bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living at the edge: home range patterns of the Buraiga Chimpanzee Community, Kibale National Park, Uganda
Authors: Edwards Wren I. , Popescu Viorel D. , Guma Nelson , Agaba Hillary , Balyesiima Godfrey , Nakami Lydia , Stevens Nancy J.
Published: October 2023

Data on space-use patterns are essential for understanding species ecology and conservation. Individual chimpanzee communities are known to vary in home range size and habitat use dynamics, reflecting site-specific strategies to differences in resource availability on different landscapes. Here we present home range estimates for the Buraiga chimpanzees of Kibale National Park, Uganda, a community of eastern chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) living within the largest remaining population fragment in Uganda. The Buraiga chimpanzees are currently undergoing habituation for research and tourism under the direction of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). We analyzed 15 months of GPS data (August 2019 – March 2020, and January – July 2022), calculating overall and seasonal home range and core area estimates with two methods, minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel density estimates (KDE). Home range was estimated to cover an area of 15.77 km2 (95% KDE), and 24.90 km2 (100% MCP). Additionally, we found that 15.82% of the Buraiga chimpanzee’s home range overlaps with community-managed land, primarily the Kanyanchu Swamp corridor and adjacent agricultural land. Seasonally, we found that Buraiga chimpanzees used a larger area during dry season months, compared with rainy season months. Documenting how great ape populations utilize increasingly anthropogenically influenced landscapes is important in order to facilitate long-term survival in the face of climate change, habitat fragmentation, and other ongoing threats.
Signature whistle use and changes in whistle emission rate in a rehabilitated rough-toothed dolphin
Authors: Ramos Eric A. , Jones Brittany L. , Austin Maia , Eierman Laura , Collom Kristi A. , Melo-Santos Gabriel , Castelblanco-Martínez Nataly , Arreola Marıá Renée , Sánchez-Okrucky Roberto , Rieucau Guillaume
Published: October 2023

Acoustic signals play a crucial role in communication among animals, particularly in dolphins. Signature whistles, one of their most extensively studied vocalizations, enable dolphins to convey their identity to conspecifics through individually distinct whistle contours. However, it remains unclear whether rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis) also produce signature whistles with individually identifying contours and, if so, whether they are associated with stress and poor health, such as in bottlenose dolphins. To bridge this knowledge gap, we recorded sounds emitted by a live-stranded rough-toothed dolphin during its rehabilitation in May 2017 at Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico. We assessed if the dolphin produced a signature whistle and whether whistle rate, inter-whistle interval, mean low and high frequencies, and blood chemistry measures, changed significantly over time. While isolated from conspecifics during rehabilitation, the dolphin generated a single, repeated, and stereotyped whistle contour that met the previously established SIGnature IDentification criteria for signature whistle emissions for bottlenose dolphins. Whistle characteristics varied over the 11 recording days: whistle rate and inter-whistle interval significantly decreased over time; the number of whistles with preceding echolocation click trains decreased over time; and mean low and high frequencies changed over recording days. We conclude that this rough-toothed dolphin possessed what resembles a signature whistle contour, and the emission of this contour underwent significant changes throughout the rehabilitation process. While our study presents evidence of a single rough-toothed dolphin producing a signature whistle, further research is necessary to determine whether this vocal behavior is prevalent across the species.
Endophyte-inoculated rhizomes of Paris polyphylla improve polyphyllin biosynthesis and yield: a transcriptomic analysis of the underlying mechanism
Authors: Zhang Qing , Chang Sheng , Yang Ying , Xi Congfang , Dong Yumei , Liu Lufeng , He Yunchao , Liu Yu , Cai Bo , Liu Tao
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Polyphyllin from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. However, the current production of polyphyllin can barely meet market demand. To improve the content of polyphyllin produced by P. polyphylla, two endophyte strains, Bacillus cereus LgD2 and Fusarium oxysporum TPB, were isolated from Paris fargesii Franch. and inoculated in the roots of P. polyphylla. Both symbiotic strains significantly promoted the accumulation of saponins in P. polyphylla.

Methods

The content of polyphyllin in rhizomes of P. polyphylla treated with TPB with LgD2 strain was determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and the expressed genes were analyzed by RNA-seq. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes annotations were performed on the differentially expressed genes, a clustering tree of UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT) and cytochrome P450 (CYP450) gene families was constructed, and UGT and CYP450 involved in the biosynthesis of polyphyllin were predicted using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA).

Results

RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses showed that endophytic inoculation did not promote polyphyllin accumulation by enhancing the upstream terpene biosynthesis pathway, but probably by up-regulating the downstream CYP450 and UGT genes associated with polyphyllin biosynthesis. Genomes enrichment analyses of differentially expressed genes indicated that inoculation with LgD2 and TPB played a positive role in promoting the defense against pathogenic bacteria, enhancing the biosynthesis of carbohydrates, attenuating the process of nitrogen metabolism, and maintaining the equilibrium of the redox reaction homeostasis, potentially indirectly enhancing the polyphyllin yield of P. polyphylla. By combining differentially expressed genes screening, WGCNA, and phylogenetic tree analyses, 17 CYP450 and 2 UGT candidate genes involved in the biosynthesis of polyphyllin I, polyphyllin II, polyphyllin VII, polyphyllin D, and polyphyllin H were identified. These results suggest that endophytes probably effectively promote the accumulation of polyphyllin by regulating key downstream genes in biosynthetic pathways.

Discussion

This study provides a new approach for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of endophytes that promote the production and accumulation of polyphyllin in P. polyphylla, providing a basis for further elucidating the mechanisms of plant-endophyte interactions.
Secondary metabolites of Bacillus subtilis L2 show antiviral activity against pseudorabies virus
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Hao Guijuan , Zhou Meng , Chen Meng , Ling Hongli , Shang Yingli
Published: October 2023

Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a commercially important probiotic known to produce secondary metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities. However, the potential ability of B. subtilis to combat viruses, especially DNA viruses, has not been extensively investigated. In this study, we identified two distinct B. subtilis strains and examined the efficiency of their secondary metabolites against pseudorabies virus (PRV), a swine herpesvirus resulting in economic losses worldwide. We found that treatment with the secondary metabolites of B. subtilis L2, but not the metabolites of B. subtilis V11, significantly inhibited PRV replication in multiple cells. Notably, the antiviral activity of the metabolites of B. subtilis L2 was thermal stable, resistant to protease digestion. Moreover, these metabolites effectively impeded PRV binding, entry and replication. Importantly, oral administration of the metabolites of B. subtilis L2 protected mice from lethal PRV infection, rescuing weight loss and reducing the viral load in vivo. In summary, our results reveal that the metabolites of B. subtilis L2 exhibit anti-PRV activity both in vitro and in vivo, providing a potential candidate for novel antiviral drugs.
Comprehensive genomic and metabolomic analysis revealed the physiological characteristics and pickle like odor compounds metabolic pathways of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ZZ7 isolated from fermented grains of Maotai-flavor baijiu
Authors: Yang Liang , Zeng Shuangran , Zhou Meidi , Li Yuetao , Jiang Zeyuan , Cheng Pingyan , Zhang Chunlin
Published: October 2023

Pickle like odor (PLO) is one of the main defective flavors of Maotai flavor baijiu (MFB). Understanding and controlling the PLO compounds producing strains not only solves the problem of PLO from the source, but also ensures the high-quality production of MFB. However, the relevant research on PLO compounds producing strains has not been reported in MFB. In this study, we identified a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ZZ7 with high yield of PLO compounds in the fermented grains of MFB, and measured its physiological characteristics. It produces 627 volatile compounds and 1,507 non-volatile compounds. There are 7 volatile sulfur compounds that cause the PLO, the content of dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, and dimethyl sulfur is relatively high, accounting for 89.43% of the total volatile sulfur compounds. The genome size of B. amyloliquefaciens ZZ7 is 3,902,720 bp with a GC content of 46.09%, and a total of 3,948 protein coding genes were predicted. Moreover, the functional annotation of coding genes and an assessment of the metabolic pathways were performed by genome annotation, showing it has strong ability to transport and metabolize amino acids and carbohydrates. Comprehensive genomic and metabolomic analysis, the metabolic pathway of PLO compounds of B. amyloliquefaciens ZZ7 was revealed, which mainly involves 12 enzymes including sulfate adenylyltransferase, cysteine synthase, cystathionine γ-synthase, etc. This work provides biological information support at both genetic and metabolic levels for the mechanism of B. amyloliquefaciens ZZ7 to synthesize PLO compounds, and provides a direction for the subsequent genetic modification of ZZ7 to solve PLO from the source in the MFB.
Complex CDKL5 translational regulation and its potential role in CDKL5 deficiency disorder
Authors: Ruggiero Valeria , Fagioli Claudio , de Pretis Stefano , Di Carlo Valerio , Landsberger Nicoletta , Zacchetti Daniele
Published: October 2023

CDKL5 is a kinase with relevant functions in correct neuronal development and in the shaping of synapses. A decrease in its expression or activity leads to a severe neurodevelopmental condition known as CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). CDD arises from CDKL5 mutations that lie in the coding region of the gene. However, the identification of a SNP in the CDKL5 5′UTR in a patient with symptoms consistent with CDD, together with the complexity of the CDKL5 transcript leader, points toward a relevant translational regulation of CDKL5 expression with important consequences in physiological processes as well as in the pathogenesis of CDD. We performed a bioinformatics and molecular analysis of the 5'UTR of CDKL5 to identify translational regulatory features. We propose an important role for structural cis-acting elements, with the involvement of the eukaryotic translational initiation factor eIF4B. By evaluating both cap-dependent and cap-independent translation initiation, we suggest the presence of an IRES supporting the translation of CDKL5 mRNA and propose a pathogenic effect of the C>T -189 SNP in decreasing the translation of the downstream protein.
Structural and connectivity parameters reveal spared connectivity in young patients with non-progressive compared to slow-progressive cerebellar ataxia
Authors: Marchese Silvia Maria , Palesi Fulvia , Nigri Anna , Bruzzone Maria Grazia , Pantaleoni Chiara , Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott Claudia A. M. , D’Arrigo Stefano , D’Angelo Egidio , Cavallari Paolo
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Within Pediatric Cerebellar Ataxias (PCAs), patients with non-progressive ataxia (NonP) surprisingly show postural motor behavior comparable to that of healthy controls, differently to slow-progressive ataxia patients (SlowP). This difference may depend on the building of compensatory strategies of the intact areas in NonP brain network.

Methods

Eleven PCAs patients were recruited: five with NonP and six with SlowP. We assessed volumetric and axonal bundles alterations with a multimodal approach to investigate whether eventual spared connectivity between basal ganglia and cerebellum explains the different postural motor behavior of NonP and SlowP patients.

Results

Cerebellar lobules were smaller in SlowP patients. NonP patients showed a lower number of streamlines in the cerebello-thalamo-cortical tracts but a generalized higher integrity of white matter tracts connecting the cortex and the basal ganglia with the cerebellum.

Discussion

This work reveals that the axonal bundles connecting the cerebellum with basal ganglia and cortex demonstrate a higher integrity in NonP patients. This evidence highlights the importance of the cerebellum-basal ganglia connectivity to explain the different postural motor behavior of NonP and SlowP patients and support the possible compensatory role of basal ganglia in patients with stable cerebellar malformation.
Urine-derived stem cells in neurological diseases: current state-of-the-art and future directions
Authors: Cavaleiro Carla , Afonso Gonçalo J. M. , Oliveira Paulo J. , Valero Jorge , Mota Sandra I. , Ferreiro Elisabete
Published: October 2023

Stem cells have potential applications in the field of neurological diseases, as they allow for the development of new biological models. These models can improve our understanding of the underlying pathologies and facilitate the screening of new therapeutics in the context of precision medicine. Stem cells have also been applied in clinical tests to repair tissues and improve functional recovery. Nevertheless, although promising, commonly used stem cells display some limitations that curb the scope of their applications, such as the difficulty of obtention. In that regard, urine-derived cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). However, their obtaining can be challenging due to the low yield and complexity of the multi-phased and typically expensive differentiation protocols. As an alternative, urine-derived stem cells (UDSCs), included within the population of urine-derived cells, present a mesenchymal-like phenotype and have shown promising properties for similar purposes. Importantly, UDSCs have been differentiated into neuronal-like cells, auspicious for disease modeling, while overcoming some of the shortcomings presented by other stem cells for these purposes. Thus, this review assesses the current state and future perspectives regarding the potential of UDSCs in the ambit of neurological diseases, both for disease modeling and therapeutic applications.
Integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis of D-pinitol function during hippocampal damage in streptozocin-induced aging-accelerated mice
Authors: Li Xiaoxia , Gao Yuan , Li Baoying , Zhao Wenqian , Cai Qian , Yin Wenbin , Zeng Shudong , Li Xiaoli , Gao Haiqing , Cheng Mei
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Diabetes can cause hippocampal damage and lead to cognitive impairment. Diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI) is a chronic complication of diabetes associated with a high disability rate; however, its pathogenesis and therapeutic targets are unclear. We aimed to explore the mechanism of hippocampal damage during diabetes and evaluate the potential role of D-pinitol (DP) in protecting hippocampal tissue and improving cognitive dysfunction.

Methods

DP (150 mg/kg/day) was administered intragastrically to streptozocin-induced aging-accelerated mice for 8 weeks. Hippocampal tissues were examined using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS)/MS-based non-targeted metabolomic analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and differentially regulated metabolites (DRMs) were screened for further analysis, and some DEPs were verified using western blotting.

Results

Our results showed that 329 proteins had significantly altered hippocampal expression in untreated diabetic mice (DM), which was restored to normal after DP treatment in 72 cases. In total, 207 DRMs were identified in the DM group, and the expression of 32 DRMs was restored to normal post-DP treatment. These proteins and metabolites are involved in metabolic pathways (purine metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and histidine metabolism), actin cytoskeleton regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, and Rap1-mediated signaling.

Conclusions

Our study may help to better understand the mechanism of diabetic hippocampal damage and cognitive impairment and suggest a potential therapeutic target.
Readdressing nanocavity diffusion in tungsten
Authors: De Backer Andrée , Souidi Abdelkader , Hodille Etienne A. , Autissier Emmanuel , Genevois Cécile , Haddad Farah , Della Noce Antonin , Domain Christophe , Becquart Charlotte S. , Barthe Marie-France
Published: October 2023

In nuclear fusion (ITER and the future DEMO), those components that face the plasma are exposed to high temperature and irradiation which, in the long term, modifies their thermal and mechanical properties and tritium retention. Tungsten is a candidate material and is the subject of many studies of microstructure evolution under various irradiation and temperature conditions. One milestone is the characterization of its defect properties. We here readdress the diffusion of nanocavities on broad ranges of size and temperature and compare it with dissociation, a competing process during nanocavity growth. First, at the atomic scale, we used molecular dynamics to explore the variety of elementary events involved in the nanocavity diffusion. Second, an experimental study of ion-irradiated samples, annealed at different temperatures up to 1,773 K, revealed the creation and growth of nanocavities on transmission electron microscopy images. Third, we performed multi-objective optimization of the nanocavity diffusion input of our object kinetic Monte Carlo model to reproduce the experimental results. Finally, we applied a sensitivity analysis of the main inputs of our model developed for these particular conditions—the source term which combines two cascade databases and the impurities whose interaction with the defects is characterised with a supplemented database of density functional theory calculations. Three domains of nanocavity size were observed. The first is the small vacancy clusters, for which atomistic calculations are possible and dissociation is negligible. The second is the small nanocavities, for which we provide new diffusion data and where a competition with the dissociation can take place. The third domain is the large nanocavities, for which, in any case, the dissociation prevents their existence above 1,500 K in the absence of a stabilizing interface.
Risk stratification of gastric cancer screening in community population based on oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography examination: A 3-year follow-up analysis report
Authors: Guan Sainan , Yan Ronghua , Chen Xiaomin , Chen Weiqiang , Zhou Xi , Zhou Minghui , Xie Zhengneng , Tan Wen , He Yongyan , Fu Juan , Yuan Fan , Xu Erjiao
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the use of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (O-CEUS) in assessing the thickness of the gastric wall for gastric cancer (GC) screening and to establish screening strategies for GC with different risk stratifications based on the gastric wall thickness.

Methods

From January 2015 to March 2020, people who underwent O-CEUS at the Physical Examination Center of our hospital with at least three years of follow-up were included in this study. The thickness of the gastric wall measured by O-CEUS was divided into three groups using 6 mm and 9 mm as cutoff values. The occurrence of GC in each group was observed. The imaging and clinical information of these populations were recorded and analyzed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox’s proportional hazards regression were performed to calculate the risk of GC occurrence.

Results

A total of 4,047 people were finally included in this study. During the follow-up period, GC occurred in 7 individuals (incidence rate 0.17%). Among them, according to the thickness of the gastric wall, one case occurred in Group A (< 6 mm), two cases occurred in Group B (6-9 mm), and four cases occurred in Group C (>9mm). Based on Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, the curves of the three groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). The risk of GC occurrence in Group C and Group B were higher than that in Group A (4.76E+2-fold and 1.50E+2-fold).

Conclusion

O-CEUS is a convenient, economical, safe, and noninvasive screening method for GC. Measuring the thickness of the gastric wall is helpful to predict the risk of GC occurrence according to our stratification screening system.
A retrospective study analyzing if lymph node ratio carbon nanoparticles predict stage III rectal cancer recurrence
Authors: Pi Feng , Tang Gang , Xie Chaozheng , Cao Yukun , Yang Shilai , Wei Zhengqiang
Published: October 2023

Background

Lymph node ratio has garnered increasing attention as a prognostic marker for rectal cancer; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between lymph node ratio and rectal cancer recurrence. Additionally, Carbon Nanoparticle tracking is a safe and effective strategy for locating tumors and tracking lymph nodes. However, no studies have reported the relationship between Carbon Nanoparticles and rectal cancer recurrence.

Methods

Patients with stage III rectal cancer who underwent radical resection between January 2016 and 2020 were analyzed. The primary outcome was tumor recurrence. 269 patients with stage III rectal cancer were included in this study. The effects of lymph node ratio, Carbon Nanoparticles, and other clinicopathological factors on rectal cancer recurrence were assessed using univariate, multivariate analyses and the t-test.

Results

Univariate analysis determined tumor recurrence using cytokeratin 19 fragment, CA-199, CEA, N-stage, positive lymph nodes, total lymph nodes, and lymph node ratio(positive/total); with the lymph node ratio being the most relevant. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined lymph node ratio =0.38 as the optimal cutoff value. The analysis of lymph node ratio ≥0.38 and <0.38 showed statistical differences in three indicators: tumor recurrence, CEA, and use of Carbon Nanoparticles.

Conclusion

Lymph node ratio is a strong predictor of stage III rectal cancer recurrence and may be considered for inclusion in future tumor-node-metastasis staging and stage III rectal cancer stratification. In addition, we found that Carbon Nanoparticles use significantly increased total lymph nodes and decreased lymph node ratio.
Paternal chromosome elimination of inducer triggers induction of double haploids in Brassica napus
Authors: Zhao Shihui , Huang Liangjun , Zhang Qing , Zhou Ying , Yang Meicui , Shi Haoran , Li Yun , Yang Jin , Li Chao , Ge Xianhong , Gong Wanzhuo , Wang Jisheng , Zou Qiong , Tao Lanrong , Kang Zeming , Li Zhuang , Xiao Chaowen , Hu Qiong , Fu Shaohong
Published: October 2023

A synthetic octoploid rapeseed, Y3380, induces maternal doubled haploids when used as a pollen donor to pollinate plant. However, the mechanism underlying doubled haploid formation remains elusive. We speculated that double haploid induction occurs as the inducer line’s chromosomes pass to the maternal egg cell, and the zygote is formed through fertilization. In the process of zygotic mitosis, the paternal chromosome is specifically eliminated. Part of the paternal gene might have infiltrated the maternal genome through homologous exchange during the elimination process. Then, the zygote haploid genome doubles (early haploid doubling, EH phenomenon), and the doubled zygote continues to develop into a complete embryo, finally forming doubled haploid offspring. To test our hypothesis, in the current study, the octoploid Y3380 line was back bred with the 4122-cp4-EPSPS exogenous gene used as a marker into hexaploid Y3380-cp4-EPSPS as paternal material to pollinate three different maternal materials. The fertilization process of crossing between the inducer line and the maternal parent was observed 48 h after pollination, and the fertilization rate reached 97.92% and 98.72%. After 12 d of pollination, the presence of cp4-EPSPS in the embryo was detected by in situ PCR, and at 13–23 d after pollination, the probability of F1 embryos containing cp4-EPSPS gene was up to 97.27%, but then declined gradually to 0% at 23–33 d. At the same time, the expression of cp4-EPSPS was observed by immunofluorescence in the 3rd to 29th day embryo. As the embryos developed, cp4-EPSPS marker genes were constantly lost, accompanied by embryonic death. After 30 d, the presence of cp4-EPSPS was not detected in surviving embryos. Meanwhile, SNP detection of induced offspring confirmed the existence of double haploids, further indicating that the induction process was caused by the loss of specificity of the paternal chromosome. The tetraploid-induced offspring showed infiltration of the induced line gene loci, with heterozygosity and homozygosity. Results indicated that the induced line chromosomes were eliminated during embryonic development, and the maternal haploid chromosomes were synchronously doubled in the embryo. These findings support our hypothesis and lay a theoretical foundation for further localization or cloning of functional genes involved in double haploid induction in rapeseed.
Genetic analysis of phenotypic plasticity identifies BBX6 as the candidate gene for maize adaptation to temperate regions
Authors: Ma Yuting , Yang Wenyan , Zhang Hongwei , Wang Pingxi , Liu Qian , Li Fenghai , Du Wanli
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Climate changes pose a significant threat to crop adaptation and production. Dissecting the genetic basis of phenotypic plasticity and uncovering the responsiveness of regulatory genes to environmental factors can significantly contribute to the improvement of climate- resilience in crops.

Methods

We established a BC1F3:4 population using the elite inbred lines Zheng58 and PH4CV and evaluated plant height (PH) across four environments characterized by substantial variations in environmental factors. Then, we quantified the correlation between the environmental mean of PH (the mean performance in each environment) and the environmental parameters within a specific growth window. Furthermore, we performed GWAS analysis of phenotypic plasticity, and identified QTLs and candidate gene that respond to key environment index. After that, we constructed the coexpression network involving the candidate gene, and performed selective sweep analysis of the candidate gene.

Results

We found that the environmental parameters demonstrated substantial variation across the environments, and genotype by environment interaction contributed to the variations of PH. Then, we identified PTT(35-48) (PTT is the abbreviation for photothermal units), the mean PTT from 35 to 48 days after planting, as the pivotal environmental index that closely correlated with environmental mean of PH. Leveraging the slopes of the response of PH to both the environmental mean and PTT(35-48), we successfully pinpointed QTLs for phenotypic plasticity on chromosomes 1 and 2. Notably, the PH4CV genotypes at these two QTLs exhibited positive contributions to phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrated a direct correlation between the additive effects of each QTL and PTT(35-48). By analyzing transcriptome data of the parental lines in two environments, we found that the 1009 genes responding to PTT(35-48) were enriched in the biological processes related to environmental sensitivity. BBX6 was the prime candidate gene among the 13 genes in the two QTL regions. The coexpression network of BBX6 contained other genes related to flowering time and photoperiod sensitivity. Our investigation, including selective sweep analysis and genetic differentiation analysis, suggested that BBX6 underwent selection during maize domestication.

Discussion

Th is research substantially advances our understanding of critical environmental factors influencing maize adaptation while simultaneously provides an invaluable gene resource for the development of climate-resilient maize hybrid varieties.
Comparative genomics profiling revealed multi-stress responsive roles of the CC-NBS-LRR genes in three mango cultivars
Authors: Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad , Sadaqat Muhammad , Zhu Xi-Tong , Li Huan , Huang Xing , Fatima Kinza , Almutairi Mashal M. , Chen Ling-Ling
Published: October 2023

The nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS–LRR) gene family is the largest group of disease resistance (R) genes in plants and is active in response to viruses, bacteria, and fungi usually involved in effector-triggered immunity (ETI). Pangenome-wide studies allow researchers to analyze the genetic diversity of multiple species or their members simultaneously, providing a comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary relationships and diversity present among them. The draft pan-genome of three Mangifera indica cultivars (Alphonso, Hong Xiang Ya, and Tommy atkins) was constructed and Presence/absence variants (PAVs) were filtered through the ppsPCP pipeline. As a result, 2823 genes and 5907 PAVs from H. Xiang Ya, and 1266 genes and 2098 PAVs from T. atkins were added to the reference genome. For the identification of CC-NBS-LRR (CNL) genes in these mango cultivars, this draft pan-genome study has successfully identified 47, 27, and 36 members in Alphonso, H. Xiang Ya, and T. atkins respectively. The phylogenetic analysis divided MiCNL proteins into four distinct subgroups. All MiCNL genes are unevenly distributed on chromosomes. Both tandem and segmental duplication events played a significant role in the expansion of the CNL gene family. These genes contain cis-elements related to light, stress, hormone, and development. The analysis of protein-protein interactions (PPI) revealed that MiCNL proteins interacted with other defense-responsive proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that MiCNL genes play a role in defense mechanisms within the organism. The expression level of the identified genes in fruit peel was observed under disease and cold stress which showed that Mi_A_CNL13 and 14 were up-regulated while Mi_A_CNL15, 25, 30, 31, and 40 were down-regulated in disease stress. On the other hand, Mi_A_CNL2, 14, 41, and 45 were up-regulated and Mi_A_CNL47 is down-regulated in cold stress. Subsequently, the Random Forest (RF) classifier was used to assess the multi-stress response of MiCNLs. It was found that Mi_A_CNL14 is a gene that responds to multiple stress conditions. The CNLs have similar protein structures which show that they are involved in the same function. The above findings provide a foundation for a deeper understanding of the functional characteristics of the mango CNL gene family.
Connectome-based modeling reveals a resting-state functional network that mediates the relationship between social rejection and rumination
Authors: Geng Li , Feng Qiuyang , Wang Xueyang , Gao Yixin , Hao Lei , Qiu Jiang
Published: October 2023

Background

Rumination impedes problem solving and is one of the most important factors in the onset and maintenance of multiple psychiatric disorders. The current study aims to investigate the impact of social rejection on rumination and explore the underlying neural mechanisms involved in this process.

Methods

We utilized psychological questionnaire and resting-state brain imaging data from a sample of 560 individuals. The predictive model for rumination scores was constructed using resting-state functional connectivity data through connectome-based predictive modeling. Additionally, a mediation analysis was conducted to investigate the mediating role of the prediction network in the relationship between social rejection and rumination.

Results

A positive correlation between social rejection and rumination was found. We obtained the prediction model of rumination and found that the strongest contributions came from the intra- and internetwork connectivity within the default mode network (DMN), dorsal attention network (DAN), frontoparietal control network (FPCN), and sensorimotor networks (SMN). Analysis of node strength revealed the significance of the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and angular gyrus (AG) as key nodes in the prediction model. In addition, mediation analysis showed that the strength of the prediction network mediated the relationship between social rejection and rumination.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the crucial role of functional connections among the DMN, DAN, FPCN, and SMN in linking social rejection and rumination, particular in brain regions implicated in social cognition and emotion, namely the SMG and AG regions. These results enhance our understanding of the consequences of social rejection and provide insights for novel intervention strategies targeting rumination.
Differentiating authentic versus pseudo vulnerability in therapeutic practice1
Authors: Simpson Susan G. , Navot Limor
Published: October 2023

The importance of empathy and attuned care as key ingredients in therapeutic healing has been widely recognized. However, empathy that is delivered in ways that are misaligned with the client’s clinical presentation and emotional states or ‘modes’ can have the opposite effect, reinforcing unhelpful coping patterns, and hindering recovery. In this theoretical development paper, it is proposed that ‘pseudo vulnerability’ is an important yet overlooked source of therapeutic impasses, often resulting in unremitting clinical problems, and poor clinical outcomes. A range of commonly occurring pseudo vulnerable presentations are described, including Complaining Protector, Attention/Recognition Seeking, and Self-Pity/Victim, with the addition of a new mode Helpless Surrenderer. Guidance on differentiating pseudo vulnerable modes from each other and from the authentic Vulnerable Child mode are delineated via characteristic clinical presentations and typical therapist countertransference reactions. Methods for managing pseudo vulnerability to facilitate access to underlying authentic vulnerability are described.
Loneliness and depression in older adults with multimorbidity: the role of self-efficacy and social support
Authors: Roskoschinski Annika , Liang Wei , Duan Yanping , Al-Salehi Hayl , Lippke Sonia
Published: October 2023

Introduction

As relatively little is known about self-efficacy and social support in individuals aged 65 years and older and whether they are facing a decline in life due to multimorbidity and previous COVID-19 infection, this study investigated hypotheses based on Social Cognitive Theory.

Methods

It was tested whether depressive symptoms in multimorbid patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, and recover post infection during their hospital stay, do not differ from those of multimorbid patients hospitalized for other conditions. Furthermore, we tested whether depressive symptoms are associated with increased loneliness scores, low self-efficacy beliefs, and poorly perceived social support. Additionally, it was investigated whether self-efficacy is a mediator variable, and social support is a moderator variable between loneliness and depression. N = 135 patients with or without previous COVID-19 infection (mean age 64.76) were recruited. Paper questionnaires were collected at the time of inpatient hospital admission in the year 2021 and in a cross-sectional study design. The study compared n = 45 multimorbid patients who survived COVID-19 infection with those n = 90 who were not infected before.

Results

No significant difference in depressive symptomology between these two groups revealed [t(133) = 130, p = 0.90, d = 0.024); F(3, 122) = 0.255, p = 0.86]. The study found a positive correlation between loneliness and anxiety and depression in both groups (rdepression = 0.419 and ranxiety = 0.496). Self-efficacy mediated the relation between loneliness and depression. The completely standardized indirect effect was β = 0.111, percentile Bootstrap 95% CI 0.027–0.201.

Discussion

The research findings suggest the importance of self-efficacy, and loneliness in the development of depressive symptoms, and have several practical implications for improving the mental health of multimorbid patients: Prospectively, treatment should not only focus on physical and cognitive health, but also on promoting self-efficacy and perceived social support, as well as address loneliness with psychoeducational interventions. Replication of the findings and conducting interventional research also employing lifestyle components should follow up, as this study tested associations but no causal relationships.
The reimbursement decision speed for oncology new drugs in China and its determinant factors
Authors: Zhu Xingyue , Chen Yang
Published: October 2023

Introduction

China has initiated national price negotiations to improve access to innovative drugs. Learning the factors that contributed to the time gap from marketing authorization to reimbursement leads to more clarity to decision-making, which remains under-researched in China.

Methods

We collected new oncology drug approvals that were marketed before 30 Jun 2022, using the Listed Drug Database of the Chinese drug agency. Major information of each approval was obtained from the published review report, including the first approval region (China or the US) and the receipt of expedited review pathways (priority review and conditional approval). The reimbursement lists issued by China National Healthcare Security Administration from 2015 to 2023 were used to determine the reimbursement status of drugs. The duration from marketing authorization to reimbursement was defined as the reimbursement decision speed, and the Cox regression was performed to explore the underlying factors.

Results

A total of 186 oncology approvals were included. More than half of the approvals qualified for reimbursement (110[59.14%]), and the median reimbursement decision speed was accelerated from 540.5 days in the third-round negotiation to 448 days in the seventh-round. Domestic new drugs had a higher probability of being adopted by the Chinese payer than drugs developed by foreign companies (adjusted HR = 3.73, 95% CI 2.42 to 5.75; P < 0.001). Furthermore, new drug applications receiving the regular review pathway were more likely to be reimbursed (adjusted HR = 2.15, 95% CI 1.13 to 4.08; P = 0.020) compared to those approved under the conditional approval pathway.

Discussion

These findings indicate that the Chinese government is actively working toward improving access to new oncology drugs. The faster reimbursement decision speed for domestic drugs might be attributed to their pricing advantages and the regulator's efforts to stimulate innovation in the domestic pharmaceutical industry. However, concerns about the uncertainty in drug benefits can affect the reimbursement decision-making, which suggests the delicate tradeoff between drug accessibility and risk involved in the reimbursement process.
Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder is associated with altered 24-h rest-activity measures
Authors: Winer Joseph R. , Lok Renske , Ekelmans Adrian , Bueno Flavia , Poston Kathleen L. , Zeitzer Jamie M. , During Emmanuel H.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), the loss of motor inhibition during REM sleep, is a symptom of prodromal Lewy body disease, with over 80% of iRBD patients progressing to Parkinson's disease or dementia with Lewy bodies. Disruption of rest-activity patterns, an established predictor of Parkinson's disease, has not been well characterized in patients with iRBD. Here, we tested the hypothesis that accelerometer-based measures of 24-h activity would indicate greater fragmentation and variability in patients with iRBD relative to matched healthy controls.

Materials and methods

Patients with iRBD (N = 38) had 24-h activity monitored for (mean ± SD) 24.6 ± 8.8 days using an Axivity wrist-worn accelerometer. Age, sex, and body mass index matched healthy older adults (N = 119) were selected as controls. Raw accelerometer data were processed and nonparametric and cosinor measures of 24-h activity were calculated. Functional principal component analyses (fPCA) were applied to detect differences in 24-h activity patterns.

Results

Compared to matched controls, individuals with iRBD had significantly lower cosine amplitude, mesor, and activity during their most active 10 hours, reflecting overall lower levels of activity and disrupted activity. They also had significantly increased movement during the night (L5). FPCA indicated that decreased daytime and increased nighttime activity may explain overall differences observed in iRBD.

Conclusion

Multiple metrics of rest-activity rhythms support the hypothesis that 24-h activity measures are altered in iRBD. This dysfunction may reflect degeneration of sleep-wake regulating circuits, representing a symptom of iRBD and indicating the early stages of Lewy body disease.
Memory Loss and Aging: How Can We Use Smartphones to Better Remember?
Authors: Hong Bryan , Barense Morgan D.
Published: October 2023

Our brains grant us the amazing ability to remember and relive the events from the past—however, memory for these events tend to worsen as people get older. Our memories serve several important functions, helping us to guide our future actions, connect with others, and understand ourselves. As a result, memory loss can greatly impact the lives of both those who lose their memory and their loved ones. Fortunately, there are things that people can do to help support memory as we age! For example, by combining smartphone technology and findings from decades of memory research, scientists can develop new and exciting tools to improve memory. In this paper, we will describe some of our work creating and testing a smartphone application that helps older adults better remember the unique moments from their lives.
The early posterior cortex pixel value ratio: a novel reliable indicator for distraction osteogenesis
Authors: Liu Ze , Liu Qi , Wang Min , Zhou Chenhan , Guo Hongbin , Liang Jieyu , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2023

Aims

We aimed to explore the associations of the early PVR in four cortices with Healing Index (HI), Lengthening Index (LI), and External Fixator Index (EFI) in the bone union and non-union groups.

Methods

A total of 52 patients, including 39 bone union and 13 bone non-union subjects, were recruited in this study. The general characteristics and PVR in four cortices in each group were explored. Afterward, the early PVR in four cortices, including medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior sides, were compared. Finally, the associations of the early PVR in four cortices with HI, LI, and EFI were also investigated.

Results

The general characteristics of these patients were consistent, except for HI (31.54 ± 12.24 vs. 45.08 ± 27.10, P = 0.018) and EFI (57.63 ± 18.15 vs. 71.29 ± 24.60, P = 0.046). The growth of regenerated callus was asymmetrical in the bone union group (the posterior PVR seems to grow faster), whereas no statistical difference was obtained in the bone non-union group. Furthermore, the posterior PVR in the bone union group was significantly higher than that in the bone non-union group (the first month: 0.96 ± 0.17 vs. 0.86 ± 0.06, p = 0.047; the second month: 0.98 ± 0.14 vs. 0.89 ± 0.09, p = 0.041; the third month: 1.00 ± 0.12 vs. 0.92 ± 0.09, p = 0.039). Most importantly, the posterior PVR was inversely associated with HI, LI, and EFI (the first month: r = −0.343, p = 0.041; r = −0.346, p = 0.042; r = −0.352, p = 0.041; the second month: r = −0.459, p = 0.004; r = −0.277, p = 0.101; r = −0.511, p = 0.002; the third month: r = −0.479, p = 0.003; r = −0.398, p = 0.018; r = −0.551, p = 0.001) in the bone union group, respectively. However, this finding was lost in the bone non-union group.

Conclusion

The early posterior cortex PVR seems to grow faster than the medial, lateral, and anterior sides in the bone union group, which represents an asymmetrical development pattern. Moreover, the posterior cortex PVR was negatively associated with HI, LI, and EFI, respectively. The posterior cortex PVR may be a novel and reliable detection index in the process of DO.
Development and validation of an LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of milbemycin oxime and praziquantel in plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study in cats
Authors: Xie Shiting , Lu Yixing , Wang Jun , Lin Changcheng , Ye Peiyu , Liu Xiaolin , Xiong Wenguang , Zeng Zhenling , Zeng Dongping
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Milbemycin oxime (MBO) and praziquantel (PZQ) have a broad spectrum of biological activity and are commonly used to treat the parasitic infection in the veterinary clinic. In this study, a fast and efficient LC-MS/MS method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of MBO, PZQ, cis-4-hydroxylated-PZQ (C-4-OH-PZQ) and trans-4-hydroxylated-PZQ (T-4-OH-PZQ) and in cat plasma.

Methods

Extraction of analytes and internal standards from cat plasma by acetonitrile protein precipitation, allows rapid processing of large batches of samples. MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, T-4-OH-PZQ, and internal standard (IS) were eluted for 13.5 min on a C18 column with a 0.1% formic acid water/acetonitrile mixture as the mobile phase.

Results

Results showed that the method had good precision, accuracy, recovery, and linearity. The linearity range was 2.5–250 ng/mL for MBO, and 10–1000 ng/mL for PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ. The intra-day and inter-day precision CV values of the tested components were within 15%. The extraction recoveries of the four components ranged from 98.09% to 107.46%. The analytes in plasma remained stable for 6 h at room temperature, 26 h in the autosampler (4 °C), after freeze–thaw (−20°C) cycles, and 60 days in a −20°C freezer. Method sensitivity sufficed for assessing pharmacokinetic parameters of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ in plasma samples with LLOQ of 2.5 ng/mL for MBO and 10 ng/mL for PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ.

Conclusion

In this study, a selective and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ in cat plasma was developed and validated.This method had been successfully applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of MBO, PZQ, C-4-OH-PZQ, and T-4-OH-PZQ after a single oral administration of 8 mg MBO and 20 mg PZQ in cats.
A Survey on Autonomous Offline Path Generation for Robot-Assisted Spraying Applications
Authors: Weber Alexander Miguel , Gambao Ernesto , Brunete Alberto
Published: October 2023

Robot-assisted spraying is a widespread manufacturing process for coating a multitude of mechanical components in an efficient and cost-effective way. However, process preparation is very time-consuming and relies heavily on the expertise of the robot programmer for generating the appropriate robot trajectory. For this reason, industry and academia investigate the possibility of supporting the end-user in the process by the use of appropriate algorithms. Mostly partial concepts can be found in the literature instead of a solution that solves this task end-to-end. This survey paper provides a summary of previous research in this field, listing the frameworks developed with the intention of fully automating the coating processes. First, the main inputs required for the trajectory calculation are described. The path-generating algorithm and its subprocesses are then classified and compared with alternative approaches. Finally, the required information for the executable output program is described, as well as the validation tools to keep track of program performance. The paper comes to the conclusion that there is a demand for an autonomous robot-assisted spraying system, and with a call-for-action for the implementation of the holistic framework.