bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of basic psychological needs on volunteering and national responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the context of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamer Abdullah , Al Sultan Hanan
Published: July 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, leading to school and university closures. A practical response to minimize the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic depends largely on students’ voluntary adherence to government guidelines as well as their participation in volunteering activities and their willingness to take national responsibility. From the perspective of the self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation, it is postulated that for students to willingly participate in volunteering activities and take national responsibility, three basic psychological needs (BPN) of autonomy, competence, and relatedness must be fulfilled. We investigate the extent to which satisfying these needs is associated with an increase in searching for opportunities to volunteer, sense of national responsibility, and the quantity of volunteering made. A total of 215 Saudi male and female participants were involved in the study. Our analysis showed that the three needs are satisfied among the sample and that no gender differences existed. Regarding the correlation analysis, the results revealed that the three BPN were significantly correlated with the sense of national responsibility and searching for opportunities to volunteer but not with the quantity of volunteering made. The results highlighted the key role that the three BPN play in understanding Saudi students’ levels of participation in volunteering and taking on national responsibility. The results are discussed in light of the pandemic context.
Cardio-Metabolic and Mental Health Outcomes Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Cohort of Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Switzerland
Authors: Quansah Dan Yedu , Gilbert Leah , Kosinski Christophe , Le Dizès Olivier , Horsch Antje , Benhalima Katrien , Cosson Emmanuel , Puder Jardena J.
Published: July 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with worsened metabolic and mental health in the general and perinatal population. The postpartum is a critical moment regarding these outcomes particularly in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We investigated the cardio-metabolic and mental health outcomes before and during the pandemic in this population.

Methods

This cohort study included 418 women with GDM, recruited during two distinct periods. This included 180 women exposed to the pandemic (E+) and recruited between May 2020-April 2021 and 238 women who were not exposed to the pandemic during their postpartum period (attended a year before=non-exposed (E-)) and recruited between January-December 2019. Among the E+, a nested-subcohort of 120 women were exposed both during pregnancy and postpartum. During the pandemic, we adopted a hybrid follow-up of women that consisted of in-person consultations, regular contact via phone calls (35%), sent recorded exercise guide to patients to follow at home and linked to our website. We specifically focused on maintaining motivation and keeping a strong focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors. Obstetric, neonatal, cardio-metabolic and mental health outcomes were assessed during pregnancy and postpartum.

Results

The pandemic was not associated with worsened weight, weight retention, glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome, well-being or depression in the postpartum with the exception of a minimally increased HbA1c, diastolic blood pressure and lower emotional eating scores in E+ women (all p ≤ 0.046). In the nested subcohort, E+ women had a slightly increased HbA1c at the first GDM visit and a higher need for glucose-lowering medication (both p ≤ 0.014), but HbA1c at the end of pregnancy and other cardio-metabolic, mental health, obstetric and neonatal outcomes during pregnancy were similar.

Conclusions

The pandemic was not associated with any clinically relevant worsening of cardio-metabolic, mental health, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes in our GDM cohort. This was possibly due to a continued hybrid follow-up, and the partial lockdown in Switzerland.
A Cost Effective Solution to Dynamic Economic Load Dispatch Problem Using Improved Chimp Optimizer
Authors: Xu Jianming , Liu Anfeng , Qin Yang , Xu Guangrong , Tang Yibo
Published: July 2022

The electricity sector has encountered several economic challenges in recent years. Increasing the expense of fossil fuels and environmental legislation such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Low Carbon Transition Plan have compelled governments to use renewable energy sources (RESs) more widely. In the proposed research, the dynamic economic load dispatch problem has been solved using improved chimp optimizer algorithm. The test systems consisting of 6, 7 and 10-unit generators has been taken into consideration along with significant contribution of renewable energy sources for effective research studies. The test systems has been evaluated for different cases considering renewable energy sources and electric vehicles using proposed algorithms. Experimentally, it has been observed that proposed optimizer yields better results as compared to other recently proposed optimizers.
The establishment of an intermodal walkability index for use in car oriented urban environments: The case of Nicosia
Authors: Mouzas Antony John , Ioannou Byron , Fokaides Paris
Published: July 2022

Sustainable mobility has been considered key in the pursuit of sustainable development in urban environments. During the last decades, a lot of innovative initiatives have been proposed and examined, most of them were site-specific and highly relevant to the local context. This case study review focuses on Nicosia, a car oriented, medium sized city, and attempts to define an intermodal walkability index for the city center. In a city like Nicosia where more than 90% of the daily trips are done completely by car, encouraging intermodal mobility with walking as part of the trip is an important first step to sustainable mobility. The aim of the paper is to present a model based upon the most impactful sustainability indicators when referring to pedestrian mobility, and therefore will create an intermodal walkability index for grading the walkability of an urban environment, in our case a particular, car-oriented one. The index was developed by using the latest version of pyQGIS, due to the fact that the algorithms that are being used in the calculation of this index are already part of the geospatial analysis toolbox contained within QGIS. The paper uses as a case study the municipality of Nicosia in Cyprus where it was proven that pedestrian transportation can be graded in terms of walkability from the private car drop point. The study has also discovered that the use of primary electricity generation and fossil fuels for transport can be reduced if problematic areas that have a low or negative sustainability score are managed in ways that will increase the score.
Using an Improved SWAT Model to Simulate Karst Sinkholes: A Case Study in Southwest China
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhao Liangjie , Cao Jianwen , Wang Yaru
Published: July 2022

Hydrological simulation of the karst area is significant for assessing water resources accurately and exploring the relationship in the hydrologic cycle. However, the existence of sinkholes causes the spatial heterogeneity of aquifers and changes the distribution of surface water as well as groundwater, which makes the traditional hydrogeological model difficult to quantitatively characterize the hydrological processes of the sinkhole. Hence, improving the hydrological model for the karst area is a necessary direction at present. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) is one of the most widely used semi-distributed hydrological models right now in the world. In this study, we focused on the upper course of the South Panjiang River and used the pond module of the SWAT model to simulate karst sinkholes, modifying the source code to realize the rapid response to the recharge in karst sinkholes. After the improvement, the surface runoff, especially the peak value of the Xiqiao Hydrological Station at the outlet, has been reduced, while the baseflow of modified subbasins has been increased and the water yield is under a state of water balance. In addition, the model evaluation factor R2 was strengthened from 0.76 to 0.83 and NSE was strengthened from 0.66 to 0.79 of the Xiqiao Hydrological Station during the validation period. The improved model was used to analyze the spatial distribution of hydrological components. Also, it was found there are spatial relations between runoff modulus–slope and baseflow–surface runoff–land use types. The analysis demonstrated that the improved SWAT model could effectively change the hydrological components and simulate the rapid replenishment of karst sinkholes.
Oil disturbance reduces infaunal family richness but does not affect phylogenetic diversity
Authors: Kiskaddon Erin , Gadeken Kara , Berke Sarah K. , Bell Susan , Moore Jenna M. , Dorgan Kelly M.
Published: July 2022

Infaunal organisms are susceptible to disturbances such as hypoxia and sediment contamination; changes in infaunal community structure are therefore often used as indicators of anthropogenic disturbance. Susceptibility to disturbance varies across taxa, either due to physiological factors or to behaviors or functional roles that increase exposure. Both sources of variability are likely to be heritable and shared among related taxa. Thus, we would expect oil disturbance to disproportionately affect related taxa and therefore decrease phylogenetic diversity (PD). We test this hypothesis for a shallow water marine infaunal community using a simulation approach that iteratively removes clades with shared vulnerability to oil exposure. Infauna were sampled at two sites in the Chandeleur Islands, LA, that reflect different exposures to crude oil after theDeepwater Horizonevent. Seagrass and adjacent bare sediment habitats were sampled in 2015, 5 years after initial oil exposure, and again in 2016 after an acute re-oiling event. We found that strong correlation between PD and family richness masked any detectable PD patterns with oil exposure. For our full community tree, sensitivity analysis indicated that the removal of larger clades did not disproportionately reduce PD, against our prediction. For this pair of sites, PD did not provide a better metric for assessing the impacts of oil exposure than family richness alone. It is possible, however, that finer-scale taxonomic resolution of infaunal communities may better decouple PD from taxonomic richness. More work is needed to fully evaluate the impacts of disturbance on PD.
Improvements of nuclease and nickase gene modification techniques for the treatment of genetic diseases
Authors: Lu Yaoyao , Happi Mbakam Cedric , Song Bo , Bendavid Eli , Tremblay Jacques-P.
Published: July 2022

Advancements in genome editing make possible to exploit the functions of enzymes for efficient DNA modifications with tremendous potential to treat human genetic diseases. Several nuclease genome editing strategies including Meganucleases (MNs), Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs), Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases (TALENs) and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-CRISPR associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) have been developed for the correction of genetic mutations. CRISPR-Cas has further been engineered to create nickase genome editing tools including Base editors and Prime editors with much precision and efficacy. In this review, we summarized recent improvements in nuclease and nickase genome editing approaches for the treatment of genetic diseases. We also highlighted some limitations for the translation of these approaches into clinical applications.
NCKAP1 is a Prognostic Biomarker for Inhibition of Cell Growth in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Jiasheng , Ge Jianzhang , Zhang Wancong , Xie Xuqi , Zhong Xiaoping , Tang Shijie
Published: July 2022

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most frequent type of kidney cancer. Nck-associated protein 1 (NCKAP1) is associated with poor prognosis and tumor progression in several cancer types, but the function and prognostic value of NCKAP1 in ccRCC remain poorly understood.

Methods: Using the Ualcan database, we evaluated the correlation between NCKAP1 expression and clinical features of ccRCC. These data were validated by immunohistochemical staining for NCKAP1 in a cohort of ccRCC patients. We assessed the prognostic value of NCKAP1 using GEPIA2 survival analysis. NCKAP1 function was characterized in vitro and in vivo using NCKAP1-overexpression ACHN cell lines. The LinkedOmics and GSCALite databases were used to investigate identify potential NCKAP1-targeted medicines that may play a role in the treatment of ccRCC. The impact of NCKAP1 expression on immune infiltration was also evaluated.

Results: NCKAP1 was significantly downregulated in ccRCC and correlated with advanced clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Overexpression of NCKAP1 in ACHN cells reduced proliferation, invasion and migration capacity in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. According to the LinkedOmics, GSCALite and TIMER databases, NCKAP1 and related genes function primarily in ribosomal signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, TGF-β, and EMT-related signaling pathways. NCKAP1 was also shown to positively correlate with immune cell types, biomarkers, and immune checkpoints in ccRCCs.

Conclusions: NCKAP1 may play a vital tumor-suppressive role in ccRCC and is potentially a useful prognostic biomarker.
Genetic liability to asthma and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Heng , Chen Wei , Zheng Liangrong
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims: Epidemiological studies have suggested positive associations between asthma and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, causality remains inconclusive. We aim to explore the causal associations between asthma and CVDs risk using the Mendelian Randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: We obtained summary-level data for eight CVDs [including atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), stroke, ischemic stroke, large artery stroke, small vessel stroke, and cardioembolic stroke] from several large genome-wide association studies (GWASs) and the FinnGen consortium. Nine lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with asthma (p < 5 × 10−8) were identified from the GWAS conducted by the Trans-National Asthma Genetic Consortium. MR analyses were performed using the inverse variance weighted method, supplemented by the weighted median and MR-Egger methods.

Results: Inverse variance weighted method showed suggestive effects of genetically determined asthma on AF (odds ratio (OR), 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02, 1.14; p = 0.009) and HF (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.01, 1.09; p = 0.029). We found no causal associations between asthma and other CVDs. No horizontal pleiotropy was observed.

Conclusion: This MR study provides genetic evidence suggesting a causal association between asthma and the risk of AF and HF, although not at the level of significance after multiple testing correction. Programs aimed at treating asthma among asthmatics might help prevent the adverse health effects inflicted by CVDs.
Genetically predicted adiponectin causally reduces the risk of chronic kidney disease, a bilateral and multivariable mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wu Ruicheng , Luo Peiyi , Luo Min , Li Xiaoyu , Zhong Xin , He Qiang , Zhang Jie , Zhang Yangchang , Xiong Yang , Han Ping
Published: July 2022

Background: It is not clarified whether the elevation of adiponectin is the results of kidney damage, or the cause of kidney function injury. To explore the causal association of adiponectin on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), this study was performed.

Materials and methods: The genetic association of adiponectin were retrieved from one genome-wide association studies with 39,883 participants. The summary-level statistics regarding the eGFR (133,413 participants) and CKD (12,385 CKD cases and 104,780 controls) were retrieved from the CKDGen consortium in the European ancestry. Single-variable Mendelian randomization (MR), bilateral and multivariable MR analyses were used to verify the causal association between adiponectin, eGFR, and CKD.

Results: Genetically predicted adiponectin reduces the risk of CKD (OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57–0.89, p = 0.002) and increases the eGFR (β = 0.014, 95% CI = 0.001–0.026, p = 0.034) by the inverse variance weighting (IVW) estimator. These findings remain consistent in the sensitivity analyses. No heterogeneity and pleiotropy were detected in this study (P for MR-Egger 0.617, P for global test > 0.05, and P for Cochran’s Q statistics = 0.617). The bilateral MR identified no causal association of CKD on adiponectin (OR = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.96–1.07, p = 0.658), nor did it support the association of eGFR on adiponectin (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.68–1.09, p = 0.207) by the IVW estimator. All the sensitivity analyses reported similar findings (p > 0.05). Additionally, after adjusting for cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, body mass index, low density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol, the ORs for CKD are 0.70 (95% CI = 0.55–0.90, p = 0.005), 0.75 (95% CI = 0.58–0.97, p = 0.027), 0.82 (95% CI = 0.68–0.99, p = 0.039), 0.74 (95% CI = 0.59–0.93, p = 0.011), and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.61–0.95, p = 0.018), respectively.

Conclusion: Using genetic data, this study provides novel causal evidence that adiponectin can protect the kidney function and further reduce the risk of CKD.
Multidimensional difference analysis in gastric cancer patients between high and low latitude
Authors: Wang Liqiang , Cai Mengdi , Song Ying , Bai Jing , Sun Wenjing , Yu Jingcui , Du Shuomeng , Lu Jianping , Fu Songbin
Published: July 2022

Genetic variation has been shown to affect tumor growth and progression, and the temperature at different latitudes may promote the evolution of genetic variation. Geographical data with latitudinal information is of importance to understand the interplay between genetic variants and environmental influence, such as the temperature, in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we classified the GC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database into two groups based on the latitudinal information of patients and found that GC samples with low-latitude had better clinical outcomes. Further analyses revealed significant differences in other clinical factors such as disease stage and grade between high and low latitudes GC samples. Then, we analyzed the genomic and transcriptomic differences between the two groups. Furthermore, we evaluated the activity score of metabolic pathways and infiltrating immune cells in GC samples with different latitudes using the single-sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm. These results showed that GC samples at low-latitude had lower tumor mutation burden and subclones as well as higher DNA repair activities. Meanwhile, we found that most immune cells were associated with the prognosis of low-latitude GC patients. At last, we constructed and validated an immune-related prognostic model to evaluate the prognosis of GC samples at different latitudes. This study has provided a further understanding of the geographical contribution to GC at the multiomic level and may benefit the individualized treatment of GC patients at different latitudes.
Transcriptomic diversification of granulosa cells during follicular development between White Leghorn and Silky Fowl hens
Authors: Tai Yurong , Yang Xue , Han Deping , Xu Zihan , Cai Ganxian , Hao Jiaqi , Zhang Bingjie , Deng Xuemei
Published: July 2022

Egg production rate in chicken is related to the continuity of follicle development. In this study, we found that the numbers of white prehierarchical, dominant, and yellow preovulatory follicles in the high-yielding layer breed, White Leghorn (WL), were significantly higher than those in the low egg-yielding variety, Silky Fowl (SF). The proliferation and differentiation of granulosa cells (GCs) play an important role in follicle maturation. Histological observation revealed a large number of melanocytes in the outer granulosa layer of follicles in SF but not in WL. Finally, RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the gene expression profiles and pathways of the GC layer in the follicles in both WL and SF hens. Transcriptome analysis of prehierarchical GCs (phGCs) and preovulatory GCs (poGCs) between WL and SF showed that steroid hormone-, oxytocin synthesis-, tight junction-, and endocytosis-related genes were expressed at higher levels in WL phGCs than in SF phGCs, whereas the insulin signaling pathway- and vascular smooth muscle contraction-related genes were upregulated in SF phGCs. Fatty acid synthesis, calcium signaling, and Wnt signaling pathway-related genes were expressed at higher levels in WL poGCs than in SF poGCs; however, adrenergic signaling, cGMP-PKG, and melanogenesis-related genes were upregulated in SF poGCs. These results indicate that genes that promote GC proliferation and secretion of various sex hormones are more active in WL than in SF hens. The upregulated signaling pathways in SF help in providing energy to GCs and for angiogenesis and melanogenesis. In vitro experiments confirmed that both the proliferation of poGCs and synthesis of reproductive hormones were higher in WL than in SF hens.
Goose STING mediates IFN signaling activation against RNA viruses
Authors: Fu Feiyu , Lin Zhenyu , Li Yanlin , Wang Jie , Li Yawen , Liu Pengcheng , Wang Zhaofei , Ma Jingjiao , Yan Yaxian , Sun Jianhe , Cheng Yuqiang
Published: July 2022

Stimulator of the interferon gene (STING) is involved in mammalian antiviral innate immunity as an interferon (IFN) activator. However, there is still a lack of clarity regarding the molecular characterization of goose STING (GoSTING) and its role in the innate immune response. In the present study, we cloned GoSTING and performed a series of bioinformatics analyses. GoSTING was grouped into avian clades and showed the highest sequence similarity to duck STING. The in vitro experiments showed that the mRNA levels of GoSTING, IFNs, IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), and proinflammatory cytokines were significantly upregulated in goose embryo fibroblast cells (GEFs) infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Overexpression of GoSTING in DF-1 cells and GEFs strongly activated the IFN-β promoter as detected by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, overexpression of GoSTING induced the expression of other types of IFN, ISGs, and proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged NDV (NDV-GFP) and GFP-tagged vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) (VSV-GFP) replication in vitro. In conclusion, these data suggest that GoSTING is an important regulator of the type I IFN pathway and is critical in geese’s innate immune host defense against RNA viruses.
Central role of microglia in sepsis-associated encephalopathy: From mechanism to therapy
Authors: Yan Xiaoqian , Yang Kaiying , Xiao Qi , Hou Rongyao , Pan Xudong , Zhu Xiaoyan
Published: July 2022

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a cognitive impairment associated with sepsis that occurs in the absence of direct infection in the central nervous system or structural brain damage. Microglia are thought to be macrophages of the central nervous system, devouring bits of neuronal cells and dead cells in the brain. They are activated in various ways, and microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is characteristic of central nervous system diseases, including SAE. Here, we systematically described the pathogenesis of SAE and demonstrated that microglia are closely related to the occurrence and development of SAE. Furthermore, we comprehensively discussed the function and phenotype of microglia and summarized their activation mechanism and role in SAE pathogenesis. Finally, this review summarizes recent studies on treating cognitive impairment in SAE by blocking microglial activation and toxic factors produced after activation. We suggest that targeting microglial activation may be a putative treatment for SAE.
The Number of MRGPRX2-Expressing Cells Is Increased in Skin Lesions of Patients With Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis, But Is Not Linked to Symptom Severity
Authors: Pyatilova Polina , Ashry Tameem , Luo Yanyan , He Jiajun , Bonnekoh Hanna , Jiao Qingqing , Moñino-Romero Sherezade , Hu Man , Scheffel Jörg , Frischbutter Stefan , Hermans Maud A. W. , Youngblood Bradford A. , Maurer Marcus , Siebenhaar Frank , Kolkhir Pavel
Published: July 2022

Background

Recently, the expression of the mast cell (MC) receptor Mas-related G protein–coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) has been detected in lesional skin of adult patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. As of yet, little is known about the clinical relevance of MRGPRX2 and its agonists in patients with mastocytosis, including indolent systemic mastocytosis (ISM).

Methods

MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX2 agonists, cortistatin (CST), and major basic protein (MBP) were analyzed in lesional and non-lesional skin of patients with ISM and skin of healthy controls by immunohistochemistry. Co-localization of MRGPRX2 and MRGPRX2-mRNA with the MC marker tryptase was assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy and in situ hybridization, respectively. We assessed clinical, demographic, and laboratory data, including mastocytosis activity score (MAS), serum tryptase, and KIT D816V allele burden.

Results

The number of MRGPRX2-expressing (MRGPRX2+) cells, MRGPRX2-mRNA+ MCs, and CST-expressing (CST+) and MBP-expressing (MBP+) cells was significantly higher in lesional skin as compared to non-lesional skin and/or skin of healthy controls (all p < 0.05). Increased numbers of MRGPRX2+ cells, MRGPRX2-mRNA+ MCs, and CST+ and MBP+ cells were not associated with clinical and laboratory features of ISM, including disease burden, symptom severity, evidence of anaphylaxis, and tryptase levels.

Conclusions

Skin lesions of patients with ISM showed high numbers of MRGPRX2+ cells, although they were not linked to symptom severity. Clinical relevance of the MRGPRX2-mediated pathway of MC activation in ISM remains unclear and should be investigated in further studies.
Effect of low-dose rituximab treatment on autoimmune nodopathy with anti-contactin 1 antibody
Authors: Hou Ying , Zhang Chao , Yu Xiaolin , Wang Wenqing , Zhang Dong , Bai Yunfei , Yan Chuanzhu , Ma Lin , Li Anning , Ji Jian , Cao Lili , Wang Qinzhou
Published: July 2022

Background

Autoimmune nodopathy with anti-contactin-1 (CNTN1) responds well to rituximab instead of traditional therapies. Although a low-dose rituximab regimen was administered to patients with other autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, and satisfactory outcomes were obtained, this low-dose rituximab regimen has not been trialed in anti-CNTN1-positive patients.

Methods

Anti–CNTN1 nodopathy patients were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, self-controlled pilot study. A cell-based assay was used to detect anti-CNTN1 antibodies and their subclasses in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Clinical features were evaluated at baseline, 2 days, 14 days, and 6 months after single low-dose rituximab treatment (600 mg). The titers of the subclasses of anti-CNTN1 antibody and peripheral B cells were also evaluated at baseline, 2 days, and 6 months after the rituximab regimen.

Results

Two patients with anti–CNTN1 antibodies were enrolled. Both patients had neurological symptoms including muscle weakness, tremor, sensory ataxia, numbness and mild nephrotic symptoms. In the field of neurological symptoms, sensory ataxia markedly improved, and the titer of anti-CNTN1 antibody as well as CD19+ B cells decreased only two days following low-dose rituximab treatment. Other neurological symptoms improved within two weeks of rituximab treatment. At the 6-month follow-up, all neurological symptoms steadily improved with steroid reduction, and both the anti-CNTN1 antibody titer and CD19+ B cells steadily decreased. No adverse events were observed after this single low-dose rituximab treatment.

Conclusions

We confirmed the clinical efficacy of low-dose rituximab by B cell depletion in autoimmune nodopathy with anti-CNTN1 antibody. This rapid and long-lasting response suggests that low-dose rituximab is a promising option for anti-CNTN1 nodopathy.
Post-vaccination T cell immunity to omicron
Authors: Jacobsen Henning , Cobos Jiménez Viviana , Sitaras Ioannis , Bar-Zeev Naor , Čičin-Šain Luka , Higdon Melissa M. , Deloria-Knoll Maria
Published: July 2022

In late 2021, the omicron variant of SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged and replaced the previously dominant delta strain. Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against omicron has been challenging to estimate in clinical studies or is not available for all vaccines or populations of interest. T cell function can be predictive of vaccine longevity and effectiveness against disease, likely in a more robust way than antibody neutralization. In this mini review, we summarize the evidence on T cell immunity against omicron including effects of boosters, homologous versus heterologous regimens, hybrid immunity, memory responses and vaccine product. Overall, T cell reactivity in post-vaccine specimens is largely preserved against omicron, indicating that vaccines utilizing the parental antigen continue to be protective against disease caused by the omicron variant.
Effects of Boric Acid Gel on Vaginal Candida albicans Infections and the Local Immune System in Mice
Authors: Guo Xiaoyu , Jing Tingting , Li Xiaojing , Liu Zhao , Chen Yongxue , Li Yiquan , Xu Yanyan , Gao Hongqi
Published: July 2022

The objective was to determine the effect of 5% boric acid gel on vaginal Candida albicans (CA) infections in mice and its effect on the local immune system (i.e., Th1, Th2, and Th17). Female mice were divided into four groups, with 10 mice in each group. Mycelial suspensions were administered into the vaginal lumen close to the cervix in groups B, F, and M. Mice in group B were given boric acid gel, and group F was treated with fluconazole gel for 30 min every 12 h. Group M was treated with sterile water, and group N was not given treatment. After the seventh day of treatment, each group was observed with the naked eye, and vaginal lavage fluid and vaginal tissue were collected. Expression levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining was used to measure the fungi in vaginal tissues. There were no significant changes in group M. In groups B and F, there was less vaginal injury and less exudate, with group B doing better than group F. The numbers of CA colonies were higher in groups B, F, and M than in group N (P < 0.01). There was less vaginal colonization of CA in group B than in group F (P < 0.01). After the seventh day of treatment, levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly greater in groups B, F, and M than in group N (P < 0.001); levels of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-6, and TGF-β in groups B and F were higher than those of group M (P < 0.01), while IL-4 and IL-10 levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001). The trends of cytokine increases and decreases were more significant in group B than in group F (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical results were similar to ELISA results. PAS staining revealed that boric acid inhibited hyphal reproduction. The boric acid significantly reduced the symptoms associated with CA vaginal infection. It inhibited the CA growth, prevented vaginal lesions, promoted the secretion of Th1 and Th17 cytokines, and reduced Th2 cytokines.
Three Chinese pedigrees of A20 haploinsufficiency: clinical, cytokine and molecular characterization
Authors: Tian Yi , Wu Bingxuan , Peng Linyi , Wang Jian , Shen Min
Published: July 2022

Objective

Haploinsufficiency of A20 (HA20) is a newly described rare autoinflammatory disease caused by TNFAIP3 gene mutations. HA20 has seldom been documented in the Chinese population. Herein, we report eight patients with HA20 from three unrelated families in China.

Methods

Eight Chinese Han patients were diagnosed with HA20 in our department from 2018 to 2021. Their clinical data and genotypes were carefully documented and studied. The newly identified variants were functionally verified. We also conducted a systematic literature review of HA20, and the clinical characteristics and genotype of HA20 between the Chinese population and other populations were compared.

Results

Eight HA20 patients from three families comprised six adults and two children. There was one man and seven women. The clinical characteristics included recurrent oral ulcers (8/8, 100%), fever (4/8, 50%), perianal ulcer (3/8, 38%), skin lesions (2/8, 25%), arthritis (1/8, 13%), and uveitis (1/8, 13%). Three TNFAIP3 variants, A547T, c.1906+2T>G, and R271X, were identified. Two novel variants, A547T and c.1906+2T>G, were validated to be pathogenic in our study. In a literature review a total of 126 patients with HA20 reported by 35 articles were included. The clinical phenotype of Chinese HA20 patients was similar to that of patients from other populations except for a lower frequency of genital ulcers (16.7% vs. 54.4%, p < 0.01). Autoantibodies were detectable in approximately one-third of the 126 patients, among which ANA and anti-thyroid antibodies were commonly seen.

Conclusion

The rarity and diversity of phenotypes make the diagnosis of HA20 a huge challenge to physicians. HA20 should be considered in child-onset patients with manifestations that resemble Behçet’s syndrome, especially those whose family members have similar symptoms. Gene testing is critically helpful for the diagnosis of HA20. Two novel TNFAIP3 variants, A547T and c.1906+2T>G, were identified in this study.
Holocene evolution of the shelf mud deposits in the north-western South China Sea
Authors: Li Gang , Miao Li , Yan Wen
Published: July 2022

Marine mud deposits contain rich information on past interactions between riverine sediment fluxes and marine processes. Massive mud deposits attached to a major river from South China, the Pearl River, are distributed on the north-western shelf of the South China Sea. This study examines the evolution history using cores penetrating through Holocene strata and deciphers its response to the river system, sea-level change, monsoon variations, human activities, etc. Geochemical and sedimentological data constrained by robust radiocarbon data show the difference in the evolution of mud deposits in shallow waters and on the middle shelf. Muddy wedges in shallow waters along the coast have formed since 7 ka BP, when modern current systems were established during the middle Holocene sea-level highstand. However, wide-spread muddy deposits in the middle shelf initiated after 3 ka BP which are associated with enhanced sediment fluxes and strengthened winter monsoon. Human activities on recent millennia have play a significant role in influencing the mud deposition on the north-west shelf of the South China Sea, as evidenced by the enrichment of heavy metals in marine sediments.
Age-Related Interactions with Wind During Migration Support the Hypothesis of Developmental Learning in a Migrating Long-Lived Seabird
Authors: Powers Kevin D. , Pratte Isabeau , Ronconi Robert A. , Wong Sarah N. P. , Ryan Peter G. , Welch Linda J. , Silva Tammy L. , Hatch Kent A. , Westgate Andrew J. , Wiley David N.
Published: July 2022

Wind patterns shape migratory pathways and detours of many procellariiform bird species that seasonally migrate between hemispheres. These seabirds are long-lived, and the period of immaturity is presumed to be a time of development and learning the environment, specifically how to use wind to their advantage. We assess how wind encountered by individual Great Shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) varies along the migration journey and compare responses between presumed mature and immature birds (early and late, respectively) in southbound migration and mature birds in northbound migration. We analyze modeled Argos locations from 71 individual tracks of migratory Great Shearwaters with concurrent U (East/West) and V (North/South) wind components. Migration in seabirds is well studied, but there is limited quantitative work measuring individual birds directly interacting with wind and their associated changes in flight behavior during migration. We show that Great Shearwaters made optimal use of winds, and that different age groups made decisions that exposed them to different wind constraints. Overall, Great Shearwaters derived positive responses from wind under most conditions and did not rely on a drifting strategy, which would be suggested if wind effect (difference between ground and airspeed) was predominantly positive during migrations. Instead, they appeared to use a compensating strategy to achieve an acceptable course and speed. The difference we observed in migration phenologies suggests that by migrating later, immature birds might travel the path of least resistance and experience flight conditions that are less risky furthering their ability to withstand a variety of wind conditions encountered later in life as done by adults, which migrate earlier and are subject to more variable flight conditions. We conclude that like other procellariiforms, a longer period of sexual maturity is required to enhance flight performance and mediate energy expenditure through experiential learning and increased fitness.
Machine learning for microalgae detection and utilization
Authors: Ning Hongwei , Li Rui , Zhou Teng
Published: July 2022

Microalgae are essential parts of marine ecology, and they play a key role in species balance. Microalgae also have significant economic value. However, microalgae are too tiny, and there are many different kinds of microalgae in a single drop of seawater. It is challenging to identify microalgae species and monitor microalgae changes. Machine learning techniques have achieved massive success in object recognition and classification, and have attracted a wide range of attention. Many researchers have introduced machine learning algorithms into microalgae applications, and similarly significant effects are gained. The paper summarizes recent advances based on various machine learning algorithms in microalgae applications, such as microalgae classification, bioenergy generation from microalgae, environment purification with microalgae, and microalgae growth monitor. Finally, we prospect development of machine learning algorithms in microalgae treatment in the future.
Shotgun metagenomic sequencing reveals skin microbial variability from different facial sites
Authors: Wei Qingzhen , Li Zhiming , Gu Zhenglong , Liu Xiao , Krutmann Jean , Wang Jiucun , Xia Jingjing
Published: July 2022

Biogeography (body site) is known to be one of the main factors influencing the composition of the skin microbial community. However, site-associated microbial variability at a fine-scale level was not well-characterized since there was a lack of high-resolution recognition of facial microbiota across kingdoms by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. To investigate the explicit microbial variance in the human face, 822 shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from Han Chinese recently published by our group, in combination with 97 North American samples from NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP), were reassessed. Metagenomic profiling of bacteria, fungi, and bacteriophages, as well as enriched function modules from three facial sites (forehead, cheek, and the back of the nose), was analyzed. The results revealed that skin microbial features were more alike in the forehead and cheek while varied from the back of the nose in terms of taxonomy and functionality. Analysis based on biogeographic theories suggested that neutral drift with niche selection from the host could possibly give rise to the variations. Of note, the abundance of porphyrin-producing species, i.e., Cutibacterium acnes, Cutibacterium avidum, Cutibacterium granulosum, and Cutibacterium namnetense, was all the highest in the back of the nose compared with the forehead/cheek, which was consistent with the highest porphyrin level on the nose in our population. Sequentially, the site-associated microbiome variance was confirmed in American populations; however, it was not entirely consistent. Furthermore, our data revealed correlation patterns between Propionibacterium acnes bacteriophages with genus Cutibacterium at different facial sites in both populations; however, C. acnes exhibited a distinct correlation with P. acnes bacteriophages in Americans/Chinese. Taken together, in this study, we explored the fine-scale facial site-associated changes in the skin microbiome and provided insight into the ecological processes underlying facial microbial variations.
Phosphorylation of plant virus proteins: Analysis methods and biological functions
Authors: Zhuang Xinjian , Guo Xiao , Gu Tianxiao , Xu Xiaowei , Qin Lang , Xu Kai , He Zhen , Zhang Kun
Published: July 2022

Phosphorylation is one of the most extensively investigated post-translational modifications that orchestrate a variety of cellular signal transduction processes. The phosphorylation of virus-encoded proteins plays an important regulatory role in the infection cycle of such viruses in plants. In recent years, molecular mechanisms underlying the phosphorylation of plant viral proteins have been widely studied. Based on recent publications, our study summarizes the phosphorylation analyses of plant viral proteins and categorizes their effects on biological functions according to the viral life cycle. This review provides a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of viral infection. Furthermore, it deepens our understanding of the biological functions of phosphorylation in the interactions between plants and viruses.
Generation of miniploid cells and improved natural transformation procedure for a model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942
Authors: Riaz Sadaf , Jiang Ying , Xiao Meng , You Dawei , Klepacz-Smółka Anna , Rasul Faiz , Daroch Maurycy
Published: July 2022

The biotechnologically important and naturally transformable cyanobacterium, Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942, possesses multiple genome copies irrespective of its growth rate or condition. Hence, segregating mutations across all genome copies typically takes several weeks. In this study, Synechococcus 7942 cultivation on a solid growth medium was optimised using different concentrations of agar, the addition of antioxidants, and overexpression of the catalase gene to facilitate the rapid acquisition of colonies and fully segregated lines. Synechococcus 7942 was grown at different temperatures and nutritional conditions. The miniploid cells were identified using flow cytometry and fluorimetry. The natural transformation was carried out using miniploid cells and validated with PCR and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We identified that 0.35% agar concentration and 200 IU of catalase could improve the growth of Synechococcus 7942 on a solid growth medium. Furthermore, overexpression of a catalase gene enhanced the growth rate and supported diluted culture to grow on a solid medium. Our results reveal that high temperature and phosphate-depleted cells contain the lowest genome copies (2.4 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.2) and showed the potential to rapidly produce fully segregated mutants. In addition, higher antibiotic concentrations improve the selection of homozygous transformants while maintaining similar genome copies at a constant temperature. Based on our observation, we have an improved cultivation and natural transformation protocol for Synechococcus 7942 by optimising solid media culturing, generating low-ploidy cells that ultimately reduced the time required for the complete segregation of engineered lines.
Reappraising host cellular factors involved in attachment and entry to develop antiviral strategies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus
Authors: Li Rui , Qiao Songlin , Zhang Gaiping
Published: July 2022

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV), is a highly contagious disease that brings tremendous economic losses to the global swine industry. As an intracellular obligate pathogen, PRRSV infects specific host cells to complete its replication cycle. PRRSV attachment to and entry into host cells are the first steps to initiate the replication cycle and involve multiple host cellular factors. In this review, we recapitulated recent advances on host cellular factors involved in PRRSV attachment and entry, and reappraised their functions in these two stages, which will deepen the understanding of PRRSV infection and provide insights to develop promising antiviral strategies against the virus.
Protein Kinase A in cellular migration—Niche signaling of a ubiquitous kinase
Authors: Svec Kathryn V. , Howe Alan K.
Published: July 2022

Cell migration requires establishment and maintenance of directional polarity, which in turn requires spatial heterogeneity in the regulation of protrusion, retraction, and adhesion. Thus, the signaling proteins that regulate these various structural processes must also be distinctly regulated in subcellular space. Protein Kinase A (PKA) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase involved in innumerable cellular processes. In the context of cell migration, it has a paradoxical role in that global inhibition or activation of PKA inhibits migration. It follows, then, that the subcellular regulation of PKA is key to bringing its proper permissive and restrictive functions to the correct parts of the cell. Proper subcellular regulation of PKA controls not only when and where it is active but also specifies the targets for that activity, allowing the cell to use a single, promiscuous kinase to exert distinct functions within different subcellular niches to facilitate cell movement. In this way, understanding PKA signaling in migration is a study in context and in the elegant coordination of distinct functions of a single protein in a complex cellular process.