genes. A few strains showed cellular cytotoxicity on the HeLa cell line. All strains were able to form biofilm on the microtiter plate and the detection of three genes related to biofilm formation (vpsA, vpsL, and vpsR) were also assayed using qPCR. In this study, the in vitro biofilm formation ability of the isolated strains may indicate the long-term persistence of V. cholerae in different parts of Hilsha fish. The abundance of V. cholerae only in freshly caught Hilsha fish and the absence of the pathogen in the surrounding aquatic environment could stipulate the role of Hilsha fish as one of the major transmission routes of V. cholerae from the freshwater aquatic environment of Bangladesh to the household kitchen environment.
Development of a rapid, simple, and sensitive point-of-care technology platform utilizing ternary NanoLuc
Authors: Torio Emily A. , Ressler Valerie T. , Kincaid Virginia A. , Hurst Robin , Hall Mary P. , Encell Lance P. , Zimmerman Kristopher , Forsyth Stuart K. , Rehrauer William M. , Accola Molly A. , Hsu Chia-Chang , Machleidt Thomas , Dart Melanie L.
Published: October 2022

Point-of-care tests are highly valuable in providing fast results for medical decisions for greater flexibility in patient care. Many diagnostic tests, such as ELISAs, that are commonly used within clinical laboratory settings require trained technicians, laborious workflows, and complex instrumentation hindering their translation into point-of-care applications. Herein, we demonstrate the use of a homogeneous, bioluminescent-based, split reporter platform that enables a simple, sensitive, and rapid method for analyte detection in clinical samples. We developed this point-of-care application using an optimized ternary, split-NanoLuc luciferase reporter system that consists of two small reporter peptides added as appendages to analyte-specific affinity reagents. A bright, stable bioluminescent signal is generated as the affinity reagents bind to the analyte, allowing for proximity-induced complementation between the two reporter peptides and the polypeptide protein, in addition to the furimazine substrate. Through lyophilization of the stabilized reporter system with the formulated substrate, we demonstrate a shelf-stable, all-in-one, add-and-read analyte-detection system for use in complex sample matrices at the point-of-care. We highlight the modularity of this platform using two distinct SARS-CoV-2 model systems: SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen detection for active infections and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies for immunity status detection using chemically conjugated or genetically fused affinity reagents, respectively. This technology provides a simple and standardized method to develop rapid, robust, and sensitive analyte-detection assays with flexible assay formatting making this an ideal platform for research, clinical laboratory, as well as point-of-care applications utilizing a simple handheld luminometer.
The novel distribution of intracellular and extracellular flavonoids produced by Aspergillus sp. Gbtc 2, an endophytic fungus from Ginkgo biloba root
Authors: Wu Xinhong , Zou Kai , Liu Xueduan , Fu Shaodong , Zhang Shuangfei , Duan Zhenchun , Zhou Jin , Liang Yili
Published: October 2022

Here, we reported a Ginkgo endophyte, Aspergillus sp. Gbtc 2, isolated from the root tissue. Its flavonoid biosynthesis pathway was reconstructed, the effect of phenylalanine on the production of flavonoids was explored, and the flavonoid metabolites were identified with the high-resolution Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Some essential genes were annotated to form the upstream of the complete biosynthesis pathway, indicating that Aspergillus sp. Gbtc 2 has the ability to synthesize the C6–C3–C6 flavonoid monomers. HPLC results showed that adding an appropriate amount of phenylalanine could promote the production of flavonoids by Aspergillus Gbtc 2. LC–MS results depicted a significant difference in many flavonoids between intracellularly and extracellularly. Most of the flavonoids gathered in the cell contained glycosylation groups, while almost all components with multiple hydroxyls showed much higher concentrations extracellularly than intracellularly; they likely have different biological functions. A variety of these substances can be mapped back to the pathway pattern of flavonoid biosynthesis and prove the ability of flavonoid production once again. This study expanded the information on flavonoid biosynthesis in Aspergillus and provided a solid theoretical basis for developing the fungi into genetically engineered strains undertaking flavonoid industrialized production.
Large-scale frontoparietal theta, alpha, and beta phase synchronization: A set of EEG differential characteristics for freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease?
Authors: Karimi Fatemeh , Almeida Quincy , Jiang Ning
Published: October 2022

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a complex gait disturbance in Parkinson’s disease (PD), during which the patient is not able to effectively initiate gait or continue walking. The mystery of the FOG phenomenon is still unsolved. Recent studies have revealed abnormalities in cortical activities associated with FOG, which highlights the importance of cortical and cortical-subcortical network dysfunction in PD patients with FOG. In this paper, phase-locking value (PLV) of eight frequency sub-bands between 0.05 Hz and 35 Hz over frontal, motor, and parietal areas [during an ankle dorsiflexion (ADF) task] is used to investigate EEG phase synchronization. PLV was investigated over both superficial and deeper networks by analyzing EEG signals preprocessed with and without Surface Laplacian (SL) spatial filter. Four groups of participants were included: PD patients with severe FOG (N = 5, 5 males), PD patients with mild FOG (N = 7, 6 males), PD patients without FOG (N = 14, 13 males), and healthy age-matched controls (N = 13, 10 males). Fifteen trials were recorded from each participant. At superficial layers, frontoparietal theta phase synchrony was a unique feature present in PD with FOG groups. At deeper networks, significant dominance of interhemispheric frontoparietal alpha phase synchrony in PD with FOG, in contrast to beta phase synchrony in PD without FOG, was identified. Alpha phase synchrony was more distributed in PD with severe FOG, with higher levels of frontoparietal alpha phase synchrony. In addition to FOG-related abnormalities in PLV analysis, phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) analysis was also performed on frequency bands with PLV abnormalities. PAC analysis revealed abnormal coupling between theta and low beta frequency bands in PD with severe FOG at the superficial layers over frontal areas. At deeper networks, theta and alpha frequency bands show high PAC over parietal areas in PD with severe FOG. Alpha and low beta also presented PAC over frontal areas in PD groups with FOG. The results introduced significant phase synchrony differences between PD with and without FOG and provided important insight into a possible unified underlying mechanism for FOG. These results thus suggest that PLV and PAC can potentially be used as EEG-based biomarkers for FOG.
Abnormal behavior capture of video dynamic target based on 3D convolutional neural network
Authors: Chen Fei
Published: October 2022

The use of computers to understand video content can accurately and quickly label various videos. Behavior recognition technology can help users filter the video by screening the content. However, this calculation mode, which is only sensitive to the features in a pixel neighborhood, cannot effectively extract cross-frame long-range video features. In addition, the common long-range dependency capture methods are based on pixel pairs, which contain less semantic information and cannot accurately model dependencies. Based on this, this paper generates semantic units with rich semantic information in the form of neighborhood pixel aggregation and proposes a multi-semantic long-range dependency capture algorithm to solve this problem, which makes the established dependency relationship more accurate. At the same time, this paper proposes an early dependency transfer technology to speed up the reasoning speed of the multi-semantic long-range dependency capture algorithm. By embedding the proposed algorithm into the original convolutional neural network, and conducting sufficient performance tests and evaluations on different data sets, it is shown that the proposed algorithm outperforms other current algorithms in terms of recognition accuracy and achieves the optimal recognition effect, which can effectively enhance the long-range dependency capture ability and temporal modeling ability of the convolutional network, and improve the quality of video feature representation.
Developmental and activity-dependent modulation of coupling distance between release site and Ca2+ channel
Authors: Midorikawa Mitsuharu
Published: October 2022

Synapses are junctions between a presynaptic neuron and a postsynaptic cell specialized for fast and precise information transfer. The presynaptic terminal secretes neurotransmitters via exocytosis of synaptic vesicles. Exocytosis is a tightly regulated reaction that occurs within a millisecond of the arrival of an action potential. One crucial parameter in determining the characteristics of the transmitter release kinetics is the coupling distance between the release site and the Ca2+ channel. Still, the technical limitations have hindered detailed analysis from addressing how the coupling distance is regulated depending on the development or activity of the synapse. However, recent technical advances in electrophysiology and imaging are unveiling their different configurations in different conditions. Here, I will summarize developmental- and activity-dependent changes in the coupling distances revealed by recent studies.
Deep learning in neuroimaging data analysis: Applications, challenges, and solutions
Authors: Avberšek Lev Kiar , Repovš Grega
Published: October 2022

Methods for the analysis of neuroimaging data have advanced significantly since the beginning of neuroscience as a scientific discipline. Today, sophisticated statistical procedures allow us to examine complex multivariate patterns, however most of them are still constrained by assuming inherent linearity of neural processes. Here, we discuss a group of machine learning methods, called deep learning, which have drawn much attention in and outside the field of neuroscience in recent years and hold the potential to surpass the mentioned limitations. Firstly, we describe and explain the essential concepts in deep learning: the structure and the computational operations that allow deep models to learn. After that, we move to the most common applications of deep learning in neuroimaging data analysis: prediction of outcome, interpretation of internal representations, generation of synthetic data and segmentation. In the next section we present issues that deep learning poses, which concerns multidimensionality and multimodality of data, overfitting and computational cost, and propose possible solutions. Lastly, we discuss the current reach of DL usage in all the common applications in neuroimaging data analysis, where we consider the promise of multimodality, capability of processing raw data, and advanced visualization strategies. We identify research gaps, such as focusing on a limited number of criterion variables and the lack of a well-defined strategy for choosing architecture and hyperparameters. Furthermore, we talk about the possibility of conducting research with constructs that have been ignored so far or/and moving toward frameworks, such as RDoC, the potential of transfer learning and generation of synthetic data.
FeetBack–Redirecting touch sensation from a prosthetic hand to the human foot
Authors: Morand Rafael , Brusa Tobia , Schnüriger Nina , Catanzaro Sabrina , Berli Martin , Koch Volker M.
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Adding sensory feedback to myoelectric prosthetic hands was shown to enhance the user experience in terms of controllability and device embodiment. Often this is realized non-invasively by adding devices, such as actuators or electrodes, within the prosthetic shaft to deliver the desired feedback. However, adding a feedback system in the socket adds more weight, steals valuable space, and may interfere with myoelectric signals. To circumvent said drawbacks we tested for the first time if force feedback from a prosthetic hand could be redirected to another similarly sensitive part of the body: the foot.

Methods

We developed a vibrotactile insole that vibrates depending on the sensed force on the prosthetic fingers. This self-controlled clinical pilot trial included four experienced users of myoelectric prostheses. The participants solved two types of tasks with the artificial hands: 1) sorting objects depending on their plasticity with the feedback insole but without audio-visual feedback, and 2) manipulating fragile, heavy, and delicate objects with and without the feedback insole. The sorting task was evaluated with Goodman-Kruskal's gamma for ranked correlation. The manipulation tasks were assessed by the success rate.

Results

The results from the sorting task with vibrotactile feedback showed a substantial positive effect. The success rates for manipulation tasks with fragile and heavy objects were high under both conditions (feedback on or off, respectively). The manipulation task with delicate objects revealed inferior success with feedback in three of four participants.

Conclusion

We introduced a novel approach to touch sensation in myoelectric prostheses. The results for the sorting task and the manipulation tasks diverged. This is likely linked to the availability of various feedback sources. Our results for redirected feedback to the feet fall in line with previous similar studies that applied feedback to the residual arm.

Clinical trial registration

Name: Sensor Glove and Non-Invasive Vibrotactile Feedback Insole to Improve Hand Prostheses Functions and Embodiment (FeetBack). Date of registration: 23 April 2019. Date the first participant was enrolled: 3 September 2021. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03924310.