bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive and Neutral Polymorphisms of the Onne-DAB Gene from the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in Sockeye Salmon Populations on the Asian Range
Authors: Khrustaleva Anastasia M.
Published: July 2023

The variability of an MHC complex gene in sockeye salmon populations throughout the Asian range was studied to identify “footprints” indicative of pathogen-mediated selection and neutral demographic processes that have influenced these populations in both the recent and distant past. Genotype frequencies of a haplotype block consisting of two SNP loci (One_MHC2_109 and One_MHC2_190v2) in the Onne-DAB gene encoding the β-chain of the MHC class II molecule as well as allelic frequencies of 29 putative neutral SNPs have been traced in 27 sockeye salmon populations in the Asian Pacific coast. Differently directed clines of genetic diversity at the MHC2 loci were observed in sockeye salmon populations inhabiting the Sea of Okhotsk and Pacific coasts of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The formation of these clines can be attributed to a combination of historical processes associated with the colonization of the Asian range and the latitudinal gradient of abiotic and biotic factors influencing the variability of the Onne-DAB gene. In continental populations of sockeye salmon, balancing selection was not intense enough to conceal the impacts of demographic and historical processes associated with the fragmentation of the area in the late Pleistocene. In contrast, in island populations, balancing selection effectively maintained the diversity of the Onne-DAB gene despite a significant decrease in polymorphism observed in neutral regions of the genome.
Macrozoobenthic Diversity along an Oxygen Gradient in the Deep Trough of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada)
Authors: Zettler Michael L. , Pollehne Falk
Published: July 2023

In 2015, we studied the macrozoobenthic community composition along a dissolved oxygen gradient in the deep trough of the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada). We sampled the seabed at nine stations using box corers (three replicates per station), starting in the outer Gulf and ending in the Lower St. Lawrence River Estuary. We found four different communities dominated by polychaetes, crustaceans, and molluscs, with the emphasis shifting from mollusc to polychaete communities as oxygen saturation decreased. Contrary to our expectations, the stations furthest upstream in the estuary with the lowest oxygen saturation levels had the highest species diversity, and also the highest density and biomass values. Key genera of the hypoxic zone included bivalves (Thyasira), cumaceans (Diastylis), amphipods (Harpinia), and polychaetes such as Ampharete, Ceratocephale, Galathowenia, and Trochochaeta. We attribute this to the stability of the environmental conditions and the absence of stress, where the constant supply of oxygen, even at low concentrations, seems to be more important than the absolute oxygen concentration.
Automatic Ventriculomegaly Detection in Fetal Brain MRI: A Step-by-Step Deep Learning Model for Novel 2D-3D Linear Measurements
Authors: Vahedifard Farzan , Ai H. Asher , Supanich Mark P. , Marathu Kranthi K. , Liu Xuchu , Kocak Mehmet , Ansari Shehbaz M. , Akyuz Melih , Adepoju Jubril O. , Adler Seth , Byrd Sharon
Published: July 2023

In this study, we developed an automated workflow using a deep learning model (DL) to measure the lateral ventricle linearly in fetal brain MRI, which are subsequently classified into normal or ventriculomegaly, defined as a diameter wider than 10 mm at the level of the thalamus and choroid plexus. To accomplish this, we first trained a UNet-based deep learning model to segment the brain of a fetus into seven different tissue categories using a public dataset (FeTA 2022) consisting of fetal T2-weighted images. Then, an automatic workflow was developed to perform lateral ventricle measurement at the level of the thalamus and choroid plexus. The test dataset included 22 cases of normal and abnormal T2-weighted fetal brain MRIs. Measurements performed by our AI model were compared with manual measurements performed by a general radiologist and a neuroradiologist. The AI model correctly classified 95% of fetal brain MRI cases into normal or ventriculomegaly. It could measure the lateral ventricle diameter in 95% of cases with less than a 1.7 mm error. The average difference between measurements was 0.90 mm in AI vs. general radiologists and 0.82 mm in AI vs. neuroradiologists, which are comparable to the difference between the two radiologists, 0.51 mm. In addition, the AI model also enabled the researchers to create 3D-reconstructed images, which better represent real anatomy than 2D images. When a manual measurement is performed, it could also provide both the right and left ventricles in just one cut, instead of two. The measurement difference between the general radiologist and the algorithm (p = 0.9827), and between the neuroradiologist and the algorithm (p = 0.2378), was not statistically significant. In contrast, the difference between general radiologists vs. neuroradiologists was statistically significant (p = 0.0043). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that performs 2D linear measurement of ventriculomegaly with a 3D model based on an artificial intelligence approach. The paper presents a step-by-step approach for designing an AI model based on several radiological criteria. Overall, this study showed that AI can automatically calculate the lateral ventricle in fetal brain MRIs and accurately classify them as abnormal or normal.
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome: Ancillary Study of a French Cohort
Authors: Guillen Kévin , Thony Frédéric , Del Giudice Costantino , Goyault Gilles , David Arthur , Douane Frédéric , Le Bras Yann , Monnin-Bares Valérie , Heautot Jean-François , Rousseau Hervé , Martinelli Thomas , Thouveny Francine , Barral Pierre-Antoine , Le Pennec Vincent , Chabrot Pascal , Rogopoulos André , Aho-Glélé Ludwig Serge , Sapoval Marc , Rodière Mathieu , Chevallier Olivier , Falvo Nicolas , Loffroy Romaric
Published: July 2023

Excellent outcomes of angioplasty/stenting for the post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) have been reported, notably regarding objective criteria in the vast French SFICV cohort. Differences may exist between patient-reported and objective outcomes. We investigated this possibility by using validated scales because significative correlations are discordant in the literature between patency and patient-reported characteristics. Patient-reported outcomes seem to be a more consistent tool than radiologic patency for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients displaying PTS. We retrospectively reviewed the Villalta scale and 20-item ChronIc Venous dIsease quality-of-life Questionnaire (CIVIQ-20) scores recorded after endovascular stenting for PTS at 14 centres in France in 2009–2019. We also collected patency rates, pre-operative post-thrombotic lesion severity, and the extent of stenting. We performed multivariate analyses to identify factors independently associated with improvements in each of the two scores. The 539 patients, including 324 women and 235 men, had a mean age of 44.7 years. The mean Villalta scale improvement was 7.0 ± 4.7 (p < 0.0001) and correlated with the thrombosis sequelae grade and time from thrombosis to stenting. The CIVIQ-20 score was available for 298 patients; the mean improvement was 19.2 ± 14.8 (p < 0.0001) and correlated with bilateral stenting, single thrombosis recurrence, and single stented segment. The objective gains demonstrated in earlier work after stenting were accompanied by patient-reported improvements. The factors associated with these improvements differed between the Villalta scale and the CIVIQ-20 score. These results proved that clinical follow-up with validated scores is gainful in patients treated for PTS thanks to a mini-invasive procedure.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells as Novel Diagnostic Tools for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Visualizing Relationships with Known and Potential Disease Biomarkers
Authors: Garrafa Emirena , Segala Agnese , Vezzoli Marika , Bottani Emanuela , Zanini Barbara , Vetturi Alice , Bracale Renata , Ricci Chiara , Valerio Alessandra
Published: July 2023

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a health emergency worldwide due to its high prevalence and the lack of specific therapies. Noninvasive biomarkers supporting NAFLD diagnosis are urgently needed. Liver mitochondrial dysfunction is a central NAFLD pathomechanism that changes throughout disease progression. Blood-cell bioenergetics reflecting mitochondrial organ dysfunction is emerging for its potential applications in diagnostics. We measured real-time mitochondrial respirometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), anthropometric parameters, routine blood analytes, and circulating cytokines from a cohort of NAFLD patients (N = 19) and non-NAFLD control subjects (N = 18). PBMC basal respiration, ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity were significantly reduced in NAFLD compared to non-NAFLD cases. Correlation plots were applied to visualize relationships between known or potential NAFLD-related biomarkers, while non-parametric methods were applied to identify which biomarkers are NAFLD predictors. Basal and ATP-linked mitochondrial respiration were negatively correlated with triglycerides and fasting insulin levels and HOMA index. Maximal and spare respiratory capacity were negatively correlated with IL-6 levels. All the mitochondrial respiratory parameters were positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol level and negatively correlated with fatty liver index. We propose including blood cell respirometry in panels of NAFLD diagnostic biomarkers to monitor disease progression and the response to current and novel therapies, including mitochondrial-targeted ones.
Clinical Outcomes Following Arthroscopic Decompression and Repair versus Repair Alone in Patients with a Concomitant Spinoglenoid Cyst and SLAP Lesion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Du-Han , Sohn Hyuk-Joon , Kim Ji-Hoon , Cho Chul-Hyun
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: Patients with a superior-labrum-from-anterior-to-posterior (SLAP) tear associated with a spinoglenoid ganglion cyst have undergone various procedures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes following arthroscopic treatment in patients with a concomitant spinoglenoid ganglion cyst and SLAP lesion. (2) Methods: This study followed PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines, utilizing the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. The keywords included shoulder, SLAP, labral tear, spinoglenoid notch, paralabral cyst, arthroscopy, and treatment. (3) Results: A total of 14 articles (206 patients) were included. Repair alone was administered in 114 patients (Group R), and 92 patients underwent additional cyst decompression (Group RD). Both groups showed excellent and similar clinical scores. The rate of the complete resorption of the cyst was 95.5% in Group RD, and 92.2% in Group R. The complication rate was 3.5% in Group RD, and 11.4% in Group R. The reoperation rate was 0% in Group RD, and 5.3% in Group R. (4) Conclusion: Reliable clinical outcomes without serious complications were obtained from the use of both procedures. The decompression of the cyst is a safe method that will alleviate pressure on the suprascapular nerve.
Sequence of Rare Diagnoses in a Young Patient: Altitude Barotrauma Hemopneumothorax and Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Leonte Iustina , Ivanov Karina , Marghescu Angela Ștefania , Matache Șerban Radu , Negru Florica Valeria , Iorga Ana Luiza , Dumitru Silviu Mihail , Mahler Beatrice
Published: July 2023

We present the case of a 35-year-old patient without pathological history who developed hemopneumothorax due to altitude barotrauma during a commercial airline flight. The computed tomography (CT) of the chest identified the presence of right hydropneumothorax and emphysema “blebs” and bubbles. After the therapeutic insertion of a drain tube, the patient returned to the country by land transport. Three weeks later, he was diagnosed with right-sided pleurisy based on a CT scan with contrast material. A surgical intervention was then performed, and three biopsy samples were taken; the histopathological result highlighted suggestive elements for the diagnosis of desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP).
Utility of Presepsin and Interferon-λ3 for Predicting Disease Severity and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Lee Gun-Hyuk , Park Mikyoung , Hur Mina , Kim Hanah , Lee Seungho , Moon Hee-Won , Yun Yeo-Min
Published: July 2023

We explored the utility of novel biomarkers, presepsin and interferon-λ3 (IFN-λ3), for predicting disease severity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. In a total of 55 patients (non-critical, n = 16; critical, n = 39), presepsin and IFN-λ3 were compared with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores and age. Disease severity and clinical outcomes (in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit admission, ventilator use, and kidney replacement therapy) were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. In-hospital mortality was also analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method with hazard ratios (HR). SOFA scores, age, presepsin, and IFN-λ3 predicted disease severity comparably (area under the curve [AUC], 0.67–0.73). SOFA score and IFN-λ3 predicted clinical outcomes comparably (AUC, 0.68–0.88 and 0.66–0.74, respectively). Presepsin predicted in-hospital mortality (AUC = 0.74). The combination of presepsin and IFN-λ3 showed a higher mortality risk than SOFA score or age (HR [95% confidence interval, CI], 6.7 [1.8–24.1]; 3.6 [1.1–12.1]; 2.8 [0.8–9.6], respectively) and mortality rate further increased when presepsin and IFN-λ3 were added to SOFA scores or age (8.5 [6.8–24.6], 4.2 [0.9–20.6], respectively). In the elderly (≥65 years), in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher when both presepsin and IFN-λ3 levels increased than when either one or no biomarker level increased (88.9% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001). Presepsin and IFN-λ3 predicted disease severity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Both biomarkers, whether alone or added to the clinical assessment, could be useful for managing COVID-19 patients, especially the elderly.
Sestrin2 as a Potential Target in Hypertension
Authors: Didik Steven , Wang Hao , James Adewale Segun , Slotabec Lily , Li Ji
Published: July 2023

Hypertension is a highly complex, intricate condition affecting millions of individuals across the globe. Nearly half of adults in the United States are diagnosed with hypertension, with incident rates projected to rise over the next decade. Hypertension is a precursor to many cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. This review describes the major processes contributing to the development of hypertension and how Sestrin2 (Sesn2), an antioxidative protein, could be a potential target in the treatment of hypertension. In hypertension, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is a critical component in the etiology of the condition. The increased ROS in hypertension is derived from a variety of sources, all of which are covered in depth in this review. Increased ROS is generated from mitochondrial stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, NADPH oxidase (NOX) overactivity, and the uncoupling of endothelial nitric oxidase synthase (eNOS). Sesn2, a highly conserved, stress-inducible protein, has the structural and functional characteristics to be a potential therapeutic target to alleviate the progression of hypertension. The structure, function, genetics, and characteristics of Sesn2 are presented in the review. The Nrf2/Sesn2, Sesn2/AMPK/mTOR, and Sesn2/Angiotensin II signaling pathways are described in detail in this review. Sesn2 can be utilized in a multitude of ways as a therapeutic modality in hypertension. This review explores potential Sesn2 inducers and activators and how Sesn2 can be incorporated into gene therapy for the treatment of hypertension.
Assessing Student and Coach Learning Experiences with Virtual Collegiate Soil Judging Contest during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bhandari Ammar B. , Chumbley Steven , Turner Benjamin
Published: July 2023

Collegiate soil judging competitions are organized as annual face-to-face events both regionally and nationally in the USA. Soil judging provides a competitive platform for students to identify and describe soil characteristics in the field. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced soil judging contests to find new strategies to maintain student engagement and provide competitive opportunities for students to apply their knowledge of soils. In response, Region IV in the USA hosted a virtual regional contest in October 2020. The objectives of this study were to quantify students’ and coaches’ perspectives on virtual soil judging contests and evaluate the role of virtual soil judging contests as either a complement or alternative to in-person contests. We conducted post-contest surveys of students (n = 31; 86% response rate) and coaches (n = 6, 100% response rate) to assess student learning outcomes and reflections on the virtual soil judging contest. Students responded most favorably to the virtual format, citing the flexibility it provided. Coaches were satisfied with the virtual format but still preferred an in-person contest. Coaches also expressed concern that the virtual soil judging format would not accurately measure the full range of student’s skills typically measured during in-person contests. Overall, the coaches and students reported that the virtual soil judging contest was helpful to gain experience with soil descriptions and enhance skills related to soil assessment and pedology. We conclude that virtual soil judging contest formats can be an inexpensive way to provide students with additional soil judging experiences when field-based formats are not feasible (e.g., health restrictions such as COVID-19) or economical (e.g., budget constraints on soil site selection, contest development, and travel), and that hybrid formats may be a way to encourage greater participation among students in soil judging contests without losing the in-person benefits gained by judging soils in the field.
The Impact of Parental Involvement on Student Writing Ability: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Hongli , Chen Ying
Published: July 2023

The impact of parental involvement on student academic achievement has been confirmed by many studies. However, researchers differ on whether parental involvement can statistically improve student writing skills. Furthermore, the association between parental intervention duration and student writing ability is unclear. Consequently, this study examines the impact of parental involvement on student writing ability through a meta-analysis of 13 studies conducted between 1996 and 2021, with effect sizes of 117 and 1449 participants. Three main findings in the meta-analysis results werek identified. First, the overall effect of parent writing participation on student writing ability was statistically significant, resulting in a moderate positive effect (g = 0.666 95% CI [0.324, 1.008]), p < 0.001). Second, parental participation behavior methods and student educational stages had no significant impact on student writing ability. Third, differences in school area and parental intervention duration had a significant impact on student writing ability, suggesting that parental involvement has a greater role in promoting an improvement in student writing ability in urban schools, and that long-term intervention is more conducive to improving student writing ability.
Academic Migration and Epistemological Value: Exploring the Experience of Migrant Academics in Portugal
Authors: Oliveira Taísa , Nada Cosmin , Magalhães António
Published: July 2023

The internationalisation of higher education (IoHE) has become a prominent topic in higher education research. While there is increasing institutional and governmental commitment to IoHE, it is important to consider the actual outcomes of these processes critically. Despite the significant issues raised by the academic migration of professors, researchers, and post-docs regarding migratory trajectories and epistemological aspects of scholarly work, this area of research remains understudied. This article adopted a qualitative approach, drawing on semi-structured interviews with migrant scholars pursuing academic careers in Portugal. Our findings suggest that a complex interplay of factors influences the pursuit of an academic career by migrants, including the influence of institutional and governmental policies regarding science and the impact of marketisation of higher education institutions that have jeopardised academic career possibilities. Moreover, science and academic-related work seem to be the main drivers in pursuing an academic career for migrant scholars rather than primarily career-focused and economic strategies. Notwithstanding, our study highlighted the challenges that migrant academics face at the epistemological level, pointing out that their experiences are embedded in neocolonial logics that are further aggravated by current unequal societal arrangements related to what constitutes valid and legitimate knowledge and the power relations therein.
An Auction Pricing Model for Energy Trading in Electric Vehicle Networks
Authors: Bousia Alexandra , Daskalopulu Aspassia , Papageorgiou Elpiniki I.
Published: July 2023

In recent years, the interest in electric vehicles (EVs) in the research community has been growing, particularly in the context of decarbonization. Additionally, there is a growing increase in their number, leading to massive energy demand on the charging stations (CSs). Energy trading management for CSs puts great pressure on the power grid and is a stimulating challenge in smart cities. In this paper, we propose an innovative market formulation in which autonomous vehicles and smart charging and discharging stations are motivated to cooperate dynamically with changing roles. In order to mathematically formulate the energy trading market, we adopt a double auction strategy that is repeated in steps. In this strategy, EVs and CSs participate by buying and selling energy. The investigated problem has high complexity, and thus, multi-objective optimization is employed so as to encapsulate the opposing objectives that the EVs and CSs have. Multi-objective optimization leads to a fairer and more efficient market operation. The performance of the presented approach is investigated through analytical and experimental results. More specifically, the proposed algorithm achieves up to 52.5% reduction in energy consumption. The performance evaluation proves that the suggested strategy offers both fairness and significant energy benefits, encouraging both electric vehicles and charging stations to take part in a double auction energy trading system.
Analogue and Physical Reservoir Computing Using Water Waves: Applications in Power Engineering and Beyond
Authors: Maksymov Ivan S.
Published: July 2023

More than 3.5 billion people live in rural areas, where water and water energy resources play an important role in ensuring sustainable and productive rural economies. This article reviews and critically analyses the recent advances in the field of analogue and reservoir computing that have been driven by the unique physical properties and energy of water waves. It also demonstrates that analogue and physical reservoir computing, taken as an independent research field, holds the potential to bring artificial intelligence closer to people living outside large cities, thus enabling them to enjoy the benefits of novel technologies that are already in place in large cities but are not readily available or suitable for regional communities. In particular, although the physical reservoir computing systems discussed in the main text are universal in terms of processing input data and making forecasts, they can be used to design and optimise power grid networks and forecast energy consumption, both at local and global scales. Thus, this review article will be of interest to a broad readership interested in novel concepts of artificial intelligence and machine learning and their innovative practical applications in diverse areas of science and technology.
A Space Reduction Heuristic for Thermal Unit Commitment Considering Ramp Constraints and Large-Scale Generation Systems
Authors: de Oliveira Layon Mescolin , da Silva Junior Ivo Chaves , Abritta Ramon
Published: July 2023

This paper expands the research around a recently proposed method to reduce the search space region for thermal unit commitment problems. The importance of such techniques comes from the combinatorial explosion regarding the variables of the problem when there are a large quantity of generating units in the system. The proposed heuristic approach utilizes sensitivity indices to gather information about the system and fix many of the binary decision variables over the planning horizon. This work further explores the method by demonstrating its effectiveness in large-scale systems subjected to ramp constraints. Despite the significantly increased complexity, the results of this paper indicate that the method can achieve high quality solutions notably faster than other approaches from the literature.
Parametric Curve Comparison for Modeling Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Substructures
Authors: Ojo Adebayo , Collu Maurizio , Coraddu Andrea
Published: July 2023

The drive for the cost reduction of floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) systems to the levels of fixed bottom foundation turbine systems can be achieved with creative design and analysis techniques of the platform with free-form curves to save numerical simulation time and minimize the mass of steel (cost of steel) required for design. This study aims to compare four parametric free-form curves (cubic spline, B-spline, Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline and cubic Hermite spline) within a design and optimization framework using the pattern search gradient free optimization algorithm to explore and select an optimal design from the design space. The best performance free-form curve within the framework is determined using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The TOPSIS technique shows the B-spline curve as the best performing free-form curve based on the selection criteria, amongst which are design and analysis computational time, estimated mass of platform and local shape control properties. This study shows that free-form curves like B-spline can be used to expedite the design, analysis and optimization of floating platforms and potentially advance the technology beyond the current level of fixed bottom foundations.
Nano-Silica/Urea-Formaldehyde Resin-Modified Fast-Growing Lumber Performance Study
Authors: Weng Mengyun , Zhu Yetong , Mao Weiguo , Zhou Jichun , Xu Wei
Published: July 2023

To promote the performance of fast-growing poplar wood for furniture applications, this study proposes and investigates the feasibility of modifying fast-growing poplar wood with a urea-formaldehyde resin impregnating agent by adding nano-SiO2 as a way to improve its physical and mechanical properties. By observing the solubility of nano-SiO2 addition in urea-formaldehyde resin, determine the optimal ratio of nano-SiO2 addition to the solid content of the urea-formaldehyde resin solution. After the fast-growing poplar specimens were treated with nano-SiO2/UF resin, the water absorption, wet swelling, dry shrinkage, nail grip, flexural strength, and modulus of flexural elasticity of the fast-growing poplar specimens were compared and analyzed to determine the effect of impregnation modification and the optimal impregnation ratio. The results showed that the physical and mechanical properties of fast-growing poplar wood were significantly improved by impregnating the fast-growing poplar wood with urea-formaldehyde resin with SiO2, and the impregnation modification was beneficial to reducing the wet swelling and dry shrinkage of poplar wood, increasing its dimensional stability, improve the grip nail strength, and increase the flexural strength and flexural modulus of elasticity with the increase in nano-SiO2 concentration.
Foliar Water Uptake and Its Relationship with Photosynthetic Capacity and Anatomical Structure between Female and Male Populus euphratica at Different Growth Stages
Authors: Li Zhoukang , Chen Yudong , Wang Huimin , Zhang Xueni
Published: July 2023

Foliar water uptake (FWU) is considered to be a common phenomenon in most terrestrial plants. As a supplementary water source, it plays an important role in the growth and survival of plants in arid areas. However, there is no research to explain the water absorption of plant leaves from the perspective of gender specificity. To this end, we carried out a leaf water absorption capacity experiment and in situ wetting field experiment, respectively, in the early (Initial), middle (Mid) and end (End) of the growth season of male and female Populus euphratica. The results of the leaf water absorption capacity experiment showed that the FWU capacity of male and female P. euphratica showed an increasing trend with the growth period and reached the maximum at the End period. The FWU capacity of female P. euphratica was significantly greater than that of male P. euphratica after the Initial stage. The water absorption speed (k) of male and female leaves also increased with the growth period, but the increase was not significant. The increase in leaf water content per mg of water absorbed per unit of leaf area (LWCA) of male P. euphratica was always greater than that of female P. euphratica. Specific leaf area (SLA), leaf water saturated deficit (WSD) and water absorption parameters (FWU capacity, k) were significantly correlated. The results of the in situ wetting field experiment show that humidification significantly increased the predawn water potential (Mid period) of female and male P. euphratica leaves and the net photosynthetic rate (Mid period) of male P. euphratica leaves, but had no significant effect on chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and anatomical structure. The MFA results show that the water status of male and female P. euphratica leaves was significantly correlated with photosynthetic parameters, fluorescence parameters and anatomical parameters. Our results show that the foliar water uptake capacity of female P. euphratica leaves was stronger than that of male P. euphratica and shows significant dynamic changes during the growing season. This was because female P. euphratica has a developed water storage structure. Foliar water uptake can effectively improve the water status and photosynthetic capacity of male and female P. euphratica, and this improvement was more significant during the most intense period of soil water stress. These findings will deepen our understanding of the ecological adaptation of dioecious plants to foliar water uptake.
PagSWEET17a Mediates Sugar Transport in Root and Affects Drought Tolerance in Populus alba × P. glandulosa
Authors: Li Jifu , Hao Xinyi , Wang Zheshu , Wang Lijuan
Published: July 2023

Sugars are the principal carbon and energy sources and serve as osmotic regulators and radical scavengers, thus playing an important role in plant responses to drought. Sugar transporters steering the distribution of sugar are vital players involved in tolerance to drought. Sugars Will Eventually be Exported Transporters (SWEETs) facilitate both the influx and efflux of mono- and/or disaccharides and control both inter and intracellular distribution of sugars. PagSWEET17a in Populus alba × P. glandulosa is one of four orthologous genes of AtSWEET17 in Arabidopsis. Unlike AtSWEET17, which is a vacuolar localized transporter, PagSWEET17a is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, the role of PagSWEET17a in poplar responses to drought stress was investigated. PagSWEET17a was specifically expressed in cambium cells in younger root but mainly located in phloem fibers, and xylem vessels and fiber cells in the root undergoing secondary growth. Loss of PagSWEET17a inhibited the growth of roots in poplar seedlings and led to a decreased tolerance to drought. Analysis of sugar profiles revealed that accumulations of predominant sugars were significantly suppressed in both knockout (KO) mutant lines under drought. PagSWEET17a might contribute to poplar tolerance to drought by promoting drought-induced root expansion and diminishing oxidative damages caused by the stress.
Effects of Long-Term Subculture on Maturation Ability and Plant Conversion in Pinus radiata: Using FT-IR Spectroscopy to Determine Biomarkers of Embryogenic Tissue Aging
Authors: Lineros Yenny , Rojas-Rioseco Macarena , Hernández Martha , Ríos Darcy , Muñoz Ximena , Hasbún Rodrigo
Published: July 2023

The forestry industry has integrated somatic embryogenesis into its clonal programs due to the generation of a high number of plants from selected genotypes at low cost. Somatic embryos are generated in a stressful environment after multiplication of the proembryogenic masses; thus, it is critical to determine the degree of stability of the embryogenic cultures and their potential for mass propagation. Maturation ability in cultures of different ages was evaluated in conjunction with the integrity of the proembryogenic masses, germination rate, hypocotyl and root length, plant conversion, and ex vitro survival. To identify differences in embryogenic tissue from different subcultures, their DNA was analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy. A significant decrease in the production of somatic embryos was detected from week 15, and some lines even stopped producing embryos. Germination rate, hypocotyl length, and plant conversion were negatively affected by long-term cultivation, while root length and ex vitro survival were not significantly affected. The results obtained from the FT-IR spectroscopy analysis indicate that it is feasible to use mid-infrared spectroscopy to differentiate between embryogenic tissues with different cumulative subculture times based on the spectra obtained from their DNA, which is directly related to maturation ability.
Human Population Density Influences Genetic Diversity of Two Rattus Species Worldwide: A Macrogenetic Approach
Authors: Sosa Chrystian C. , Arenas Catalina , García-Merchán Víctor Hugo
Published: July 2023

On a planet experiencing constant human population growth, it is necessary to explore the anthropogenic effects on the genetic diversity of species, and specifically invasive species. Using an analysis that integrates comparative phylogeography, urban landscape genetics, macrogenetics and a systematic review, we explore the worldwide genetic diversity of the human commensal and anthropogenic species Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus. Based on metadata obtained considering 35 selected studies related to observed heterozygosity, measured by nuclear molecular markers (microsatellites, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms—SNPs-, restrictition site-associated DNA sequencing -RAD-Seq-), socioeconomic and mobility anthropogenic factors were used as predictors of genetic diversity of R. rattus and R. norvegicus, using the Gini index, principal component analysis and Random Forest Regression as analysis methodology. Population density was on average the best predictor of genetic diversity in the Rattus species analyzed, indicating that the species respond in a particular way to the characteristics present in urban environments because of a combination of life history characteristics and human-mediated migration and colonization processes. To create better management and control strategies for these rodents and their associated diseases, it is necessary to fill the existing information gap in urban landscape genetics studies with more metadata repositories, with emphasis on tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
The Main Cause of Geophagy According to Extensive Studies on Olkhon Island, Lake Baikal
Authors: Panichev Alexander M. , Baranovskaya Natalya V. , Seryodkin Ivan V. , Chekryzhov Igor Y. , Soktoev Bulat R. , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Vakh Elena A. , Desyatova Tatyana V. , Lutsenko Tatyana N. , Popov Nikita Y. , Ruslan Alexey V. , Elovskiy Evgeniy V. , Vetoshkina Alena V. , Patrusheva Olga V. , Ostapenko Dmitry S. , Kholodov Aleksei S. , Golokhvast Kirill S.
Published: July 2023

From the novel results of comprehensive geological–hydrobiogeochemical studies conducted on Olkhon Island (Lake Baikal), it follows that the phenomenon of geophagy among wild and domestic ungulates on the island is caused by the deficiency of light subgroup rare earth elements (LREE) in plant food and natural waters, while not denying the possible role of other factors. This deficiency reflects the low LREE specificity of the most abundant metamorphic terrigenous carbonate rocks on the island, as well as their overlying eluvium–deluvium and soils. The resulting specificity of the landscapes may be the cause of the LREE imbalance in the nervous and hormonal systems of the body, which makes the animals regularly and periodically consume clay (kaolinite) products from weathering, enriched with the necessary nutritional elements. The identified cause of geophagy on Olkhon Island is likely to extend to a significant part of geophagy cases among animals, including humans, especially in the equatorial zone of the Earth.
Reappraisal and Analysis of Macroseismic Data for Seismotectonic Purposes: The Strong Earthquakes of Southern Calabria, Italy
Authors: Andrenacci Carlo , Bello Simone , Barbano Maria Serafina , de Nardis Rita , Pirrotta Claudia , Pietrolungo Federico , Lavecchia Giusy
Published: July 2023

In tectonically active areas, such as the Italian peninsula, studying the faults responsible for strong earthquakes is often challenging, especially when the earthquakes occurred in historical times. In such cases, geoscientists need to integrate all the available information from historical reports, surface geology, and geophysics to constrain the faults responsible for the earthquakes from a seismotectonic point of view. In this paper, we update and review, according to the EMS-98 scale, the macroseismic fields of the five main events of the 1783 Calabria sequence (5, 6, and 7 February, 1 and 28 March, Mw 5.9 to 7.1), two other destructive events within the same epicentral area of the 1783 sequence (1791, Mw 6.1 and 1894, Mw 6.1), plus the Messina Strait 1908 earthquake (Mw 7.1). For the 1783 seismic sequence, we also elaborate an updated and new catalog of coseismic effects. The new macroseismic fields were analyzed using a series of MATLAB algorithms to identify (1) the unitarity of the field or its partitioning in sub-sources and (2) the field and sub-fields’ main elongation. A collection of earthquake scale laws from literature was used to compute the average source parameters (length, width, and area) with their range of variability, and an elliptical map-view representation of the source geometry was calculated and made available. The analyses of such data allow us to speculate on the earthquakes/faults association, as well as propose new interpretations and reconstruct the space–time evolution of the significant southern Calabria seismic sequences in the last five centuries.
Out of Time: Disabling Normative Time in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Wilkie Collins’s The Woman in White
Authors: Crape Drumlin N. M.
Published: July 2023

Responding to ableist and regimented notions of time, disabled activists and disability studies scholars alike have embraced “crip time” as a modality that better accounts for the ways disability transforms chronology. By applying this critical disability framework to depictions of time in Victorian literature, my paper reveals the generative potential of nonnormative understandings of time in two foundational and widely studied texts: Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Wilkie Collins’s The Woman in White. In each text, the presence of disability allows for the resistance to and subversion of hegemonic (and genre-based) modes of temporality.
Polycomb Recruiters Inside and Outside of the Repressed Domains
Authors: Erokhin Maksim , Mogila Vladic , Lomaev Dmitry , Chetverina Darya
Published: July 2023

The establishment and stable inheritance of individual patterns of gene expression in different cell types are required for the development of multicellular organisms. The important epigenetic regulators are the Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) proteins, which control the silenced and active states of genes, respectively. In Drosophila, the PcG/TrxG group proteins are recruited to the DNA regulatory sequences termed the Polycomb response elements (PREs). The PREs are composed of the binding sites for different DNA-binding proteins, the so-called PcG recruiters. Currently, the role of the PcG recruiters in the targeting of the PcG proteins to PREs is well documented. However, there are examples where the PcG recruiters are also implicated in the active transcription and in the TrxG function. In addition, there is increasing evidence that the genome-wide PcG recruiters interact with the chromatin outside of the PREs and overlap with the proteins of differing regulatory classes. Recent studies of the interactomes of the PcG recruiters significantly expanded our understanding that they have numerous interactors besides the PcG proteins and that their functions extend beyond the regulation of the PRE repressive activity. Here, we summarize current data about the functions of the PcG recruiters.
Pesticides and Bladder Cancer: Mechanisms Leading to Anti-Cancer Drug Chemoresistance and New Chemosensitization Strategies
Authors: Lucchesi Christopher A. , Vasilatis Demitria M. , Mantrala Saisamkalpa , Chandrasekar Thenappan , Mudryj Maria , Ghosh Paramita M.
Published: July 2023

Multiple risk factors have been associated with bladder cancer. This review focuses on pesticide exposure, as it is not currently known whether agricultural products have a direct or indirect effect on bladder cancer, despite recent reports demonstrating a strong correlation. While it is known that pesticide exposure is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in humans and dogs, the mechanism(s) by which specific pesticides cause bladder cancer initiation or progression is unknown. In this narrative review, we discuss what is currently known about pesticide exposure and the link to bladder cancer. This review highlights multiple pathways modulated by pesticide exposure with direct links to bladder cancer oncogenesis/metastasis (MMP-2, TGF-β, STAT3) and chemoresistance (drug efflux, DNA repair, and apoptosis resistance) and potential therapeutic tactics to counter these pesticide-induced affects.
N-Acetylcysteine-Loaded Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kubovcikova Martina , Sobotova Radka , Zavisova Vlasta , Antal Iryna , Khmara Iryna , Lisnichuk Maksym , Bednarikova Zuzana , Jurikova Alena , Strbak Oliver , Vojtova Jana , Mikolka Pavol , Gombos Jan , Lokajova Alica , Gazova Zuzana , Koneracka Martina
Published: July 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the rapid onset of lung inflammation Therefore, monitoring the spatial distribution of the drug directly administered to heterogeneously damaged lungs is desirable. In this work, we focus on optimizing the drug N-acetylcysteine (NAC) adsorption on poly-l-lysine-modified magnetic nanoparticles (PLLMNPs) to monitor the drug spatial distribution in the lungs using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The physicochemical characterizations of the samples were conducted in terms of morphology, particle size distributions, surface charge, and magnetic properties followed by the thermogravimetric quantification of NAC coating and cytotoxicity experiments. The sample with the theoretical NAC loading concentration of 0.25 mg/mL was selected as an optimum due to the hydrodynamic nanoparticle size of 154 nm, the surface charge of +32 mV, good stability, and no cytotoxicity. Finally, MRI relaxometry confirmed the suitability of the sample to study the spatial distribution of the drug in vivo using MRI protocols. We showed the prevailing transverse relaxation with high transverse relaxivity values and a high r2(*)/r1 ratio, causing visible hypointensity in the final MRI signal. Furthermore, NAC adsorption significantly affects the relaxation properties of PLLMNPs, which can help monitor drug release in vitro/in vivo.
DNA Damage Repair Pathways in Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Precision Oncology
Authors: Grypari Ioanna-Maria , Tzelepi Vasiliki , Gyftopoulos Kostis
Published: July 2023

Prostate cancer (PCa) has a distinct molecular signature, including characteristic chromosomal translocations, gene deletions and defective DNA damage repair mechanisms. One crucial pathway involved is homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and it is found in almost 20% of metastatic castrate-resistant PCa (mCRPC). Inherited/germline mutations are associated with a hereditary predisposition to early PCa development and aggressive behavior. BRCA2, ATM and CHECK2 are the most frequently HRD-mutated genes. BRCA2-mutated tumors have unfavorable clinical and pathological characteristics, such as intraductal carcinoma. PARP inhibitors, due to the induction of synthetic lethality, have been therapeutically approved for mCRPC with HRD alterations. Mutations are detected in metastatic tissue, while a liquid biopsy is utilized during follow-up, recognizing acquired resistance mechanisms. The mismatch repair (MMR) pathway is another DNA repair mechanism implicated in carcinogenesis, although only 5% of metastatic PCa is affected. It is associated with aggressive disease. PD-1 inhibitors have been used in MMR-deficient tumors; thus, the MMR status should be tested in all metastatic PCa cases. A surrogate marker of defective DNA repair mechanisms is the tumor mutational burden. PDL-1 expression and intratumoral lymphocytes have ambivalent predictive value. Few experimental molecules have been so far proposed as potential biomarkers. Future research may further elucidate the role of DNA damage pathways in PCa, revealing new therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers.