bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective selfishness in alarm calling behaviour by some members of wintering mixed-species groups of crested tits and willow tits
Authors: Krama Tatjana , Krams Ronalds , Elferts Didzis , Sieving Kathryn E. , Krams Indrikis A.
Published: April 2023

Animals adjust their use of alarm calls depending on social environments. We tested whether dominant (adult) and subordinate (juvenile non-kin) male crested tits (
Lophophanes cristatus
) warn each other and heterospecific willow tits (
Poecile montanus
) across the wintering season. Birds rarely alarm called when feeding alone. Both adult and juvenile crested tits warned each other in early winter, and adults did so in the middle of wintering season. However, juvenile males rarely warned conspecific adult males in the middle of the winter. Both adult and juvenile males stopped giving alarm calls when feeding together at the end of wintering season. The results suggest that the mid-winter reduction of juvenile alarms could increase the likelihood of successful predator attacks on adults, increasing the chances for juveniles to replace adults and acquire their territories. By contrast, both adult and juvenile males produced alarm calls throughout the season when foraging together with willow tits. Whether juvenile male crested tits could be selectively altering alarm call propensity to endanger adult males, thereby selfishly enhancing their own succession to territory ownership, is discussed. The results add to the understanding of the origin of mixed-species groups and explain the dynamics of social communication.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes’.
Could non-native species boost their chances of invasion success by socializing with natives?
Authors: Camacho-Cervantes Morelia , Keller Reuben P. , Vilà Montserrat
Published: April 2023

Most invasions start with the introduction of a few individuals and the majority fail to establish and become invasive populations. A possible explanation for this is that some species are subject to Allee effects—disadvantages of low densities—and fail to perform vital activities due to the low availability of conspecifics. We propose that ‘facilitation’ from native individuals to non-natives through heterospecific sociability could enhance chances of the latter establishing in novel environments by helping them avoid Allee effects and even reducing the minimum number of non-native individuals necessary to achieve the density for a viable population (the Allee effect threshold). There is evidence from experiments carried out with freshwater fish, snails, lizards, mussels and bird that supports the idea of heterospecific sociability between native and non-native species as a process to promote invasion success. We propose that to understand invasion success in social non-native species we need to investigate how they integrate into the recipient community. Furthermore, to manage them, it may be necessary to reduce population density not just below the Allee effect threshold but also to understand how natives could help them shift the conspecific Allee effect threshold to their benefit.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes’.
Mixed-species assemblages and disease: the importance of differential vector and parasite attraction in transmission dynamics
Authors: Trillo Paula A. , Bernal Ximena E. , Hall Richard J.
Published: April 2023

Individuals from multiple species often aggregate at resources, group to facilitate defense and foraging, or are brought together by human activity. While it is well-documented that host-seeking disease vectors and parasites show biases in their responses to cues from different hosts, the influence of mixed-species assemblages on disease dynamics has received limited attention. Here, we synthesize relevant research in host-specific vector and parasite bias. To better understand how vector and parasite biases influence infection, we provide a conceptual framework describing cue-oriented vector and parasite host-seeking behaviour as a two-stage process that encompasses attraction of these enemies to the assemblage and their choice of hosts once at the assemblage. We illustrate this framework, developing a case study of mixed-species frog assemblages, where frog-biting midges transmit trypanosomes. Finally, we present a mathematical model that investigates how host species composition and asymmetries in vector attraction modulate transmission dynamics in mixed-species assemblages. We argue that differential attraction of vectors by hosts can have important consequences for disease transmission within mixed-species assemblages, with implications for wildlife conservation and zoonotic disease.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes’.
Acoustic similarity of flight calls corresponds with the composition and structure of mixed-species flocks of migrating birds: evidence from a three-dimensional microphone array
Authors: Gayk Zach G. , Mennill Daniel J.
Published: April 2023

Animals that migrate in mixed-species groups may communicate with both conspecific and heterospecific individuals, providing a low-cost mechanism for navigation whenever individuals share similar migratory routes or destinations. Many migratory birds produce calls while flying, but the function of these calls, and the forces contributing to their evolution, are poorly known. We studied flight calls in mixed-species groups of wood warblers (Parulidae), a biodiverse group of migratory songbirds. We used a spatial approach to examine whether acoustic similarity of flight calls varies with group composition, recording flight calls of mixed-species flocks with a wireless microphone array and triangulating the positions of birds in three dimensions. We found that the acoustic similarity of flight calls was correlated with spatial proximity: birds with similar calls fly closer together during migration. We also found relationships between acoustic similarity, flock size and mixed-species flock diversity: birds with similar calls fly in smaller flocks and in flocks with lower species diversity. Our results support the idea that migrating birds use flight calls to maintain contact with acoustically similar individuals in mixed-species flocks, with communication transcending species boundaries. These results suggest that acoustically similar flight calls are used as cues of group assembly for migratory animals.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes’.
Actinophytocola gossypii sp. nov. and Streptomyces gossypii sp. nov., two novel actinomycetes isolated from rhizosphere soil of cotton
Authors: Ge Xianfeng , Yang Shenrong , Zhen Cheng , Liu Wenzheng
Published: April 2023

Two Gram-positive, aerobic and non-motile actinomycetes, designated S1-96T and N2-109T, were isolated from soils collected from a cotton field. They are described as representing two novel species of genera

Actinophytocola

and

Streptomyces

through a polyphasic approach. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains S1-96T and N2-109T showed highest similarity to

Actinophytocola xinjiangensis

CGMCC 4.4663T (99.10 %) and

Streptomyces iconiensis

BNT558T (98.21 %), respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and core genes confirmed the close relationships of these strains. Genomic analyses further supported the novel taxonomic delimitation of these two species based on digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity. Strains S1-96T and N2-109T contained MK-9(H4) and MK-9(H6) as the most abundant menaquinone, respectively. High abundances of iso-fatty acids were detected in both strains, which was similar to their close relatives. Physiological and polar lipid analyses also revealed differences between these strains and their phylogenetic neighbours, supporting their taxonomic delimitation as novel species. The names Actinophytocola gossypii sp. nov. (type strain S1-96T=JCM 34412T=CGMCC 4.7707T) and Streptomyces gossypii sp. nov. (type strain N2-109T=JCM 34628T=CGMCC 4.7717T) are proposed.
Ectobacillus ponti sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from Pearl River Estuary
Authors: Deng Qi-Qi , Li Shan-Hui , Luo Xiao-Qing , Yang Zi-Wen , She Ting-Ting , Li Jia-Ling , Wang Pan-Deng , Wang Yu , Jiang Hongchen , Li Wen-Jun
Published: April 2023

A Gram-staining-positive, aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped strain, designated SYSU M60031T, was isolated from a Pearl River Estuary sediment sample, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The isolate could grow at pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), 25–37 °C (optimum, 28 °C) and in the presence of 0–1 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 %). The predominant respiratory menaquinone of SYSU M60031T was MK-7. The cellular polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, one unidentified aminophospholipid, and one unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids (>10 % of total) were iso-C14 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, and C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 51.2 %. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and core genes indicated that strain SYSU M60031T belonged to the genus

Ectobacillus

and showed the highest sequence similarity to

Ectobacillus funiculus

NAF001T (96.16%), followed by

Ectobacillus antri

SYSU K30001T (95.08 %). Based on the phenotypic, genotypic, and phylogenetic data, strain SYSU M60031T should be considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Ectobacillus

, for which the name Ectobacillus ponti sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the proposed novel isolate is SYSU M60031T (=CGMCC 1.19243T =NBRC 115614T).
Relationships between body fat distribution and metabolic syndrome traits and outcomes: a Mendelian Randomization study
Authors: Huang Brian , DePaolo John , Judy Renae L. , Shakt Gabrielle , Witschey Walter R. , Levin Michael G. , Gershuni Victoria M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Obesity is a complex, multifactorial disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although overweight and obesity are frequently assessed using BMI, many epidemiological studies have shown links between body fat distribution and obesity-related outcomes. This study examined the relationships between body fat distribution and metabolic syndrome traits using Mendelian Randomization (MR).

Methods and Findings

Genetic variants associated with visceral adipose tissue (VAT), abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), and gluteofemoral adipose tissue (GFAT), as well as their relative ratios, were identified from a genome wide association study (GWAS) performed among participants of the United Kingdom BioBank. GWAS summary statistics for traits and outcomes related to metabolic syndrome were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS Project. Two-sample MR and multivariable MR (MVMR) controlling for BMI were performed to examine the relationships between each body fat measure and ratio with the selected outcomes.

Increases in absolute GFAT were associated with a protective cardiometabolic profile, including lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: -0.19, [95% CI: -0.28, -0.10], p < 0.001), higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol (β: 0.23, [95% CI: 0.03, 0.43], p = 0.025), lower triglycerides (β: - 0.28, [95% CI: -0.45, -0.10], p = 0.0021), and decreased systolic (β: -1.65, [95% CI: -2.69, -0.61], p = 0.0019) and diastolic blood pressures (β: -0.95, [95% CI: -1.65, -0.25], p = 0.0075). These relationships were largely maintained when controlling for BMI in MVMR analyses. Decreases in relative GFAT were linked with a worse cardiometabolic profile, with higher levels of detrimental lipids and increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Conclusion

An MR analysis of ASAT, GFAT, and VAT fat depots and their relative ratios with metabolic syndrome related traits and outcomes revealed that increased absolute and relative GFAT were associated with a favorable cardiometabolic profile independently of BMI. These associations highlight the importance of body fat distribution in obesity and supports developing more precise means to categorize obesity beyond BMI.
High Fidelity, CT on Rails-based Characterization of Total Delivered Dose Variation for Conformal Head and Neck Treatment: With evaluation of adaptive replanning time-point implications
Authors: Dai Haocheng , Sarkar Vikren , Dial Christian , Foote Markus D. , Joshi Sarang , Salter Bill J.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to characterize dose variations from the original plan for a cohort of head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients using high-quality computed tomography on rails (CTOR) datasets and evaluate a predictive model for identifying patients needing re-planning.

Material and methods

74 HNC patients treated on our CTOR equipped machine were evaluated in this retrospective study. Patients were treated at our facility using in-room, CTOR Image Guidance — acquiring CTOR kV fan beam CT (FBCT) images on a weekly to near-daily basis. For each patient, a particular day’s delivered treatment dose was calculated by applying the approved, planned beam set to the post image-guided alignment CT image-of-the-day. Total accumulated delivered dose distributions were calculated and compared to the planned dose distribution and differences were characterized by comparison of dose and biological response statistics.

Results

The majority of patients in the study saw excellent agreement between planned and delivered dose distribution in targets — the mean deviations of D95 and D98 of the planning target volumes (PTVs) of the cohort are −0.7% and −1.3%, respectively. In critical organs, we saw a +6.5% mean deviation of mean dose in parotid glands, −2.3% mean deviation of maximum dose in brainstem, and +0.7% mean deviation of maximum dose in spinal cord. 10 of 74 patients experienced nontrivial variation of delivered parotid dose which resulted in a normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) increase compared to the anticipated NTCP in the original plan, ranging from 11% to 44%.

Conclusion

We determined that a mid-course evaluation of dose deviation was not effective in predicting the need of re-planning for our patient cohorts. The observed non-trivial dose difference to parotid gland delivered dose suggest that even when rigorous, high quality image guidance is performed, clinically concerning variations to predicted dose delivery can still occur.
THREE STEPS NOVEL HARD MARGIN ENSEMBLE MACHINE LEARNING METHOD CLASSIFIES UNCERTAINMEFVGENE VARIANTS
Authors: Alay Mustafa Tarık , Demir İbrahim , Kirişçi Murat
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The International Study Group for Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases (INSAID) consensus criteria revealed that the clinical outcomes of more than half of the MEFV gene variants are uncertain. We aimed to detect more accurate classifications of MEFV variants while simultaneously reducing MEFV variant uncertainty.

Material-Methods

We extracted variants of the MEFV gene from the infevers database. We then determined the optimal number of in silico instruments for our model. On the training dataset, we implemented seven machine learning algorithms on MEFV gene variants with known clinical effects. We evaluated the effectiveness of our model in three steps: First, we performed machine-learning algorithms on the training dataset and implemented those with a prediction accuracy of greater than 90 percent. Second, we compared our gene-level and protein-level prediction results. Finally, we compared our prediction results to clinical outcomes.

Results

Our analysis included 266 of 381 MEFV gene variants and four computational tools (Revel, SIFT, MetaLR, and FATHMM). In our training dataset, the accuracy of three machine learning algorithms (RF: 100%, CRAT: 100%, and KNN: 91%) exceeded the threshold value. Thus, the dataset contained 134 likely pathogenic (LP) variants and 132 likely benign (LB) variants. We found that B30.2 domain variants were 2.5 times more likely to be LP than LB (χ2:12.693, p < 0.001, OR: 2.595 [1.532-4.132].

Discussion

Considering that the clinical effects of 60% of MEFV gene variants have not yet been determined, a combined evaluation of our methods and patients’ clinical manifestations significantly simplifies the interpretation of unknown variants.
Analysis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Gene Expression Profiles in a Prospective, Community-based Cohort
Authors: Dahrendorff Jan , Wani Agaz , Keller Thomas E. , Armstrong Don , Qu Annie , Wildman Derek E. , Carmen Valero M. , Koenen Karestan C. , Aiello Allison E. , Uddin Monica
Published: April 2023

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and debilitating psychiatric disorder that may occur in individuals exposed to traumatic events such as accidents, interpersonal violence, war, combat, or natural disasters. Additionally, PTSD has been implicated in the development of a variety of chronic conditions including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, suggesting that the biological alterations of the disorder can manifest themselves as chronic diseases in those suffering from PTSD. The biological underpinnings of the disorder are not well understood. Gene expression studies can illuminate the complex physiology of PTSD reflecting the embodiment of trauma, i.e. the process in which traumatic experiences in our social environments are manifested in our body by genomic mechanisms. To date, gene expression studies that examine the whole transcriptome are scarce and limited to single-timepoint assessments. Here we applied a transcriptome-wide gene expression screen with RNA-sequencing to whole blood samples to elucidate the gene expression signatures associated with the development of PTSD. The study participants (N=72, of whom 21 eventually developed PTSD) are a trauma exposed subsample of participants enrolled in a longitudinal and prospective cohort study of adults living in Detroit, Michigan. PTSD was assessed in a structured telephone interview and whole blood samples were taken both before and after trauma exposure. We found 45 differentially expressed genes associated with PTSD development with an estimated log2fold change > 1.5 at a nominal p value (p<0.05), however, none of these survived correction for multiple hypothesis testing. Six of the 37 upregulated genes includingPAX6,TSPAN7,PXDN,VWC2,SULF1andNFATC4were also ubiquitously expressed in all brain regions examined. Subsequent gene set enrichment analysis identified several pathways relating to brain and immune functioning to be enriched in individuals developing PTSD. Longitudinal sampling provides a promising mean to elucidate the pathophysiology underlying the embodiment of trauma.
Dasatinib nephrotoxicity correlates with patient-specific pharmacokinetics
Authors: Adegbite Benjamin O. , Abramson Matthew H. , Gutgarts Victoria , Musteata Marcel F. , Chauhan Kinsuk , Muwonge Alecia N. , Meliambro Kristin A. , Salvatore Steven P. , Ghaity-Beckley Sebastian El , Kremyanskaya Marina , Marcellino Bridget , Mascarenhas John O. , Campbell Kirk N. , Chan Lili , Coca Steven G. , Berman Ellin M. , Jaimes Edgar A. , Azeloglu Evren U.
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Introduction

Dasatinib has been associated with nephrotoxicity. We sought to examine the incidence of proteinuria on dasatinib and determine potential risk factors that may increase dasatinib-associated glomerular injury.

Methods

We examine glomerular injury via urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) in 101 chronic myelogenous leukemia patients who were on tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy for at least 90 days. We assay plasma dasatinib pharmacokinetics using tandem mass spectroscopy, and further describe a case study of a patient who experienced nephrotic-range proteinuria while on dasatinib.

Results

Patients treated with dasatinib (n= 32) had significantly higher UACR levels (median 28.0 mg/g, IQR 11.5 – 119.5) than patients treated with other TKIs (n=50; median 15.0 mg/g, IQR 8.0 – 35.0; p < 0.001). In total, 10% of dasatinib users exhibited severely increased albuminuria (UACR > 300 mg/g) versus zero in other TKIs. Average steady state concentrations of dasatinib were positively correlated with UACR (ρ = 0.54, p = 0.03) as well as duration of treatment (p=0.003). There were no associations with elevated blood pressure or other confounding factors. In the case study, kidney biopsy revealed global glomerular damage with diffuse foot process effacement that recovered upon termination of dasatinib treatment.

Conclusions

Exposure to dasatinib is associated a significant chance of developing proteinuria compared to other similar TKIs. Dasatinib plasma concentration significantly correlates with increased risk of developing proteinuria while receiving dasatinib. Screening for renal dysfunction and proteinuria is strongly advised for all dasatinib patients.
Factor Structure of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire in a US-Based Cohort of Mothers
Authors: Lavallée Andréane , Warmingham Jennifer M. , Reimers Mark A. , Kyle Margaret H. , Austin Judy , Lee Seonjoo , Barker Tyson , Hussain Maha , Ettinger Sharon , Dumitriu Dani
Published: April 2023

As research efforts in the field of pediatrics are oriented toward a better understanding of the synergistic relationship between different facets of early relational health (ERH) and child development and wellbeing, it is essential to focus on the quality of research instruments available for measuring different components of ERH. This study investigates the measurement characteristics of a widely used parent/caregiver-reported measure of bonding, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ), in a US-based sample (n=610) of English-speaking biological mothers who completed the PBQ at 4 months postpartum. To evaluate the factor structure of the PBQ, confirmatory and exploratory statistical techniques were employed. The current study failed to replicate the PBQ’s original 4-factor structure. Exploratory factor analysis results supported the creation of a 14-item abbreviated measure, the PBQ-14. The PBQ-14 showed evidence of good psychometric properties, including high internal consistency (ω=.87) and correlation with depression (r=.44, p<.001) assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), as would be expected. The new unidimensional PBQ-14 is suitable for use in the US as a measure of general postnatal parent/caregiver-to-infant bonding.
Severe acute malnutrition promotes bacterial binding over pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by circulating innate immune cells
Authors: Phiri Tracy N. , Mutasa Kuda , Rukobo Sandra , Govha Margaret , Mushayanembwa Patience , Mwakamui Simutanyi , Haider Tafhima , Zyambo Kanekwa , Dumbura Cherlynn , Tome Joice , Runodamoto Thompson , Chidamba Leah , Majo Florence D. , Ngosa Deophine , Chandwe Kanta , Kapoma Chanda , Mwapenya Benjamin , Sturgeon Jonathan P. , Robertson Ruairi C. , Smuk Melanie , Ntozini Robert , Nathoo Kusum , Amadi Beatrice , Kelly Paul , Bwakura-Dangarembizi Mutsa , Prendergast Andrew J. , Bourke Claire D.
Published: April 2023

Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) are at high risk of infectious mortality and morbidity during and after hospital discharge. This risk persists despite nutritional and prophylactic antibiotic interventions among children with SAM, implicating persistent deficits in their immune defenses. Here we test the hypothesis that innate immune cells from children (0-59 months) hospitalized with SAM in Zambia and Zimbabwe (n=141) have distinct capacity to respond to bacteria relative to adequately-nourished healthy controls from the same communities (n=92). Neutrophils and monocytes from SAM inpatients had a higher capacity to bindE. colibut lower monocyte activation and pro-inflammatory mediator secretion in response toE. colilipopolysaccharide (LPS) or heat-killedSalmonella typhimurium(HKST) than controls. Bacterial binding capacity differentiated children with SAM from controls after adjusting for clinical and demographic heterogeneity and normalized with duration of hospital treatment. Wasting severity, HIV status, and age group were associated with LPS and HKST-induced cytokine secretion, monocyte activation, and myeloperoxidase secretion, respectively. Bacterial binding capacity and monocyte activation during hospitalization were associated with higher odds of persistent SAM at discharge; a risk factor for subsequent mortality. Thus, SAM shifts anti-bacterial innate immune cell function, favoring bacterial containment over pro-inflammatory activation upon challenge, which contributes to persistent health deficits among hospitalized children.

TEASER

Children with severe acute malnutrition have distinct anti-bacterial innate immune cell function compared to healthy children which persists during their hospitalization and contributes to persistent wasting.
Air pollution exposure when cooking with electricity compared to gas
Authors: Gould Carlos F. , Dávila Lissete , Bejarano M. Lorena , Burke Marshall , Jack Darby W. , Schlesinger Samuel B. , Mora José R. , Valarezo Alfredo
Published: April 2023

We report small-sample evidence from a randomized experiment among a set of urban Ecuadorian households who owned both electric induction and gas stoves. We randomly assigned households to cook only with one stove during a prescribed two-day monitoring period, and then cook only with the other stove in a subsequent two-day period. The order of stove use was randomized, and air pollution was measured during each period. We found that mean 48-hour personal NO2exposure was 9.9 ppb higher (95% CI, 4.5-15.3) — a 50% increase over the 48-hour induction mean — when households were randomized to gas as compared to induction. Mean kitchen area NO2concentrations were 1 ppb higher (95% CI, 0.4-2.1) (a 6% increase) and mean personal PM2.5exposure was 11μgm−3higher (95% CI, -0.1-22.8) (a 44% increase) during study periods when randomized to gas. We use time-resolved cooking and pollution data to illustrate that these differences are driven by LPG cooking, which was associated with a 5.0 ppb increase in 5-minute average NO2kitchen area concentrations (95% CI, 3.4-6.7) and a 20.8μgm−3increase in 5-minute average personal PM2.5exposure (95% CI 8.9-32.6). In contrast, cooking with induction was not associated with changes to short-term NO2kitchen area concentrations, though it was associated with short-term increased personal PM2.5exposure (10.8, 95% CI, 5.7-15.9).
Effect of face-covering use on adherence to other COVID-19 protective behaviours: a systematic review
Authors: Millest Adam , Saeed Sidra , Symons Charles , Carter Holly
Published: April 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns were raised that face covering use may elicit risk compensation; a false sense of security resulting in reduced adherence to other protective behaviours such as physical distancing. This systematic review aimed to investigate the effect of face covering use on adherence to other COVID-19 related protective behaviours. Medline, Embase, PsychInfo, EmCare, medRxiv preprints, Research Square and WHO COVID-19 Research Database were searched. All primary research studies published from 1 January 2020 to 17thMay 2022 which investigated the effect of face covering use on adherence to other protective behaviours in public settings during the COVID-19 pandemic were included. Papers were selected and screened in accordance with the PRISMA framework. Backwards and forwards citation searches of included papers were also conducted on 16thSeptember 2022, with eligible papers published between 1stJanuary 2020 and that date being included. A quality appraisal including risk of bias was assessed using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Quality Criteria Checklist. This review is registered on PROSPERO, number CRD42022331961. 47 papers were included, with quality ranging from low to high. These papers investigated the effects of face covering use and face covering policies on adherence to six categories of behaviour: physical distancing; mobility; face-touching; hand hygiene; close contacts; and generalised protective behaviour. Results reveal no consistent evidence for or against risk compensation, with findings varying according to behaviour and across study types. There is a suggestion that face covering use might reduce face-touching and face covering mandates might increase mobility, though the lack of robust evidence means these are tentative claims. Evidence on the other protective behaviours is largely inconsistent, and therefore confident conclusions cannot be made in these areas. Any policy decisions related to face coverings must consider the inconsistencies and caveats in this evidence base.
Randomized, Crossover Clinical Trial on the Safety, Feasibility, and Usability of the ABLE Exoskeleton: A Comparative Study with Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthoses
Authors: Rodríguez-Fernández Antonio , Lobo-Prat Joan , Tolrà-Campanyà Mariona , Pérez-Cañabate Florentina , Font-Llagunes Josep M. , Guirao-Cano Lluis
Published: April 2023

Wearable exoskeletons are emerging as a new tool for gait training. However, comparisons between exoskeletons and conventional orthoses in terms of safety and feasibility are scarce. This study assessed the safety, feasibility, usability, and learning process of using the ABLE Exoskeleton in people with spinal cord injury (SCI) while comparing it with knee-ankle-foot orthoses (KAFOs). In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, 10 patients with chronic complete SCI (T4-T12) conducted a 10-session training and assessment protocol with each device: KAFOs and the ABLE Exoskeleton. Outcomes on safety (adverse events), and feasibility and usability (level of assistance, donning/doffing, therapy activities) were recorded for both devices. Evaluation sessions included standard clinical tests (Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk Test, and 6-Minute Walk Test) to assess gait performance. The therapy metrics (number of steps, distance, gait speed, and standing and walking time) were recorded at each session for the robotic device. Participants quickly learned how to use the ABLE Exoskeleton, showing improvements in all therapy metrics (p<0.05) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (p<0.05). The robotic device reported less adverse events than KAFOs (17 and 31, respectively). Total donning and doffing time was 43 seconds faster with the robotic device using comparable levels of assistance. The time to complete the therapy activities was very similar between devices. Overall, participants needed 1 to 4 training sessions to perform essential therapy activities (sit/stand transitions, walking 10 meters, turning around) with both devices using minimum assistance or less. The results of this study show that it is feasible and safe for people with motor complete paraplegia due to SCI (T4-T12) to use the ABLE Exoskeleton for gait training in a rehabilitation hospital setting. The ABLE Exoskeleton proved to be safer than KAFOs in terms of adverse events, and as practical and easy to use as the conventional orthoses.
High preoperative CEA and Systemic Inflammation Response Index(C-SIRI) Predict Unfavorable Survival of Resectable Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Cai Hao , Chen Yu , Zhang Qiao , Liu Yang , Jia HouJun
Published: April 2023

Background

CEA and systemic inflammation were reported to correlate with proliferation, invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. This study investigated the prognostic significance of the preoperative CEA and systemic inflammation response index (C-SIRI) in patients with resectable colorectal cancer.

Methods

217 CRC patients were recruited from Chongqing Medical University, the first affiliated hospital, between January 2015 and December 2017. Baseline characteristics, preoperative CEA level and peripheral monocyte, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal cutoff value for SIRI was defined as 1.1, and for CEA, the best cutoff values were 4.1 ng/l and 13.0 ng/l. Patients with low levels of CEA (<4.1 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 0, those with high levels of CEA (≥13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1) were assigned a value of 3, Those with CEA in the (4.1-13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1), CEA (≥13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 2. Those with CEA (<4.1 ng/l) and SIRI (≥1.1), CEA in the (4.1-13.0 ng/l) and SIRI (<1.1) were assigned a value of 1. The prognostic value was assessed based on univariate and multivariate survival analysis.

Results

Preoperative C-SIRI was significantly correlated with gender, site, stage, CEA, OPNI, NLR, PLR, and MLR. However, no difference was observed between C-SIRI and age, BMI, family history of cancer, adjuvant therapy, and AGR groups. Among these indicators, the correlation between PLR and NLR is the strongest. In addition, high preoperative C-SIRI was significantly correlated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR: 2.782, 95%CI: 1.630-4.746, P<0.001) based on univariate survival analysis. Moreover, it remained an independent predictor for OS (HR: 2.563, 95%CI: 1.419-4.628, p=0.002) in multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Conclusion

Our study showed that preoperative C-SIRI could serve as a significant prognostic biomarker in patients with resectable colorectal cancer.
Long-Term follow up of Myocardial Function in VA-ECMO
Authors: Yang Cheng-Ta , Cheng Yu-Ting , Chan Yi-Hsin , Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chen Dong-Yi , Hung Kuo-Chun , Hsiao Fu-Chih , Tung Ying-Chang , Lin Chia-Pin , Chu Pao-Hsien , Chen Shao-Wei
Published: April 2023

Objective:

There is limited evidence regarding the association between myocardial function and long-term survival rate in patients who reach hospital discharge. This study aimed to investigate the association between myocardial function parameters collected at different times from weaning to long-term follow-up and the long-term mortality rate.

Method:

A cohort of 403 patients successfully weaned from VA-ECMO was identified from a total of 1300 patients who underwent VA-ECMO between 2000-2018 after applying exclusion criteria for age and indications not of interest in the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Research Database. A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the effect of ejection fraction timing on long-term mortality.

Results:

Percentile improvement in EF between ECMO placement and successful weaning is significantly associated with lower cumulative mortality, while the EF value before discharge was significantly associated with better survival. Lastly, the association of lower long-term mortality with EF change from discharge to midterm follow-up and the maximum EF at midterm follow-up was found to be non-significant.

Conclusions:

This is the first study to provide a comprehensive analysis of echo-cardiographic parameters collected at different times and long-term cumulative mortality in patients who survived VA-ECMO. Improvements in cardiac function and better baseline cardiac function are associated with lower long-term mortality.
PhenoCellPy: A Python package for biological cell behavior modeling
Authors: Gianlupi Juliano F. , Sego T.J. , Sluka James P. , Glazier James A.
Published: April 2023

PhysiCell, a mechanistic center-based agent-based modeling framework, describes sequences of cell behaviors in a very elegant way with its phenotype submodel. However, its phenotypes are not usable in other frameworks, and the creation of a new phenotype is not straight forward. PhenoCellPy is an open-source Python package that implements PhysiCell’s phenotypes and their methods in a general way, that is easily extended and embedded into other python-based models. PhenoCellPy defines methods for modeling sequences of cell behaviors and states (e.g., the cell cycle, or the Phases of cellular necrosis). PhenoCellPy defines Python classes for the Cell Volume (which it subdivides between the cytoplasm and nucleus) and its evolution, the state of the cell and the behaviors the cell displays in each state (called the Phase), and the sequence of behaviors (called the Phenotype). PhenoCellPy’s can extend existing modeling frameworks as an embedded model. It integrates with the frameworks by defining the cell states (phases), signaling when a state change occurs, if division occurs, and by receiving information from the framework (e.g., how much interferon the cell is exposed to). PhenoCellPy can function with any python-based modeling framework that supports Python 3, NumPy and SciPy.
More than just an Eagle Killer: The freshwater cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolaproduces highly toxic dolastatin derivatives
Authors: Schwark Markus , Martínez Yerena José A. , Röhrborn Kristin , Hrouzek Pavel , Divoká Petra , Štenclová Lenka , Delawská Kateřina , Enke Heike , Vorreiter Christopher , Wiley Faith , Sippl Wolfgang , Sobotka Roman , Saha Subhasish , Wilde Susan B. , Mareš Jan , Niedermeyer Timo H. J.
Published: April 2023

Cyanobacteria are infamous producers of toxins. While the toxic potential of planktic cyanobacterial blooms is well documented, the ecosystem level effects of toxigenic benthic and epiphytic cyanobacteria are an understudied threat. The freshwater epiphytic cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolahas recently been shown to produce the “eagle killer” neurotoxin aetokthonotoxin causing the fatal neurological disease Vacuolar Myelinopathy. The disease affects a wide array of wildlife in the southeastern United States, most notably waterfowl and birds of prey, including the bald eagle. In an assay for cytotoxicity, we found the crude extract of the cyanobacterium to be much more potent than pure aetokthonotoxin, prompting further investigation. Here, we describe the isolation and structure elucidation of the aetokthonostatins, linear peptides belonging to the dolastatin compound family, featuring a unique modification of the C-terminal phenylalanine derived moiety. Using immunofluorescence microscopy and molecular modeling, we confirmed that aetokthonostatin acts as a potent tubulin binder. We also show that aetokthonostatin inhibits reproduction of the nematodeC. elegans, resulting in increased population lethality of the combined action of the two toxins produced byA. hydrillicola. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the aetokthonostatin biosynthetic gene cluster encoding a non-ribosomal peptide synthe-tase/polyketide synthase accompanied by a unique tailoring machinery. The biosynthetic activity of a specific N-terminal methyltransferase was confirmed byin vitrobiochemical studies, establishing a mechanistic link between the gene cluster and its product.

Significance Statement

Cyanotoxins have adverse effects on ecosystems. Our understanding of their potential risk has recently been expanded by the discovery of aetokthonotoxin, produced by the cyanobacteriumAetokthonos hydrillicolagrowing on invasive plants. Via trophic transfer, it acts as a neurotoxin causing mortality in animals including top predators like Bald Eagles. Closer examination ofA. hydrillicolarevealed that it also produces highly toxic dolastatin derivatives.A. hydrillicolais the first cultured cyanobacterium producing dolastatin derivatives, allowing us to uncover biosynthetic gene clusters of this compound family. In contrast to all other known dolastatin-producers, which are marine cyanobacteria,A. hydrillicolathrives in freshwater reservoirs, making it a potential threat also for human health. Monitoring of the cyanobacterium and its toxins is strongly recommended.
Re-thinking recreational fishing – how a natural disaster presents insights and opportunities for achieving sustainability and equity objectives
Authors: Orchard Shane , Gerrity Shawn , Schiel David R.
Published: April 2023

Pāua (abalone) are a treasured natural resource that supports a recreational fishery worth $2 million annually to the local economy of the Kaikōura district in New Zealand. From 2016, the fishery was closed for 5 years in response to widespread mortality caused by co-seismic uplift in the 7.8 MwKaikōura earthquake. The fishery re-opened in 2021 for an initial 3-month open season with a recreational fishing allocation of 5 tonnes. We constructed scenario models informed by fishing pressure observations and show that this catch target was severely exceeded (by a factor of 9-10). We then evaluated a range of alternative management settings involving daily bag limit adjustments and temporal controls that shift opening times away from high visitation periods and favourable weather conditions as a means to reduce peaks in fishing pressure. Temporal control strategies reduced seasonal catch by up to 45% in comparative analyses using the 2021 fishing effort as a base-case scenario, and can be used in combination with daily bag limit adjustments and longer-term protected areas. When applied to a Total Allowable Catch, these solutions also produce equity effects that increase the proportional allocation accruing to local fishers. We discuss the potential role of these insights in designing temporal controls for managing seasonal influxes of fishing effort driven by tourism, and highlight the role of natural disasters and recovery periods as a trigger for new policy directions. In this case, they were needed to address an unexpected loss that illustrates a more general need for reliable fishery management that is responsive to environmental change in the long term.
Sparsity of higher-order landscape interactions enables learning and prediction for microbiomes
Authors: Arya Shreya , George Ashish B. , O’Dwyer James P.
Published: April 2023

Microbiome engineering offers the potential to lever-age microbial communities to improve outcomes in human health, agriculture, and climate. To translate this potential into reality, it is crucial to reliably predict community composition and function. But a brute force approach to cataloguing community function is hindered by the combinatorial explosion in the number of ways we can combine microbial species. An alternative is to parameterize microbial community outcomes using simplified, mechanistic models, and then extrapolate these models beyond where we have sampled. But these approaches remain data-hungry, as well as requiring ana priorispecification of what kinds of mechanism are included and which are omitted. Here, we resolve both issues by introducing a new, mechanism-agnostic approach to predicting microbial community compositions and functions using limited data. The critical step is the discovery of a sparse representation of the community landscape. We then leverage this sparsity to predict community compositions and functions, drawing from techniques in compressive sensing. We validate this approach onin silicocommunity data, generated from a theoretical model. By sampling just ∼ 1% of all possible communities, we accurately predict community compositions out of sample. We then demonstrate the real-world application of our approach by applying it to four experimental datasets, and showing that we can recover interpretable, accurate predictions on composition and community function from highly limited data.
Parallel shifts in flight-height associated with altitude across incipientHeliconiusspecies
Authors: Rivas-Sánchez David F , Gantiva-Q Carlos H. , Pardo-Diaz Carolina , Salazar Camilo , Montgomery Stephen H , Merrill Richard M
Published: April 2023

Vertical gradients in microclimate, resource availability and interspecific interactions are thought to underly stratification patterns in tropical insect communities. However, only a few studies have explored the adaptive significance of vertical space use during early population divergence. We analysed flight-height variation across speciation events inHeliconiusbutterflies representing parallel instances of divergence between low and high-altitude populations. We measured flight-height in wildH. erato venus andH. chestertonii, lowland and mountain specialists respectively, and found thatH. chestertoniiconsistently flies at a lower height. We compared these data with previously published results forH. e. cyrbiaandH. himera, the latter of which flies lower and, likeH. chestertonii, recently colonised high-altitude, dry forests. We show that these repeated trends largely result from shared patterns of selection across equivalent environments, producing parallel trait-shifts inH. himeraandH. chestertonii. Although our results imply a signature of local adaptation, we did not find an association between resource distribution and flight-height inH. e. venusandH. chestertonii. We discuss how this pattern may be explained by variation in forest structure and microclimate. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of behavioural adjustments during early divergence mediated by altitude-shifts.
Discovering Cognitive Strategies with Tiny Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Ji-An Li , Benna Marcus K. , Mattar Marcelo G.
Published: April 2023

Normative modeling frameworks such as Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning provide valuable insights into the fundamental principles governing adaptive behavior. While these frameworks are valued for their simplicity and interpretability, their reliance on few parameters often limits their ability to capture realistic biological behavior, leading to cycles of handcrafted adjustments that are prone to research subjectivity. Here, we present a novel modeling approach leveraging recurrent neural networks to discover the cognitive algorithms governing biological decision-making. We show that neural networks with just 1-4 units often outperform classical cognitive models and match larger neural networks in predicting the choices of individual animals and humans across six well-studied reward learning tasks. Critically, we then interpret the trained networks using dynamical systems concepts, enabling a unified comparison of cognitive models and revealing detailed mechanisms underlying choice behavior. Our approach also estimates the dimensionality of behavior and offers insights into algorithms implemented by AI agents trained in a meta-reinforcement learning setting. Overall, we present a systematic approach for discovering interpretable cognitive strategies in decision-making, offering insights into neural mechanisms and a foundation for studying both healthy and dysfunctional cognition.
Sex-biased gene regulation varies across human populations as a result of adaptive evolution
Authors: Reynolds Adam Z. , Niedbalski Sara D.
Published: April 2023

Human males and females exhibit a wide range of diversity in biology and behavior. However, studies of sexual dimorphism and gender disparities in health generally emphasize ostensibly universal molecular sex differences, such as sex chromosomes and circulating hormone levels, while ignoring the extraordinary diversity in biology, behavior, and culture acquired by different human populations over their unique evolutionary histories. Using RNA-Seq data and whole genome sequences from 11 human populations, we investigate variation in sex-biased gene expression across human populations and test whether population-level variation in sex-biased expression may have resulted from adaptive evolution in sex-specific regulatory regions. In tests for differential expression, we find that sex-biased gene expression in humans is highly variable, mostly population-specific, and demonstrates between-population reversals. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping reveals sex-specific regulatory regions with evidence of recent positive natural selection, suggesting that variation in sex-biased expression may have evolved as an adaptive response to ancestral environments experienced by human populations. These results indicate that sex-biased gene expression is more flexible than previously thought and is not generally shared among human populations. Instead, molecular phenotypes associated with sex depend on complex interactions between population-specific molecular evolution and physiological responses to contemporary socioecologies.