bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community-based participatory climate action
Authors: Restrepo-Mieth Andrea , Perry Jocelyn , Garnick Jonah , Weisberg Michael
Published: August 2023

Non-technical summary

Improving the flow of information between governments and local communities is paramount to achieving effective climate change mitigation and adaptation. We propose five pathways to deepen participation and improve community-based climate action. The pathways can be summarized as visualization, simulations to practice decision-making, participatory budgeting and planning, environmental civic service, and education and curriculum development. These pathways contribute to improving governance by consolidating in governments the practice of soliciting and incorporating community participation while simultaneously giving communities the tools and knowledge needed to become active contributors to climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.

Technical summary

Community participation is considered a key component in the design of responses to climate change. Substantial engagement of local communities is required to ensure information flow between governments and communities, but also because local communities are the primary sites of adaptation action. However, frontline communities are often excluded from decision-making and implementation processes due to political choices or failures to identify ways to make participatory frameworks more inclusive. Climate action requires the active engagement of communities in making consequential decisions, or what we term deepened participation. We propose five pathways to deepen participation: visualization, simulations to practice decision-making, participatory budgeting and planning, environmental civic service, and education and curriculum development. The five pathways identify strategies that can be incorporated into existing organizational and institutional frameworks or used to create new ones. Shortcomings related to each strategy are identified. Reflection by communities and governments is encouraged as they choose which participatory technique(s) to adopt.

Social media summary

Climate action requires the active engagement of communities. Learn five pathways to get started deepening participation.
Dynasonde Observations of Ionospheric Polar Holes Under Quiet Geomagnetic Conditions at Jang Bogo Station, Antarctica
Authors: Kim Khan‐Hyuk , Kim Dong‐Hee , Back Junho , Kwon Hyuck‐Jin , Jee Geonhwa , Ham Young‐Bae , Lee Changsup , Kim Jeong‐Han
Published: August 2023

Noticeable F‐region electron density (NmF2) depletions were observed in the winter‐nighttime polar cap ionosphere during solar minimum from the Vertical Incidence Pulsed Ionospheric Radar (VIPIR) with Dynasonde analysis at Jang Bogo Station (JBS) in Antarctica. We focus on the F‐region density depletion events (known as polar holes) following a steady quiet condition that is defined with Kp values ≤ 1+ during 6 hr. Forty‐five polar holes were identified by JBS VIPIR/Dynasonde (JVD) in 2019. All of the events started over a wide range of nightside magnetic local time (22‐05 MLT) with a peak occurrence at 01–03 MLT. JVD measured exponential NmF2 decrease in the nightside MLT (∼19–2.5 hr) zone with e‐fold decay times distributed in the range of ∼0.5–∼3.5 hr before the onset of a polar hole. The e‐folding times decrease along the longitude from dusk toward midnight. The horizontal ion drift velocity (Vhor) estimated from JVD monotonically goes down from ∼190 m/s at 18 MLT to ∼100 m/s near magnetic midnight, and the NmF2 is depleted as Vhor decreases prior to the polar hole formation. The observations of the exponential NmF2 decrease and the positive correlation between NmF2 and Vhor prior to the polar holes are discussed in light of possible formation mechanisms of polar holes, including temporal variations and spatial structure of the polar ionosphere.
Coevolution of Flood Dynamics and Economical Production in Tropical Wetlands: Insights From Bayesian Networks in Ayapel Wetland, Colombia
Authors: Herazo S. , Berrouet L. , Hernández‐Atilano E. , Agudelo‐Echavarría D. M.
Published: August 2023

The coevolution approach in socio‐hydrological systems (SHS) allows the analysis of the interactions between social and hydrological systems over time. SHS's characteristics such as non‐linearity, causality, integration of spatiotemporal scales and feedbacks must be considered. However, in simulation processes, there are challenges in analyzing these characteristics while integrating quantitative and qualitative source variables. We propose a general causal network for study of coevolution in tropical wetlands, operationalized through Bayesian Networks for a case study in Ayapel Wetland, Colombia. We defined the flood pulse and economic production to analyze the co‐evolution of tropical wetlands. We identified that the probability of having more than 146,998 individuals of livestock is 30% and of obtaining a fish production considered “high” by fishers is 44.2% for a period from 1995 to 2019. However, under permanent conditions, the probability of this livestock decreases to 18.7%, and “high” fishing increases to 87.5%. Under seasonal conditions, the probability of high livestock production increases to 42.8%, and fish production decreases to 3.85%. We demonstrated how the loss of functionality of the existing hydraulic technology in the study area modifies the production dynamics and how a maximum level of agricultural and livestock production is associated with an increase in forest and grassland cover. We consider that the application of the network strengthens adaptation strategies for climate change or The El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events, the risk management plans and land use decision plans in the tropical wetlands.
Distinct Modes of Aged Soil Carbon Export in a Large Tropical Lake Basin Identified Using Bulk and Compound‐Specific Radiocarbon Analyses of Fluvial and Lacustrine Sediment
Authors: Parker Wesley G. , Ahad Jason M. E. , Obrist‐Farner Jonathan , Keenan Benjamin , Douglas Peter M. J.
Published: August 2023

The 14C content of sedimentary organic matter (OM) and specific organic molecules provide valuable information on the source and age of OM stored in sediments, but these data are limited for tropical fluvial and lake sediments. We analyzed 14C in bulk OM, palmitic acid (C16), and long‐chain n‐alkanoic acids (C24, C26, and C28), within fluvial and lake sediments in the catchment of Lake Izabal, a large tectonic lake basin in Guatemala. We combined these measurements with bulk and compound‐specific δ13C measurements, as well as sediment organic carbon to nitrogen (OC:N) ratios, to understand the source and age of sedimentary OM in different regions of the lake catchment. Most fatty acid and bulk OM samples were characterized by pre‐modern carbon, indicating important input of aged carbon with residence times of hundreds to thousands of years into sediments. We identified two mechanisms leading to aged carbon export to sediments. In the high‐relief and deforested Polochic catchment, older OM and fatty acids are associated with low % total organic carbon (TOC) and low OC:N, indicating aged OM associated with eroded mineral soil. In the smaller, low‐relief, and largely forested Oscuro catchment, old OM and fatty acids are associated with high %TOC and high OC:N ratios, indicating export of undegraded aged plant biomass from swamp peat. The age of bulk OM and fatty acids in Lake Izabal sediments is similar to the ages observed in fluvial sediments, implying that fluvial input of aged soil carbon makes an important contribution to lake sediment carbon reservoirs in this large tropical lake.
Chronic pulmonary bacterial infection facilitates breast cancer lung metastasis by recruiting tumor-promoting MHCIIhi neutrophils
Authors: Ma Teng , Tang Yu , Wang Taolin , Yang Yang , Zhang Yige , Wang Ruihuan , Zhang Yongxin , Li Yi , Wu Mingbo , Tang Miao , Hu Xueli , Zou Chaoyu , Ren Yuan , Liu Huan , Zhang Qianhua , Li Heyue , Wu Min , Li Jing , Zhou Xikun
Published: August 2023

Breast cancer can metastasize to various organs, including the lungs. The immune microenvironment of the organs to be metastasized plays a crucial role in the metastasis of breast cancer. Infection with pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can alter the immune status of the lung. However, the effect of chronic inflammation caused by bacteria on the formation of a premetastatic niche within the lung is unclear, and the contribution of specific immune mediators to tumor metastasis also remains largely undetermined. Here, we used a mouse model revealing that chronic pulmonary bacterial infection augmented breast cancer lung metastasis by recruiting a distinct subtype of tumor-infiltrating MHCIIhi neutrophils into the lung, which exhibit cancer-promoting properties. Functionally, MHCIIhi neutrophils enhanced the lung metastasis of breast cancer in a cell-intrinsic manner. Furthermore, we identified CCL2 from lung tissues as an important environmental signal to recruit and maintain MHCIIhi neutrophils. Our findings clearly link bacterial-immune crosstalk to breast cancer lung metastasis and define MHCIIhi neutrophils as the principal mediator between chronic infection and tumor metastasis.
Identification of an intronic enhancer regulating RANKL expression in osteocytic cells
Authors: Yan Minglu , Tsukasaki Masayuki , Muro Ryunosuke , Ando Yutaro , Nakamura Kazutaka , Komatsu Noriko , Nitta Takeshi , Okamura Tadashi , Okamoto Kazuo , Takayanagi Hiroshi
Published: August 2023

The bony skeleton is continuously renewed throughout adult life by the bone remodeling process, in which old or damaged bone is removed by osteoclasts via largely unknown mechanisms. Osteocytes regulate bone remodeling by producing the osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL (encoded by the TNFSF11 gene). However, the precise mechanisms underlying RANKL expression in osteocytes are still elusive. Here, we explored the epigenomic landscape of osteocytic cells and identified a hitherto-undescribed osteocytic cell-specific intronic enhancer in the TNFSF11 gene locus. Bioinformatics analyses showed that transcription factors involved in cell death and senescence act on this intronic enhancer region. Single-cell transcriptomic data analysis demonstrated that cell death signaling increased RANKL expression in osteocytic cells. Genetic deletion of the intronic enhancer led to a high-bone-mass phenotype with decreased levels of RANKL in osteocytic cells and osteoclastogenesis in the adult stage, while RANKL expression was not affected in osteoblasts or lymphocytes. These data suggest that osteocytes may utilize a specialized regulatory element to facilitate osteoclast formation at the bone surface to be resorbed by linking signals from cellular senescence/death and RANKL expression.
Subtelomeric 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase copy number variation confers glyphosate resistance in Eleusine indica
Authors: Zhang Chun , Johnson Nicholas A. , Hall Nathan , Tian Xingshan , Yu Qin , Patterson Eric L.
Published: August 2023

Genomic structural variation (SV) has profound effects on organismal evolution; often serving as a source of novel genetic variation. Gene copy number variation (CNV), one type of SV, has repeatedly been associated with adaptive evolution in eukaryotes, especially with environmental stress. Resistance to the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, has evolved through target-site CNV in many weedy plant species, including the economically important grass, Eleusine indica (goosegrass); however, the origin and mechanism of these CNVs remain elusive in many weed species due to limited genetic and genomic resources. To study this CNV in goosegrass, we present high-quality reference genomes for glyphosate-susceptible and -resistant goosegrass lines and fine-assembles of the duplication of glyphosate’s target site gene 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS). We reveal a unique rearrangement of EPSPS involving chromosome subtelomeres. This discovery adds to the limited knowledge of the importance of subtelomeres as genetic variation generators and provides another unique example for herbicide resistance evolution.
Elevated binding and functional antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in infants versus mothers
Authors: Stoddard Caitlin I. , Sung Kevin , Yaffe Zak A. , Weight Haidyn , Beaudoin-Bussières Guillaume , Galloway Jared , Gantt Soren , Adhiambo Judith , Begnel Emily R. , Ojee Ednah , Slyker Jennifer , Wamalwa Dalton , Kinuthia John , Finzi Andrés , Matsen Frederick A. , Lehman Dara A. , Overbaugh Julie
Published: August 2023

Infant antibody responses to viral infection can differ from those in adults. However, data on the specificity and function of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in infants, and direct comparisons between infants and adults are limited. Here, we characterize antibody binding and functionality against Wuhan-Hu-1 (B lineage) strain SARS-CoV-2 in convalescent plasma from 36 postpartum women and 14 of their infants infected with SARS-CoV-2 from a vaccine-naïve prospective cohort in Nairobi, Kenya. We find significantly higher antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 Spike, receptor binding domain and N-terminal domain, and Spike-expressing cell-surface staining levels in infants versus mothers. Plasma antibodies from mothers and infants bind to similar regions of the Spike S2 subunit, including the fusion peptide (FP) and stem helix-heptad repeat 2. However, infants display higher antibody levels and more consistent antibody escape pathways in the FP region compared to mothers. Finally, infants have significantly higher levels of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), though, surprisingly, Spike pseudovirus neutralization titers between infants and mothers are similar. These results suggest infants develop distinct SARS-CoV-2 binding and functional antibody activities and reveal age-related differences in humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection that could be relevant to protection and COVID-19 disease outcomes.
In-situ self-crosslinking strategy for autonomous self-healing materials
Authors: Song Yan , Kong Annan , Chen Dongxiang , Li Guo Liang
Published: August 2023

Autonomous self-healing anticorrosion protective coatings from intrinsic polymers is a great challenge. In this work, in-situ self-crosslinking strategy was demonstrated for constructing self-healing anticorrosion polymers. The as-synthesized polymers had tunable catechol content and mechanical properties. The specimens could be repaired in an Fe3+ solution owing to the formation of dynamic catechol-Fe3+ coordination crosslinking sites. Moreover, when scratched, the prepared polymers exhibited a self-healing anticorrosion performance, as evidenced by salt immersion and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An in-situ self-crosslinking mechanism was proposed, which was derived from the dynamic coordination of catechol groups in the polymer chains and Fe3+ produced from the metal substrate. This intrinsic self-healing anticorrosion polymer are highly potential for anticorrosion applications in harsh environments.
Coherent memory for microwave photons based on long-lived mechanical excitations
Authors: Liu Yulong , Liu Qichun , Sun Huanying , Chen Mo , Wang Shuaipeng , Li Tiefu
Published: August 2023

Mechanical resonators, due to their capability to host ultralong-lived phonon modes, are particularly attractive for quantum state storage and as memory elements in conjunction with quantum computing and communication networks. Here we demonstrate absorptive-type coherent memory based on long-lived mechanical excitations. The itinerant coherent microwave field is captured, stored, and retrieved from a mechanical memory oscillator which is pre-cooled to the ground state. The phase space distribution allows us to distinguish between coherent and thermal components and study their evolution as a function of storage time. Our device exhibits attractive functions with an energy decay time of T1 = 15.9 s, a thermal decoherence rate of Γth = 2.85 Hz, and acquires less than one quantum noise during the τcoh = 55.7 ms storage period. We demonstrate that both the amplitude and phase information of microwave coherent states can be recovered, indicating the coherence of our memory device. These results suggest that high-Q mechanical resonators and long coherence time phonons could be ideal candidates for the construction of long-lived and on-demand microwave quantum memories.
A multi-modal panel dataset to understand the psychological impact of the pandemic
Authors: van der Vegt Isabelle , Kleinberg Bennett
Published: August 2023

Besides far-reaching public health consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact on people around the world. To gain further insight into this matter, we introduce the Real World Worry Waves Dataset (RW3D). The dataset combines rich open-ended free-text responses with survey data on emotions, significant life events, and psychological stressors in a repeated-measures design in the UK over three years (2020: n = 2441, 2021: n = 1716 and 2022: n = 1152). This paper provides background information on the data collection procedure, the recorded variables, participants’ demographics, and higher-order psychological and text-derived variables that emerged from the data. The RW3D is a unique primary data resource that could inspire new research questions on the psychological impact of the pandemic, especially those that connect modalities (here: text data, psychological survey variables and demographics) over time.
Proximate, minerals, carotenoid and trypsin inhibitor composition in the exoskeletons of seafood gastropods and their potentials for sustainable circular utilisation
Authors: Elegbede Isa Olalekan , Lawal-Are Aderonke , Oloyede Rashidat , Sanni Rukayat Oluwatayo , Jolaosho Toheeb Lekan , Goussanou Appolinaire , Ngo-Massou Vanessa Maxemilie
Published: August 2023

Periwinkle shells ofTympanotonus fuscatus,Pachymelania aurita, andThais coronatawere analyzed for their proximate composition, nutritionally significant minerals, trypsin inhibitors, and carotenoids. The mean values obtained were compared using an ANOVA test.The results showed thatT. fuscatushad the highest mean moisture content of 0.96 ± 0.14% and a mean value of 0.49 ± 0.13% for crude fibre but was not significantly different (P > 0.05) fromP. auritus. The crude protein and fibre content ofT. fuscatuswas significantly higher (P < 0.05) than other periwinkle samples.T. coronatahad the highest mean total ash content and was significantly different (p < 0.05) from other periwinkle samples.T. fuscatushad the highest mean value for Mg (0.32 ± 0.03 mg/kg) and differed significantly (P < 0.05). The mean Ca content ofP. auritawas not significantly different (P > 0.05) from that ofT. coronata. The mean values of CaCO3inT. fuscatus, P. aurita, and T. coronatawere 57.20 ± 2.46, 59.50 ± 3.23, and 62.36 ± 1.56 (mg/kg), respectively.T. coronatawas significantly different (P < 0.05) from other periwinkle samples. The mean values of carotenoids inT. fuscatus,P. aurita, andT. coronatawere 7.17 ± 2.14, 18.00 ± 5.27, and 11.20 ± 3.60 (mg/kg), respectively, andP. auritawas significantly different (P < 0.05) from other periwinkle samples.T. fuscatusandP. auritahad shells with significant amounts of trypsin inhibitor (23.30 ± 4.50 mg/kg and 22.90 ± 14.10 mg/kg, respectively), making them less suitable for livestock feed. In contrast,T. coronatahad a lower mean value of 11.80 ± 7.19 mg/kg for trypsin inhibitor, making it an excellent addition to livestock feed. The low crude fibre and fat contents of the periwinkle samples in this study make them suitable for processing complementary foods, especially for hypertensive patients. The high percentage of CaCO3in periwinkle shells makes them a probable source used in the production of slurry for chromatography. The findings suggest that periwinkle shells contain specific minerals that can be applied in numerous industries. Increased use of these gastropod shells will result in successful application in product creation and a sustainable bio-circular economy.
Physiological impacts of chronic and experimental Plasmodium infection on breeding-condition male songbirds
Authors: Talbott K. M. , Ketterson E. D.
Published: August 2023

While Plasmodium parasitism is common in songbirds, its impact on avian reproduction is unclear owing to conflicting reports in the existing literature. Particularly understudied is the impact of phase of infection on variation in host reproductive physiology in wild, breeding-condition birds. However, assessing the full impact of Plasmodium on reproductive success in the wild can be difficult because individuals experiencing severe effects of parasitism may not enter the breeding population and may be less likely to be captured during field studies. To address these factors, we quantified metrics of health and reproductive physiology in wild-caught, breeding-condition male dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) before and after experimental Plasmodium inoculation in a captive setting. Metrics of health and reproductive physiology included activity rate, hematocrit, scaled body mass, testosterone and sperm production. Individuals already infected at capture (i.e., chronically infected) had higher levels of hematocrit than males without chronic infections. Experimentally infected males showed a larger reduction in hematocrit and activity rate as compared to controls. However, chronic infection status did not influence the extent of metric decline. Testosterone production did not vary by treatment and most birds produced sperm following inoculation. Broadly, our results suggest that male juncos exposed to Plasmodium during the breeding season likely experience declines in general health, but Plasmodium infections do not negatively impact reproductive physiology. We conclude that physiological tradeoffs in males may favor maintenance of reproductive function despite infection.
Transcriptional induction of NF-κB-inducing kinase by E2F4/5 facilitates collective invasion of GBM cells
Authors: Pflug Kathryn M. , Lee Dong W. , McFadden Kassandra , Herrera Linda , Sitcheran Raquel
Published: August 2023

The prognosis of high-grade gliomas, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is extremely poor due to the highly invasive nature of these aggressive cancers. Previous work has demonstrated that TNF-weak like factor (TWEAK) induction of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway promotes the invasiveness of GBM cells in an NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK)-dependent manner. While NIK activity is predominantly regulated at the posttranslational level, we show here that NIK (MAP3K14) is upregulated at the transcriptional level in invading cell populations, with the highest NIK expression observed in the most invasive cells. GBM cells with high induction of NIK gene expression demonstrate characteristics of collective invasion, facilitating invasion of neighboring cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the E2F transcription factors E2F4 and E2F5 directly regulate NIK transcription and are required to promote GBM cell invasion in response to TWEAK. Overall, our findings demonstrate that transcriptional induction of NIK facilitates collective cell migration and invasion, thereby promoting GBM pathogenesis.
An evaluation of DNA extraction methods on historical and roadkill mammalian specimen
Authors: Molbert Noëlie , Ghanavi Hamid Reza , Johansson Tomas , Mostadius Maria , Hansson Maria C.
Published: August 2023

Guidelines identifying appropriate DNA extraction methods for both museum and modern biological samples are scarce or non-existent for mammalian species. Yet, obtaining large-scale genetic material collections are vital for conservation and management purposes. In this study, we evaluated five protocols making use of either spin-column, organic solvents, or magnetic bead-based methods for DNA extraction on skin samples from both modern, traffic-killed (n = 10) and museum (n = 10) samples of European hedgehogs, Ericaneus europaeus. We showed that phenol–chloroform or silica column (NucleoSpin Tissue) protocols yielded the highest amount of DNA with satisfactory purity compared with magnetic bead-based protocols, especially for museum samples. Furthermore, extractions using the silica column protocol appeared to produce longer DNA fragments on average than the other methods tested. Our investigation demonstrates that both commercial extraction kits and phenol–chloroform protocol retrieve acceptable DNA concentrations for downstream processes, from degraded remnants of traffic-killed and museum samples of mammalian specimens. Although all the tested methods could be applied depending on the research questions and laboratory conditions, commercial extraction kits may be preferred due to their effectiveness, safety and the higher quality of the DNA extractions.
Study on Cynodon dactylon root system affecting dry–wet cracking behavior and shear strength characteristics of expansive soil
Authors: Xu Yingzi , Guo Yanyan , Huang Zhen , Liu Dezhi , Huang Quanen , Tang Hong
Published: August 2023

Expansive soil exhibits remarkable characteristics of water absorption expansion and water loss shrinkage, rendering it susceptible to cracking under the alternating dry–wet environments of nature. The generation and development of cracks in expansive soil can result in catastrophic engineering accidents such as landslides. Vegetation protection is an important approach to stabilizing expansive soil slopes and fulfilling ecological protection requirements. In this study, through indoor experiments and theoretical analysis methods, the effects of Cynodon dactylon roots on the crack development and shear strength of expansive soil subjected to dry–wet cycles were analyzed, and the relationship between the crack development and shear strength decay in root-doped expansive soil was explored. Furthermore, the mechanism of vegetative root system action was elucidated. The results show that the Cynodon dactylon root system exerts a significant inhibitory effect on crack development in expansive soil. The crack indexes of root-doped expansive soil exhibit significant phase characteristics during the process of dry–wet cycles. The crack-blocking and reinforcing effect of the root system becomes pronounced as the root-to-soil mass ratio increases and the root diameter decreased. Moreover, the process of crack development in expansive soil is accompanied by a decrease in soil shear strength. The quantitative relationship between crack development and shear strength decay can serve as a basis for predicting the stability of slope soil. Overall, the results highlight the potential of vegetation-based approaches in protecting slopes with expansive soils and have practical implications for ecological protection and engineering design in areas with expansive soils.
Ice holes microrefugia harbor genetically and functionally distinct populations of Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Ericaceae)
Authors: Tonin Rita , Wilhelmi Selina , Gültas Mehmet , Gerdol Renato , Paun Ovidiu , Trucchi Emiliano , Schmitt Armin Otto , Wellstein Camilla
Published: August 2023

In the mountain terrain, ice holes are little depressions between rock boulders that are characterized by the exit of cold air able to cool down the rock surface even in summer. This cold air creates cold microrefugia in warmer surroundings that preserve plant species probably over thousands of years under extra-zonal climatic conditions. We hypothesized that ice hole populations of the model species Vaccinium vitis-idaea (Ericaceae) show genetic differentiation from nearby zonal subalpine populations, and high functional trait distinctiveness, in agreement with genetic patterns. We genotyped almost 30,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms using restriction site-associated DNA sequencing and measured eight functional traits indicative of individual performance and ecological strategies. Genetic results showed high differentiation among the six populations suggesting isolation. On siliceous bedrock, ice hole individuals exhibited higher levels of admixture than those from subalpine populations which could have experienced more bottlenecks during demographic fluctuations related to glacial cycles. Ice hole and subalpine calcareous populations clearly separated from siliceous populations, indicating a possible effect of bedrock in shaping genetic patterns. Trait analysis reflected the bedrock effect on populations’ differentiation. The significant correlation between trait and genetic distances suggests the genetic contribution in shaping intraspecific functional differentiation. In conclusion, extra-zonal populations reveal a prominent genetic and phenotypic differentiation determined by history and ecological contingency. Therefore, microrefugia populations can contribute to the overall variability of the species and lead to intraspecific-driven responses to upcoming environmental changes.
Neutron spin echo spectroscopy with a moving sample
Authors: Gvaramia Manuchar , Gutfreund Philipp , Falus Peter , Faraone Antonio , Nagao Michihiro , Wolff Max
Published: August 2023

Neutron spin echo spectroscopy is a high resolution inelastic neutron scattering method probing nanosecond dynamics. It is well suited to study the atomistic motion in polymer systems and contributes to our understanding of viscoelasticity. However, for samples under shear, or moving samples in general, Doppler scattering has to be considered. We compare the measured phase shift and depolarisation due to Doppler scattering from a rotating graphite disk to numerical and analytical calculations and find excellent agreement. This allows to take into account Doppler scattering during the data processing and makes longer Fourier times as well as higher shear rates and Q ranges possible with neutron spin echo spectroscopy, enabling for example the study of polymers under high shear.
Cerium(IV) chitosan-based hydrogel composite for efficient adsorptive removal of phosphates(V) from aqueous solutions
Authors: Wujcicki Łukasz , Mańdok Tomasz , Budzińska-Lipka Wiktoria , Pawlusińska Karolina , Szozda Natalia , Dudek Gabriela , Piotrowski Krzysztof , Turczyn Roman , Krzywiecki Maciej , Kazek-Kęsik Alicja , Kluczka Joanna
Published: August 2023

The excess presence of phosphate(V) ions in the biosphere is one of the most serious problems that negatively affect aqueous biocenosis. Thus, phosphates(V) separation is considered to be important for sustainable development. In the presented study, an original cerium(IV)-modified chitosan-based hydrogel (Ce-CTS) was developed using the chemical co-precipitation method and then used as an adsorbent for efficient removal of phosphate(V) ions from their aqueous solutions. From the scientific point of view, it represents a completely new physicochemical system. It was found that the adsorptive removal of phosphate(V) anions by the Ce-CTS adsorbent exceeded 98% efficiency which is ca. 4-times higher compared with the chitosan-based hydrogel without any modification (non-cross-linked CTS). The best result of the adsorption capacity of phosphates(V) on the Ce-CTS adsorbent, equal to 71.6 mg/g, was a result of adsorption from a solution with an initial phosphate(V) concentration 9.76 mg/dm3 and pH 7, an adsorbent dose of 1 g/dm3, temperature 20 °C. The equilibrium interphase distribution data for the Ce-CTS adsorbent and aqueous solution of phosphates(V) agreed with the theoretical Redlich-Peterson and Hill adsorption isotherm models. From the kinetic point of view, the pseudo-second-order model explained the phosphates(V) adsorption rate for Ce-CTS adsorbent the best. The specific effect of porous structure of adsorbent influencing the diffusional mass transfer resistances was identified using Weber-Morris kinetic model. The thermodynamic study showed that the process was exothermic and the adsorption ran spontaneously. Modification of CTS with cerium(IV) resulted in the significant enhancement of the chitosan properties towards both physical adsorption (an increase of the point of zero charge of adsorbent), and chemical adsorption (through the presence of Ce(IV) that demonstrates a chemical affinity for phosphate(V) anions). The elaborated and experimentally verified highly effective adsorbent can be successfully applied to uptake phosphates(V) from aqueous systems. The Ce-CTS adsorbent is stable in the conditions of the adsorption process, no changes in the adsorbent structure or leaching of the inorganic filling were observed.
Prediction models combining zonulin, LPS, and LBP predict acute kidney injury and hepatorenal syndrome–acute kidney injury in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Lin Yi-Hsuan , Kuo Nai-Rong , Shen Hsiao-Chin , Chang Yun-Chien , Lin Roger , Liao Tsai-Ling , Yeh Hsiao-Yun , Yang Ying-Ying , Hou Ming-Chih , Lin Han-Chieh
Published: August 2023

The development of acute kidney injury (AKI) and hepatorenal syndrome–acute kidney injury (HRS–AKI) in cirrhosis has been associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut-kidney crosstalk. We use the related markers such as zonulin, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) to predict AKI and HRS–AKI in cirrhotic patients and evaluate their in vitro effects on intestinal (Caco-2) cells and renal tubular (HK-2) cells. From 2013 to 2020, we enrolled 70 cirrhotic patients and developed prediction models for AKI and HRS–AKI over a six-month period. There were 13 (18.6%) and 8 (11.4%) cirrhotic patients developed AKI and HRS–AKI. The prediction models incorporated zonulin, LPS, LBP, C-reactive protein, age, and history of hepatitis B for AKI, and zonulin, LPS, LBP, total bilirubin, and Child–Pugh score for HRS–AKI. The area under curve (AUC) for the prediction of AKI and HRS–AKI was 0.94 and 0.95, respectively. Furthermore, the conditioned medium of LPS+hrLBP pre-treated Caco-2 cells induced apoptosis, necrosis, and zonulin release in HK-2 cells, demonstrating the communication between them. This study found that zonulin, LPS, and LBP are potential practical markers for predicting AKI and HRS–AKI in cirrhotic patients, which may serve as potential targets for renal outcomes in cirrhotic patients.
Taekwondo motion image recognition model based on hybrid neural network algorithm for wearable sensor of Internet of Things
Authors: Lu Xiaotong
Published: August 2023

Conventional IoT wearable sensor Taekwondo motion image recognition model mainly uses Anchor fixed proportion whole body target anchor frame to extract recognition features, which is vulnerable to dynamic noise, resulting in low displacement recognition rate of motion image. Therefore, a new IoT wearable sensor Taekwondo motion image recognition model needs to be designed based on hybrid neural network algorithm. That is, the wearable sensor Taekwondo motion image features are extracted, and the hybrid neural network algorithm is used to generate the optimization model of the wearable sensor Taekwondo motion image recognition of the Internet of Things, so as to achieve effective recognition of Taekwondo motion images. The experimental results show that the designed wearable sensor of the Internet of Things based on the hybrid neural network algorithm has a high recognition rate of the motion image displacement of the Taekwondo motion image recognition model, which proves that the designed Taekwondo motion image recognition model has good recognition effect, reliability, and certain application value, and has made certain contributions to optimizing the Taekwondo movement.
Organosulfurs, S-allyl cysteine and N-acetyl cysteine sequester di-carbonyls and reduces carbonyl stress in HT22 cells
Authors: Bhattacharya Reshmee , Saini Saakshi , Ghosh Souvik , Roy Partha , Ali Nemat , Parvez Mohammad Khalid , Al-Dosari Mohammed S. , Mishra Awdhesh Kumar , Singh Laishram Rajendrakumar
Published: August 2023

Diabetes, characterized by high blood glucose level, is a progressive metabolic disease that leads to serious health complications. One of the major pathological consequences associated with diabetes is the accumulation of highly reactive carbonyl compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Most of the AGEs are dicarbonyls and have the potential to covalently modify proteins especially at the lysine residues in a non-enzymatic fashion (a process termed as glycation) resulting in the functional impairment and/or toxic gain in function. Therefore, non-toxic small molecules that can inhibit glycation are of interest for the therapeutic intervention of diabetes. In the present communication, we have investigated the effect of organosulfurs (S-allyl cysteine, SAC and N-acetyl cysteine, NAC) that are major principal components of Allium sativa against the glycation of different proteins. We discovered that both SAC and NAC are potent anti-glycating agents. We also found that both SAC and NAC reduce ROS level and inhibit apoptosis caused by protein glycation.
Hydroxyurea and inactivation of checkpoint kinase MEC1 inhibit transcription termination and pre-mRNA cleavage at polyadenylation sites in budding yeast
Authors: Kaur Pritpal , Nagar Shreya , Mehta Riddhi , Sahadeo Kyle , Vancura Ales
Published: August 2023

The DNA damage response (DDR) is an evolutionarily conserved process essential for cell survival. The transcription changes triggered by DDR depend on the nature of DNA damage, activation of checkpoint kinases, and the stage of cell cycle. The transcription changes can be localized and affect only damaged DNA, but they can be also global and affect genes that are not damaged. While the purpose of localized transcription inhibition is to avoid transcription of damaged genes and make DNA accessible for repair, the purpose and mechanisms of global transcription inhibition of undamaged genes are less well understood. We show here that a brief cell treatment with hydroxyurea (HU) globally inhibits RNA synthesis and transcription by RNA polymerase I, II, and III (RNAPI, RNAPII, and RNAPIII). HU reduces efficiency of transcription termination and inhibits pre-mRNA cleavage at the polyadenylation (pA) sites, destabilizes mRNAs, and shortens poly(A) tails of mRNAs, indicating defects in pre-mRNA 3′ end processing. Inactivation of the checkpoint kinase Mec1p downregulates the efficiency of transcription termination and reduces the efficiency of pre-mRNAs clevage at the pA sites, suggesting the involvement of DNA damage checkpoint in transcription termination and pre-mRNA 3′ end processing.
Association of prognostic nutritional index with long-term mortality in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chang Wei-Ting , Sun Cheuk-Kwan , Wu Jheng-Yan , Yu Chia-Hung , Chang Ying-Jen , Lin Ming-Chung , Lan Kuo-Mao , Chen I-Wen , Hung Kuo-Chuan
Published: August 2023

The predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) for the long-term prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains uncertain. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched from inception until January 2023 to study the relationship between all-cause mortality risk and PNI in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention for ACS (i.e., primary outcome). Thirteen observational studies were included in this meta-analysis. Analysis of seven studies using PNI as a categorical variable showed a pooled hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality of 2.97 (95% CI 1.65 to 5.34,p = 0.0003, I2 = 89%, n = 11,245) for patients with a low PNI. The meta-analysis also showed a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with a low PNI (HR 2.04; 95% CI 1.59 to 2.61;p < 0.00001; I2 = 21%; n = 8534). Moreover, advanced age, diabetes mellitus, and high Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events risk scores were associated with a high risk of all-cause mortality, whereas a high body mass index was associated with a low risk of all-cause mortality. The results showed an association between a low PNI and an increased risk of long-term mortality in patients undergoing coronary interventions for ACS. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
Taraxasterol suppresses the proliferation and tumor growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells through the FGFR2-PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Yang Jinqiu , Xin Chulin , Yin Guangfen , Li Juan
Published: August 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) is prevalent among older men and difficult to survive after metastasis. It is urgent to find new drugs and treatments. Several studies show that taraxasterol (TAX) has important anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor effects. However, the function and mechanisms of TAX in PCa remain unclear. Here, we found that TAX could significantly suppress the viability and growth of androgen-independent PCa cells and down-regulate the expression of c-Myc and cyclin D1 in vitro. Mechanistically, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was weakened and the expression of FGFR2 was reduced after TAX treatment in androgen-independent PCa cells. Moreover, TAX evidently inhibited the tumor growth in nude mice and the expression of c-Myc, cyclin D1, p-AKT and FGFR2 were down-regulated in xenograft tumor. These results indicate that TAX suppresses the proliferation of androgen-independent PCa cells via inhibiting the activation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the expression of FGFR2, which means TAX may be a novel anti-tumor agent for later PCa treatment.
Development of novel SARS-CoV-2 viral vectors
Authors: Liu Huan , Liu Dexi
Published: August 2023

The authentic SARS-CoV-2 requires to be handled in Biosafety Level 3 laboratories, which restrains investigation by the broader scientific community. Here, we report the development of a novel SARS-CoV-2 viral vector composed of all 4 SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins, the packaging signal sequence of SARS-CoV-2, a reporter gene, and an RNA amplification component of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). This VEE-SARS-CoV-2 viral vector transduces target cells in an ACE2-dependent manner, and all 4 structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 are indispensable for its transduction activity. Comparative studies show that the incorporation of the VEEV self-amplification mechanism increases the gene expression level by ~ 65-fold and extends the transgene expression up to 11 days in transduced cells. Additionally, we demonstrated the significant applications of this new VEE-SARS-CoV-2 vector for neutralizing antibody quantification and antiviral drug testing. The VEE-SARS-CoV-2 vectors developed will be an important and versatile tool for investigating SARS-CoV-2 molecular virology, developing antiviral agents targeting receptor binding, and studying RNA genome packaging and function of the essential but not well studied structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2.
Intermittent fasting activates macrophage migration inhibitory factor and alleviates high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Li Dezhao , Dun Yaoshan , Qi Dake , Ripley-Gonzalez Jeffrey W. , Dong Jie , Zhou Nanjiang , Qiu Ling , Zhang Jie , Zeng Tanghao , You Baiyang , Liu Suixin
Published: August 2023

Switching to normal diet (ND) is the regular therapy for high-fat diet (HFD)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Intermittent fasting (IF) is a unique treatment which may exhibits better therapeutic efficacy. Thus, we aim to investigate the therapeutic effects of these treatments and exploring the mechanisms. In the present study, NAFLD mouse model was induced by a 10-week HFD. Thereafter, mice adopted continued HFD, ND, or IF for the next 12 weeks. Finally, the liver was then harvested to assess lipid deposition, lipid metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy, while blood was collected to determine blood glucose and insulin. The results showed that IF and ND treatment improved lipid deposition and metabolic disorder of NAFLD mice; the increasing body weight, liver weight, and HOMA-IR index of HFD mice were also alleviated by IF and ND. Furthermore, IF and ND treatment activated the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)/AMPK pathway and regulated its downstream autophagy and apoptosis. However, the efficacy of IF was better than ND. Both IF and ND activates MIF signaling and alleviate the lipotoxicity of NAFLD while IF therapy is more effective than ND. The different MIF up-regulation might be the underlying mechanism of why IF benefits more than ND.
Hydrogen peroxide signal photosynthetic acclimation of Solanum lycopersicum L. cv Micro-Tom under water deficit
Authors: Barzotto Gustavo Ribeiro , Cardoso Caroline Pardine , Jorge Letícia Galhardo , Campos Felipe Girotto , Boaro Carmen Sílvia Fernandes
Published: August 2023

The current climate change setting necessitates the development of methods to mitigate the effects of water scarcity to ensure the sustainability of agricultural activities.f Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a plant signaling molecule that can trigger metabolic defense mechanisms in response to adverse environmental circumstances like as drought. The purpose of this study was to investigate if foliar application of H2O2 stimulates modifications in photosynthetic metabolism for adaptation of tomato plants to a period of water deficit and recovery. The study, which was carried out in a factorial scheme, tested plants subjected to two water conditions (well-watered plants and plants subjected to water deficit), as well as foliar application of 1 mM H2O2 (zero, one, or two applications, 24 h after the first), and was evaluated in two moments, during the deficit period and after recovery. Foliar application of 1 mM H2O2 resulted in a 69% increase in the maximum rate of RuBisCO carboxylation in well-watered plants, contributing to tomato photosynthetic adjustment. H2O2 treatment resulted in a 37% increase in dry mass in these plants. In plants subjected to water deficiency, 2× H2O2 increased stress tolerance by reducing the maximal rate of RuBisCO carboxylation by only 18%, but in plants that did not receive H2O2 treatment, the reduction was 86% in comparison to the wet plants. Plants exposed to a water shortage and given 2× H2O2 stored sucrose in the leaves and had a 17% higher relative water content than plants not given H2O2. Thus, H2O2 foliar treatment can be used in tomato management to induce drought tolerance or to boost photosynthetic activity and dry mass formation in well-watered plants.
Optogenetic targeting of astrocytes restores slow brain rhythm function and slows Alzheimer’s disease pathology
Authors: Lee Yee Fun , Russ Alyssa N. , Zhao Qiuchen , Perle Stephen J. , Maci Megi , Miller Morgan R. , Hou Steven S. , Algamal Moustafa , Zhao Zhuoyang , Li Hanyan , Gelwan Noah , Liu Zhe , Gomperts Stephen N. , Araque Alfonso , Galea Elena , Bacskai Brian J. , Kastanenka Ksenia V.
Published: August 2023

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exhibit non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep disturbances in addition to memory deficits. Disruption of NREM slow waves occurs early in the disease progression and is recapitulated in transgenic mouse models of beta-amyloidosis. However, the mechanisms underlying slow-wave disruptions remain unknown. Because astrocytes contribute to slow-wave activity, we used multiphoton microscopy and optogenetics to investigate whether they contribute to slow-wave disruptions in APP/PS1 mice. The power but not the frequency of astrocytic calcium transients was reduced in APP/PS1 mice compared to nontransgenic controls. Optogenetic activation of astrocytes at the endogenous frequency of slow waves restored slow-wave power, reduced amyloid deposition, prevented neuronal calcium elevations, and improved memory performance. Our findings revealed malfunction of the astrocytic network driving slow-wave disruptions. Thus, targeting astrocytes to restore circuit activity underlying sleep and memory disruptions in AD could ameliorate disease progression.