bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anthropogenic and biological sound effects on the maternal care behavior of a key crab species
Authors: Sal Moyano María Paz , Ceraulo Maria , Luppi Tomás , Gavio María Andrea , Buscaino Giuseppa
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Maternal care in marine decapods involves eggs caring in the brood compartment until the larvae hatch. This behavior mainly allows embryo mass oxygen supply, ensuring healthy embryonic development. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of different sound sources (anthropogenic and biologic) and their temporal patterns (low and high rate: 1 min of the sound stimulus + 5 min of silence and 1 min of the sound stimulus + 1 min of silence, respectively) on the maternal care of the key crab species, Neohelice granulata.

Methods

In the laboratory, three acoustic stimuli were played back: an artificial white noise (10 Hz – 20 kHz), and two sounds obtained from the crabs´ natural habitat, motorboat passages and biological signals from a crabs’ predator fish. Three behavioral variables were quantified: still position, and two maternal care behaviors: abdominal flapping and chelae probing.

Results

Results demonstrated that the high rate anthropogenic stimuli, white noise and motorboat, affected all behavioral variables, increasing the still position and diminishing the maternal care behaviors. Otherwise, the predatory stimulus did not affect the still position although diminished the maternal care behaviors (high rate).

Discussion

The different behavioral response depending on the sound stimuli may indicate that crabs distinguish sound sources. The anthropogenic noise is suggested to cause distraction that is linked to the increased still position, while the predator stimulus would be associated with an alert behavior not affecting the locomotion behavior. The sound stimuli effect on the maternal care behavior revealed a negative effect that potentially could affect offspring survival. This is important considering the ecosystem engineering function of the studied key crab species. The reduction of the noise emission pattern rate is suggested as a mitigation action to diminish sound impact effects in the crab’s natural habitat. The study contributes the first to assessing the effect of different sound sources on the maternal care behavior of a crustacean species.
Macrofauna community of the cold seep area at Site F, South China Sea
Authors: Wang Haining , Wang Xiaocheng , Cao Lei , Zhong Zhaoshan , Luan Zhendong , Li Chaolun
Published: January 2023

A cold seep is one of the typical deep-sea chemical energy ecosystems and a hotspot for studying unique life processes and biogeochemical cycles in the deep sea. Macrofauna, which is one of the most important components of the cold seep ecosystem, has not been thoroughly studied. We examined the macrofauna community at Site F using images collected in 2016 by an imaging and laser profiling system and biological samples collected in 2020 and 2021 by TV grab and a remotely operated vehicle. In total, 41 species were found. The overall number of macrofauna identified at Site F (20,000 m2) reached 252,943 individuals, and the biomass reached 726.15 kg by dry weight. As the dominant species, Gigantidas platifrons and Shinkaia crosnieri reached their highest densities of 629 and 396 individuals/m2, respectively. The comparisons between different stations revealed that the diversity and density, even the biomass of dominant species, were much higher in the south than in the north at Site F in 2020. Correlation analysis showed that methane had a positive effect on macrofauna density. Compared with S. crosnieri, G. platifrons seems to be more adapted to the harsh cold seep environment. Methane consumption rates of the dominant species show that macrofauna are important in influencing seafloor methane fluxes. Our findings provide valuable insights into the ecology, community structure, and biota-environment interaction in the cold seep at Site F.
Initial results on the variation of whistle characteristics of bottlenose dolphins from two neighbouring regions of the Mediterranean Sea: Northern Ionian and Southern Adriatic Sea
Authors: Akkaya Aylin , Awbery Tim , Medcalf Kirsty , Lyne Patrick , Cipriano Giulia , Alvarenga Morgana , İsrapilova Leyla , Atalan Yağmur , Eikelenboom Olivier , Ricci Pasquale , Crugliano Roberto , Papale Elena , Fanizza Carmelo , Carlucci Roberto
Published: January 2023

Bottlenose dolphins have a complex vocal repertoire that varies depending on behavioral context, social structure, group composition, and anthropogenic pressures. This current study describes the whistle characteristics of bottlenose dolphins for the first time in the South Adriatic Sea while assessing the potential differences between whistle characteristics of geographically separated dolphins within neighbouring waters of the North Ionian Sea. The results show that whistle characteristics were similar between Taranto Gulf (Italy) and Boka Bay (Montenegro), despite their spatial differences. The mean peak frequency was 10kHz for each study location while the mean minimum and maximum frequency ranged from 7 to 14kHz. The average duration of whistles was 500 milliseconds. These results share similarities with previous literature, although several studies reported slightly different mean peak frequencies, ranging up to 15kHz in the neighbouring waters of Croatia and Italy. Further, harmonics were produced and formed in 40% of the whistles in Taranto Gulf and 30% of the whistles in Boka Bay. A high incidence of harmonics has previously been associated with behavioral states (i.e., travelling) and with certain types of marine traffic (i.e., fishing vessels). Therefore, it is important to collect simultaneous data on the visual behavior of the focal group as well as document the type and density of marine traffic within the proximity of the dolphins to have an in-depth understanding of vocal behavior. Despite the similarities of whistle characteristics of Taranto and Boka Bay, the whistle contours showed notable variations. Upsweep whistles were the most regularly produced whistle type in each location, which coincides with previous studies in the Mediterranean Sea. However, the least produced whistle had a concave contour in Taranto and was flat in Boka Bay. Previous studies have confirmed that flat whistles account for the least produced whistle contour in the Mediterranean Basin. Examining the whistle characteristics and the variation in whistle contours provides an in-depth understanding of the behavioral complexity as well as its plasticity in the presence of pressure. Therefore, future studies need to include behavior, group composition, noise levels, and human presence to enable an effective understanding of variation in whistle characteristics of bottlenose dolphins.
Susceptibility of kuruma shrimp to the infection with Decapod iridescent virus 1
Authors: Qiu Liang , Guo Xiao-Meng , Feng Yong-Hui , Xing Jing-Yi , Ren Xian-Yun , Huang Jie
Published: January 2023

Infection with Decapod iridescent virus 1 (iDIV1), an important emerging disease of shrimps and crabs, has been included in the Quarterly Aquatic Animal Disease Report (QAAD) by the Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA) and listed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). China has classified iDIV1 as a Class II animal pandemic disease. In the present study, to determine the susceptibility of Penaeus japonicus to Decapod iridescent virus 1 (DIV1), healthy kuruma shrimp were artificially infected with DIV1 (isolate SHIV 20141215) by per os (the pathway that mimics natural transmission) and intramuscular injection (invasive pathway). The infected P. japonicus showed clinical signs such as anorexia, retardation, evident reddish body, swollen and whitish lymphoid organs, and mortalities of almost 100%. Real-time PCR showed that all the challenged individuals by per os or intramuscular routes were DIV1-positive with an average virus load between 10(9.09 ± 0.58) and 10(8.94 ± 0.45) copies/μg-DNA, respectively. Histological examination revealed karyopyknosis, and eosinophilic inclusions and minute basophilic stains were combined in lymphoid organs, hematopoietic tissue and gills of diseased individuals. In addition, lymphoid organs showed disorganization of the tubule matrix. In situ DIG-labeling loop-mediated isothermal amplification (ISDL) also demonstrated the presence of DIV1 signals existed in lymphoid organs, hemopoietic tissue, gills, epithelial tissue, hepatopancreas and muscle. Ultrathin sections examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of DIV1 virions, the virogenic stroma, and the nucleocapsid production process in infected cells. In addition, pathogen surveillance of cultured samples showed that the DIV1 detection rate of farmed P. japonicus samples from five coastal provinces in China was 5.3% (9/157) in 2022. The results mentioned above support that P. japonicus is a newly confirmed susceptible host for DIV1, enhancing the pathogen ecological understanding of pathogens and giving more support for developing DIV1 preventive and control strategies.
Mutational characterization of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 lineages circulating in Chhattisgarh, a central state of India
Authors: Singh Pushpendra , Sharma Kuldeep , Shaw Dipika , Bhargava Anudita , Negi Sanjay Singh
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The emergence of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant from various states of India in early 2022 has caused fear of its rapid spread. The lack of such reports from Chhattisgarh (CG), a central state in India, has prompted us to identify the Omicron circulating lineages and their mutational dynamics.

Materials and methods

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 was performed in 108 SARS-CoV-2 positive combined samples of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs obtained from an equal number of patients.

Results

All 108 SARS-CoV-2 sequences belonged to Omicron of clade 21L (84%), 22B (11%), and 22D (5%). BA.2 and its sub-lineages were predominantly found in 93.5% of patients, BA.5.2 and its sub-lineage BA.5.2.1 in 4.6% of patients, and B.1.1.529 in 2% of patients. Various BA.2 sub-lineages identified were BA.2 (38%), BA.2.38 (32%), BA.2.75 (9.25%), BA.2.56, BA.2.76, and BA.5.2.1 (5% each), BA.2.74 (4.6%), BA.5.2.1 (3.7%), BA.2.43 and B.1.1.529 (1.8% each), and BA.5.2 (0.9%). Maximum mutations were noticed in the spike (46), followed by the nucleocapsid (5), membrane (3), and envelope (2) genes. Mutations detected in the spike gene of different Omicron variants were BA.1.1.529 (32), BA.2 (44), BA.2.38 (37), BA.2.43 (38), BA.2.56 (30), BA.2.74 (31), BA.2.75 (37), BA.2.76 (32), BA.5.2, and BA.5.2.1 (38 similar mutations). The spike gene showed the signature mutations of T19I and V213G in the N-terminal domain (NTD), S373P, S375F, T376A, and D405N in receptor-binding domain (RBD), D614G, H655Y, N679K, and P681H at the furin cleavage site, N764K and D796K in fusion peptide, and Q954H and N969K in heptapeptide repeat sequence (HR)1. Notably, BA.2.43 exhibited a novel mutation of E1202Q in the C terminal. Other sites included ORF1a harboring 13 mutations followed by ORF1b (6), ORF3a (2), and ORF6 and ORF8 (1 mutation each).

Conclusion

BA.2 followed by BA.2.38 was the predominant Omicron lineage circulating in Chhattisgarh. BA.2.75 could supersede other Omicron due to its mutational consortium advantage. The periodical genomic monitoring of Omicron variants is thus required for real-time assessment of circulating strains and their mutational-induced severity.
Perspective: Structure determination of protein-ligand complexes at room temperature using X-ray diffraction approaches
Authors: Hough Michael A. , Prischi Filippo , Worrall Jonathan A. R.
Published: January 2023

The interaction between macromolecular proteins and small molecule ligands is an essential component of cellular function. Such ligands may include enzyme substrates, molecules involved in cellular signalling or pharmaceutical drugs. Together with biophysical techniques used to assess the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of ligand binding to proteins, methodology to determine high-resolution structures that enable atomic level interactions between protein and ligand(s) to be directly visualised is required. Whilst such structural approaches are well established with high throughput X-ray crystallography routinely used in the pharmaceutical sector, they provide only a static view of the complex. Recent advances in X-ray structural biology methods offer several new possibilities that can examine protein-ligand complexes at ambient temperature rather than under cryogenic conditions, enable transient binding sites and interactions to be characterised using time-resolved approaches and combine spectroscopic measurements from the same crystal that the structures themselves are determined. This Perspective reviews several recent developments in these areas and discusses new possibilities for applications of these advanced methodologies to transform our understanding of protein-ligand interactions.
Clinical characteristics of chronic rhinitis following stroke
Authors: Choi Jae Eun , Kim Yeong Wook , Jee Sungju , Sohn Min Kyun
Published: January 2023

Background

We previously observed that patients with stroke complained of rhinitis symptoms that developed following the occurrence of stroke.

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between chronic rhinitis (CR) and stroke.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed the medical records and questionnaires of patients with stroke who visited our outpatient clinic from June to December 2020. Stroke lesions were mainly classified as supratentorial, infratentorial, and supra/infratentorial lesions. Supratentorial lesions were further divided into cortex, subcortex, and mixed. Participants were screened for CR and were subsequently divided into the CR and non-CR groups. The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test questionnaire and a questionnaire on autonomic nervous system symptoms were administered to all patients.

Results

Clinically evaluated indicators were not significantly different between the two groups. The number of patients with lesions in both the cortex and subcortex was significantly higher in the CR group than in the non-CR group. The risk of CR was higher in male patients with stroke than their female counterparts; additionally, the risk of CR was higher in patients with stroke who had both cortical and subcortical lesions, as well as autonomic dysfunction.

Conclusions

Individuals with subcortical stroke damage had a greater probability of developing CR. The risk was increased in men, as compared with that in women, when autonomic symptoms were present.
Role of nerve signal transduction and neuroimmune crosstalk in mediating the analgesic effects of acupuncture for neuropathic pain
Authors: Chen Yong , Li Dan , Li Ningcen , Loh PeiYong , Guo Yi , Hu Xiyou , Zhang Jingyu , Dou Baomin , Wang Lifen , Yang Chaobo , Guo Tao , Chen Shuangli , Liu Zhen , Chen Bo , Chen Zelin
Published: January 2023

Neurogenic pain rises because of nervous system damage or dysfunction and is the most difficult to treat among other pathological pains. Acupuncture has been reported as a great treatment option for neurogenic pain owing to its unlimited advantages. However, previous studies on the analgesic effects of acupuncture for NP were scattered and did not form a whole. In this study, we first comprehensively review the relevant basic articles on acupuncture for NP published in the last 5 years and summarize the analgesic mechanisms of acupuncture in terms of nerve signaling, neuro-immune crosstalk, and metabolic and oxidative stress regulation. Acupuncture inhibits the upstream excitatory system and suppresses neuronal transmission efficiency by downregulating glutamate, NMDA receptors, P2XR, SP, CGRP, and other neurotransmitters and receptors in the spinal cord, as well as plasma channels such as TRPV1, HCN. It can also activate the downstream pain inhibitory pathway by upregulating opioid peptide (β-endorphin), MOR receptors, GABA and GABA receptors, bi-directional regulating 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and its receptors (upregulate 5-HT 1A and downregulate 5-HT7R) and stimulating hypothalamic appetite-modifying neurons. Moreover, neuroinflammation in pain can be inhibited by acupuncture through inhibiting JAK2/STAT3, PI3K/mTOR pathways, down regulating chemokine receptor CX3CR1 on microglia and up regulating adenosine receptor A1Rs on astrocytes, inhibiting the activation of glia and reducing TNF-α and other inflammatory substances. Acupuncture also inhibits neuronal glucose metabolism by downregulating mPFC's GLUT-3 and promotes metabolic alterations of the brain, thus exerting an analgesic effect. In conclusion, the regulation of nerve signal transduction and neuroimmune crosstalk at the peripheral and central levels mediates the analgesic effects of acupuncture for neuropathic pain in an integrated manner. These findings provide a reliable basis for better clinical application of acupuncture in the management of neuropathic pain.
An enhanced deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm for intelligent control of robotic arms
Authors: Dong Ruyi , Du Junjie , Liu Yanan , Heidari Ali Asghar , Chen Huiling
Published: January 2023

Aiming at the poor robustness and adaptability of traditional control methods for different situations, the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm is improved by designing a hybrid function that includes different rewards superimposed on each other. In addition, the experience replay mechanism of DDPG is also improved by combining priority sampling and uniform sampling to accelerate the DDPG’s convergence. Finally, it is verified in the simulation environment that the improved DDPG algorithm can achieve accurate control of the robot arm motion. The experimental results show that the improved DDPG algorithm can converge in a shorter time, and the average success rate in the robotic arm end-reaching task is as high as 91.27%. Compared with the original DDPG algorithm, it has more robust environmental adaptability.
Diagnosis and functional prediction of microbial markers in tumor tissues of sporadic colorectal cancer patients associated with the MLH1 protein phenotype
Authors: Zhu Anchao , Liu Yingying , Li Zongmin , He Ying , Bai Lijing , Wu Youtian , Zhang Yuying , Huang Ying , Jiang Ping
Published: January 2023

Objective

Most patients with sporadic colorectal cancer (SCRC) develop microsatellite instability because of defects in mismatch repair (MMR). Moreover, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of SCRC. In this study, we assessed the microbial composition and diversity of SCRC tumors with varying MutL protein homolog 1 (MLH1) status, and the effects of functional genes related to bacterial markers and clinical diagnostic prediction.

Methods

The tumor microbial diversity and composition were profiled using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene V4 region. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) software and BugBase tool were used to predict the functional roles of the microbiome. We aimed to construct a high-accuracy model to detect and evaluate the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve with candidate biomarkers.

Results

The study included 23 patients with negative/defective MLH1 (DM group) and 22 patients with positive/intact MLH1 (IM group). Estimation of alpha diversity indices showed that the Shannon index (p = 0.049) was significantly higher in the DM group than in the controls, while the Simpson index (p = 0.025) was significantly lower. At the genus level, we observed a significant difference in beta diversity in the DM group versus the IM group. Moreover, the abundance of Lachnoclostridium spp. and Coprococcus spp. was significantly more enriched in the DM group than in the IM group (q < 0.01 vs. q < 0.001). When predicting metagenomes, there were 18 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and one BugBase function difference in both groups (all q < 0.05). On the basis of the model of diagnostic prediction, we built a simplified optimal model through stepwise selection, consisting of the top two bacterial candidate markers (area under the curve = 0.93).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the genera Lachnoclostridium and Coprococcus as key species may be crucial biomarkers for non-invasive diagnostic prediction of DM in patients with SCRC in the future.
1H NMR-based metabolomics of paired tissue, serum and urine samples reveals an optimized panel of biofluids metabolic biomarkers for esophageal cancer
Authors: Ouyang Ting , Ma Changchun , Zhao Yan , Ye Wei , Zhao Jiayun , Cai Rongzhi , Zhang Huanian , Zheng Peie , Lin Yan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The goal of this study was to establish an optimized metabolic panel by combining serum and urine biomarkers that could reflect the malignancy of cancer tissues to improve the non-invasive diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC).

Methods

Urine and serum specimens representing the healthy and ESCC individuals, together with the paralleled ESCC cancer tissues and corresponding distant non-cancerous tissues were investigated in this study using the high-resolution 600 MHz 1H-NMR technique.

Results

We identified distinct 1H NMR-based serum and urine metabolic signatures respectively, which were linked to the metabolic profiles of esophageal-cancerous tissues. Creatine and glycine in both serum and urine were selected as the optimal biofluids biomarker panel for ESCC detection, as they were the overlapping discriminative metabolites across serum, urine and cancer tissues in ESCC patients. Also, the were the major metabolites involved in the perturbation of “glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism”, the significant pathway alteration associated with ESCC progression. Then a visual predictive nomogram was constructed by combining creatine and glycine in both serum and urine, which exhibited superior diagnostic efficiency (with an AUC of 0.930) than any diagnostic model constructed by a single urine or serum metabolic biomarkers.

Discussion

Overall, this study highlighted that NMR-based biofluids metabolomics fingerprinting, as a non-invasive predictor, has the potential utility for ESCC detection. Further studies based on a lager number size and in combination with other omics or molecular biological approaches are needed to validate the metabolic pathway disturbances in ESCC patients.
The BMP inhibitor follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) suppresses cervical carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhao Chenjing , Chen Zhongjie , Zhu Li , Miao Yunheng , Guo Jiasen , Yuan Zhiyong , Wang Ping , Li Lian , Ning Wen
Published: January 2023

Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a cancer-related matricellular secretory protein with contradictory organ-specific roles. Its contribution to the pathogenesis of cervical carcinoma is still not clear. Meanwhile, it is necessary to identify novel candidate genes to understand cervical carcinoma’s pathogenesis further and find potential therapeutic targets. We collected cervical carcinoma samples and matched adjacent tissues from patients with the locally-advanced disease and used cervical carcinoma cell lines HeLa and C33A to evaluate the effects of FSTL1 on CC cells. The mRNA transcription and protein expression of FSTL1 in cervical carcinoma tumor biopsy tissues were lower than those of matched adjacent tissues. Patients with a lower ratio of FSTL1 mRNA between the tumor and its matched adjacent tissues showed a correlation with the advanced cervical carcinoma FIGO stages. High expression of FSTL1 markedly inhibited the proliferation, motility, and invasion of HeLa and C33A. Regarding mechanism, FSTL1 plays its role by negatively regulating the BMP4/Smad1/5/9 signaling. Our study has demonstrated the tumor suppressor effect of FSTL1, and these findings suggested a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for cervical carcinoma.
The role of tripartite motif-containing 28 in cancer progression and its therapeutic potentials
Authors: Yang Yiqing , Tan Shiming , Han Yaqian , Huang Lisheng , Yang Ruiqian , Hu Zifan , Tao Yi , Oyang Linda , Lin Jinguan , Peng Qiu , Jiang Xianjie , Xu Xuemeng , Xia Longzheng , Peng Mingjing , Wu Nayiyuan , Tang Yanyan , Li Xiaoling , Liao Qianjin , Zhou Yujuan
Published: January 2023

Tripartite motif-containing 28 (TRIM28) belongs to tripartite motif (TRIM) family. TRIM28 not only binds and degrades its downstream target, but also acts as a transcription co-factor to inhibit gene expression. More and more studies have shown that TRIM28 plays a vital role in tumor genesis and progression. Here, we reviewed the role of TRIM28 in tumor proliferation, migration, invasion and cell death. Moreover, we also summarized the important role of TRIM28 in tumor stemness sustainability and immune regulation. Because of the importance of TRIM28 in tumors, TIRM28 may be a candidate target for anti-tumor therapy and play an important role in tumor diagnosis and treatment in the future.
Case report: Otitis media with subsequent mastoiditis and cerebral herniation in a patient with Arnold chiari malformation
Authors: Feussner Oskar , Haase Roland , Baier Jan
Published: January 2023

We present the case of a 13-year-old boy who unexpectedly needed to be resuscitated at home after an assumed uncomplicated otitis media. Imaging at our clinic showed mastoiditis and a cystoid mass in the left cerebellopontine angle compressing the brainstem, as well as an Arnold-Chiari-Malformation. Both the laboratory examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and surgical biopsy with pathological evaluation of the mastoid supported the inflammatory etiology of the mass. Microbiologically, Streptococcus intermedius was detected in the blood culture and CSF. Due to brain death, which most likely already existed preclinically, the organs were released for donation during the course. Our case demonstrates a very rare lethal complication of acute otitis media on the basis of a cerebral malformation and emphasizes the need to stay alert when patients complain of symptoms after assumed resolution.
Predictive signature of static and dynamic functional connectivity for ECT clinical outcomes
Authors: Fu Zening , Abbott Christopher C. , Sui Jing , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remains one of the most effective approaches for treatment-resistant depressive episodes, despite the potential cognitive impairment associated with this treatment. As a potent stimulator of neuroplasticity, ECT might normalize aberrant depression-related brain function via the brain’s reconstruction by forming new neural connections. Multiple lines of evidence have demonstrated that functional connectivity (FC) changes are reliable indicators of antidepressant efficacy and cognitive changes from static and dynamic perspectives. However, no previous studies have directly ascertained whether and how different aspects of FC provide complementary information in terms of neuroimaging-based prediction of clinical outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we implemented a fully automated independent component analysis framework to an ECT dataset with subjects (n = 50, age = 65.54 ± 8.92) randomized to three treatment amplitudes (600, 700, or 800 milliamperes [mA]). We extracted the static functional network connectivity (sFNC) and dynamic FNC (dFNC) features and employed a partial least square regression to build predictive models for antidepressant outcomes and cognitive changes.

Results: We found that both antidepressant outcomes and memory changes can be robustly predicted by the changes in sFNC (permutation test p < 5.0 × 10−3). More interestingly, by adding dFNC information, the model achieved higher accuracy for predicting changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 24-item (HDRS24, t = 9.6434, p = 1.5 × 10−21). The predictive maps of clinical outcomes show a weakly negative correlation, indicating that the ECT-induced antidepressant outcomes and cognitive changes might be associated with different functional brain neuroplasticity.

Discussion: The overall results reveal that dynamic FC is not redundant but reflects mechanisms of ECT that cannot be captured by its static counterpart, especially for the prediction of antidepressant efficacy. Tracking the predictive signatures of static and dynamic FC will help maximize antidepressant outcomes and cognitive safety with individualized ECT dosing.
CT synthesis from MRI with an improved multi-scale learning network
Authors: Li Yan , Xu Sisi , Lu Yao , Qi Zhenyu
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Using MRI to synthesize CT and substitute its function in radiation therapy has drawn wide research interests. Currently, deep learning models have become the first choice for MRI—CT synthesis because of their ability to study complex non-linear relations. However, existing studies still lack the ability to learn complex local and global MRI–CT relations in the same time , which influences the intensity and structural performance of synthetic images.

Methods: This study proposes a hybrid multi-scale model to explore rich local and global MRI—CT relations, relations, namely, the hybrid multi-scale synthesis network (HMSS-Net). It includes two modules modelling different resolution inputs. In the low-resolution module, the Transformer method is applied to build its bottleneck part to expand the receptive field and explore long-range MRI—CT relations to estimate the coarse distribution of widely spread tissues and large organs. In the high-resolution module, residual and dense connections are applied to explore complex local MRI—CT relations under multiple step sizes. Then, the feature spaces of two modules are combined together and utilized to provide synthetic CT. HMSS-Net also introduces the multi-scale structural similarity index measure loss to provide multi-scale supervision during training.

Results: The experimental results on head and neck regions of 78 patients showed that HMSS–Net reduced the average of 7.6/3.13 HU on the mean absolute error and increased the average of 2.1/1.8% on the dice coefficient of bone compared with competing image–to–image synthesis methods.

Conclusion: The results imply that HMSS–Net could effectively improve the intensity and structural performances of synthetic CT.
A new effective metric for dynamical robustness of directed networks
Authors: Sun Jiashuo , Xiang Linying , Chen Guanrong
Published: January 2023

In this article, dynamical robustness of a directed complex network with additive noise is inverstigated. The failure of a node in the network is modeled by injecting noise into the node. Under the framework of mean-square stochastic stability, a new robustness metric is formulated to characterize the robustness of the network in terms of synchronization to the additive noise. It is found that the node dynamics plays a pivotal role in dynamical robustness of the directed network. Numerical simulations are shown for illustration and verification.
Genome-wide identification of germin-like proteins in peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) and expression analysis under different abiotic stresses
Authors: Yang Qiang , Sharif Yasir , Zhuang Yuhui , Chen Hua , Zhang Chong , Fu Huiwen , Wang Shanshan , Cai Tiecheng , Chen Kun , Raza Ali , Wang Lihui , Zhuang Weijian
Published: January 2023

Peanut is an important food and feed crop, providing oil and protein nutrients. Germins and germin-like proteins (GLPs) are ubiquitously present in plants playing numerous roles in defense, growth and development, and different signaling pathways. However, the GLP members have not been comprehensively studied in peanut at the genome-wide scale. We carried out a genome-wide identification of the GLP genes in peanut genome. GLP members were identified comprehensively, and gene structure, genomic positions, motifs/domains distribution patterns, and phylogenetic history were studied in detail. Promoter Cis-elements, gene duplication, collinearity, miRNAs, protein-protein interactions, and expression were determined. A total of 84 GLPs (AhGLPs ) were found in the genome of cultivated peanut. These GLP genes were clustered into six groups. Segmental duplication events played a key role in the evolution of AhGLPs, and purifying selection pressure was underlying the duplication process. Most AhGLPs possessed a well-maintained gene structure and motif organization within the same group. The promoter regions of AhGLPs contained several key cis-elements responsive to ‘phytohormones’, ‘growth and development’, defense, and ‘light induction’. Seven microRNAs (miRNAs) from six families were found targeting 25 AhGLPs. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that AhGLPs are highly enriched in nutrient reservoir activity, aleurone grain, external encapsulating structure, multicellular organismal reproductive process, and response to acid chemicals, indicating their important biological roles. AhGLP14, AhGLP38, AhGLP54, and AhGLP76 were expressed in most tissues, while AhGLP26, AhGLP29, and AhGLP62 showed abundant expression in the pericarp. AhGLP7, AhGLP20, and AhGLP21, etc., showed specifically high expression in embryo, while AhGLP12, AhGLP18, AhGLP40, AhGLP78, and AhGLP82 were highly expressed under different hormones, water, and temperature stress. The qRT-PCR results were in accordance with the transcriptome expression data. In short, these findings provided a foundation for future functional investigations on the AhGLPs for peanut breeding programs.
Monitoring tar spot disease in corn at different canopy and temporal levels using aerial multispectral imaging and machine learning
Authors: Zhang Chongyuan , Lane Brenden , Fernández-Campos Mariela , Cruz-Sancan Andres , Lee Da-Young , Gongora-Canul Carlos , Ross Tiffanna J. , Da Silva Camila R. , Telenko Darcy E. P. , Goodwin Stephen B. , Scofield Steven R. , Oh Sungchan , Jung Jinha , Cruz C. D.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Tar spot is a high-profile disease, causing various degrees of yield losses on corn (Zea mays L.) in several countries throughout the Americas. Disease symptoms usually appear at the lower canopy in corn fields with a history of tar spot infection, making it difficult to monitor the disease with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) because of occlusion.

Methods

UAS-based multispectral imaging and machine learning were used to monitor tar spot at different canopy and temporal levels and extract epidemiological parameters from multiple treatments. Disease severity was assessed visually at three canopy levels within micro-plots, while aerial images were gathered by UASs equipped with multispectral cameras. Both disease severity and multispectral images were collected from five to eleven time points each year for two years. Image-based features, such as single-band reflectance, vegetation indices (VIs), and their statistics, were extracted from ortho-mosaic images and used as inputs for machine learning to develop disease quantification models.

Results and discussion

The developed models showed encouraging performance in estimating disease severity at different canopy levels in both years (coefficient of determination up to 0.93 and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient up to 0.97). Epidemiological parameters, including initial disease severity or y0 and area under the disease progress curve, were modeled using data derived from multispectral imaging. In addition, results illustrated that digital phenotyping technologies could be used to monitor the onset of tar spot when disease severity is relatively low (< 1%) and evaluate the efficacy of disease management tactics under micro-plot conditions. Further studies are required to apply and validate our methods to large corn fields.
Mobile opportunity against stress: Open study protocol on the effectiveness of a mobile platform for stress self-management in the post-pandemic era
Authors: Pozza Andrea , Giangrasso Barbara , Baldo David , Fort Ada , Millozzi Giovanna , Iocca Francesco , Angelo Nicole Loren , Pugi Daniele , Gualtieri Giacomo , Lorenzi Lore , Gioia Francesca , Bocci Benucci Sara , Fioravanti Giulia , Coluccia Anna , Ferretti Fabio , Casale Silvia
Published: January 2023

Mobile health platforms have shown promise in the management of various mental health conditions (including stress, anxiety, and depression) and cognitive behavioral strategies emerged as a popular and effective option offered by the platforms. This paper presents the protocol of a study aimed to test the effectiveness of a mobile platform that uses cognitive-behavioral strategies for stress self-management in the Tuscany region (Italy). The mobile app is adapted to the specific needs of each vulnerable population for which it is designed: young and older people, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs. The app will be evaluated on the following outcomes: (i) perceived susceptibility and severity of the pandemic situation, perceived benefits, and costs of preventive health behaviors, (ii) knowledge about Covid-19 preventive behaviors and negative consequences of social distancing, (iii) stress and psychopathological symptoms (i.e., anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms) and cognitive distortions. If successful, we expect that the platform could give various groups clinical benefits by providing symptom self-monitoring and early intervention, consolidating the number of mental health programs available, and decreasing barriers to treatment-seeking. This population-level approach has the potential to improve mental health outcomes in pandemic periods for many people.
The ethics of pet robots in dementia care settings: Care professionals’ and organisational leaders’ ethical intuitions
Authors: Koh Wei Qi , Vandemeulebroucke Tijs , Gastmans Chris , Miranda Rose , Van den Block Lieve
Published: January 2023

Background

Pet robots are gaining momentum as a technology-based intervention to support the psychosocial wellbeing of people with dementia. Current research suggests that they can reduce agitation, improve mood and social engagement. The implementation of pet robots in care for persons with dementia raises several ethical debates. However, there is a paucity of empirical evidence to uncover care providers’ ethical intuitions, defined as individuals’ fundamental moral knowledge that are not underpinned by any specific propositions.

Objectives

Explore care professionals’ and organisational leaders’ ethical intuitions before and when implementing pet robots in nursing homes for routine dementia care.

Materials and methods

We undertook a secondary qualitative analysis of data generated from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 22 care professionals and organisational leaders from eight nursing homes in Ireland. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Ethical constructs derived from a comprehensive review of argument-based ethics literature were used to guide the deductive coding of concepts. An inductive approach was used to generate open codes not falling within the pre-existing concepts.

Findings

Ethical intuitions for implementing pet robots manifested at three levels: an (1) individual-relational, (2) organisational and (3) societal level. At the individual-relational level, ethical intuitions involved supporting the autonomy of residents and care providers, using the robots to alleviate residents’ social isolation, and the physical and psychosocial impacts associated with their use. Some care providers had differing sentiments about anthropomorphizing pet robots. At the organisational level, intuitions related to the use of pet robots to relieve care provision, changes to the organisational workflow, and varying extents of openness amongst care providers to use technological innovations. At the societal level, intuitions pertained conceptions of dementia care in nursing homes, and social justice relating to the affordability and availability of pet robots. Discrepancies between participants’ ethical intuitions and existing philosophical arguments were uncovered.

Conclusion

Care professionals and organisational leaders had different opinions on how pet robots are or should be implemented for residents with dementia. Future research should consider involving care practitioners, people with dementia, and their family members in the ethics dialogue to support the sustainable, ethical use of pet robots in practice.
Cardiorespiratory fitness levels and body mass index of pre-adolescent children and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Raine Lauren B. , Erickson Kirk I. , Grove George , Watrous Jennifer N. H. , McDonald Katherine , Kang Chaeryon , Jakicic John M. , Forman Daniel E. , Kramer Arthur F. , Burns Jeffrey M. , Vidoni Eric D. , McAuley Edward , Hillman Charles H.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The social and behavioral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the health and physiology of most people, including those never diagnosed with COVID-19. While the impact of the pandemic has been felt across the lifespan, its effects on cardiorespiratory fitness (commonly considered a reflection of total body health) of older adults and children may be particularly profound due to social distancing and stay-at-home advisories, as well as the closure of sport facilities and non-essential businesses. The objective of this investigation was to leverage baseline data from two ongoing clinical trials to determine if cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index were different during COVID-19 relative to before COVID-19 in older adults and children.

Methods

Healthy older individuals (N = 593; 65–80 years) and 200 typically developing children (8–10 years) completed a graded maximal exercise test and had their height and weight measured.

Results

Results revealed that older adults and children tested during COVID-19 had significantly lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels than those tested before COVID-19 shutdowns (older adults: 30% lower; children: 53% lower; p's ≤ 0.001). In addition, older adults and children tested during COVID-19 had significantly higher BMI (older adults: 31.34 ± 0.57 kg/m2, p = 0.004; children: 19.27 ± 0.44 kg/m2, p = 0.05) than those tested before COVID-19 shutdowns (older adults: 29.51 ± 0.26 kg/m2, children: 18.13 ± 0.35 kg/m2). However, these differences in BMI did not remain significant when controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness.

Discussion

Results from this investigation indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic, and behavior changes taken to reduce potential exposure, may have led to lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels in older adults and children, as well as higher body mass index. These findings provide relevant public health information as lower cardiorespiratory fitness levels and higher body mass indexes recorded during the pandemic could have far-reaching and protracted health consequences. Public health guidance is needed to encourage physical activity to maintain cardiorespiratory fitness and healthy body composition.

Clinical trial registration

Older adults: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02875301, identifier: NCT02875301; Children: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03592238, identifier: NCT03592238.
The pursuit of methodological harmonization within the holistic sustainability assessment of CCU projects: A history and critical review
Authors: Newman Alex J. K. , Styring Peter
Published: January 2023

Environmental sustainability assessments have been conducted around consumer goods since the 1960's, these adopted comparative approaches and followed no accepted methodology. As sustainability assessment rose to prominence, methodological standardization was universally called for. Furthermore, two additional “strands” of sustainability emerged, economic and societal; forming what has recently been termed the “triple helix”. Efforts have been made across the CCU (carbon capture and utilization) community to align, or “harmonize”, the respective assessment formats. Ultimately, targeting enhanced understanding of the interconnections and trade-offs between the three strands, and communication of findings to both industry and policymakers. This review examines key methodologies presented in the field. These were collated through targeted literature searches, focussing on standalone, CCU specific, and harmonized methodologies. Relevant guidance originates with ISO's 2007 standards and terminates in McCord et al's (2021) “triple helix framework”. Other key works reviewed include UNEP / SETAC's S-LCA (social life cycle assessment) guidelines, and GCIs (Global CO2Initiative) integrated LCA and TEA (techno-economic assessment) guidelines. Analysis of the identified methodologies first considers each assessment strand in isolation, subsequently evaluating efforts toward their CDU specific harmonization and integration. Using the collated primary and secondary literature, a taxonomy of assessment methodologies leading to the triple helix framework is produced. Key methodological difficulties and divergent schools of thought are discussed, notably the prescription of system boundaries, impact indicators, and characterization methods. The overarching conclusion of the review is that while a robust combined LCA and TEA assessment methodology has been attained, holistic approaches incorporating social sustainability are still lacking; with substantial problems remaining unsolved. A majority of these originate from SIA's immaturity relative to LCA and TEA, causing issues around data availability and handling methods; exacerbated by the presence of qualitative data. Until a greater degree of maturity is achieved, SIA should be utilized within holistic assessments as a screening tool, determining the suitability of a process or system for more granular assessment.
AI revolution in healthcare and medicine and the (re-)emergence of inequalities and disadvantages for ageing population
Authors: Stypińska Justyna , Franke Annette
Published: January 2023

AI systems in medicine and healthcare are being extensively explored in prevention, diagnosis, novel drug designs and after-care. The application of AI technology in healthcare systems promises impressive outcomes such as equalising healthcare, reducing mortality rate and human error, reducing medical costs, as well as reducing reliance on social services. In the light of the WHO “Decade of Healthy Ageing”, AI applications are designed as digital innovations to support the quality of life for older persons. However, the emergence of evidence of different types of algorithmic bias in AI applications, ageism in the use of digital devices and platforms, as well as age bias in digital data suggests that the use of AI might have discriminatory effects on older population or even cause harm. This paper addresses the issue of age biases and age discrimination in AI applications in medicine and healthcare systems and try to identify main challenges in this area. It will reflect on the potential of AI applications to amplify the already existing health inequalities by discussing two levels where potential negative impact of AI on age inequalities might be observed. Firstly, we will address the technical level of age bias in algorithms and digital datasets (especially health data). Secondly, we will discuss the potential disparate outcomes of automatic decision-making systems (ADMs) used in healthcare on the older population. These examples will demonstrate, although only partially, how AI systems may create new structures of age inequalities and novel dimensions of exclusion in healthcare and medicine.