bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La jardinera, emblemática comparsa carnavalesca del barrio “Jesús María” de la Habana en Cuba
Authors: Roach Eduardo Franscico Freyre , Lamar Adolfo Ramos , Cruz Jesse da
Published: April 2021

Las comparsas en los carnavales de Cuba son como las escuelas de samba en los carnavales del Brasil. A través del repertorio de ritmos, cantos y danzas que derrochan, se expresa el sentido de liberación corporal, emocional, y verbal de los artistas y el pueblo. La gente comparte su alegría, sus penas, así como su sentido de identidad y pertenencia comunitaria, nacional, gremial, racial, de género, familiar, y religiosa. Estas agrupaciones son portavoces de la disconformidad popular por los tabúes, y los estereotipos que atentan con las tradiciones y la prosperidad de la comunidad que representa. Este artículo trata de la comparsa “La Jardinera” del barrio de “Jesús María” en la Habana Vieja, emblemáticas comparsas de Cuba. Hablaremos del barrio y sus celebridades de la conga y la rumba.
The Association of Structural Inequities and Race With Out-of-Hospital Sudden Death During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Mountantonakis Stavros E. , Epstein Laurence M. , Coleman Kristie , Martinez Johanna , Saleh Moussa , Kvasnovsky Charlotte , Brown Rachel-Maria , McCulloch Elizabeth , Kuvin Jeffrey , Richardson Safiya , Makker Parth , Lesser Martin , Mieres Jennifer H. , Davidson Karina W. , Roswell Robert O. ,   on behalf of the Northwell COVID-19 Research Consortium
Published: April 2021

Background:

Social influencers of health namely race, ethnicity, and structural inequities are known to affect the incidence of out of hospital sudden death (OHSD). We sought to examine the association between social influencers of health and the incidence of OHSD in the diverse neighborhoods of New York City during the first wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.

Methods:

New York City ZIP stratified data on OHSD were obtained from the Fire Department of New York during the first wave of COVID-19 epidemic (March 1 to April 10, 2019) and the same period in 2020. To assess associates of OHSD, ZIP code-specific sociodemographic characteristics for 8 491 238 New York City residents were obtained via the US Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey and the New York Police Department’s crime statistics.

Results:

Between March 1 and April 10, 2020, the number of OHSD rose to 4334 from 1112 compared with the year prior. Of the univariate ZIP code level variables evaluated, proportions of Black race, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, single parent household, unemployed inhabitants, people completing less than high school education, inhabitants with no health insurance, people financially struggling or living in poverty, percent of noncitizens, and population density were associated with increased rates of OHSD within ZIP codes. In multivariable analysis, ZIP codes with higher proportions of inhabitants with less than high school education (
P
<0.001) and higher proportions of Black race (
P
=0.04) were independent predictors for increases in ZIP code rates of OHSD.

Conclusions:

Educational attainment and the proportion of Black race in New York City ZIP codes remained independent predictors of increased rates of ZIP code level OHSD during the COVID-19 outbreak even after controlling for 2019 rates. To facilitate health equity, future research should focus on characterizing the impacts of structural inequities while exploring strategies to mitigate their effects.
Philosophical vs. Biographical
Authors: Ranocchia Graziano
Published: April 2021

Greek works On Ways of Life have been seen to consist in either collections of biographies or proper philosophical treatises. Recently, a unitary reading of this literary phenomenon has been advanced, but some fundamental evidence has escaped attention. This evidence, along with what remains of Epicurus and Chrysippus’ Peri biōn, suggests that in antiquity this label actually encompassed two essentially different genres: a mostly biographical one, which was cultivated by fourth/third-century BC Peripatetic philosophers and imperial writers, and a moral-philosophical one, which was first developed by Epicurus and Chrysippus and then cultivated by Academic and Peripatetic thinkers in the Hellenistic period and in later centuries.
Political Authority and Local Agency: Cilicia Pedias and Syria between the Seleucid Empire and the Roman Republic
Authors: Jordan Bradley
Published: April 2021

This paper aims to show how local civic communities, nominally subject to the Seleucid dynasts, integrated Roman magistrates into an existing framework of authority during the late second and early first centuries BCE. I argue that as Roman magistrates played an increasingly significant role in the region, cities initially framed them in quasi-regal terms, which their interlocutors consciously accepted. Through a close reading of two Roman letters to the Cilician city of Mopsuestia, dated to 87 BCE (SEG 44.1227), and analysis of literary, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence for the final collapse of Seleucid authority in the early 60s BCE, I reveal that this was a locally driven process. Consequently, local agents played a critical role in both legitimising Roman hegemony in local contexts and encouraging Roman intervention within the region.
Free-living freshwater nematodes from Brazil: checklist of genera and regional patterns of diversity
Authors: de Oliveira Pinto Taciana Kramer , Netto Sérgio A. , Esteves André Morgado , de Castro Francisco José Victor , Neres Patricia Fernandes , da Silva Maria Cristina
Published: April 2021

Brazil has one of the largest varieties of aquatic ecosystems and rich freshwater biodiversity, but these components have constantly been damaged by the expansion of unsustainable activities. Free-living nematodes are an abundant and ubiquitous component of continental benthic communities, occurring in all freshwater habitats, including extreme environments. Despite this, hardly any studies have examined the generic composition of nematodes in different latitudes and the geographic overlap of assemblages. We provide data on nematode genera from six regions in Brazil, over a north-south gradient spanning about 4000 km, encompassing rivers, coastal lakes, and reservoirs with different levels of human impact. Interpolation/extrapolation curves were generated and the zeta diversity was used to assess the overlap of nematode assemblages. Freshwater nematode assemblages comprised 54 families and 132 genera. Mononchidae, Monhysteridae, Chromadoridae, Tobrilidae and Dorylaimidae were the most diverse families. Differences in diversity and high turnover of genera were found among regions, probably related to stochastic processes. Mononchus was the only widely distributed genus. Our results revealed a high biodiversity of free-living freshwater nematodes among the regions. The limited spatial coverage of the data reveals an enormous knowledge gap in a country with 12% of the world’s freshwater resources. The lack of spatial patterns, e.g., latitudinal variation, suggests that freshwater nematode assemblages are primarily structured by the intrinsic properties of habitats. This reinforces the uniqueness of freshwater ecosystems and suggests that the nematode assemblages may be sensitive to environmental disturbances, since the limited distributions of taxa may lead to lower resilience.
The Repetition of ‮אֶעֱנֶה‬‎ in MT Hosea 2:23
Authors: Gottlieb Leeor
Published: April 2021

The verb ‮אֶעֱנֶה‬‎ appears twice in MT Hos 2:23 construed with the same object, ‮הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם‬‎, while LXX does not reflect the first of its appearances. Many scholars regard the repetition in MT as a rhetorical device. The author, however, points to a distinction between this supposed rhetorical repetition and the examples of repetition adduced by scholars who make the case for Hos 2:23 being an intentional device. Furthermore, the study provides data demonstrating that the repetition in Hos 2:23 functions in a manner that is decidedly different than all other cases in the Bible in which the other Hebrew expressions surrounding the purported repetition appear. This study also offers two possible scenarios in which the verb may have been duplicated erroneously.
Memecylon pachaimalayanum (Melastomataceae)—a new species from the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu in India

Authors: RAJESH R. , VISWANATHAN M.B. , SILAMBARASAN R.
Published: April 2021

A new species, Memecylon pachaimalayanum (Melastomataceae) from Pachaimalai Hills in the Eastern Ghats region of Tamil Nadu in India is described and illustrated. It is compared with the closely related M. bremeri, M. kollimalayanum and M. lushingtonii. The Critically Endangered IUCN category is assigned based on the extent of distribution.
Revision of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Southern Vietnam, including two new species

Authors: LIN CHE-WEI , HSU TIAN-CHUAN , LUU HONG TRUONG , NGUYEN ICH LE PHUOC THANH , YANG TSUNG-YU ALECK , LI CHIA-WEI
Published: April 2021

The Begonia species occurring in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park (Lam Dong Province, southern Vietnam) are reviewed based on recent floristic field surveys. Five species were recognized from the montane forests, and two of which are new to science. The new species belong to Begonia sect. Platycentrum and are named as B. hongiaoensis C.W.Lin, T.C.Hsu & Luu and B. lamdongiana C.W.Lin, T.C.Hsu & Luu, repectively. Begonia hongiaoensis most closely resembles B. siamensis Gagnep from northern Thailand. Both species have a rhizomatous habit and bear ovate leaves. However, the new species differs by its stoloniferous habit, shallowly cordate leaf base and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers. Begonia lamdongiana is similar to B. coelocentroides Y.M.Shui & Z.D.Wei, a hairy leaf species of the same section in Yunnan of China, but is markedly distinct in its glabrous petioles, inflorescences, pedicels and ovaries, and larger bracts.
Two new species of Rhiginia Stål, 1859, with taxonomical notes on species in the “cruciata-group” of this genus and an updated key to the New World genera of Ectrichodiinae (Heteroptera, Reduviidae)
Authors: FORTHMAN MICHAEL , GIL-SANTANA HÉLCIO R.
Published: April 2021

Taxonomical and morphological notes on the species in the “cruciata-group” of Rhiginia Stål, 1859 (Heteroptera, Reduviidae, Ectrichodiinae, Ectrichodiini) are provided. Photographs of the type specimens of R. bimaculata Breddin, 1914, R. cinctiventris (Stål, 1872), R. crucifera (Stål, 1872), and R. crudelis Stål, 1862 are presented. Rhiginia lourdesae sp. nov. and Rhiginia nicholsae sp. nov. are described based on male specimens from Mexico and considered as members of the “cruciata-group”. We also provide an updated key to the New World genera of Ectrichodiinae that includes the genus Tribelocodia Weirauch, 2010 to reflect recent taxonomic changes to the classification of the subfamily.
A new skink of the genus Subdoluseps Freitas, Datta-Roy, Karanth, Grismer & Siler, 2019 (Squamata: Scincidae) from southern Vietnam
Authors: LE MANH VAN , NGUYEN VU DANG HOANG , PHAN HOA THI , RUJIRAWAN ATTAPOL , AOWPHOL ANCHALEE , VO THI-DIEU-HIEN , MURPHY ROBERT W. , NGUYEN SANG NGOC
Published: April 2021

We describe a new species of the genus Subdoluseps Freitas, Datta-Roy, Karanth, Grismer & Siler from a coastal area in southern Vietnam. Subdoluseps vietnamensis sp. nov. is characterized by the following morphological characters: medium size in adults (snout-vent length up to 48.7 mm); tail length/snout-vent length ratio 1.04; toes not reaching finger when limbs adpressed; 27–30 midbody scale rows, smooth; 55–57 paravertebral scales; 55–62 ventral scale rows; 64–74 subcaudal scales; frontoparietal scale single; four supraoculars; prefrontals not in contact with one another; two loreal scales; seven supralabials; ear-opening with two lobules on the anterior border; smooth lamellae beneath finger III 9 or 10 and toe IV 12–15; six enlarged precloacal scales; and four distinct black stripes on dorsum. The new species differs genetically from its closest congeners, S. bowringii (Günther) and S. frontoparietale (Taylor), by uncorrected p-distances of 10.0% and 9.5%, respectively in ND1 sequences, and clusters into the same matriline with these two congeners on the phylogenetic trees.
Building Community in the HIV Online Intervention Space: Lessons From the HealthMPowerment Intervention
Authors: Blackburn Natalie A. , Dong Willa , Threats Megan , Barry Megan , LeGrand Sara , Hightow-Weidman Lisa B. , Soni Karina , Pulley Deren V. , Bauermeister Jose A. , Muessig Kate
Published: April 2021

Background

Mobile health platforms can facilitate social support and address HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) stigma but pose challenges for intervention design and participant engagement. Giddens’s structuration theory, that individuals are shaped by—and shape—their communities through rules and resources that give them power to operate within these environments, provides a useful analytic framework for exploring these dynamic intervention spaces.

Method

Data were drawn from an online randomized controlled trial intervention (HealthMpowerment) for young Black men who have sex with men to reduce condomless anal intercourse. We applied a conversational analysis informed by structuration theory to 65 user-generated conversations that included stigma content. We aimed to understand how the interdependent relationship between the intervention space and participants’ contributions might contribute to behavior change.

Results

Thirty five intervention participants contributed to the analyzed conversations. Our analysis identified three types of conversational processes that may underlie behavior change: (1) Through intervention engagement, participants established norms and expectations that shaped their discussions; (2) participants used anecdotes and anonymity to reinforce norms; and (3) intervention staff members sought to improve engagement and build knowledge by initiating discussions and correcting misinformation, thus playing an integral role in the online community.

Conclusions

The lens of structuration theory usefully reveals potential behavior change mechanisms within the social interactions of an online intervention. Future design of these interventions to address HIV stigma should explicitly characterize the context in which individuals (study staff and participants) engage with one another in order to assess whether these processes are associated with improved intervention outcomes.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Length of Stay in Patients Hospitalized With Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus in the United States
Authors: Lekoubou Alain , Debroy Kunal , Bishu Kinfe G. , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is a severe complication of epilepsy, which typically requires extended hospitalization, resulting in substantial resource utilization, hospital expenditures, and patient costs. In this nationwide analysis, we examined hospital length of stay (LOS) patterns for GCSE, and the factors that influence prolonged LOS.

Methods:

We extracted data for adult patients (age 18 years and above) with a primary discharge diagnosis of GCSE from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2006-2014, the largest all-payer inpatient care database in the United States. We computed LOS (≤1, 2-6, and ≥7 days), overall, and across pre-specified patient-related, hospital-related, and healthcare system-related variables available in the NIS. We identified factors independently associated with prolonged hospitalization (2 or more days), using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results:

Of 57,832 discharged with a primary diagnosis of GCSE, 6,133 (10.7%) had a LOS ≤1 day, 27,327 (7.3%) stayed for 2-6 days, and 24,372 (42.1%) stayed for ≥7 days. After adjusting for confounders, patients who were older, female, Black, and Hispanic, who underwent continuous EEG video monitoring, were Medicare beneficiaries, had medical comorbidities, or were admitted to large/urban hospitals, were all significantly more likely to have prolonged LOS.

Conclusion:

Over 40% of patients hospitalized for GCSE in the United States spend at least a week in the hospital. Efforts to shorten hospitalization for GCSE may need to primarily focus on patient groups with select sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.
Strategy, business model, and innovation at Rivigo: Is Relay-as-a-Service the way forward?
Authors: Balodi Krishna Chandra , Jain Rahul , Das Rituparna
Published: April 2021

This case documents the journey of Rivigo from being a humble logistics vendor to a unicorn in a short span of 5 years. The case provides information on the evolving landscape – regulatory, economic, substitutes, suppliers, and customers – of the Indian logistics industry including intensely competitive tech-based start-ups bent on disrupting the traditional industry normal. The case then notes Rivigo’s reliance on driver and customer-friendly technology-driven processes and solutions, and product diversification choices as key to its competitive success. The case ends with questions about strategic choices that can help Rivigo keep up its growth trajectory.
Fluoropyrimdine therapy induced alterations in interleukins expression in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Fouad Mariam A , Salem Salem E , Osman Afaf S , Badr Doaa M , Hussein Marwa M , Zekri Abdelrahman N , Hafez Hafez F , Kamel Mahmoud M , Shouman Samia A
Published: April 2021

This study monitored the changes in the expression of inflammatory IL-6 and IL-1β during the treatment period of Fluoropyrimidine (FP) based therapy. RNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 102 CRC patients before treatment with FP therapy, and from 48 and 32 patients after 3 and 6 months of treatment, respectively. The genetic transcription of IL-6 and IL-1β was determined by real time PCR. Patients were stratified according to their levels of IL-6 and IL-1β genes expression for subgroup and survival analyses. Baseline CRC patients showed overexpression of IL-6 and IL-1β compared to healthy control. FP therapy significantly induced IL-6 and IL-1β expression. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with right colon tumors had significant elevation in both IL-6 and IL-1β with FP therapy. FP therapy significantly induced IL-1β expression in patients ⩽45 years, smokers, with high baseline level of CA19.9, right colon tumors, low grade pathology, T3 tumors and positive lymph nodes. Survival analysis showed that baseline levels of interleukins expression had insignificant effect on overall survival and event free survival. FP therapy has an impact on the level of interleukins expression declared in certain clinicopathological subgroups of CRC patients, but without a prognostic significance on patients’ survival.
Preoperative prognostic nutritional index as a predictive factor for medical complication after cervical posterior decompression surgery: A multicenter study
Authors: Kurosu Kenta , Oe Shin , Hasegawa Tomohiko , Shimizu Satoshi , Yoshida Go , Kobayashi Sho , Fujita Tomotada , Yamada Tomohiro , Ide Koichiro , Watanabe Yuh , Nakai Keiichi , Yamato Yu , Yasuda Tatsuya , Banno Tomohiro , Arima Hideyuki , Mihara Yuki , Ushirozako Hiroki , Matsuyama Yukihiro
Published: April 2021

Study design:

Retrospective longitudinal cohort study.

Objective:

To investigate postoperative medical complications in patients with malnutrition after cervical posterior surgery.

Methods:

A total of 256 patients were participated and divided into PNI < 50 group (group L) or PNI ≥ 50 (group H). Patient data, preoperative laboratory data, surgical data, hospitalization data, JOA score, complication data were measured.

Results:

Group L and group H were 127 and 129 patients, each PNI was L: 44.8 ± 4.3, H: 54.6 ± 4.0, P < 0.01. There was significant difference in mean age (L: 72.2 years vs H: 64.8 years, P < 0.01), BMI (23.1 vs 24.7, P < 0.01), serum albumin (L: 3.9 ± 0.4 g/dl vs H: 4.4 ± 0.3 g/dl, P < 0.01), total lymphocyte count (L: 1.3 ± 0.5 103/µL vs H: 2.1 ± 0.7 103/μL, P < 0.01), hospital stay (L: 25.0 days vs H: 18.8 days, P < 0.05), discharge to home (87.5% vs 57.5%, P < 0.01), delirium (L: 15.9% vs H: 3.9%, P < 0.01), medical complications (L: 25.2% vs H: 7.0%, P < 0.01), pre- and post- operative JOA score (L: 11.3 ± 2.8 vs H: 12.4 ± 2.6, P < 0.01; L: 13.3 ± 3.0 vs H: 14.1 ± 2.4, P = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that significant risk factors for medical complications were PNI<50 (P = 0.024, odds ratio [OR] 2.746, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.143–6.600) and age (P = 0.005, odds ratio [OR] 1.064, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.020–1.111).

Conclusion:

Medical complications are significantly higher in patients with PNI < 50 and higher age. The results showed that PNI is a good indicator for perioperative medical complications in cervical posterior surgery. Improvement of preoperative nutritional status is important to avoid medical complications.

Level of evidence:

3
Bacterial avidins are a widely distributed protein family in Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes
Authors: Laitinen Olli H. , Kuusela Tanja P. , Kukkurainen Sampo , Nurminen Anssi , Sinkkonen Aki , Hytönen Vesa P.
Published: April 2021

Background

Avidins are biotin-binding proteins commonly found in the vertebrate eggs. In addition to streptavidin from Streptomyces avidinii, a growing number of avidins have been characterized from divergent bacterial species. However, a systematic research concerning their taxonomy and ecological role has never been done. We performed a search for avidin encoding genes among bacteria using available databases and classified potential avidins according to taxonomy and the ecological niches utilized by host bacteria.

Results

Numerous avidin-encoding genes were found in the phyla Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. The diversity of protein sequences was high and several new variants of genes encoding biotin-binding avidins were found. The living strategies of bacteria hosting avidin encoding genes fall mainly into two categories. Human and animal pathogens were overrepresented among the found bacteria carrying avidin genes. The other widespread category were bacteria that either fix nitrogen or live in root nodules/rhizospheres of plants hosting nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Conclusions

Bacterial avidins are a taxonomically and ecologically diverse group mainly found in Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, associated often with plant invasiveness. Avidin encoding genes in plasmids hint that avidins may be horizontally transferred. The current survey may be used as a basis in attempts to understand the ecological significance of biotin-binding capacity.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of the newly discovered insect vector of the pine wood nematode in China, revealing putative genes related to host plant adaptation
Authors: Hou Zehai , Shi Fengming , Ge Sixun , Tao Jing , Ren Lili , Wu Hao , Zong Shixiang
Published: April 2021

Background

In many insect species, the larvae/nymphs are unable to disperse far from the oviposition site selected by adults. The Sakhalin pine sawyer Monochamus saltuarius (Gebler) is the newly discovered insect vector of the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in China. Adult M. saltuarius prefers to oviposit on the host plant Pinus koraiensis, rather than P. tabuliformis. However, the genetic basis of adaptation of the larvae of M. saltuarius with weaken dispersal ability to host environments selected by the adult is not well understood.

Results

In this study, the free amino and fatty acid composition and content of the host plants of M. saltuarius larvae, i.e., P. koraiensis and P. tabuliformis were investigated. Compared with P. koraiensis, P. tabuliformis had a substantially higher content of various free amino acids, while the opposite trend was detected for fatty acid content. The transcriptional profiles of larval populations feeding on P. koraiensis and P. tabuliformis were compared using PacBio Sequel II sequencing combined with Illumina sequencing. The results showed that genes relating to digestion, fatty acid synthesis, detoxification, oxidation-reduction, and stress response, as well as nutrients and energy sensing ability, were differentially expressed, possibly reflecting adaptive changes of M. saltuarius in response to different host diets. Additionally, genes coding for cuticle structure were differentially expressed, indicating that cuticle may be a potential target for plant defense. Differential regulation of genes related to the antibacterial and immune response were also observed, suggesting that larvae of M. saltuarius may have evolved adaptations to cope with bacterial challenges in their host environments.

Conclusions

The present study provides comprehensive transcriptome resource of M. saltuarius relating to host plant adaptation. Results from this study help to illustrate the fundamental relationship between transcriptional plasticity and adaptation mechanisms of insect herbivores to host plants.
Evolutionary research on the expansin protein family during the plant transition to land provides new insights into the development of Tartary buckwheat fruit
Authors: Sun Wenjun , Yu Haomiao , Liu Moyang , Ma Zhaotang , Chen Hui
Published: April 2021

Background

Plant transitions to land require robust cell walls for regulatory adaptations and to resist changing environments. Cell walls provide essential plasticity for plant cell division and defense, which are often conferred by the expansin superfamily with cell wall-loosening functions. However, the evolutionary mechanisms of expansin during plant terrestrialization are unclear.

Results

Here, we identified 323 expansin proteins in 12 genomes from algae to angiosperms. Phylogenetic evolutionary, structural, motif gain and loss and Ka/Ks analyses indicated that highly conserved expansin proteins were already present in algae and expanded and purified after plant terrestrialization. We found that the expansion of the FtEXPA subfamily was caused by duplication events and that the functions of certain duplicated genes may have differentiated. More importantly, we generated space-time expression profiles and finally identified five differentially expressedFtEXPsin both large and small fruit Tartary buckwheat that may regulate fruit size by responding to indoleacetic acid.

Conclusions

A total of 323 expansin proteins from 12 representative plants were identified in our study during terrestrialization, and the expansin family that originated from algae expanded rapidly after the plants landed. The EXPA subfamily has more members and conservative evolution in angiosperms.FtEXPA1,FtEXPA11,FtEXPA12,FtEXPA19andFtEXPA24can respond to indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) signals and regulate fruit development. Our study provides a blueprint for improving the agronomic traits of Tartary buckwheat and a reference for defining the evolutionary history of the expansin family during plant transitions to land.
Meta-analysis suggests the microbiome responds to Evolve and Resequence experiments in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Henry Lucas P. , Ayroles Julien F.
Published: April 2021

Background

Experimental evolution has a long history of uncovering fundamental insights into evolutionary processes, but has largely neglected one underappreciated component--the microbiome. As eukaryotic hosts evolve, the microbiome may also respond to selection. However, the microbial contribution to host evolution remains poorly understood. Here, we re-analyzed genomic data to characterize the metagenomes from ten Evolve and Resequence (E&R) experiments in Drosophila melanogaster to determine how the microbiome changed in response to host selection.

Results

Bacterial diversity was significantly different in 5/10 studies, primarily in traits associated with metabolism or immunity. Duration of selection did not significantly influence bacterial diversity, highlighting the importance of associations with specific host traits.

Conclusions

Our genomic re-analysis suggests the microbiome often responds to host selection; thus, the microbiome may contribute to the response of Drosophila in E&R experiments. We outline important considerations for incorporating the microbiome into E&R experiments. The E&R approach may provide critical insights into host-microbiome interactions and fundamental insight into the genomic basis of adaptation.
N/OFQ modulates orofacial pain induced by tooth movement through CGRP-dependent pathways
Authors: Yan Xinyu , Han Han , Zhang Shizhen , Lu Yanzhu , Ren Linghuan , Tang Yufei , Li Xiaolong , Jian Fan , Wang Yan , Long Hu , Lai Wenli
Published: April 2021

Background

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) has been revealed to play bidirectional roles in orofacial pain modulation. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a well-known pro-nociceptive molecule that participates in the modulation of orofacial pain. We aimed to determine the effects of N/OFQ on the modulation of orofacial pain and on the release of CGRP.

Methods

Orofacial pain model was established by ligating springs between incisors and molars in rats for the simulation of tooth movement. The expression level of N/OFQ was determined and pain level was scored in response to orofacial pain. Both agonist and antagonist of N/OFQ receptor were administered to examine their effects on pain and the expression of CGRP in trigeminal ganglia (TG). Moreover, gene therapy based on the overexpression of N/OFQ was delivered to validate the modulatory role of N/OFQ on pain and CGRP expression.

Results

Tooth movement elicited orofacial pain and an elevation in N/OFQ expression. N/OFQ exacerbated orofacial pain and upregulated CGRP expression in TG, while UFP-101 alleviated pain and downregulated CGRP expression. N/OFQ-based gene therapy was successful in overexpressing N/OFQ in TG, which resulted in pain exacerbation and elevation of CGRP expression in TG.

Conclusions

N/OFQ exacerbated orofacial pain possibly through upregulating CGRP.
Knockout of the entire family of AITR genes in Arabidopsis leads to enhanced drought and salinity tolerance without fitness costs
Authors: Chen Siyu , Zhang Na , Zhou Ganghua , Hussain Saddam , Ahmed Sajjad , Tian Hainan , Wang Shucai
Published: April 2021

Backgorund

Environmental stresses including abiotic stresses and biotic stresses limit yield of plants. Stress-tolerant breeding is an efficient way to improve plant yield under stress conditions. Genome editing by CRISPR/Cas9 can be used in molecular breeding to improve agronomic traits in crops, but in most cases, with fitness costs. The plant hormone ABA regulates plant responses to abiotic stresses via signaling transduction. We previously identified AITRs as a family of novel transcription factors that play a role in regulating plant responses to ABA and abiotic stresses. We found that abiotic stress tolerance was increased in the single, double and triple aitr mutants. However, it is unclear if the increased abiotic stress tolerance in the mutants may have fitness costs.

Results

We report here the characterization of AITRs as suitable candidate genes for CRISPR/Cas9 editing to improve plant stress tolerance. By using CRISPR/Cas9 to target AITR3 and AITR4 simultaneously in the aitr256 triple and aitr1256 quadruple mutants respectively, we generated Cas9-free aitr23456 quintuple and aitr123456 sextuple mutants. We found that reduced sensitivities to ABA and enhanced tolerance to drought and salt were observed in these mutants. Most importantly, plant growth and development was not affected even in the aitr123456 sextuple mutants, in whom the entire AITR family genes have been knocked out, and the aitr123456 sextuple mutants also showed a wild type response to the pathogen infection.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that knockout of the AITR family genes in Arabidopsis enhanced abiotic stress tolerance without fitness costs. Considering that knock-out a few AITRs will lead to enhanced abiotic stress tolerance, that AITRs are widely distributed in angiosperms with multiple encoding genes, AITRs may be targeted for molecular breeding to improve abiotic stress tolerance in plants including crops.
Poplar protease inhibitor expression differs in an herbivore specific manner
Authors: Eberl Franziska , Fabisch Thomas , Luck Katrin , Köllner Tobias G. , Vogel Heiko , Gershenzon Jonathan , Unsicker Sybille B.
Published: April 2021

Background

Protease inhibitors are defense proteins widely distributed in the plant kingdom. By reducing the activity of digestive enzymes in insect guts, they reduce the availability of nutrients and thus impair the growth and development of the attacking herbivore. One well-characterized class of protease inhibitors are Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitors (KTIs), which have been described in various plant species, including Populus spp. Long-lived woody perennials like poplar trees encounter a huge diversity of herbivores, but the specificity of tree defenses towards different herbivore species is hardly studied. We therefore aimed to investigate the induction of KTIs in black poplar (P. nigra) leaves upon herbivory by three different chewing herbivores, Lymantria dispar and Amata mogadorensis caterpillars, and Phratora vulgatissima beetles.

Results

We identified and generated full-length cDNA sequences of 17 KTIs that are upregulated upon herbivory in black poplar leaves, and analyzed the expression patterns of the eight most up-regulated KTIs via qRT-PCR. We found that beetles elicited higher transcriptional induction of KTIs than caterpillars, and that both caterpillar species induced similar KTI expression levels. Furthermore, KTI expression strongly correlated with the trypsin-inhibiting activity in the herbivore-damaged leaves, but was not dependent on damage severity, i.e. leaf area loss, for most of the genes.

Conclusions

We conclude that the induction of KTIs in black poplar is controlled at the transcriptional level in a threshold-based manner and is strongly influenced by the species identity of the herbivore. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and ecological consequences of these patterns remain to be investigated.
Circ_0003266 sponges miR-503-5p to suppress colorectal cancer progression via regulating PDCD4 expression
Authors: Wen Caihong , Feng Xiaoqing , Yuan Honggang , Gong Yong , Wang Guangsheng
Published: April 2021

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) feature prominently in tumor progression. However, the biological function and molecular mechanism of circ_0003266 in colorectal cancer (CRC) require further investigation.

Methods

Circ_0003266 expression in 46 pairs CRC tissues / adjacent tissues, and CRC cell lines was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR); after circ_0003266 was overexpressed or knocked down in CRC cells, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively; the interaction among circ_0003266, miR-503-5p, and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) was confirmed using bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay; PDCD4 protein expression in CRC cells was quantified using Western blot.

Results

Circ_0003266 was significantly lowly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines. Circ_0003266 overexpression markedly repressed CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accelerated the cell apoptosis, but its overexpression promoted the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells. PDCD4 was a direct target of miR-503-5p and circ_0003266 promoted PDCD4 expression by competitively sponging miR-503-5p.

Conclusion

Circ_0003266 suppresses the CRC progression via sponging miR-503-5p and regulating PDCD4 expressions, which suggests that circ_0003266 may serve as a novel target for the treatment of CRC.
Gene expression and immune infiltration in melanoma patients with different mutation burden
Authors: Wang Liwei , Chen Fu , Liu Rui , Shi Lei , Zhao Guosheng , Yan Zhengjian
Published: April 2021

Background

Immunotherapy is a vital component in cancer treatment. However, due to the complex genetic bases of cancer, a clear prediction index for efficacy has not been established. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) is one of the essential factors that affect immunotherapeutic efficacies, but it has not been determined whether the mutation is associated with the survival of Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) patients. This study aimed at evaluating the correlation between TMB and immune infiltration.

Methods

Somatic mutation profiles (n = 467), transcriptome data (n = 471), and their clinical information (n = 447) of all SKCM samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. For each sample, TMB was calculated as the number of variants per megabase. Based on K-M survival analysis, they were allocated into the high-TMB and low-TMB groups (the optimal cutoff was determined by the ‘surv_cutpoint’ algorithm of survival R package). Then, Gene ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analyses (GSEA) were performed, with immune-associated biological pathways found to be significantly enriched in the low-TMB group. Therefore, immune genes that were differentially expressed between the two groups were evaluated in Cox regression to determine their prognostic values, and a four-gene TMB immune prognostic model (TMB-IP) was constructed.

Results

Elevated TMB levels were associated with better survival outcomes in SKCM patients. Based on the cutoff value in OS analysis, they were divided into high-TMB and low-TMB groups. GSEA revealed that the low-TMB group was associated with immunity while intersection analysis revealed that there were 38 differentially expressed immune-related genes between the two groups. Four TMB-associated immune genes were used to construct a TMB-IP model. The AUC of the ROC curve of this model reached a maximum of 0.75 (95%CI, 0.66–0.85) for OS outcomes. Validation in each clinical subgroup confirmed the efficacy of the model to distinguish between high and low TMB-IP score patients.

Conclusions

In SKCM patients, low TMB was associated with worse survival outcomes and enriched immune-associated pathways. The four TMB-associated immune genes model can effectively distinguish between high and low-risk patients.
Association of ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 polymorphisms in the 3′-UTR with astrocytoma risk and prognosis in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Wang Tuo , Sun Yao , Xiong Zichao , Wu Jiamin , Ding Xiaoying , Guo Xiaoye , Shao Yuan
Published: April 2021

Background

Astrocytoma is a common type of central nervous system tumor. In this study, we investigated the correlation between ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 polymorphisms and the risk and prognosis of astrocytoma.

Methods

A total of 365 astrocytoma patients and 379 healthy controls were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY system. The correlation between ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 variants and astrocytoma risk was calculated using logistic regression. The survival rate of patients with astrocytoma was analyzed to evaluate prognosis.

Results

We found that the ST6GAL1-rs2239611 significantly decreased the risk of astrocytoma in the codominant model (p = 0.044) and dominant model (p = 0.049). In stratified analyses, CYP19A1-rs2255192 might be associated with a higher risk of astrocytoma among the low-grade subgroup under recessive (p = 0.034) and additive (p = 0.030) models. However, CYP19A1-rs4646 had a risk-decreasing effect on the high-grade subgroup in the codominant model (p = 0.044). The results of Cox regression analysis showed that the CYP19A1-rs2239611 and -rs1042757 polymorphisms were significantly correlated with the prognosis of astrocytoma.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that ST6GAL1 and CYP19A1 genes may be a potential biomarker of genetic susceptibility and prognosis to astrocytoma in the Chinese Han population.
A data-driven approach for the discovery of biomarkers associated with thyroid eye disease
Authors: Zou Huihui , Xu Weiwei , Wang Ying , Wang Zhihong
Published: April 2021

Background

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is the most common autoimmune disease and usually occurs in patients with hyperthyroidism. In this disease, eye-related tissue, such as eye muscles, eyelids, tear glands, etc., become inflated, which causes the eyes and eyelids to become red, swollen, and uncomfortable. The pathophysiology of this disease is still poorly known.

Aim

This study aims to discover potential biomarkers and regulatory pathways of TED which will not only help to diagnose the disease and understand orbital involvement in thyroid dysfunction but also provide an insight for better therapeutics.

Methods

We applied a data-driven approach by combining gene biomarkers both from published literature and computationally predicted from microarray gene expression data. Further, the DAVID tool is used for Gene Ontology-based enrichment analysis.

Results

We obtained a total of 22 gene biomarkers, including 18 semi-automatically curated from the literature and 4 predicted using data-driven approaches, involved in the pathogenesis of TED that can be used as potential information for therapeutic targets. Further, we constructed a regulatory pathway of TED biomarkers comprises of 310 connected components, and 1134 interactions using four prominent interaction databases.

Conclusion

This constructed pathway can be further utilized for disease dynamics and simulation studies.
Determinants of student’s physical activity: a 12-month follow-up study in Ningxia province
Authors: Huang Wei , Shi Xiangrong , Wang Yujie , Li Xiaoling , Gao Pengpeng , Lu Jieguo , Zhuang Jie
Published: April 2021

Background

Physical activity has many health benefits for children and adolescents. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity in school-aged children and adolescents remains high in China. Many factors impact the levels of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among students. This study investigated the factors associated with students’ MVPA levels and the determinants of changes in their MVPA behaviour.

Methods

This is a longitudinal study with a 12-month follow-up. The study samples were obtained from 2016 and 2017 Physical Activity and Fitness in China—The Youth Study, and they included 1597 students (aged 9–18 years) from 31 primary, junior high, and high schools in Ningxia Province. Factors related to the individual (Age, Sex, BMI and attitude to PA), school (school exercise facility, PE class, teacher support, PA time and PA environment) and neighbourhood (free skill training, sport events, sport organization, sport facility) factors were measured via questionnaire at baseline and after 12 months. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the factors that impact students’ MVPA level and the determinants of changes in students’ MVPA behaviour.

Results

There was no difference in students’ MVPA levels between 2016 and 2017. Boys were more physically active than girls at baseline (RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10, 2.20). Neighbourhood factors associated students’ MVPA levels were significant, but all of these factors (neighbourhood sport events, organizations, facilities, etc.) were removed from the longitudinal model. Individual and school factors were important for students’ MVPA maintenance and positive development (e.g., gender, attitude, school PE class and PA time).

Conclusions

In conclusion, both neighbourhood and school factors may affect students’ MVPA, but school appears to plays a more critical role in maintaining and promoting students’ MVPA levels. In addition, individual factors may be more important than school and neighbourhood factors in influencing students’ MVPA levels. Our research demonstrates that students’ attitudes towards PA and school factors should be considered targets for future intervention programmes to promote MVPA. More education programmes may help enhance students’ attitudes towards PA, but more studies with large samples and objective assessments are needed to explore the determinants of MVPA.
Ethnic inequalities in older adults bowel cancer awareness: findings from a community survey conducted in an ethnically diverse region in England
Authors: Kerrison Robert S. , Prentice Andrew , Marshall Sarah , Choglay Sameer , Levitan Michael , Alter Marsha , Ghanouni Alex , McGregor Lesley , von Wagner Christian
Published: April 2021

Background

To date, research exploring the public’s awareness of bowel cancer has taken place with predominantly white populations. To enhance our understanding of how bowel cancer awareness varies between ethnic groups, and inform the development of targeted interventions, we conducted a questionnaire study across three ethnically diverse regions in Greater London, England.

Methods

Data were collected using an adapted version of the bowel cancer awareness measure. Eligible adults were individuals, aged 60+ years, who were eligible for screening. Participants were recruited and surveyed, verbally, by staff working at 40 community pharmacies in Northwest London, the Harrow Somali association, and St. Mark’s Bowel Cancer Screening Centre. Associations between risk factor, symptom and screening awareness scores and ethnicity were assessed using multivariate regression.

Results

1013 adults, aged 60+ years, completed the questionnaire; half were of a Black, Asian or Minority ethnic group background (n = 507; 50.0%). Participants recognised a mean average of 4.27 of 9 symptoms and 3.99 of 10 risk factors. Symptom awareness was significantly lower among all ethnic minority groups (all p’s < 0.05), while risk factor awareness was lower for Afro-Caribbean and Somali adults, specifically (both p’s < 0.05). One in three adults (n = 722; 29.7%) did not know there is a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Bowel screening awareness was particularly low among Afro-Caribbean and Somali adults (both p’s < 0.05).

Conclusion

Awareness of bowel cancer symptoms, risk factors and screening varies by ethnicity. Interventions should be targeted towards specific groups for whom awareness of screening and risk factors is low.