bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proposed Methodology to Quantify the Amount of Methane Seepage by Understanding the Correlation Between Methane Plumes and Originating Seeps
Authors: Aoyama Chiharu , Maeda Nidomu
Published: October 2021

In recent years, discoveries of methane plumes (also called methane flares) have been reported in various sea areas around the world. Clusters of naturally seeping methane bubbles rising from the seafloor are visualized as methane plumes on the echograms of quantitative echo sounders and multibeam sonars. In order to determine if seeping methane can be used as energy resources and its environmental impact, it is necessary to estimate the amount of naturally seeping methane. From April, 2020, a 3-year project is being conducted in Japan to evaluate the amount of methane seepage from methane plumes. The authors propose the following steps to quantify the amount of methane seepage accurately. First of all, methane plumes in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Japan are mapped out using acoustic devices such as quantitative echo sounders and multibeam sonars. Secondly, methane bubbles of a few millimeters in diameter from methane seeps at seafloor are collected and sampled using a cone-shaped collector with 20 cm in diameter, operated by Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). If we can identify the number of seep mouths that form into one single plume, we will be able to quantify the methane seepage from one plume. Based on this result, calibration of the mean backscattering strength and the amount of seeping methane from methane plumes becomes possible and will be applied to the mapped plumes in order to estimate the methane seepage in the EEZ of Japan. Once this calibration is established, it can be applied to the methane plumes observed worldwide, and methane seepage can be quantified simply by acoustic observations of methane plumes. In this study, a method to verify the correlation between methane plumes and methane seeps is introduced, as well as a method to locate methane seeps effectively using the Target Position function of a quantitative echo sounder. The authors intend to use this as the basic data for establishing a method to estimate the amount of methane released from a methane plume by observing the methane plume acoustically.
Burden of Thyroid Cancer From 1990 to 2019 and Projections of Incidence and Mortality Until 2039 in China: Findings From Global Burden of Disease Study
Authors: Cheng Fang , Xiao Juan , Shao Chunchun , Huang Fengyan , Wang Lihua , Ju Yanli , Jia Hongying
Published: October 2021

Projecting the burden of thyroid cancer (TC) over time provides essential information to effectively plan measures for its management and prevention. This research obtained data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study from between 1990 and 2019 to model how TC will affect China until 2039 by conducting the Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis. The number of new TC cases in China was 10,030 in 1990, 39,080 in 2019, and is projected to be 47,820 in 2039. This corresponds to 3,320, 7,240, and 4,160 deaths, respectively. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) cases increased from 103,490 in 1990 to 187,320 in 2019. The age-standardized rate (ASR) of incidence increased from 1.01 to 2.05 during 1990-2019 and was projected to increase to 3.37 per 100,000 person-years until 2039. The ASR of mortality (ASMR) remained stable during the study period and was projected to have a mild decline from 0.39 to 0.29/100,000 during 2020-2039. Although the ASMR in male patients has maintained increasing at a rate of 2.2% per year over the past 30 years, it is expected to decline at a rate of 1.07% per year in 2019-2039. The most significant increase in crude incidence occurred in people aged 45-65 from 1990 to 2019, however, this will shift into young people aged 10-24 from 2020 to 2039. In addition, the proportion of deaths and DALYs caused by obesity increased from 1990 to 2019 and affected men more than women. In conclusion, a substantial increase in counts of incidence of TC in China is projected over the next two decades, combined with the slightly declining mortality, indicating that rational health policies are needed in the future to cope with the increasing number of TC patients, especially among males and adolescents.
Experimental Investigation of a Thermochemical Reactor for High-Temperature Heat Storage via Carbonation-Calcination Based Cycles
Authors: Wild Michael , Lüönd Lorenz , Steinfeld Aldo
Published: October 2021

We report on the design of a modular, high-temperature thermochemical energy storage system based on endothermic-exothermic reversible gas-solid reactions for application in concentrated solar power and industrial thermal processes. It consists of an array of tubular reactors, each containing an annular packed bed subjected to radial flow, and integrated in series with a thermocline-based sensible thermal energy storage. The calcination-carbonation of limestone, CaCO3 ↔ CaO + CO2, is selected as the reversible thermochemical reaction for the experimental demonstration. Synthetized 4.2 mm-mean size agglomerates and 2 mm-mean size granules of CaO with 42 %wt sintering-inhibitor MgO support attained reaction extents of up to 84.0% for agglomerates and 31.9% for granules, and good cycling stability in pressure-swing and temperature-swing thermogravimetric runs. A lab-scale reactor prototype is fabricated and tested with both formulations for 80 consecutive carbonation-calcination cycles at ambient pressure using a temperature-swing mode between 830°C and 930°C. The reactor exhibited stable cyclic operation and low pressure drop, and yielded specific gravimetric and volumetric heat storage capacities of 866 kJ/kg and 322 MJ/m3 for agglomerates, respectively, and 450 kJ/kg and 134 MJ/m3 for granules, respectively.
Investigation of the Emerging Nosocomial Wickerhamomyces anomalus Infections at a Chinese Tertiary Teaching Hospital and a Systemic Review: Clinical Manifestations, Risk Factors, Treatment, Outcomes, and Anti-fungal Susceptibility
Authors: Zhang Li , Xiao Meng , Arastehfar Amir , Ilkit Macit , Zou Jun , Deng Yuchen , Xu Yingchun , Liao Wanqing , Zhao Jingjun , Fang Wenjie , Pan Weihua
Published: October 2021

Wickerhamomyces anomalusis an emerging pathogen, which has been associated with clonal outbreaks and poor clinical outcomes. Despite being an important emerging yeasts species, our understanding concerning the microbiological and clinical characteristics of infections due to this species is limited. Herein, we are reporting a retrospective analysis of fungemia patients withW. anomalusfrom a 2,100-bed hospital in Shanghai during 2014–2016. Moreover, we conducted an extensive literature review to gain a deeper clinical and microbiological insights. Detailed clinical data were recorded. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) followed CLSI M27-A3, and isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. In total, 13 patients were identified with a mortality rate of 38.5% (5/13). Central venous catheter (CVC), broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), surgery, and mechanical ventilation were the most frequently observed risk factors. Eight patients (61.5%) experienced mixed bacterial/Candida bloodstream infections, and four patients developed mixed candidemia (MC).W. anomalusisolates showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against all azoles tested and flucytosine, while AMB showed the highestin vitroactivity. Azoles were used for 84.6% (11/13) of the cases, while 36.4% (4/11) of them died. When combining with the AFST data and the literature review, our study highlights the poor efficacy of azoles and optimal efficacy of AMB and LAMB against infections caused byW. anomalus. In conclusion, our study highlights the emerging threat ofW. anomalusaffecting both neonates and adults. Furthermore, our results advocate the use of AMB formulations rather than azoles among patients infected withW. anomalus. Future studies are warranted to reach a definitive consensus regarding the utility of echinocandins among such patients.
Ammonia Oxidizing Prokaryotes Respond Differently to Fertilization and Termination Methods in Common Oat’s Rhizosphere
Authors: Allegrini Marco , Morales Marianela E. , Villamil Maria B. , Zabaloy María Celina
Published: October 2021

Cover crops (CC) have demonstrated beneficial effects on several soil properties yet questions remain regarding their effects on soil microbial communities. Among them, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) have a key role for N cycling in soil and their responses in the rhizosphere of terminated CC deserve further investigation. A greenhouse experiment was established to assess N fertilization (with or without N) and termination methods (glyphosate, mowing, and untreated control) of common oat (Avena sativa L.) as potential drivers of AOA and AOB responses in the rhizosphere. The abundance of amoA genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), the community structure was assessed with Illumina amplicon sequencing of these genes, while the function was assessed from potential nitrification activity (PNA). While N fertilization had no influence on AOA, the termination method significantly increased amoA gene copies of AOA in mowed plants relative to glyphosate termination or the untreated control (1.76 and 1.49-fold change, respectively), and shifted AOA community structure (PERMANOVA, p<0.05). Ordination methods indicated a separation between AOA communities from control and glyphosate-terminated plants relative to mowed plants for both UniFrac and Aitchison distance. Converserly, N fertilization significantly increased AOB abundance in the rhizosphere of mowed and control plants, yet not in glyphosate-treated plants. Analyses of community structure showed that AOB changed only in response to N fertilization and not to the termination method. In line with these results, significantly higher PNA values were measured in all fertilized samples, regardless of the termination methods. Overall, the results of this study indicated that bacterial and archaeal nitrifiers have contrasting responses to fertlization and plant termination methods. While AOA were responsive to the termination method, AOB were more sensitive to N additions, although, the stimulative effect of N fertilization on amoAAOB abundance was dependent on the termination method.
Respiratory Outcomes in Patients Following COVID-19-Related Hospitalization: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guo Tao , Jiang Fangfang , Liu Yufei , Zhao Yunpeng , Li Yiran , Wang Yihua
Published: October 2021

Background: To determine the respiratory outcomes in patients following COVID-19-related hospitalization.

Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Results: Forced vital capacity (FVC, % of predicted): 0–3 months post discharge: 96.1, 95% CI [82.1–110.0]; 3–6 months post discharge: 99.9, 95% CI [84.8, 115.0]; >6 months post discharge: 97.4, 95% CI [76.8–118.0]. Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO, % of predicted): 0–3 months post discharge: 83.9, 95% CI [68.9–98.9]; 3–6 months post discharge: 91.2, 95% CI [74.8–107.7]; >6 months post discharge: 97.3, 95% CI [76.7–117.9]. Percentage of patients with FVC less than 80% of predicted: 0–3 months post discharge: 10%, 95% CI [6–14%]; 3–6 months post discharge: 10%, 95% CI [2–18%]; >6 months post discharge: 13%, 95% CI [8–18%]. Percentage of patients with DLCO less than 80% of predicted: 0–3 months post discharge: 48%, 95% CI [41–56%]; 3–6 months post discharge: 33%, 95% CI [23–44%]; >6 months post discharge: 43%, 95% CI [22–65%].

Conclusion: The meta-analysis confirms a high prevalence of persistent lung diffusion impairment in patients following COVID-19-related hospitalization. Routine respiratory follow-up is thus strongly recommended.
Old Stars and New Players in the Brain Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Parmigiani Elena , Scalera Marta , Mori Elisabetta , Tantillo Elena , Vannini Eleonora
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the direct interaction between cancer cells and tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a crucial regulator of tumor growth and a promising therapeutic target. The TME, including the surrounding peritumoral regions, is dynamically modified during tumor progression and in response to therapies. However, the mechanisms regulating the crosstalk between malignant and non-malignant cells are still poorly understood, especially in the case of glioma, an aggressive form of brain tumor. The presence of unique brain-resident cell types, namely neurons and glial cells, and an exceptionally immunosuppressive microenvironment pose additional important challenges to the development of effective treatments targeting the TME. In this review, we provide an overview on the direct and indirect interplay between glioma and neuronal and glial cells, introducing new players and mechanisms that still deserve further investigation. We will focus on the effects of neural activity and glial response in controlling glioma cell behavior and discuss the potential of exploiting these cellular interactions to develop new therapeutic approaches with the aim to preserve proper brain functionality.
Severity Grading, Risk Factors, and Prediction Model of Complications After Epilepsy Surgery: A Large-Scale and Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Yong , Wu Hao , Li Huanfa , Dong Shan , Liu Xiaofang , Li Kuo , Du Changwang , Meng Qiang , Zhang Hua
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To report complications after epilepsy surgery, grade the severity of complications, investigate risk factors, and develop a nomogram for risk prediction of complications.

Methods: Patients with epilepsy surgery performed by a single surgeon at a single center between October 1, 2003 and April 30, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Study outcomes included severity grading of complications occurring during the 3-month period after surgery, risk factors, and a prediction model of these complications. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to identify risk factors.

Results: In total, 2,026 surgical procedures were eligible. There were 380 patients with mild complications, 23 with moderate complications, and 82 with severe complications. Being male (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.64), age at surgery (>40 years: 2.58, 1.55–4.31; ≤ 40: 2.25, 1.39–3.65; ≤ 30: 1.83, 1.18–2.84; ≤ 20: 1.71, 1.11–2.63), intracranial hemorrhage in infancy (2.28, 1.14–4.57), serial number of surgery ( ≤ 1,000: 1.41, 1.01–1.97; ≤ 1,500: 1.63, 1.18–2.25), type of surgical procedure (extratemporal resections: 2.04, 1.55–2.70; extratemporal plus temporal resections: 2.56, 1.80–3.65), surgery duration (>6 h: 1.94, 1.25–3.00; ≤ 6: 1.92, 1.39–2.65), and acute postoperative seizure (1.44, 1.06–1.97) were independent risk factors of complications. A nomogram including age at surgery, type of surgical procedure, and surgery duration was developed to predict the probability of complications.

Conclusions: Although epilepsy surgery has a potential adverse effect on the patients, most complications are mild and severe complications are few. Risk factors should be considered during the perioperative period. Patients with the above risk factors should be closely monitored to identify and treat complications timely. The prediction model is very useful for surgeons to improve postoperative management.
Modulation of Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex Glutamate/Glutamine Levels Following Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Young Adults With Autism
Authors: Moxon-Emre Iska , Daskalakis Zafiris J. , Blumberger Daniel M. , Croarkin Paul E. , Lyon Rachael E. , Forde Natalie J. , Tani Hideaki , Truong Peter , Lai Meng-Chuan , Desarkar Pushpal , Sailasuta Napapon , Szatmari Peter , Ameis Stephanie H.
Published: October 2021

Altered excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interventions using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to enhance or inhibit cortical excitability are under study for various targets, though the mechanistic effects of rTMS have yet to be examined in ASD. Here, we examined whether an excitatory rTMS treatment course modulates glutamatergic (Glx) or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolite levels in emerging adults with ASD. Twenty-eight participants with ASD and executive function impairment [23.3 ± 4.69 years; seven-female] underwent two magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) scans of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). MRS scans were acquired before and after participants with ASD were randomized to receive a 20-session course of active or sham rTMS to the DLPFC. Baseline MRS data was available for 19 typically developing controls [23.8 ± 4.47 years; six-female]. Metabolite levels for Glx and GABA+ were compared between ASD and control groups, at baseline, and metabolite level change, pre-to-post-rTMS treatment, was compared in ASD participants that underwent active vs. sham rTMS. Absolute change in Glx was greater in the active vs. sham-rTMS group [F(1,19)= 6.54,p= 0.02], though the absolute change in GABA+ did not differ between groups. We also examined how baseline metabolite levels related to pre/post-rTMS metabolite level change, in the active vs. sham groups. rTMS group moderated the relation between baseline Glx and pre-to-post-rTMS Glx change, such that baseline Glx predicted Glx change in the active-rTMS group only [b= 1.52,SE= 0.32,t(18)= 4.74,p< 0.001]; Glx levels increased when baseline levels were lower, and decreased when baseline levels were higher. Our results indicate that an interventional course of excitatory rTMS to the DLPFC may modulate local Glx levels in emerging adults with ASD, and align with prior reports of glutamatergic alterations following rTMS. Interventional studies that track glutamatergic markers may provide mechanistic insights into the therapeutic potential of rTMS in ASD.

Clinical Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov(ID: NCT02311751),https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02311751?term=ameis&rank=1; NCT02311751.
The Non-receptor Tyrosine Kinase Pyk2 in Brain Function and Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases
Authors: de Pins Benoit , Mendes Tiago , Giralt Albert , Girault Jean-Antoine
Published: October 2021

Pyk2 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase highly enriched in forebrain neurons. Pyk2 is closely related to focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which plays an important role in sensing cell contacts with extracellular matrix and other extracellular signals controlling adhesion and survival. Pyk2 shares some of FAK’s characteristics including recruitment of Src-family kinases after autophosphorylation, scaffolding by interacting with multiple partners, and activation of downstream signaling pathways. Pyk2, however, has the unique property to respond to increases in intracellular free Ca2+, which triggers its autophosphorylation following stimulation of various receptors including glutamate NMDA receptors. Pyk2 is dephosphorylated by the striatal-enriched phosphatase (STEP) that is highly expressed in the same neuronal populations. Pyk2 localization in neurons is dynamic, and altered following stimulation, with post-synaptic and nuclear enrichment. As a signaling protein Pyk2 is involved in multiple pathways resulting in sometimes opposing functions depending on experimental models. Thus Pyk2 has a dual role on neurites and dendritic spines. With Src family kinases Pyk2 participates in postsynaptic regulations including of NMDA receptors and is necessary for specific types of synaptic plasticity and spatial memory tasks. The diverse functions of Pyk2 are also illustrated by its role in pathology. Pyk2 is activated following epileptic seizures or ischemia-reperfusion and may contribute to the consequences of these insults whereas Pyk2 deficit may contribute to the hippocampal phenotype of Huntington’s disease. Pyk2 gene, PTK2B, is associated with the risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Studies of underlying mechanisms indicate a complex contribution with involvement in amyloid toxicity and tauopathy, combined with possible functional deficits in neurons and contribution in microglia. A role of Pyk2 has also been proposed in stress-induced depression and cocaine addiction. Pyk2 is also important for the mobility of astrocytes and glioblastoma cells. The implication of Pyk2 in various pathological conditions supports its potential interest for therapeutic interventions. This is possible through molecules inhibiting its activity or increasing it through inhibition of STEP or other means, depending on a precise evaluation of the balance between positive and negative consequences of Pyk2 actions.
Qualitative Histopathological Classification of Primary Bone Tumors Using Deep Learning: A Pilot Study
Authors: Tao Yuzhang , Huang Xiao , Tan Yiwen , Wang Hongwei , Jiang Weiqian , Chen Yu , Wang Chenglong , Luo Jing , Liu Zhi , Gao Kangrong , Yang Wu , Guo Minkang , Tang Boyu , Zhou Aiguo , Yao Mengli , Chen Tingmei , Cao Youde , Luo Chengsi , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2021

Background

Histopathological diagnosis of bone tumors is challenging for pathologists. We aim to classify bone tumors histopathologically in terms of aggressiveness using deep learning (DL) and compare performance with pathologists.

Methods

A total of 427 pathological slides of bone tumors were produced and scanned as whole slide imaging (WSI). Tumor area of WSI was annotated by pathologists and cropped into 716,838 image patches of 256 × 256 pixels for training. After six DL models were trained and validated in patch level, performance was evaluated on testing dataset for binary classification (benign vs. non-benign) and ternary classification (benign vs. intermediate vs. malignant) in patch-level and slide-level prediction. The performance of four pathologists with different experiences was compared to the best-performing models. The gradient-weighted class activation mapping was used to visualize patch’s important area.

Results

VGG-16 and Inception V3 performed better than other models in patch-level binary and ternary classification. For slide-level prediction, VGG-16 and Inception V3 had area under curve of 0.962 and 0.971 for binary classification and Cohen’s kappa score (CKS) of 0.731 and 0.802 for ternary classification. The senior pathologist had CKS of 0.685 comparable to both models (p = 0.688 and p = 0.287) while attending and junior pathologists showed lower CKS than the best model (each p < 0.05). Visualization showed that the DL model depended on pathological features to make predictions.

Conclusion

DL can effectively classify bone tumors histopathologically in terms of aggressiveness with performance similar to senior pathologists. Our results are promising and would help expedite the future application of DL-assisted histopathological diagnosis for bone tumors.
Restoration of the Oral Microbiota After Surgery for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated With Patient Outcomes
Authors: Chan Jason Y. K. , Ng Cherrie W. K. , Lan Linlin , Fung Sherwood , Li Jing-Woei , Cai Liuyang , Lei Pu , Mou Qianqian , Meehan Katie , Lau Eric H. L. , Yeung Zenon , Chan K. C. Allen , Wong Eddy W. Y. , Chan Paul K. S. , Chen Zigui
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the dynamics of the oral microbiome and associated patient outcomes following treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials and Methods

This was a prospective cohort study at a tertiary academic center in Hong Kong SAR of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma evaluating the oral microbiome in pre- and postsurgery oral rinses (at 1, 3, and 6 months) with 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 amplicon sequencing.

Results

In total, 76 HNSCC patients were evaluated. There was a significantly depressed alpha diversities of oral microbial communities observed in HNSCC oral rinse samples within the first 6 months post-surgery when compared to presurgery or healthy controls. Distant clustering between pre- and postsurgery was also observed (p < 0.022). Following treatment, eight oral bacterial genera showed a trend towards the restoration in the relative abundances that approximate healthy persons. In evaluating patient outcomes, the decreased relative abundance of three periodontal bacteria (Capnocytophaga, Prevotella 7, and Leptotrichia) and the increased relative abundance of two commensal bacteria (Streptococcus and Rothia) at 6 months postsurgery compared to presurgery showed a better 3-year disease-specific survival (a cutoff of Kaplan–Meier survival curve test p < 0.3 at 36 months). In particular, the postsurgery restoration of Prevotella 7 was statistically significant in the surveyed patients (survival rate of 84% vs. 56% at 36 months, p = 0.0065).

Conclusions

Oral microbiome dysbiosis associated with HNSCC is dynamic. These dynamics of the oral microbiome postsurgery are also associated with patient treatment and outcomes and may serve as potential biomarkers for patient management in HNSCC.
Gallic Acid Suppressed Tumorigenesis by an LncRNA MALAT1-Wnt/β-Catenin Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Chuan-jian , Zheng Yan-biao , Pan Fei-fei , Zhang Feng-wei , Zhuang Peng , Fu Wei-ming
Published: October 2021

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid; GA), a natural phenolic acid, is abundantly found in numerous natural products. Increasing evidence have demonstrated that GA plays anti-cancer roles in multiple cancers. However, its anti-tumor effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanism remain obscure. In the present study, we found that GA suppressed the in vitro cell viability and metastasis and inhibited the in vivo tumor growth of HCC cells. The underlying mechanism was further to investigate and it was showed that GA suppressed the expression of β-catenin and led to the functional inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. As a kind of significant regulators, the long noncoding RNA molecules (lncRNAs) have attracted widespread attentions for their critical roles in diverse biological process and human diseases. To further identify which lncRNA participated this GA-mediated process, several lncRNAs related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling were chosen for examination of their expression profiling in the GA-treated HCC cells. Of which, Metastasis-Associated Lung Adenocarcinoma Transcript 1 (MALAT1) was the most promising candidate. And moreover, MALAT1 was significantly down-regulated by GA. Its overexpression partially reversed the GA-induced the inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and metastasis; and successfully abolished the suppressive effect of GA on Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In conclusion, our results indicated that GA suppressed tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo by the MALAT1-Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis, suggesting that GA has great potential to be developed as a chemo-prevention and chemotherapy agent for HCC patients.
Effect of Probenecid on Endothelial Cell Growth Rate and Retinal Angiogenesis in an Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy Model
Authors: Jiang Jingbo , Ou Weiming , Luo Xianqiong , Xiang Jianwen , Liu Guosheng , Huang Shuiqing , Li Hongping , He Longkai , Gan Jiamin , Han Shasha , Nie Chuan
Published: October 2021

Objectives: Probenecid is an anion transport inhibitor, which, according to the connectivity map (CMap; a biological application database), interferes with hypoxia-induced gene expression changes in retinal vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we investigated the influence of probenecid on retinal EC cytotoxicity and retinal neovascularization in a murine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model.

Methods: The retinal EC growth rate in the presence of hypoxia-mimicking concentrations of cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was determined using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. In OIR rats, probenecid was administered by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) from postnatal day (P) 1 to P7. The concentrations of vitreous humor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by using the ELISA kit at P21. The amount of newly formed vascular lumen was evaluated by histopathological examination. Retinopathy and neovascularization were assessed by scoring isolectin B4 fluorescein–stained retinal flat mounts. Western blots for liver tissue HIF-1α and hepcidin (HAMP) were performed.

Results:In vitro, probenecid led to the recession of the hypoxia-induced EC growth rate. In vivo, compared to the OIR retina, the upregulation of VEGF, HIF-1α, and PlGF in phase II retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was inhibited by probenecid administration. Moreover, probenecid ameliorated neovascularization and resulted in significantly reduced relative leakage fluorescence signal intensity in fluorescein-stained retinal flat mounts (p < 0.05). Probenecid alleviated the liver overactivation of HAMP and downregulation of HIF-1α in OIR rats.

Conclusions: This is the first demonstration that implies that probenecid might be a protective compound against retinal angiogenesis in OIR. These changes are accompanied with decreased hyperoxia-mediated hepcidin overproduction. Although the relevance of the results to ROP needs further research, these findings may help establish potential pharmacological targets based on the CMap database.
RabA2b Overexpression Alters the Plasma-Membrane Proteome and Improves Drought Tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ambastha Vivek , Matityahu Ifat , Tidhar Dafna , Leshem Yehoram
Published: October 2021

Rab proteins are small GTPases that are important in the regulation of vesicle trafficking. Through data mining, we identified RabA2b to be stress responsive, though little is known about the involvement of RabA in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Analysis of the RabA2b native promoter showed strong activity during osmotic stress, which required the stress hormone Abscisic acid (ABA) and was restricted to the vasculature. Sequence analysis of the promoter region identified predicted binding motifs for several ABA-responsive transcription factors. We cloned RabA2b and overexpressed it in Arabidopsis. The resulting transgenic plants were strikingly drought resistant. The reduced water loss observed in detached leaves of the transgenic plants could not be explained by stomatal aperture or density, which was similar in all the genotypes. Subcellular localization studies detected strong colocalization between RabA2b and the plasma membrane (PM) marker PIP2. Further studies of the PM showed, for the first time, a distinguished alteration in the PM proteome as a result of RabA2b overexpression. Proteomic analysis of isolated PM fractions showed enrichment of stress-coping proteins as well as cell wall/cuticle modifiers in the transgenic lines. Finally, the cuticle permeability of transgenic leaves was significantly reduced compared to the wild type, suggesting that it plays a role in its drought resistant properties. Overall, these data provide new insights into the roles and modes of action of RabA2b during water stresses, and indicate that increased RabA2b mediated PM trafficking can affect the PM proteome and increase drought tolerance.
Genetics and Breeding for Glandless Upland Cotton With Improved Yield Potential and Disease Resistance: A Review
Authors: Zhang Jinfa , Wedegaertner Tom
Published: October 2021

Glandless cotton (devoid of toxic gossypol) can be grown as a triple-purpose crop for fiber, feeds, and food (as an oil and protein source). However, its sensitivity to insect pests and its low yield due to the lack of breeding activities has prevented the realization of its potential in commercial seed production and utilization. Since the mid-1990s, the commercialization of bollworm and budworm resistant Bt cotton and the eradication of boll weevils and pink bollworms have provided an opportunity to revitalize glandless cotton production in the United States. The objectives of this study were to review the current status of genetics and breeding for glandless cotton, with a focus on the progress in breeding for glandless Upland cotton in New Mexico, United States. Because there existed a 10–20% yield gap between the best existing glandless germplasm and commercial Upland cultivars, the breeding of glandless Upland cultivars with improved yield and disease resistance was initiated at the New Mexico State University more than a decade ago. As a result, three glandless Upland cultivars, i.e., long-staple Acala 1517-18 GLS, medium staple NuMex COT 15 GLS, and NuMex COT 17 GLS with Fusarium wilt race 4 resistance were released. However, to compete with the current commercial glanded cotton, more breeding efforts are urgently needed to introduce different glandless traits (natural mutations, transgenic or genome-editing) into elite cotton backgrounds with high yields and desirable fiber quality.
Anxiety, Motivation, and Competence in Mathematics and Reading for Children With and Without Learning Difficulties
Authors: Pollack Courtney , Wilmot Dayna , Centanni Tracy M. , Halverson Kelly , Frosch Isabelle , D'Mello Anila M. , Romeo Rachel R. , Imhof Andrea , Capella Jimmy , Wade Karolina , Al Dahhan Noor Z. , Gabrieli John D. E. , Christodoulou Joanna A.
Published: October 2021

Knowledge of the relations among learners' socio-emotional characteristics and competencies as they engage in mathematics and reading is limited, especially for children with academic difficulties. This study examined the relations between anxiety, motivation, and competence in mathematics and reading, within and across domains, in an academically-diverse set of 8–13-year-old learners (n= 146). To measure anxiety and motivation across domains, we paired existing measures of math anxiety and reading motivation with researcher-developed analogs for reading anxiety and math motivation. Participants completed standardized assessments of mathematics and reading, anxiety and motivation surveys for math and reading, and a measure of nonverbal cognitive ability. Results showed high internal consistency for all anxiety and motivation scales (Cronbach's alpha = 0.76–0.91). Pearson correlations showed that within and across domains, participants with higher competence had lower anxiety and higher motivation. Higher anxiety was also associated with lower motivation. Regression analyses showed that for both math and reading, within-domain motivation was a stronger predictor of competence than anxiety. There was a unidirectional across-domain relation: socio-emotional characteristics for reading predicted math competence, after accounting for nonverbal cognitive ability, age, gender, and within-domain anxiety and motivation. Results contribute to knowledge of the socio-emotional characteristics of children with and without learning difficulties in association with reading and math activities. Implications of a unidirectional socio-emotional link between the two domains can advance research and theory of the relations among socio-emotional characteristics and competence for academically-diverse learners.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Mortality After Age 67: The Contribution of Psychological Factors
Authors: Veenstra Marijke , Løset Gøril Kvamme , Daatland Svein Olav
Published: October 2021

Diverging trends of longer lives and increased inequalities in age-at-death invite to updated research on late-life mortality. Earlier studies have identified health behavior, childhood, psychosocial, and material conditions as key determinants of life expectancy, but the role of psychological factors remains a topic of debate. The current study is framed in a life course developmental perspective and assesses the mediating role of secondary control strategies (subjective age) and primary control capacity (perceived control) to socioeconomic (wealth and education) inequality in mortality after age 67. Data are derived from the second wave of the Norwegian Life Course, Ageing and Generation study (N=1,432 and age 67–85). All in all, 366 deaths were observed over a mean follow-up of 9.6years. Perceived control was measured by the Pearlin and Schooler Mastery Scale. SA was measured with proportional discrepancy scores in felt age and ideal age. Stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to analyze the relative contribution of SES (education and accumulated wealth), felt age, and ideal age discrepancies and perceived control on 11-year mortality. Findings show that lower levels of wealth and perceived control independently predict increased elderly mortality over an 11-year period. Feeling younger and smaller ideal age discrepancies are positively associated with perceived control, but do not account for additional variability in longevity among older adults. Findings add to the interdisciplinary field of socioeconomic inequalities in elderly mortality and underline the specific importance of structural conditions (wealth) and the continued importance of (perceived) primary control capacity for longevity also after age 67. Future research may assess in more detail how wealth and perceived control complement each other in contributing to healthy aging and longevity, for example, by longitudinal research including the role of significant life events in the second half of life in different welfare state contexts.
Decoding and deterritorialization. Capitalism and state in the thought of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari
Authors: Rutkowski Piotr
Published: October 2021

This text aims to present the thoughts of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari in the context of the relationship between the state, capitalism, and machines. Due to the multiplicity and rhizomatics that characterize the works of both French philosophers, the author also outlines the basic concepts important from the point of view of the discussed problem, such as abstract machines, devices, segmentation, deterritorialization, coding, axiomatics, rhizoma, micropolitics, and macropolitics. The perspective proposed in the works of Deleuze and Guattari escapes the well-known patterns of analysis in social sciences, which makes them an interesting look at the relationship between the state and capitalism.
The Transformation Dynamics and Homogeneity of Different N Fractions in Compost following Glucose Addition
Authors: Li Caibin , Ding Shuai , Du Chenghang , He Yi , Ma Zemeng , Li Guitong , Sun Zhencai
Published: October 2021

The application of compost to soil is a common fertilization practice for improving soil quality and crop growth. The isotopic labeling technique is mostly used to investigate the contribution of compost N to crop uptake. However, compost N includes various N fractions and labeling dissimilarity, which may cause bias when calculating the compost N contribution to plants. Therefore, the labeling dynamics of different N fractions in compost and the homogenous labeling time point should be clarified. Given the 15N-labeling in chemical fertilizer and the carbon source, i.e., glucose, the compost N pools were divided into active N (mineral N, soluble organic N [SON], microbial biomass N [MBN]), stable N (hot-water extractable organic N [HWDON]), and recalcitrant N. The atom percentage excess (APE) of different N in compost notably varied at the beginning of incubation, ranging from 0–3.7%. After the addition of glucose, biological N immobilization was promoted (13.7% and 28.8% for MBN and HWDON, respectively) and promoted the transformation among available N pools. Adding distinct doses of glucose at three stages to 15N-labeled compost resulted in diverse microbial responses, thereby redistributing exogenous N in each fraction (15NH4+-N went into SO15N from day 15 to day 30 and increased by 5.1%; SO15N entered MB15N and HWDO15N during day 30 to day 45 and increased by 5.7% and 5.2%, respectively). On day 45, homogeneous 15N-labeled compost was achieved, which was 2.4% for 15N APE for all N fractions. Overall, the quantitative data for the transformation of N fractions in compost at distinct stages provides a scientific basis for compost labeling trials, in order to identify the time point at which compost N-labeling is homogeneous, which is necessary and meaningful to reduce the bias of the contribution rate of compost-N to plants.
Effect of Raising Dairy Heifers on Their Performance and Reproduction after 12 Months
Authors: Uhrincat Michal , Broucek Jan , Hanus Anton , Kisac Peter
Published: October 2021

The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that a heifer’s growth, health, and reproduction after 12 months are impacted by rearing (feeding/housing) before weaning, their season of birth, and the father’s lineage. Fifty-one Holstein heifers, born during January–March (SB1), April–June (SB2), July–September (SB3), and October–December (SB4) and originating from four fathers, were assigned to one of the three rearing treatments: restricted suckling (RS), calf in a pen with the mother until the 21st day, sucking three times daily, then group pen (6 kg milk) to weaning; unrestricted suckling (US), calf in a pen with foster cows (6 kg milk) to weaning; and conventional rearing (CR), calf in a hutch until the 56th day, then group pen to weaning (milk replacer 6 kg). After weaning on the 84th day, heifers were kept in groups with the same ration. The growth of the live body weight (LBW), health, and reproduction were recorded. The LBW had a tendency to increase from the 360th to the 570th days in the US, and the reduced growth of the LBW was shown in the CR. Heifers of SB2 had the highest LBW at 570 days of age. The ages of the first insemination service and the conception varied significantly among the rearing groups. The results indicate that a heifer rearing method may have a significant impact on their later growth and fertility.
Two Sequential Clinical Isolates of Candida glabrata with Multidrug-Resistance to Posaconazole and Echinocandins
Authors: Wang Qiqi , Li Yun , Cai Xuan , Li Ruoyu , Zheng Bo , Yang Ence , Liang Tianyu , Yang Xinyu , Wan Zhe , Liu Wei
Published: October 2021

Candida glabrata is one of the most prevalent causative pathogens of invasive candidiasis, and multidrug-resistant strains are emerging. We identified two clinical isolates of C. glabrata, BMU10720 and BMU10722 sequentially isolated from one patient with multidrug-resistance to posaconazole (POS), caspofungin (CAS), micafungin (MCF), and anidulafungin (ANF). Overexpression of ERG11 in BMU10720 and CDR1 in BMU10722 were detected at basal level. When exposed to POS, CDR1 was significantly up-regulated in both isolates compared with susceptible reference strain, while ERG11 was up-regulated considerably only in BMU10720. PDR1 sequencing revealed that both isolates harbored P76S, P143T, and D243N substitutions, while ERG11 was intact. Cdr1 inhibitor FK520 reversed POS-resistance by down-regulating ERG11 expression. FKS sequencing revealed that both isolates harbored S663P substitution in FKS2, and four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) existed in FKS2 genes between BMU10720 and BMU10722, while FKS1 was intact. Both FKS1 and FKS2 were up-regulated by CAS in BMU10720 and BMU10722. FK520 down-regulated FKS2 expression induced by CAS through inhibiting calcineurin, resulting in synergic effect with echinocandins as well as Congo Red and Calcofluor White, two cell wall-perturbing agents. In conclusion, the multidrug-resistance of C. glabrata isolates in our study was conferred by different mechanisms. CDR1 and ERG11 overexpression in one isolate and only CDR1 overexpression in the other isolate may mediate POS-resistance. S663P mutation in FKS2 and up-regulation of FKS2 may contribute to echinocandin-resistance in both isolates.
Preliminary Study on Citrus Oils Antibacterial Activity Measured by Flow Cytometry: A Step-by-Step Development
Authors: Nieto-Velázquez Nayeli G. , Gomez-Valdez Alejandra A. , González-Ávila Marisela , Sánchez-Navarrete Jaime , Toscano-Garibay Julia D. , Ruiz-Pérez Nancy J.
Published: October 2021

Essential oils of Citrus sinensis and Citrus latifolia have shown biological functions as antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, antifungal and antimutagenic, so the evaluation of their antibacterial capacity, by themselves or in combination with standard antibiotics, presents an alternative for infection treatment. Flow cytometry opens the door for the design of faster and more accurate measurement of antibacterial activity. We use a SYTO9/PI staining system on E. coli ATCC 25922 to determine antibacterial activity by counting live and dead cells through flow cytometry. We found that dual staining showed highly variable results due to wavelength overlapping and instead we used fluorochrome individual staining that highly correlated with viable counts. Chloramphenicol and cefotaxime treatments did not present a dose-response behavior, rendered diffuse readings and/or gave filament formation on fluorescence microscopy. Amikacin was a better comparison standard because it presented a dose-response behavior. Essential oils had low antibacterial activity as compared to amikacin, with a maximum of 10% and 20% for C. latifolia and C. sinensis, respectively. Combinations of essential oils with antibiotic resulted in an unforeseen strong inhibition of amikacin activity. Although a low antibacterial activity was found, a series of standardization steps are proposed for antibacterial activity measurement by flow cytometry.
No Association between Clinical Periodontal Conditions and Microbiological Findings on Driveline of Patients with Left-Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD)
Authors: Schmalz Gerhard , Zöbisch Sven-Paul , Garbade Jens , Rast Josephine , Eisner Mirjam , Wagner Justus , Kottmann Tanja , Binner Christian , Eifert Sandra , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: October 2021

The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether there would be an association between periodontal disease parameters and positive bacterial findings at the driveline of patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Patients with an LVAD, who underwent a full oral and microbiological examination between 2016 and 2018, were included. During oral examination, periodontitis severity (stage and grade) and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were evaluated. A microbiological analysis was performed from swabs of the driveline, whereby different bacterial species were cultivated and analyzed. A total of 73 patients were included in the current study. The majority of participants (80.8%) had at least one positive bacterial finding during the study period. Most patients had a periodontitis stage of III-IV (80.9%). The determined PISA of the total group was 284.78 ± 352.29 mm2. No associations were found between the periodontal disease parameters and the bacterial findings in general, the bacterial findings on the day of oral examination or the bacterial findings 12 months prior to/after the oral examination (p > 0.05). Periodontitis is not associated with cultivated microbiological findings at the driveline of patients with an LVAD and thus appears not to be a risk indicator for driveline colonization. Nevertheless, the high periodontal burden in LVAD patients underlines the need for their improved periodontal care.