bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Immunoinformatic Identification of T-Cell and B-Cell Epitopes From Giardia lamblia Immunogenic Proteins as Candidates to Develop Peptide-Based Vaccines Against Giardiasis”
Authors: Garzon Thania , Ortega-Tirado David , Lopez-Romero Gloria , Alday Efrain , Robles-Zepeda Ramón Enrique , Garibay-Escobar Adriana , Velazquez Carlos
Published: October 2021

Giardiasis is one of the most common gastrointestinal infections worldwide, mainly in developing countries. The etiological agent is theGiardia lambliaparasite. Giardiasis mainly affects children and immunocompromised people, causing symptoms such as diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal cramps, nausea, and malnutrition. In order to develop an effective vaccine against giardiasis, it is necessary to understand the host-Giardiainteractions, the immunological mechanisms involved in protection against infection, and to characterize the parasite antigens that activate the host immune system. In this study, we identify and characterize potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes ofGiardiaimmunogenic proteins by immunoinformatic approaches, and we discuss the potential role of those epitopes to stimulate the host´s immune system. We selected the main immunogenic and protective proteins ofGiardiaexperimentally investigated. We predicted T-cell and B-cell epitopes using immunoinformatic tools (NetMHCII and BCPREDS). Variable surface proteins (VSPs), structural (giardins), metabolic, and cyst wall proteins were identified as the more relevant immunogens ofG. lamblia. We described the protein sequences with the highest affinity to bind MHC class II molecules from mouse (I-Akand I-Ad) and human (DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*13:01) alleles, as well as we selected promiscuous epitopes, which bind to the most common range of MHC class II molecules in human population. In addition, we identified the presence of conserved epitopes within the main protein families (giardins, VSP, CWP) ofGiardia. To our knowledge, this is the firstin silicostudy that analyze immunogenic proteins ofG. lambliaby combining bioinformatics strategies to identify potential T-cell and B-cell epitopes, which can be potential candidates in the development of peptide-based vaccines. The bioinformatics analysis demonstrated in this study provides a deeper understanding of theGiardiaimmunogens that bind to critical molecules of the host immune system, such as MHC class II and antibodies, as well as strategies to rational design of peptide-based vaccine against giardiasis.
The Path of Science in Future Tibetan Buddhist Education
Authors: Woodward Denise , Ricks Ernest , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Tsoulfas Pantelis , Johnson Jane E. , Westmoreland Galen , Wilkie Thomas M.
Published: October 2021

The Emory-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI) allowed western science teachers to work with monastically educated Buddhist monks to further their science education. The challenges included teaching through translators, using best practices for teaching within a religious community, and thinking about how to integrate what we learned from teaching in this context to our classrooms back home. In this article, we, a diverse group of western college-level educators and scientists, share our personal experiences and thoughts about teaching in this unique context in several themes. These themes are the challenges of translation and the development of new Tibetan science dictionary, the importance of hands-on learning opportunities as an example of using best teaching practices, using technology and online resources to connect our communities through both space and time, and the imperative of future plans to continue these important cross-cultural efforts.
Assessment of Therapeutic Response to Statin Therapy in Patients With Intracranial or Extracranial Carotid Atherosclerosis by Vessel Wall MRI: A Systematic Review and Updated Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhou Pengyu , Wang Yuting , Sun Jie , Yu Yannan , Mossa-Basha Mahmud , Zhu Chengcheng
Published: October 2021

Background and Aims: Statin therapy is an essential component of cardiovascular preventive care. In recent years, various vessel wall MRI (VW-MRI) techniques have been used to monitor atherosclerosis progression or regression in patients with extracranial or intracranial large-artery atherosclerosis. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of statin therapy on plaque evolution as assessed by VW-MRI.

Materials and Methods: Prospective studies investigating carotid and intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in patients on statin therapy monitored by serial VW-MRI were systematically identified in the literature. The plaque burden and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) volume of carotid plaque and the imaging features of intracranial plaques were extracted and summarized. For studies investigating carotid artery wall volume and LRNC volume, combined estimates were derived by meta-analysis.

Results: The study identified 21 studies of carotid plaque and two studies of intracranial plaque. While 16 studies investigating carotid plaques that included 780 patients by High-resolution VW-MRI were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant change in carotid wall volume from baseline to 12 months. A significant change in LRNC volume was observed at > 12 months compared with baseline (Effect = −10.69, 95% CI = −19.11, −2.28, P < 0.01), while no significant change in LRNC volume at 3–6 months or 7–12 months after statin therapy initiation in 6 studies. Increases in fibrous tissue and calcium and reduction in neovascularization density of the plaque were seen in 2/3 studies (including 48/59 patients), 1/3 studies (including 17/54 patients), and 2/2 studies (including 71 patients) after statin therapy, respectively. Two studies with 257 patients in intracranial atherosclerosis showed that statins could effectively decrease wall volume and plaque enhancement volume.

Conclusions: Collective data indicated that statins could potentially stabilize carotid plaques by significantly reducing LRNC with 1 year of therapy as shown on serial carotid VW-MRI. There was no significant decrease in wall volume, which nonetheless indicated that plaque composition changes might be more sensitive to response monitoring than wall volume. It is likely that more sensitive, clinically relevant, and preferably quantitative indicators of therapeutic effects on intracranial vessel plaque morphology will be developed in the future.
miR-21 in Human Cardiomyopathies
Authors: Surina  , Fontanella Rosaria Anna , Scisciola Lucia , Marfella Raffaele , Paolisso Giuseppe , Barbieri Michelangela
Published: October 2021

miR-21 is a 22-nucleotide long microRNA that matches target mRNAs in a complementary base pairing fashion and regulates gene expression by repressing or degrading target mRNAs. miR-21 is involved in various cardiomyopathies, including heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and diabetic cardiomyopathy. Expression levels of miR-21 notably change in both heart and circulation and provide cardiac protection after heart injury. In the meantime, miR-21 also tightly links to cardiac dysfunctions such as cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. This review focuses on the miR-21 expression pattern and its functions in diseased-heart and further discusses the feasibility of miR-21 as a biomarker and therapeutic target in cardiomyopathies.
Angle-Weighted Reverse Time Migration With Wavefield Decomposition Based on the Optical Flow Vector
Authors: Xie Chuang , Song Peng , Li Xishuang , Tan Jun , Wang Shaowen , Zhao Bo
Published: October 2021

Reverse time migration (RTM) is based on the two-way wave equation, so its imaging results obtained by conventional zero-lag cross-correlation imaging conditions contain a lot of low-wavenumber noises. So far, the wavefield decomposition method based on the Poynting vector has been developed to suppress these noises; however, this method also has some problems, such as unstable calculation of the Poynting vector, low accuracy of wavefield decomposition, and poor effect of large-angle migration artifacts suppression. This article introduces the optical flow vector method to RTM to realize high-precision wavefield decomposition for both the source and receiver wavefields and obtains four directions of wavefields: up-, down-, left-, and right-going. Then, the cross-correlation imaging sections of one-way propagation components of forward- and back-propagated wavefields are optimized and stacked. On this basis, the reflection angle of each imaging point is calculated based on the optical flow vector, and an attenuation factor related to the reflection angle is introduced as the weight to generate the optimal stack images. The tests of theoretical model and field marine seismic data illustrate that compared with the conventional RTM with wavefield decomposition based on the Poynting vector, the angle-weighted RTM with wavefield decomposition based on the optical flow vector proposed in this article can achieve wavefield decomposition for both the source and receiver wavefields and calculate the reflection angle of each imaging point more accurately and stably. Moreover, the proposed method adopts angle weighting processing, which can further eliminate large-angle migration artifacts and effectively improve the imaging accuracy of RTM.
Explore the Diagnostic Efficiency of Chinese Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data Systems by Comparing With the Other Four Systems (ACR TI-RADS, Kwak-TIRADS, KSThR-TIRADS, and EU-TIRADS): A Single-Center Study
Authors: Qi Qi , Zhou Aiyun , Guo Suping , Huang Xingzhi , Chen Songli , Li Yaohui , Xu Pan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To explore the characteristics of C-TIRADS by comparing it with ACR-TIRADS, Kwak-TIRADS, KSThR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS.

Methods

A total of 1096 nodules were collected from 884 patients undergoing thyroidectomy in our center between May 2018 and December 2020. Divided the nodules into two groups: “>10mm” and “≤10mm”. Ultrasound characteristics of each nodule were observed and recorded by 2 doctors, then classified based on ACR-TIRADS, Kwak-TIRADS, KSThR-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS, and C-TIRADS.

Results

A total of 682 benign nodules cases (62.23%) and 414 malignant nodules cases (37.77%) were identified. The ICC value of each guideline was:0.937(ACR-TIRADS), 0.858(EU-IRADS), 0.811(Kwak-TIRADS), 0.835(KTA/KSThR-TIRADS) and 0.854(C-TIRADS). The nodule malignancy rates in the groups(Kwak-TIRADS 4B, C-TIRADS 4B、4C) of two sizes were significantly different (all p<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the other grades of two sizes (all p>0.05). Unnecessary biopsy rates were the lowest in C-TIRADS (49.02% p<0.001). Furthermore, Kwak-TIRADS had the highest sensitivity and NPV (89.9%, 91.0%, all p<0.05), while C-TIRADS had the highest specificity and PPV (82.3%, 69.2%, all p<0.05). C-TIRADS and Kwak-TIRADS had the highest accuracy (76.0%, 72.5%, P=0.071). The AUCs of the 5 guidelines were C-TIRADS(0.816, P<0.05), Kwak-TIRADS(0.789, P<0.05) KTA/KSThR-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS(0.773, 0.763, P=0.305), EU-TIRADS(0.734, P<0.05). The AUCs of the five guidelines were not statistically different between “nodules>10mm” and “nodules ≤ 10mm” (all P>0.05).

Conclusions

All five guides showed excellent interobserver agreement. C-TIRADS was slightly efficient than Kwak-IRADS, KTA/KSThR-TIRADS and ACR-TIRADS, and had greater advantages than EU-TIRADS. The diagnostic abilities of the five guidelines for “nodules ≤ 10mm” were not inferior to that of “nodules> 10mm”. C-TIRADS is simple and easy to implement and can provide effective thyroid tumor risk stratification for thyroid nodule diagnosis, especially in China.
Transient Stability Analysis of the Two-Area With AC/DC Paralleled Interconnected Power System in Different Operation
Authors: Liu Hongbo , Zhang Shuyu , Sun Li , Zhang Chong , Peng Xiaoyu
Published: October 2021

In order to deeply explore the transient stability mechanism of the AC/DC hybrid system, this paper analyzes the rotor angle stability of the two-area AC/DC hybrid system. The system is analyzed after subjecting it to large disturbances in the AC system and for different operating conditions, qualitatively and quantitatively. The influence of factors, such as the AC operating point of the system and the proportion of DC transmission power, have been considered for improving the rotor motion equation. Subsequently, the transient characteristics of the hybrid system are analyzed after being subjected to disturbances. The power angle stability margin index is obtained, based on which the transient characteristics after DC blocking are analyzed, and the coordinated control strategy with the least control cost is proposed. The results are verified using the two-area AC/DC parallel transmission system network model. The study provides the reference for ensuring the security and stability of the hybrid AC/DC power grid.
Spatiotemporal Distribution of Herbivorous Insects Along Always-Green Mountaintop Forest Islands
Authors: Kuchenbecker Juliana , Macedo-Reis Luiz Eduardo , Fagundes Marcílio , Neves Frederico S.
Published: October 2021

Insects make up the bulk of terrestrial diversity and about half of insect species are herbivores that have direct relationships with their host plants and are the basis of the entire food chain, on which wildlife and humanity depend. Some herbivorous insect traits, such as their spatio-temporal distribution, are especially relevant in the current scenario of global changes, which are more pronounced in high elevation areas, helping to improve the effectiveness of conservation actions. Here we evaluated the influence that different spatiotemporal scales have on three free-feeding herbivorous insect guilds (fluid-feeding, leaf-chewing, and xylophagous insects) in montane forest islands immersed in a grassland-dominated matrix (campo rupestre). We assessed whether species turnover or nestedness was the main component determining both spatial and temporal species composition variation (β-diversity) of the herbivorous insect community. We also checked the temporal effect on herbivorous insect guilds composition between vertical strata. We sampled herbivorous insects during two summers and two winters in 14 forest islands of different sizes and shapes in a natural mountainous fragment located in southeastern Brazil. A total of 6597 herbivorous insects representing 557 morphospecies were sampled, 290 of which were fluid-feeding, 147 leaf-chewing and 120 xylophagous insects. We found a main contribution of time scale in the organization of the herbivorous insect composition sampled in this study, mainly by turnover, with small differences among guilds. Additionally, we could see that climate determined the local variation of species, corroborating that we have a highly variable always-green system over space and time where the understory community varies less in comparison to the canopy community. Our findings suggest that long-term ecological research on herbivorous community structure in relation to climatic variation is a key element for future investigations, which can be decisive for the conservation of herbivorous insect communities. We also suggest that the effects of anthropogenic pressures must be monitored in this system, since these forest islands may serve as warming refuges in a fragmented landscape holding an invaluable diversity of species that, without these old-growth forest reservoirs, would be doomed to disappear.
Persistent Effects of Historical Selective Logging on a Vascular Epiphyte Assemblage in the Forest Canopy of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Seshadri K. S. , Ganesan R. , Devy Soubadra M.
Published: October 2021

Forest canopies have been dubbed the last biological frontier and continue to remain underexplored. Vascular epiphytes form a rich assemblage of plants within the forest canopy and apart from sustaining diverse taxa, they also fulfill critical ecological functions. Vascular epiphytes are particularly sensitive to perturbations of microclimate and microhabitat within the canopy, especially from anthropogenic changes such as logging. The forests of the megadiverse Western Ghats in India harbor a rich assemblage of vascular epiphytes, but their ecology has not been examined systematically. We compared the diversity, abundance, and composition of a vascular epiphyte assemblage between an unlogged and a historically selectively logged forest in the southern Western Ghats, India, and identified factors affecting the epiphyte assemblage. Canopies of 100 trees each in selectively logged and unlogged forests were accessed using the single-rope technique. We found 20 species of vascular epiphytes with the assemblage dominated by members of Orchidaceae. The diversity and abundance of epiphytes were significantly greater in the selectively logged forest. One host tree, Cullenia exarillata, supported the greatest number of epiphytes in both forest stands. The niche widths of epiphyte species, computed with host tree species as a resource, were similar between the two stands but a greater number of species pairs overlapped in the selectively logged forest. Overall, epiphyte abundance was negatively associated with unlogged forests. Host tree species, tree height, and presence of moss on branches were positively associated with the abundance of epiphytes. Despite being ecologically important, no study has thus far examined the impact of selective logging on the epiphyte assemblage in the Western Ghats. Our findings contribute to the knowledge of vascular epiphytes from South and Southeast Asia and set the stage for future research and conservation.
Impact of Antibiotics and Proton Pump Inhibitors on Efficacy and Tolerance of Anti-PD-1 Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Authors: Giordan Quentin , Salleron Julia , Vallance Catherine , Moriana Clothilde , Clement-Duchene Christelle
Published: October 2021

Background

The use of antibiotics (ATB) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPI) alters the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, which can influence the immune system, consequently interfering with response to anti-PD1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). We assessed the impact of ATB and/or PPI use on the efficacy and safety of ICI.

Methods

Two hundred twelve patients treated with anti-PD1 ICI for non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, upper airway & digestive tract carcinoma or renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively included. Patients having received ATB within 60 days before ICI initiation were included in the ATB+ group. Patients having received PPI within 30 days before ICI initiation were included in the PPI+ group. Four groups were thus considered: ATB-/PPI-, ATB+/PPI-, ATB-/PPI+, ATB+/PPI+. Response rate was assessed by RECIST v1.1. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse events, recorded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 5, were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting to account for selection bias.

Results

PFS at 6 months was 56.7 %, 95%CI (49.6%; 63.2%) and 47.2 %, 95%CI (39.8%;54.1%) at 12 months. OS was 81.6%, 95%CI (75.6%; 86.2%) at 6 months, and 69.4%, 95%CI (61.9%;75.7%) at 12 months. Compared to ATB-/PPI- group, PFS was lower for the ATB+/PPI- group [Hazard ratio (HR) 1.90, 95%CI (1.41;2.57)] and the ATB-/PPI+ group [HR 1.51, 95%CI (1.11;2.05)], and lowest in the ATB+/PPI+ group [HR 3.65, 95%CI (2.75;4.84)]. For OS, the use of ATB alone or PPI alone or in combination was a risk factor for death, with each increasing HR values by a similar magnitude, and the combination of ATB and PPI did not increase risk further. AEs were observed in 78 cases (36.8%) with no significant impact of ATB or PPI use.

Conclusions

This study reveals that ATB and/or PPI use can alter response to anti-PD1 ICI, and the prognosis of cancer patients. The microbiota mechanisms involved in the response to ICI should be investigated to optimize patient management.
Single Dose of a VSV-Based Vaccine Rapidly Protects Macaques From Marburg Virus Disease
Authors: Marzi Andrea , Jankeel Allen , Menicucci Andrea R. , Callison Julie , O’Donnell Kyle L. , Feldmann Friederike , Pinski Amanda N. , Hanley Patrick W. , Messaoudi Ilhem
Published: October 2021

Marburg virus (MARV) is a member of the filovirus family that causes hemorrhagic disease with high case fatality rates. MARV is on the priority list of the World Health Organization for countermeasure development highlighting its potential impact on global public health. We developed a vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-based vaccine expressing the MARV glycoprotein (VSV-MARV) and previously demonstrated uniform protection of nonhuman primates (NHPs) with a single dose. Here, we investigated the fast-acting potential of this vaccine by challenging NHPs with MARV 14, 7 or 3 days after a single dose vaccination with VSV-MARV. We found that 100% of the animals survived when vaccinated 7 or 14 days and 75% of the animal survived when vaccinated 3 days prior to lethal MARV challenge. Transcriptional analysis of whole blood samples indicated activation of B cells and antiviral defense after VSV-MARV vaccination. In the day -14 and -7 groups, limited transcriptional changes after challenge were observed with the exception of day 9 post-challenge in the day -7 group where we detected gene expression profiles indicative of a recall response. In the day -3 group, transcriptional analysis of samples from surviving NHPs revealed strong innate immune activation. In contrast, the animal that succumbed to disease in this group lacked signatures of antiviral immunity. In summary, our data demonstrate that the VSV-MARV is a fast-acting vaccine suitable for the use in emergency situations like disease outbreaks in Africa.
Effect of Intensity and Mode of Artificial Upwelling on Particle Flux and Carbon Export
Authors: Baumann Moritz , Taucher Jan , Paul Allanah J. , Heinemann Malte , Vanharanta Mari , Bach Lennart T. , Spilling Kristian , Ortiz Joaquin , Arístegui Javier , Hernández-Hernández Nauzet , Baños Isabel , Riebesell Ulf
Published: October 2021

Reduction of anthropogenic CO2 emissions alone will not sufficiently restrict global warming and enable the 1.5°C goal of the Paris agreement to be met. To effectively counteract climate change, measures to actively remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are required. Artificial upwelling has been proposed as one such carbon dioxide removal technique. By fueling primary productivity in the surface ocean with nutrient-rich deep water, it could potentially enhance downward fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and carbon sequestration. In this study we investigated the effect of different intensities of artificial upwelling combined with two upwelling modes (recurring additions vs. one singular addition) on POC export, sinking matter stoichiometry and remineralization depth. We carried out a 39 day-long mesocosm experiment in the subtropical North Atlantic, where we fertilized oligotrophic surface waters with different amounts of deep water. The total nutrient inputs ranged from 1.6 to 11.0 μmol NO3– L–1. We found that on the one hand POC export under artificial upwelling more than doubled, and the molar C:N ratios of sinking organic matter increased from values around Redfield (6.6) to ∼8–13, which is beneficial for potential carbon dioxide removal. On the other hand, sinking matter was remineralized at faster rates and showed lower sinking velocities, which led to shallower remineralization depths. Particle properties were more favorable for deep carbon export in the recurring upwelling mode, while in the singular mode the C:N increase of sinking matter was more pronounced. In both upwelling modes roughly half of the produced organic carbon was retained in the water column until the end of the experiment. This suggests that the plankton communities were still in the process of adjustment, possibly due to the different response times of producers and consumers. There is thus a need for studies with longer experimental durations to quantify the responses of fully adjusted communities. Finally, our results revealed that artificial upwelling affects a variety of sinking particle properties, and that the intensity and mode with which it is applied control the strength of the effects.
Ross Sea Dissolved Organic Matter Optical Properties During an Austral Summer: Biophysical Influences
Authors: D’Sa Eurico J. , Kim Hyun-Cheol , Ha Sun-Yong , Joshi Ishan
Published: October 2021

The Ross Sea, one of the most productive regions in the Southern Ocean, plays a significant role in deep water formation and carbon cycling. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption and fluorescence (FDOM) properties were studied in conjunction with biophysical properties during austral summer. Elevated values of both DOC (mean 47.82 ± 5.70 μM) and CDOM (absorption coefficient at 325 nm, acdom325: mean 0.31 ± 0.18 m–1) observed in the upper shelf waters in the southwest (SW), north of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS), the northwest and along a transect inward of the shelf break, suggested in situ production and accumulation linked to the productive spring/summer season. However, regional differences were observed in CDOM with acdom325 higher (0.63 ± 0.19 m–1) and its spectral slope S275–295 lower (24.06 ± 2.93 μm–1) in the SW compared to other regions (0.25 ± 0.08 m–1 and 28.92 ± 2.67 μm–1, respectively). Similarly, the specific UV absorption coefficient or SUVA254 determined at 254 nm was greater (1.85 ± 0.55 m2 mg–1 C) compared to other regions (1.07 ± 0.24 m2 mg–1 C), indicating CDOM of greater molecular weight and aromaticity in the SW. Phytoplankton absorption spectra indicated the shallow mixed layer of SW Ross Sea to be dominated by diatoms (e.g., Fragilariopsis spp.), a preferential food source for grazers such as the Antarctic krill, which in large numbers have been shown to enhance CDOM absorption, a likely source in the SW. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) retrieved one protein-like and two humic-like FDOM fractions commonly observed in the global ocean. In contrast to acdom325 which was uncorrelated to DOC, we observed weak but significant positive correlations between the humic-like FDOM with salinity and DOC, high value of the biological index parameter BIX and an instance of increasing FDOM with depth at a location with sinking organic matter, suggesting autochthonous production of FDOM. The absorption budget showed a relatively higher contribution by CDOM (70.7 ± 18.3%) compared to phytoplankton (22.5 ± 15.2%) absorption coefficients at 443 nm with implications to ocean color remote sensing. This first study of DOM optical properties provides additional insights on carbon cycling in the Ross Sea.
NOAA and BOEM Minimum Recommendations for Use of Passive Acoustic Listening Systems in Offshore Wind Energy Development Monitoring and Mitigation Programs
Authors: Van Parijs Sofie M. , Baker Kyle , Carduner Jordan , Daly Jaclyn , Davis Genevieve E. , Esch Carter , Guan Shane , Scholik-Schlomer Amy , Sisson Nicholas B. , Staaterman Erica
Published: October 2021

Offshore wind energy development is rapidly ramping up in United States (U.S.) waters in order to meet renewable energy goals. With a diverse suite of endangered large whale species and a multitude of other protected marine species frequenting these same waters, understanding the potential consequences of construction and operation activities is essential to advancing responsible offshore wind development. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) represents a newer technology that has become one of several methods of choice for monitoring trends in the presence of species, the soundscape, mitigating risk, and evaluating potential behavioral and distributional changes resulting from offshore wind activities. Federal and State regulators, the offshore wind industry, and environmental advocates require detailed information on PAM capabilities and techniques needed to promote efficient, consistent, and meaningful data collection efforts on local and regional scales. PAM during offshore wind construction and operation may be required by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management through project-related permits and approvals issued pursuant to relevant statutes and regulations. The recommendations in this paper aim to support this need as well as to aid the development of project-specific PAM Plans by identifying minimum procedures, system requirements, and other important components for inclusion, while promoting consistency across plans. These recommendations provide an initial guide for stakeholders to meet the rapid development of the offshore wind industry in United States waters. Approaches to PAM and agency requirements will evolve as future permits are issued and construction plans are approved, regional research priorities are refined, and scientific publications and new technologies become available.
Bioactive 3D Scaffolds for the Delivery of NGF and BDNF to Improve Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Sandoval-Castellanos Ana M. , Claeyssens Frederik , Haycock John W.
Published: October 2021

Peripheral nerve injury is an important cause of disability, that can hinder significantly sensory and motor function. The clinical gold standard for peripheral nerve repair is the use of autografts, nevertheless, this method has limitations such as donor site morbidity. An emerging alternative to autografts are nerve guide conduits, which are used to entubulate the severed nerve and provide guidance for the directed regeneration of the nerve tissue. These nerve guide conduits are less effective than autografts, and to enhance their performance the incorporation of neurotrophins can be considered. To enable optimal nerve regeneration, it is important to continuously stimulate neurite outgrowth by designing a delivery system for the sustained delivery of neurotrophins. The aim of this study was to develop a novel bioactive surface on electrospun fibres to supply a sustained release of heparin bound NGF or BDNF electrostatically immobilised onto an amine functionalized surface to encourage neurite outgrowth and Schwann cell migration. The bioactive surface was characterised by XPS analysis and ELISA. To assess the effect of the bioactive surface on electrospun fibres, primary chick embryo dorsal root ganglia were used, and neurite outgrowth and Schwann cell migration were measured. Our results showed a significant improvement regarding nerve regeneration, with the growth of neurites of up to 3 mm in 7 days, accompanied by Schwann cells. We hypothesize that the physical guidance provided by the fibres along the sustained delivery of NGF or BDNF created a stimulatory environment for nerve regeneration. Our results were achieved by immobilising relatively low concentrations of neurotrophins (1 ng/ml), which provides a promising, low-cost, and scalable method to improve current nerve guide conduits.
Diabetes Is the Most Critical Risk Factor of Adverse Complications After Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement
Authors: Chang Hsiao-Huang , Chang Ching-Hsiang , Hsiao Chen-Yuan , Kao Shih-Yi , Chen Jinn-Yang , Chen Tien-Hua , Tsai Pei-Jiun
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a kind of renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). While PD has many advantages, various complications may arise.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the complications of ESRD patients who received PD catheter implantation in a single medical center within 15 years.

Results: This study collected 707 patients. In the first 14 days after PD implantation, 54 patients experienced bleeding complications, while 47 patients experienced wound infection. Among all complications, catheter-related infections were the most common complication 14 days after PD implantation (incidence: 38.8%). A total of 323 patients experienced PD catheter removal, of which 162 patients were due to infection, while 96 were intentional due to kidney transplantation. Excluding those whose catheters were removed due to transplantation, the median survival of the PD catheter was 4.1 years; among them, patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) were 7.4 years and patients with DM were 2.5 years (p < 0.001). Further, 50% probability of surviving was beyond 3.5 years in DM patients with HbA1CC < 7 and 1.6 years in DM patients with HbA1C <7 (p ≥ 0.001).

Conclusions: Catheter-related infections were the most common complications following PD catheter implantation. DM, especially with HbA1C ≥7, significantly impacted on the catheter-related infection and the survival probability of the PD catheter.
Land Management Legacy Affects Abundance and Function of the acdS Gene in Wheat Root Associated Pseudomonads
Authors: Ruscoe Heather L. , Taketani Rodrigo G. , Clark Ian M. , Lund George , Hughes David , Dodd Ian C. , Hirsch Penny R. , Mauchline Tim H.
Published: October 2021

Land management practices can vastly influence belowground plant traits due to chemical, physical, and biological alteration of soil properties. Beneficial Pseudomonas spp. are agriculturally relevant bacteria with a plethora of plant growth promoting (PGP) qualities, including the potential to alter plant physiology by modulating plant produced ethylene via the action of the bacterial enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase (acdS). This study evaluated the impact of land management legacy on the selection and function of wheat root associated culturable pseudomonad isolates. Three distinct previous land uses prior to wheat culture (grassland, arable, and bare fallow) were tested and culturable pseudomonad abundance, phylogeny (gyrB and acdS genes), function (ACC deaminase activity), and the co-selection of acdS with other PGP genes examined. The pseudomonad community could to some extent be discriminated based on previous land use. The isolates from rhizosphere and root compartments of wheat had a higher acdS gene frequency than the bulk soil, particularly in plants grown in soil from the bare fallow treatment which is known to have degraded soil properties such as low nutrient availability. Additionally, other genes of interest to agriculture encoding anti-fungal metabolites, siderophores, and genes involved in nitrogen metabolism were highly positively associated with the presence of the acdS gene in the long-term arable treatment in the genomes of these isolates. In contrast, genes involved in antibiotic resistance and type VI secretion systems along with nitrogen cycling genes were highly positively correlated with the acdS gene in bare fallow isolated pseudomonad. This highlights that the three land managements prior to wheat culture present different selection pressures that can shape culturable pseudomonad community structure and function either directly or indirectly via the influence of wheat roots.
Exogenous and Endogenous Phosphoethanolamine Transferases Differently Affect Colistin Resistance and Fitness in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cervoni Matteo , Lo Sciuto Alessandra , Bianchini Chiara , Mancone Carmine , Imperi Francesco
Published: October 2021

Colistin represents a last-line treatment option for infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Colistin resistance generally involves the modification of the lipid A moiety of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with positively charged molecules, namely phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) or 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (Ara4N), that reduce colistin affinity for its target. Several lines of evidence highlighted lipid A aminoarabinosylation as the primary colistin resistance mechanism in P. aeruginosa, while the contribution of phosphoethanolamination remains elusive. PEtN modification can be due to either endogenous (chromosomally encoded) PEtN transferase(s) (e.g., EptA in P. aeruginosa) or plasmid borne MCR enzymes, commonly found in enterobacteria. By individually cloning eptA and mcr-1 into a plasmid for inducible gene expression, we demonstrated that MCR-1 and EptA have comparable PEtN transferase activity in P. aeruginosa and confer colistin resistance levels similar to those provided by lipid A aminoarabinosylation. Notably, EptA, but not MCR-1, negatively affects P. aeruginosa growth and, to a lesser extent, cell envelope integrity when expressed at high levels. Mutagenesis experiments revealed that PEtN transferase activity does not account for the noxious effects of EptA overexpression, that instead requires a C-terminal tail unique to P. aeruginosa EptA, whose function remains unknown. Overall, this study shows that both endogenous and exogenous PEtN transferases can promote colistin resistance in P. aeruginosa, and that PEtN and MCR-1 mediated resistance has no impact on growth and cell envelope homeostasis, suggesting that there may be no fitness barriers to the spread of mcr-1 in P. aeruginosa.
Dance Intervention Impact on Brain Plasticity: A Randomized 6-Month fMRI Study in Non-expert Older Adults
Authors: Balazova Zuzana , Marecek Radek , Novakova L’ubomíra , Nemcova-Elfmarkova Nela , Kropacova Sylvie , Brabenec Luboš , Grmela Roman , Vaculíková Pavlína , Svobodova Lenka , Rektorova Irena
Published: October 2021

Background: Dance is a complex activity combining physical exercise with cognitive, social, and artistic stimulation.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of dance intervention (DI) on intra and inter-network resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) and its association to cognitive changes in a group of non-demented elderly participants.

Methods: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: DI and life as usual (LAU). Six-month-long DI consisted of supervised 60 min lessons three times per week. Resting-state fMRI data were processed using independent component analysis to evaluate the intra and inter-network connectivity of large-scale brain networks. Interaction between group (DI, LAU) and visit (baseline, follow-up) was assessed using ANOVA, and DI-induced changes in rs-FC were correlated with cognitive outcomes.

Results: Data were analyzed in 68 participants (DI; n = 36 and LAU; n = 32). A significant behavioral effect was found in the attention domain, with Z scores increasing in the DI group and decreasing in the LAU group (p = 0.017). The DI as compared to LAU led to a significant rs-FC increase of the default mode network (DMN) and specific inter-network pairings, including insulo-opercular and right frontoparietal/frontoparietal control networks (p = 0.019 and p = 0.023), visual and language/DMN networks (p = 0.012 and p = 0.015), and cerebellar and visual/language networks (p = 0.015 and p = 0.003). The crosstalk of the insulo-opercular and right frontoparietal networks were associated with attention/executive domain Z-scores (R = 0.401, p = 0.015, and R = 0.412, p = 0.012).

Conclusion: The DI led to intervention-specific complex brain plasticity changes that were of cognitive relevance.
Performance of Plasma Amyloid β, Total Tau, and Neurofilament Light Chain in the Identification of Probable Alzheimer's Disease in South China
Authors: Jiao Bin , Liu Hui , Guo Lina , Liao Xinxin , Zhou Yafang , Weng Ling , Xiao Xuewen , Zhou Lu , Wang Xin , Jiang Yaling , Yang Qijie , Zhu Yuan , Zhou Lin , Zhang Weiwei , Wang Junling , Yan Xinxiang , Tang Beisha , Shen Lu
Published: October 2021

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and has no effective treatment to date. It is essential to develop a minimally invasive blood-based biomarker as a tool for screening the general population, but the efficacy remains controversial. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the ability of plasma biomarkers, including amyloid β (Aβ), total tau (t-tau), and neurofilament light chain (NfL), to detect probable AD in the South Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 277 patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable AD and 153 healthy controls with normal cognitive function (CN) were enrolled in this study. The levels of plasma Aβ42, Aβ40, t-tau, and NfL were detected using ultra-sensitive immune-based assays (SIMOA). Lumbar puncture was conducted in 89 patients with AD to detect Aβ42, Aβ40, t-tau, and phosphorylated (p)-tau levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and to evaluate the consistency between plasma and CSF biomarkers through correlation analysis. Finally, the diagnostic value of plasma biomarkers was further assessed by constructing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results: After adjusting for age, sex, and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles, compared to the CN group, the plasma t-tau, and NfL were significantly increased in the AD group (p < 0.01, Bonferroni correction). Correlation analysis showed that only the plasma t-tau level was positively correlated with the CSF t-tau levels (r = 0.319, p = 0.003). The diagnostic model combining plasma t-tau and NfL levels, and age, sex, and APOE alleles, showed the best performance for the identification of probable AD [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.89, sensitivity = 82.31%, specificity = 83.66%].

Conclusion: Blood biomarkers can effectively distinguish patients with probable AD from controls and may be a non-invasive and efficient method for AD pre-screening.
S1 Brain Connectivity in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Underlies Median Nerve and Functional Improvement Following Electro-Acupuncture
Authors: Fisher Harrison , Sclocco Roberta , Maeda Yumi , Kim Jieun , Malatesta Cristina , Gerber Jessica , Audette Joseph , Kettner Norman , Napadow Vitaly
Published: October 2021

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a median nerve entrapment neuropathy that alters primary somatosensory cortex (S1) organization. While electro-acupuncture (EA), a form of peripheral neuromodulation, has been shown to improve clinical and neurophysiological CTS outcomes, the role of EA-evoked brain response during therapy (within and beyond S1) for improved outcomes is unknown. We investigated S1-associated whole brain fMRI connectivity during both a resting and sustained EA stimulation state in age-matched healthy controls (N = 28) and CTS patients (N = 64), at baseline and after 8 weeks of acupuncture therapy (local, distal, or sham EA). Compared to healthy controls, CTS patients at baseline showed decreased resting state functional connectivity between S1 and thalamic pulvinar nucleus. Increases in S1/pulvinar connectivity strength following verum EA therapy (combined local and distal) were correlated with improvements in median nerve velocity (r = 0.38, p = 0.035). During sustained local EA, compared to healthy controls, CTS patients demonstrated increased functional connectivity between S1 and anterior hippocampus (aHipp). Following 8 weeks of local EA therapy, S1/aHipp connectivity significantly decreased and greater decrease was associated with improvement in patients' functional status (r = 0.64, p = 0.01) and increased median nerve velocity (r = −0.62, p = 0.013). Thus, connectivity between S1 and other brain areas is also disrupted in CTS patients and may be improved following EA therapy. Furthermore, stimulus-evoked fMRI connectivity adds therapy-specific, mechanistic insight to more common resting state connectivity approaches. Specifically, local EA modulates S1 connectivity to sensory and affective processing regions, linked to patient function and median nerve health.
Benefits and Risks of Smallholder Livestock Production on Child Nutrition in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Chen Dehao , Mechlowitz Karah , Li Xiaolong , Schaefer Nancy , Havelaar Arie H. , McKune Sarah L.
Published: October 2021

Livestock production may improve nutritional outcomes of pregnant women and children by increasing household income, availability of nutrient-dense foods, and women's empowerment. Nevertheless, the relationship is complex, and the nutritional status of children may be impaired by presence of or proximity to livestock and their pathogens. In this paper, we review the benefits and risks of livestock production on child nutrition. Evidence supports the nutritional benefits of livestock farming through income, production, and women's empowerment. Increasing animal source food consumption requires a combination of efforts, including improved animal management so that herd size is adequate to meet household income needs and consumption and addressing sociocultural and gendered norms. Evidence supports the inclusion of behavior change communication strategies into livestock production interventions to facilitate the sustainability of nutritional benefits over time, particularly interventions that engage women and foster dimensions of women's empowerment. In evaluating the risks of livestock production, evidence indicates that a broad range of enteric pathogens may chronically infect the intestines of children and, in combination with dietary deficits, may cause environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a chronic inflammation of the gut. Some of the most important pathogens associated with EED are zoonotic in nature with livestock as their main reservoir. Very few studies have aimed to understand which livestock species contribute most to colonization with these pathogens, or how to reduce transmission. Control at the point of exposure has been investigated in a few studies, but much less effort has been spent on improving animal husbandry practices, which may have additional benefits. There is an urgent need for dedicated and long-term research to understand which livestock species contribute most to exposure of young children to zoonotic enteric pathogens, to test the potential of a wide range of intervention methods, to assess their effectiveness in randomized trials, and to assure their broad adaptation and sustainability. This review highlights the benefits and risks of livestock production on child nutrition. In addition to identifying research gaps, findings support inclusion of poor gut health as an immediate determinant of child undernutrition, expanding the established UNICEF framework which includes only inadequate diet and disease.
Dietary Phospholipids Prepared From Scallop Internal Organs Attenuate the Serum and Liver Cholesterol Contents by Enhancing the Expression of Cholesterol Hydroxylase in the Liver of Mice
Authors: Sugimoto Koki , Hosomi Ryota , Yoshida Munehiro , Fukunaga Kenji
Published: October 2021

In this study, we successfully prepared scallop oil (SCO), which contains high levels of phospholipids (PL) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), from the internal organs of the Japanese giant scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), one of the most important underutilized fishery resources in Japan. The intake of SCO lowers the serum and liver cholesterol contents in mice; however, whether the fatty acids (FA) composition or PL of SCO exhibits any cholesterol-lowering effect remains unknown. To elucidate whether the cholesterol-lowering function is due to FA composition or PL of SCO, and investigate the cholesterol-lowering mechanism by SCO, in the present study, mice were fed SCO's PL fraction (SCO-PL), triglyceride (TG)-type oil with almost the same FA composition as SCO-PL, called SCO's TG fraction (SCO-TG), soybean oil (SOY-TG), and soybean's PL fraction (SOY-PL). Male C57BL/6J mice (5-week-old) were fed high-fat and cholesterol diets containing 3% (w/w) experimental oils (SOY-TG, SOY-PL, SCO-TG, and SCO-PL) for 28 days. The SCO-PL diet significantly decreased the serum and liver cholesterol contents compared with the SOY-TG diet, but the intake of SOY-PL and SCO-TG did not show this effect. This result indicated that the serum and liver cholesterol-lowering effect observed in the SCO intake group was due to the effect of SCO-PL. The cholesterol-lowering effect of SCO-PL was in part related to the promotion of liver cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) expression, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for bile acid synthesis. In contrast, the expression levels of the ileum farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) and fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15), which inhibit the expression of liver CYP7A1, were significantly reduced in the SCO-PL group than the SOY-TG group. From these results, the increase in the liver CYP7A1 expression by dietary SCO-PL was in part through the reduction of the ileum Fxr/Fgf15 regulatory pathway. Therefore, this study showed that SCO-PL may be a health-promoting component as it lowers the serum and liver cholesterol contents by increasing the liver CYP7A1 expression, which is not seen in SOY-PL and SCO-TG.