bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
β1 integrin is essential for blood–brain barrier integrity under stable and vascular remodelling conditions; effects differ with age
Authors: Halder Sebok K. , Delorme-Walker Violaine D. , Milner Richard
Published: July 2023

Background

Maintaining a tight blood–brain barrier (BBB) is an important prerequisite for the preservation of neurological health, though current evidence suggests it declines with age. While extracellular matrix-integrin interactions play critical roles in regulating the balance between vascular stability and remodeling, it remains to be established whether manipulation of integrin function weakens or strengthens vascular integrity. Indeed, recent reports have generated conflicting outcomes in this regard.

Methods

Here, in young (8–10 weeks) and aged (20 months) mice, we examined the impact of intraperitoneal injection of a function-blocking β1 integrin antibody, both under normoxic conditions, when the BBB is stable, and during chronic mild hypoxic (CMH; 8% O2) conditions, when a vigorous vascular remodeling response is ongoing. Brain tissue was examined by immunofluorescence (IF) for markers of vascular remodeling and BBB disruption, and microglial activation and proliferation. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison post-hoc test.

Results

In both young and aged mice, β1 integrin block greatly amplified hypoxia-induced vascular disruption, though it was much less under normoxic conditions. Interestingly, under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, β1 integrin antibody-induced BBB disruption was greater in young mice. Enhanced BBB breakdown was associated with increased levels of the leaky BBB marker MECA-32 and with greater loss of endothelial tight junction proteins and the adherens protein VE-cadherin. Surprisingly, β1 integrin blockade did not reduce hypoxia-induced endothelial proliferation, nor did it prevent the hypoxia-associated increase in vascularity. Commensurate with the increased vascular disruption, β1 integrin blockade enhanced microglial activation both in young and aged brain, though the impact was much greater in young brain. In vitro studies revealed that β1 integrin blockade also reduced the integrity of a brain endothelial monolayer and triggered disruptions in tight junction proteins.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that β1 integrin plays an essential role in maintaining BBB integrity, both under stable normoxic conditions and during hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling. As β1 integrin blockade had a greater disruptive effect in young brain, effectively shifting the BBB phenotype of young brain towards that of the aged, we speculate that enhancing β1 integrin function at the aged BBB may hold therapeutic potential by reverting the deteriorating BBB phenotype back towards that of the young.
Identifying and addressing patient substance use: a survey of chiropractic clinicians
Authors: Gliedt Jordan A. , Reynolds Maureen , Moonaz Steffany , Long Cynthia R. , Russell Robb , Schneider Michael J.
Published: July 2023

Background

Chiropractors commonly encounter patients who present for spine pain with parallel substance use. There is currently no widespread training within the chiropractic profession to prepare chiropractors to recognize and address substance use in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to examine chiropractors’ confidence, self-perceptions, and interest in education associated with identifying and addressing patient substance use.

Methods

A 10-item survey was developed by the authors. The survey addressed chiropractors’ assessment of their training, experiences, and educational interest/needs regarding identifying and addressing patient substance use. The survey instrument was uploaded to Qualtrics and was electronically distributed to chiropractic clinicians at active and accredited English-speaking Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs (DCPs) in the United States.

Results

A total of 175 individual survey responses were returned from a total of 276 eligible participants (63.4% response rate) from 16 out of 18 active and accredited English-speaking DCPs (88.8% of DCPs) in the United States. Nearly half of respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed (n = 77, 44.0%) that they were confident in their ability to identify patients who misuse prescription medication. The majority of respondents (n = 122, 69.7%) indicated that they did not have an established referral relationship with local clinical providers who provide treatment for individuals who use drugs or misuse alcohol or prescription medications. Most respondents strongly agreed or agreed (n = 157, 89.7%) that they would benefit from participating in a continuing education course on topics related to patients who use drugs or misuse alcohol or prescription medications.

Conclusions

Chiropractors indicated a need for training to help them identify and address patient substance use. There is a demand among chiropractors to develop clinical care pathways for chiropractic referrals and collaboration with health care professionals who provide treatment for individuals who use drugs or misuse alcohol or prescription medications.
Guided blood transfusion of trauma patients with rotational thromboelastometry: a single-center cohort study
Authors: Salehi Mina , Bola Rajan , de Jong Nenke , Shih Andrew W. , Garraway Naisan , Dawe Philip
Published: July 2023

Background

Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a blood test used to measure in vitro clot strength as a surrogate for a patient’s ability to form clots in vivo. This provides information about induction, formation, and clot lysis, allowing goal-directed transfusion therapy for specific hemostatic needs. We sought to evaluate the effect of ROTEM-guided transfusion on blood product usage and in-hospital mortality among patients with a traumatic injury.

Methods

This was a single-center observational cohort analysis of emergency department patients in a Level 1 trauma center. We compared blood usage in trauma patients in whom ratio-based massive hemorrhage protocols were activated in the twelve months before the introduction of ROTEM (pre-ROTEM group) to the twelve months following the introduction of ROTEM (ROTEM-period group). ROTEM was implemented in this center in November 2016. The ROTEM device allowed clinicians to make real-time decisions about blood product therapy in resuscitation for trauma.

Results

The pre-ROTEM group contained 21 patients. Forty-three patients were included from the ROTEM-period, of whom 35 patients received ROTEM-guided resuscitation (81% compliance). The use of fibrinogen concentrate was significantly higher in the ROTEM-period group (pre-ROTEM mean 0.2 vs. ROTEM-period mean 0.8; p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in the number of units of red blood cells, platelets, cryoprecipitate, or fresh frozen plasma transfused between these groups. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the pre-ROTEM and ROTEM-period groups (33% vs. 19%; p = 0.22).

Conclusions

The introduction of ROTEM-guided transfusion at this institution was associated with increased fibrinogen usage, but this did not impact mortality rates. There was no difference in the administration of red blood cell, fresh frozen plasma, platelet, and cryoprecipitate. Future research should focus on increased ROTEM compliance and optimizing ROTEM-guided transfusion to prevent blood product overuse among trauma patients.
DNA methylation is differentially associated with glycemic outcomes by different types of weight-loss interventions: an epigenome-wide association study
Authors: Wen Xiaoxiao , Palma-Gudiel Helena , Miao Guanhong , Chen Mingjing , Huo Zhiguang , Peng Hao , Anton Stephen , Hu Gang , Brock Ricky , Brantley Phillip J. , Zhao Jinying
Published: July 2023

Background

Alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) have been reported to be a mechanism by which bariatric surgeries resulted in considerable metabolic improvements. Previous studies have mostly focused on change in DNAm following weight-loss interventions, yet whether DNAm prior to intervention can explain the variability in glycemic outcomes has not been investigated. Here, we aim to examine whether baseline DNAm is differentially associated with glycemic outcomes induced by different types of weight-loss interventions.

Methods

Participants were 75 adults with severe obesity who underwent non-surgical intensive medical intervention (IMI), adjustable gastric band (BAND) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (n = 25 each). Changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at 1-year after intervention. DNAm was quantified by Illumina 450 K arrays in baseline peripheral blood DNA. Epigenome-wide association studies were performed to identify CpG probes that modify the effects of different weight-loss interventions on glycemic outcomes, i.e., changes in FPG and HbA1c, by including an interaction term between types of intervention and DNAm. Models were adjusted for weight loss and baseline clinical factors.

Results

Baseline DNAm levels at 3216 and 117 CpGs were differentially associated with changes in FPG and HbA1c, respectively, when comparing RYGB versus IMI. Of these, 79 CpGs were significant for both FPG and HbA1c. The identified genes are enriched in adaptive thermogenesis, temperature homeostasis and regulation of cell population proliferation. Additionally, DNAm at 6 CpGs was differentially associated with changes in HbA1c when comparing RYGB versus BAND.

Conclusions

Baseline DNAm is differentially associated with glycemic outcomes in response to different types of weight-loss interventions, independent of weight loss and other clinical factors. Such findings provided initial evidence that baseline DNAm levels may serve as potential biomarkers predictive of differential glycemic outcomes in response to different types of weight-loss interventions.
Serine protease PRSS56, a novel cancer-testis antigen activated by DNA hypomethylation, promotes colorectal and gastric cancer progression via PI3K/AKT axis
Authors: Li Dandan , Xia Lingyun , Huang Pan , Wang Zidi , Guo Qiwei , Huang Congcong , Leng Weidong , Qin Shanshan
Published: July 2023

Background

Cancer/testis (CT) antigens/genes are usually overexpressed in cancers and exhibit high immunogenicity, making them promising targets for immunotherapy and cancer vaccines. The role of serine protease PRSS56 in cancers remains unknown to date.

Methods

RNA sequencing studies were performed to screen CT genes in gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) cells exposed to DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR). Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between PRSS56 expression and DNA methylation. Functional experiments were performed to explore the biological function of PRSS56 in GC and CRC.

Results

In this study, we identified the testis-specific serine proteases PRSS56 as a novel CT antigen. PRSS56 was frequently overexpressed in various cancers, especially in gastrointestinal cancer. PRSS56 expression was negatively associated with promoter DNA methylation level, and positively associated with gene body methylation level. PRSS56 expression was significantly activated in colorectal and gastric cancer cells exposed to DNA methyltransferase inhibitors. Importantly, our finding highlights that the decreased methylation level of the CpG site cg10242318 in the PRSS56 promoter region resulted in its overexpression in GC and CRC. Additionally, functional assays verified that PRSS56 overexpression activated PI3K-AKT signaling in GC and CRC.

Conclusion

Serine protease PRSS56 is a novel CT antigen that is reactivated in cancers by promoter DNA hypomethylation. PRSS56 functions oncogenic roles in GC and CRC by activating of PI3K/AKT axis. Our results presented here represent the first data on the function of the serine protease PRSS56 in cancers.
ER Ca2+ overload activates the IRE1α signaling and promotes cell survival
Authors: Zhao Song , Feng Haiping , Jiang Dongfang , Yang Keyan , Wang Si-Tong , Zhang Yu-Xin , Wang Yun , Liu Hongmei , Guo Caixia , Tang Tie-Shan
Published: July 2023

Background

Maintaining homeostasis of Ca2+ stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is crucial for proper Ca2+ signaling and key cellular functions. Although Ca2+ depletion has been known to cause ER stress which in turn activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), how UPR sensors/transducers respond to excess Ca2+ when ER stores are overloaded remain largely unclear.

Results

Here, we report for the first time that overloading of ER Ca2+ can directly sensitize the IRE1α-XBP1 axis. The overloaded ER Ca2+ in TMCO1-deficient cells can cause BiP dissociation from IRE1α, promote the dimerization and stability of the IRE1α protein, and boost IRE1α activation. Intriguingly, attenuation of the over-activated IRE1α-XBP1s signaling by a IRE1α inhibitor can cause a significant cell death in TMCO1-deficient cells.

Conclusions

Our data establish a causal link between excess Ca2+ in ER stores and the selective activation of IRE1α-XBP1 axis, underscoring an unexpected role of overload of ER Ca2+ in IRE1α activation and in preventing cell death.
Stimulation strategies for electrical and magnetic modulation of cells and tissues
Authors: Omer Suleyman A. , McKnight Kaitlyn H. , Young Lucas I. , Song Shang
Published: July 2023

Electrical phenomena play an important role in numerous biological processes including cellular signaling, early embryogenesis, tissue repair and remodeling, and growth of organisms. Electrical and magnetic effects have been studied on a variety of stimulation strategies and cell types regarding cellular functions and disease treatments. In this review, we discuss recent advances in using three different stimulation strategies, namely electrical stimulation via conductive and piezoelectric materials as well as magnetic stimulation via magnetic materials, to modulate cell and tissue properties. These three strategies offer distinct stimulation routes given specific material characteristics. This review will evaluate material properties and biological response for these stimulation strategies with respect to their potential applications in neural and musculoskeletal research.
Different expression and prognostic value of troponin in ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gao Wei , Zhang Meng , Song Yu , Han Xueting , Xu Yamei , Zhou Jingmin , Ge Junbo
Published: July 2023

Background

Early risk stratification of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) may be beneficial for therapies.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled all patients admitted for acute heart failure (HF) between January 2019 and December 2021 in Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, dividing them according to etiology (ICM or NIDCM). Cardiac troponin T (TNT) concentration was compared between two groups. Risk factors for positive TNT and in-hospital all-cause mortality were investigated with regression analysis.

Results

A total of 1525 HF patients were enrolled, including 571 ICM and 954 NIDCM. The TNT positive patients were not different between the two groups (41.3% in ICM group vs. 37.8% in NIDCM group, P = 0.215). However, the TNT value in ICM group were significantly higher than that in NIDCM group (0.025 (0.015–0.053) vs. 0.020 (0.014–0.041), P = 0.001). NT-proBNP was independently associated with TNT in both ICM and NIDCM group. Although the in-hospital all-cause mortality did not show much difference between the two groups (1.1% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.204), the NIDCM diagnosis was associated with reduced risk of mortality after multiple adjustments (OR 0.169, 95% CI 0.040–0.718, P = 0.016). Other independent risk factors included the level of NT-proBNP (OR 8.260, 95% CI 3.168–21.533, P < 0.001), TNT (OR 8.118, 95% CI 3.205–20.562, P < 0.001), and anemia (OR 0.954, 95% CI 0.931–0.978, P < 0.001). The predictive value of TNT and NT-proBNP for all-cause mortality was similar. However, the best cutoff values of TNT for mortality were different between ICM and NIDCM groups, which were 0.113 ng/mL and 0.048 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

The TNT level was higher in ICM patient than that in NIDCM patients. TNT was an independent risk factor for in-hospital all-cause mortality for both ICM and NIDCM patients, although the best cutoff value was higher in ICM patients.
Adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators mediate the adverse effect of glucose metabolism indicators on oogenesis and embryogenesis in PCOS women undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles
Authors: Jiang Huahua , Si Manfei , Tian Tian , Shi Huifeng , Huang Ning , Chi Hongbin , Yang Rui , Long Xiaoyu , Qiao Jie
Published: July 2023

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women have high incidences of dyslipidemia, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), diabetes, and insulin resistance (IR) and are fragile to female infertility. Obesity and dyslipidemia may be the intermediate biological mechanism for the associations between glucose metabolism dysfunction and abnormal oogenesis and embryogenesis.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was performed at a university-affiliated reproductive center. A total of 917 PCOS women aged between 20 and 45 undergoing their first IVF/ICSI embryo transfer cycles from January 2018 to December 2020 were involved. Associations between glucose metabolism indicators, adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators, and IVF/ICSI outcomes were explored using multivariable generalized linear models. Mediation analyses were further performed to examine the potential mediation role of adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators.

Results

Significant dose-dependent relationships were found between glucose metabolism indicators and IVF/ICSI early reproductive outcomes and between glucose metabolism indicators and adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators (all P < 0.05). Also, we found significant dose-dependent relationships between adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators and IVF/ICSI early reproductive outcomes (all P < 0.05). The mediation analysis indicated that elevated FPG, 2hPG, FPI, 2hPI, HbA1c, and HOMA2-IR were significantly associated with decreased retrieved oocyte count, MII oocyte count, normally fertilized zygote count, normally cleaved embryo count, high-quality embryo count, or blastocyst formation count after controlling for adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators. Serum TG mediated 6.0–31.0% of the associations; serum TC mediated 6.1–10.8% of the associations; serum HDL-C mediated 9.4–43.6% of the associations; serum LDL-C mediated 4.2–18.2% of the associations; and BMI mediated 26.7–97.7% of the associations.

Conclusions

Adiposity and lipid metabolism indicators (i.e., serum TG, serum TC, serum HDL-C, serum LDL-C, and BMI) are significant mediators of the effect of glucose metabolism indicators on IVF/ICSI early reproductive outcomes in PCOS women, indicating the importance of preconception glucose and lipid management and the dynamic equilibrium of glucose and lipid metabolism in PCOS women.
Schisandrin A regulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation to interfere with pyroptosis in a mouse model of COPD
Authors: Zeng Jiamin , Liao Sida , Liang Zhu , Li Caiping , Luo Yuewen , Wang Kexin , Zhang Dapeng , Lan Lan , Hu Suzhen , Li Wanyan , Lin Ran , Jie Zichen , Hu Yuanlong , Dai Shiting , Zhang Zhimin
Published: July 2023

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious chronic lung disease. Schisandrin A (SchA) is one of the most important active ingredients inSchisandra chinensisand has been used to treat various lung diseases in several countries. Here, we studied the pharmacological effect of SchA on airway inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and explored the therapeutic mechanism of SchA in COPD model mice. Our results showed that SchA treatment significantly improved the lung function of CS-induced COPD model mice and reduced the recruitment of leukocytes and hypersecretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). H&E staining showed that SchA treatment could effectively reduce emphysema, immune cell infiltration and airway wall destruction. In addition, we found that SchA treatment can stimulate the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) through the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) pathway, significantly reduce oxidative stress, increase catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and suppress the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in COPD model mice. Moreover, SchA treatment suppressed the generation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase1 inflammasome complex to inhibit the inflammatory response caused by IL-1β and IL-18 and pyroptosis caused by GSDMD. In conclusion, our study shows that SchA treatment can inhibit the production of ROS and the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by upregulating Nrf-2, thereby producing anti-inflammatory effects and reducing lung injury in COPD model mice. More importantly, SchA exhibited similar anti-inflammatory effects to dexamethasone in COPD model mice, and we did not observe substantial side effects of SchA treatment. The high safety of SchA makes it a potential candidate drug for the treatment of COPD.
TiNbSn stems with gradient changes of Young’s modulus and stiffness reduce stress shielding compared to the standard fit-and-fill stems
Authors: Baba Kazuyoshi , Mori Yu , Chiba Daisuke , Kuwahara Yoshiyuki , Kurishima Hiroaki , Tanaka Hidetatsu , Kogure Atsushi , Kamimura Masayuki , Yamada Norikazu , Ohtsu Susumu , Oyama Masamizu , Masahashi Naoya , Hanada Shuji , Itoi Eiji , Aizawa Toshimi
Published: July 2023

Background

The difference between Young’s moduli of the femur and the stem causes stress shielding (SS). TiNbSn (TNS) stem has a low Young’s modulus and strength with gradient functional properties during the change in elastic modulus with heat treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TNS stems on SS and their clinical outcomes compared to conventional stems.

Methods

This study was a clinical trial. Primary THA was performed using a TNS stem from April 2016 to September 2017 for patients in the TNS group. Unilateral THA was performed using a Ti6Al4V alloy stem from January 2007 to February 2011 for patients in the control group. The TNS and Ti6Al4V stems were matched in shape. Radiographs were obtained at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups. Two surgeons independently checked the SS grade and appearance of cortical hypertrophy (CH). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores before and 1 year after surgery were assessed as clinical scores.

Results

None of the patients in the TNS group had grade 3 or 4 SS. In contrast, in the control group, 24% and 40% of patients had grade 3 and 4 SS at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups, respectively. The SS grade was lower in the TNS group than in the control group at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups (p < 0.001). The frequencies of CH in both groups were no significant difference at the 1- and 3-year follow-ups. The JOA scores of the TNS group significantly improved at 1 year after surgery and were comparable to control group.

Conclusion

The TNS stem reduced SS at 1 and 3 years after THA compared to the proximal-engaging cementless stem, although the shapes of the stems matched. The TNS stem could reduce SS, stem loosening, and periprosthetic fractures.

Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials. ISRCTN21241251. https://www.isrctn.com/search?q=21241251. The date of registration was October 26, 2021. Retrospectively registered.
Biocultural mapping: unpacking the myth of an unsuitable Country in the arid zone, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australia
Authors: Thomas Katherine
Published: July 2023

Defining spaces and places in retrojective Geographical Information Systems (GIS) of land use and occupancy is not an easy task. Research into the areas described as suitable for land use and occupancy need to incorporate multiple perspectives of what makes a land use patch useful or salient ecologically. The effect of the concept of 'Terra Nullius' and European colonisation is deeply apparent in the current GIS models of historical land use and occupancy of Aboriginal communities within arid zones in Australia. Biocultural zones of land use and occupancy zones omit spaces and places of habitation due to European bias of what a suitable ecological or hydrological land use zone should look like. This article employs Exploratory GIS methods to interrogate the data layers within the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, NSW, Australia. This work conclusively demonstrates that there are ranges of areas and land suitability zones prior to colonisation in the nineteenth century. In turn, these Exploratory GIS models of  an active Country comprehensively address the question of why visually salient areas of hydrological and ecological Indigenous land use and occupancy continue to be ignored, destroyed, and damaged by settlements in semi-arid regions. Biocultural GIS mapping unpacks the myth that areas were empty or uninhabited by Aboriginal communities and underlines the need for biocultural GIS mapping tools to understand the habitable spaces and places of the arid zone.
Affordability of healthy diets is associated with increased food systems performance in Nigeria: state-level analysis
Authors: Mekonnen Daniel A. , Adeyemi Olutayo , Gilbert Rachel , Akerele Dare , Achterbosch Thom , Herforth Anna
Published: July 2023

This study examines the relationships between healthy diets’ affordability and food systems performance across Nigerian states. On a composite index (FSI) constructed from key food system components, states in the southern zones perform relatively better than those in the north, whereas a higher share of households who cannot afford a healthy diet was from northern states. Findings suggest the need for more focused attention on resilience building for improved food systems especially in northern Nigeria. Results also indicate cases where unaffordability of a healthy diet remains high in the face of comparatively lower cost and vice versa, highlighting the need for more efficient and equitable food supply systems. Findings of this study further suggest that achieving affordable healthy diets would require stepping up actions to improve, among others, access to basic services (such as good roads and electricity), increased presence of financial services (such as rural banks), greater access to information and communications services (mobile phone subscription rates and increased radio/television station coverage), facilitating more favorable and predictable business environment, and promoting women’s empowerment.
Rhizobial nitrogen fixation efficiency shapes endosphere bacterial communities and Medicago truncatula host growth
Authors: Lagunas Beatriz , Richards Luke , Sergaki Chrysi , Burgess Jamie , Pardal Alonso Javier , Hussain Rana M. F. , Richmond Bethany L. , Baxter Laura , Roy Proyash , Pakidi Anastasia , Stovold Gina , Vázquez Saúl , Ott Sascha , Schäfer Patrick , Gifford Miriam L.
Published: July 2023

Background

Despite the knowledge that the soil–plant–microbiome nexus is shaped by interactions amongst its members, very little is known about how individual symbioses regulate this shaping. Even less is known about how the agriculturally important symbiosis of nitrogen-fixing rhizobia with legumes is impacted according to soil type, yet this knowledge is crucial if we are to harness or improve it. We asked how the plant, soil and microbiome are modulated by symbiosis between the model legume Medicago truncatula and different strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti or Sinorhizobium medicae whose nitrogen-fixing efficiency varies, in three distinct soil types that differ in nutrient fertility, to examine the role of the soil environment upon the plant–microbe interaction during nodulation.

Results

The outcome of symbiosis results in installment of a potentially beneficial microbiome that leads to increased nutrient uptake that is not simply proportional to soil nutrient abundance. A number of soil edaphic factors including Zn and Mo, and not just the classical N/P/K nutrients, group with microbial community changes, and alterations in the microbiome can be seen across different soil fertility types. Root endosphere emerged as the plant microhabitat more affected by this rhizobial efficiency-driven community reshaping, manifested by the accumulation of members of the phylum Actinobacteria. The plant in turn plays an active role in regulating its root community, including sanctioning low nitrogen efficiency rhizobial strains, leading to nodule senescence in particular plant–soil–rhizobia strain combinations.

Conclusions

The microbiome–soil–rhizobial dynamic strongly influences plant nutrient uptake and growth, with the endosphere and rhizosphere shaped differentially according to plant–rhizobial interactions with strains that vary in nitrogen-fixing efficiency levels. These results open up the possibility to select inoculation partners best suited for plant, soil type and microbial community.
Reduction of oxytocin-containing neurons and enhanced glymphatic activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Correa-da-Silva Felipe , Kalsbeek Martin J. , Gadella Femke S. , Oppersma Jorn , Jiang Wei , Wolff Samantha E. C. , Korpel Nikita L. , Swaab Dick F. , Fliers Eric , Kalsbeek Andries , Yi Chun-Xia
Published: July 2023

Evidence from animal experiments has shown that the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a key role in regulating body weight and blood glucose levels. However, it is unclear whether neuron populations in the human PVN are involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To address this, we investigated the neuronal and glial populations in the PVN of 26 T2DM patients and 20 matched controls. Our findings revealed a significant reduction in oxytocin (Oxt) neuron density in the PVN of T2DM patients compared to controls, while other neuronal populations remained unchanged. This suggests that Oxt neurons may play a specific role in the pathophysiology of T2DM. Interestingly, the reduction in Oxt neurons was accompanied by a decreased melanocortinergic input in to the PVN as reflected by a reduction in alpha-MSH immunoreactivity. We also analysed two glial cell populations, as they are important for maintaining a healthy neural microenvironment. We found that microglial density, phagocytic capacity, and their proximity to neurons were not altered in T2DM patients, indicating that the loss of Oxt neurons is independent of changes in microglial immunity. However, we did observe a reduction in the number of astrocytes, which are crucial for providing trophic support to local neurons. Moreover, a specific subpopulation of astrocytes characterized by aquaporin 4 expression was overrepresented in T2DM patients. Since this subset of astrocytes is linked to the glymphatic system, their overrepresentation might point to alterations in the hypothalamic waste clearance system in T2DM. Our study shows selective loss of Oxt neurons in the PVN of T2DM individuals in association with astrocytic reduction and gliovascular remodelling. Therefore, hypothalamic Oxt neurons may represent a potential target for T2DM treatment modalities.
Multi combination pattern labeling by using deep learning for chameleon rotary machine environment
Authors: Kang JiEun , Kim SuBi , Yoon YongIk
Published: July 2023

Rotary machines are constructed and operated in diverse industrial environments and operate according to various specifications and characteristics. When rotary machinery constructed under dynamic real world environments is in operation, various types of vibrations are generated depending on the normal or defective state of the machinery. In this way, Numerous studies have been conducted on vibration analysis for diagnosing the state of rotary machinery. However, Without performing robust data cleansing and comprehensive labeling of the internal and external state of complex machinery, the analysis process of the condition monitoring system faces difficulties in accurately identifying the various and complex states of rotary machines and making decisions in the dynamic real world. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes Multi Combination Pattern Labeling (MCPL) method. By simultaneously considering the complex internal and external states of rotary machines, MCPL generates detailed vibration frequency pattern criteria and labels for each state. Based on these complex pattern classifications, it is able to classify various types of abnormal states. The MCPL generates FFT patterns and spectrogram patterns by considering the simultaneous internal and external states of the rotary machine. Extracting internal and external patterns, each pattern is combined for identifying convergence patterns, named MCP. Each MCP proceeds labeling process, named MCPL, then MCPL dataset is structured. MCPL dataset is verified based on Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). By utilizing the DNN and CNN techniques to derive MCPL from MCP, it becomes possible to perform unbiased state diagnosis across a variety of patterns, based on the complex patterns of the internal and external states of the rotating machinery. Presenting high accuracy and stable results, MCPL are able to classify rotary machine states and detect anomalies under the convergence environment. Our source code and utilized data are available onhttps://github.com/JEJESBSB/Journal-of-Big-Data.
Predicting the returns of the US real estate investment trust market: evidence from the group method of data handling neural network
Authors: Zhang Wendi , Li Bin , Liew Alan Wee-Chung , Roca Eduardo , Singh Tarlok
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The Group Method of Data Handling (GMDH) neural network has demonstrated good performance in data mining, prediction, and optimization. Scholars have used it to forecast stock and real estate investment trust (REIT) returns in some countries and region, but not in the United States (US) REIT market. The primary goal of this study is to predict the US REIT market using GMDH and then compare its accuracy with that derived from the traditional prediction method.

Design/methodology/approach

To forecast the return on the US REIT index, this study used the GMDH neural network and the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) model. In this test, the training samples, testing samples, and kernel functions of the GMDH model are controlled to investigate their impact on the accuracy of the machine learning approach. Corresponding experiments were performed using the GARCH model, and the accuracies of these two approaches were compared.

Findings

Compared with GARCH, GMDH’s accuracy is much higher, indicating that the machine learning approach can provide a highly accurate prediction of REIT prices. The size of the training samples and the kernel functions in the GMDH model affect the accuracy of the prediction results. In particular, the kernel function has a significant impact on prediction accuracy. The linear and linear covariance kernel functions are simple to train and yield accurate predictions, whereas the quadratic function is difficult to train. Even with small training samples, GMDH can outperform GARCH in prediction accuracy.

Research limitations/implications

Although GMDH shows good performance in predicting the US REIT return, it is still a black-box model, and the algorithm is difficult for financial analysts to develop and customize. The data used in this study come from the US REIT market, which is the world’s largest and most liquid market.

Social implications

This research shows that the GMDH model outperforms the GARCH model in forecasting REIT returns. Hence, investors can use the machine learning approach to make more accurate predictions of the target REITs’ returns and thus better investment decisions. Future investors and researchers may use GMDH to forecast the performance of REITs in other markets.

Originality/value

This is the first study to apply the GMDH neural network to the US REIT market and determine the impact of the two factors on its performance. For example, this research first discusses the impact of kernel functions on the US REIT market using the GMDH neural network. It also includes short-term daily prediction returns that were not previously considered, making it a valuable reference for financial industry analysts.
Examining the replicability of backfire effects after standalone corrections
Authors: Prike Toby , Blackley Phoebe , Swire-Thompson Briony , Ecker Ullrich K. H.
Published: July 2023

Corrections are a frequently used and effective tool for countering misinformation. However, concerns have been raised that corrections may introduce false claims to new audiences when the misinformation is novel. This is because boosting the familiarity of a claim can increase belief in that claim, and thus exposing new audiences to novel misinformation—even as part of a correction—may inadvertently increase misinformation belief. Such an outcome could be conceptualized as a familiarity backfire effect, whereby a familiarity boost increases false-claim endorsement above a control-condition or pre-correction baseline. Here, we examined whether standalone corrections—that is, corrections presented without initial misinformation exposure—can backfire and increase participants’ reliance on the misinformation in their subsequent inferential reasoning, relative to a no-misinformation, no-correction control condition. Across three experiments (total N = 1156) we found that standalone corrections did not backfire immediately (Experiment 1) or after a one-week delay (Experiment 2). However, there was some mixed evidence suggesting corrections may backfire when there is skepticism regarding the correction (Experiment 3). Specifically, in Experiment 3, we found the standalone correction to backfire in open-ended responses, but only when there was skepticism towards the correction. However, this did not replicate with the rating scales measure. Future research should further examine whether skepticism towards the correction is the first replicable mechanism for backfire effects to occur.
Physical function and severe side effects matter most to patients with RA (< 5 years): a discrete choice experiment assessing preferences for personalized RA treatment
Authors: Bywall Karin Schölin , Esbensen Bente Appel , Heidenvall Marie , Erlandsson Inger , Lason Marta , Hansson Mats , Johansson Jennifer Viberg
Published: July 2023

Aim

Early assessment of patient preferences has the potential to support shared decisions in personalized precision medicine for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess treatment preferences of patients with RA (< 5 years) with previous experience of inadequate response to first-line monotherapy.

Method

Patients were recruited (March–June 2021) via four clinics in Sweden. Potential respondents (N = 933) received an invitation to answer a digital survey. The survey included an introductory part, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and demographic questions. Each respondent answered 11 hypothetical choice questions as part of the DCE. Patient preferences and preference heterogeneity were estimated using random parameter logit models and latent class analysis models.

Results

Patients (n = 182) assessed the most important treatment attributes out of physical functional capacity, psychosocial functional capacity, frequency of mild side effects and likelihood of severe side effects. In general, patients preferred a greater increase in functional capacity and decreased side effects. However, a substantial preference heterogeneity was identified with two underlying preference patterns. The most important attribute in the first pattern was the ‘likelihood of getting a severe side effect’. Physical functional capacity was the most important attribute in the second pattern.

Conclusion

Respondents focused their decision-making mainly on increasing their physical functional capacity or decreasing the likelihood of getting a severe side effect. These results are highly relevant from a clinical perspective to strengthen communication in shared decision making by assessing patients’ individual preferences for benefits and risks in treatment discussions.
Morphological characterization, fungicidal alternatives and biological control of Peronospora farinosa on chamomile
Authors: Mergawy M. M. , Hassanin M. M. H. , Ali A. A. M. , Yousef Heba
Published: July 2023

Background

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomileL.) is one of the very important medicinal plants worldwide, particularly in Egypt. The downy mildew disease is considered one of the most important diseases of chamomile.Peronospora farinosewas identified as the causal pathogen of downy mildew of infected chamomile plants, collected from Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during 2022.

Results

Efficiency of some fungicidal alternatives for management of downy mildew disease on chamomile leaves was evaluated in vitro studies using detached leaves technique. Each of the biocide, Bio-Cure F and Thyme oil emulsion treatments, before and after the fungal inoculation, respectively, was the best effective treatments, which reduced disease incidence to the lowest percentages. However, the treatment of Bio-Cure F before the fungal inoculation had the superiority for reducing disease severity to the lowest percentage, followed by Thyme oil emulsion, after the fungal inoculation. On the other hand, under greenhouse conditions, the best treatment reduced disease incidence and disease severity to the lowest percentages was Thyme oil emulsion, followed by Bio-Cure F, after and before the fungal inoculation, respectively. Total sugars content was obviously lower in treated chamomile plants before and after the fungal inoculation than in untreated controls. On the contrary, free phenols were obviously higher in treated chamomile plants before and after the fungal inoculation than in untreated controls.

Conclusion

The present study indicated the possibility of using Bio-Cure F (biocide) and Thyme essential oil emulsion as spraying treatment againstP. farinosaon chamomile plants.
NBA: defensive distillation for backdoor removal via neural behavior alignment
Authors: Ying Zonghao , Wu Bin
Published: July 2023

Recently, deep neural networks have been shown to be vulnerable to backdoor attacks. A backdoor is inserted into neural networks via this attack paradigm, thus compromising the integrity of the network. As soon as an attacker presents a trigger during the testing phase, the backdoor in the model is activated, allowing the network to make specific wrong predictions. It is extremely important to defend against backdoor attacks since they are very stealthy and dangerous. In this paper, we propose a novel defense mechanism, Neural Behavioral Alignment (NBA), for backdoor removal. NBA optimizes the distillation process in terms of knowledge form and distillation samples to improve defense performance according to the characteristics of backdoor defense. NBA builds high-level representations of neural behavior within networks in order to facilitate the transfer of knowledge. Additionally, NBA crafts pseudo samples to induce student models exhibit backdoor neural behavior. By aligning the backdoor neural behavior from the student network with the benign neural behavior from the teacher network, NBA enables the proactive removal of backdoors. Extensive experiments show that NBA can effectively defend against six different backdoor attacks and outperform five state-of-the-art defenses.
A rare cause of pain abdomen—renal artery thrombosis with renal infarct
Authors: Saikiran D. , Srinivas V. K. , Kumar R. S. Vasantha , Sunil Nilu , Harismitha M.
Published: July 2023

We report here a case of 56-year-old male presented to emergency with acute onset severe abdominal pain in right lumbar region and with significant past history diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease on regular medication, investigation revealed deranged urea and creatinine, and ultrasound abdomen and pelvis and computed tomography abdomen and pelvis showed no significant abnormalities; in view of persistent symptoms, computed tomography angiogram was done which revealed multiple right renal infarct, secondary to renal artery thrombosis. Renal angiogram revealed right renal segmental artery thrombus, which was successfully treated by catheter-directed thrombolysis and anticoagulants. Post thrombolysis symptoms and renal parameters improved.
President's Page: Where West and East come together
Authors: Huang Xuri
Published: July 2023

I remember years ago the president of BGP, Wenrong Xu, spoke at an SEG Annual Meeting on the topic of “From the East to West.” The presentation and its title referred to the fact that, at the time, the focus of geophysics in China was moving from the eastern regions to western regions where difficult surface conditions and subsurface structural complexity made seismic acquisition and imaging a challenge. I would like to put a spin on Xu's title and consider our current challenges and opportunities not from East to West or from West to East but from where West and East come together.
IMAGE Preview: Collaboration is key at IMAGE '23
Authors: Taylor Kelsy
Published: July 2023

The third annual International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy (IMAGE) will bring geoscientists from around the world together from 28 August to 1 September at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.
Learned multiphysics inversion with differentiable programming and machine learning
Authors: Louboutin Mathias , Yin Ziyi , Orozco Rafael , Grady Thomas J. , Siahkoohi Ali , Rizzuti Gabrio , Witte Philipp A. , Møyner Olav , Gorman Gerard J. , Herrmann Felix J.
Published: July 2023

We present the Seismic Laboratory for Imaging and Modeling/Monitoring open-source software framework for computational geophysics and, more generally, inverse problems involving the wave equation (e.g., seismic and medical ultrasound), regularization with learned priors, and learned neural surrogates for multiphase flow simulations. By integrating multiple layers of abstraction, the software is designed to be both readable and scalable, allowing researchers to easily formulate problems in an abstract fashion while exploiting the latest developments in high-performance computing. The design principles and their benefits are illustrated and demonstrated by means of building a scalable prototype for permeability inversion from time-lapse crosswell seismic data, which, aside from coupling of wave physics and multiphase flow, involves machine learning.
Anisotropy and petrophysics of Floyd Shale, Alabama
Authors: Sondergeld Carl H. , Rai Chandra S.
Published: July 2023

Floyd Shale has a measured anisotropy that is consistent with transverse isotropy but with a magnitude of nearly 40% in Thomsen parameters γ and ε. The measured anisotropy is very strong, with a relation between γ and ε but not δ. This requires incorporating strong anisotropy while locating any microseismic events induced during fracture stimulation. It makes velocities deduced from sonic logs in deviated wellbores considerably different than vertical velocities. Floyd Shale looks very similar to Barnett Shale in many of its petrophysical properties except mineralogy. Production to date has been disappointing. We review key petrophysical and rock-physics properties of 103 ft of Floyd Shale recovered from the McShan Timberlands well. Based on these analyses, Floyd looks very promising (i.e., total organic carbon is in excess of 4 wt%, and porosities average 6%). However, mineralogy is dominated by clays (typically greater than 50 wt%), and Barnett has generally less than 29% clay. High-pressure mercury injection capillary pressure and nuclear magnetic resonance indicate that pore throats and pore bodies are small (i.e., less than 15 nm). Physical inspection of the recovered core reveals fresh slickensides (i.e., evidence of hydraulic fracturing) and compromised calcite-filled fractures. If this core is representative of Floyd Shale, we suspect that any hydrocarbons generated during maturation likely migrated during later tectonic fracturing.