bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
All the Work that Makes It Work: Digital Methods and Manual Labour
Authors: Jarlbrink Johan
Published: December 2020

The chapter explores how digital graphs, maps and trees can reveal things never seen before, but how they may also hide all the manual work that lies behind them. The most basic rationale behind digital humanities is the idea that machines should do most of the dull tasks for us. If all the extracting, counting, matching, and plotting is left to computers, researchers can focus on the intellectual parts of the process, interpreting and presenting the results. In many cases, however, digital tools need assistance to work properly. This kind of manual or semi-automatic work may involve compiling, cleaning and filtering datasets, tagging images, transcribing texts, correcting bad matches, adjusting graphs, and so on. Yet, it is rare to see it mentioned when results are presented. The aim of this chapter is to describe and discuss the role of this invisible (semi-)manual work within digital research.
The Resettlement and Subsequent Assimilation of Evacuees from Finnish Karelia during and after the Second World War
Authors: Danielsbacka Mirkka, , Aho Lauri , Lynch Robert , Pettay Jenni , Lummaa Virpi , Loehr John
Published: December 2020

This chapter investigates sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with the relocation and settlement of Karelian evacuees during and after the Second World War. During the war over 400,000 people were forcibly displaced from the Karelia region in Finland and evacuated to western Finland. Soon after the start of the Continuation War (1941–1944) Finland recaptured Karelia from the Soviet Union and these refugees had the opportunity to return to Karelia, approximately 70% did so. Using the digitised MiKARELIA database, the movements of 59,477 Karelian evacuees and their decisions to return to Karelia or stay in western Finland during the Continuation War and the factors associated with their return are analysed. In addition, the post-war movements of these evacuees are investigated to shed light on how Karelians assimilated. The results of this study provide new information on many factors known to have affected the settlement and assimilation of Karelian evacuees during and immediately after the Second World War.
Affrontare il cambiamento climatico è una ‘missione possibile’
Authors: Buizza Roberto
Published: December 2020

Climate change is real, and we, humans, are responsible for it. Its impact is already evident, both on the Earth system (global warming, sea-level rise, sea-ice melting, more intense and frequent extreme weather events such as heat waves and fires) and on people (famines, health issues, migrations, political tensions and conflicts). We need immediate and concrete mitigation actions aiming to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, and adaptation actions to be able to cope with the increasing changing climate. We have to reach zero-net greenhouse gases emissions as soon as possible, by reducing emissions by at least 5% a year, starting from now. Otherwise the climate change impact will become more and more severe: it will induce more injustice, and it will have a major impact on people health. We have the resources and the technologies to deal with it: we must have the courage to change and transform and deal with it. Addressing climate change is not impossible: to the contrary, it is a ‘possible mission’.
Flora polínica da Área de Proteção Ambiental Serra Branca/Raso da Catarina, Jeremoabo, Bahia, Brasil – Família: Passifloraceae
Authors: Araújo Rita de Cássia Matos dos Santos , Santos Jéssica Vieira dos , Andrade Brunelle Ramos , Nunes Teonildes Sacramento , Conceição Adilva de Souza
Published: December 2020

Este estudo objetiva caracterizar morfologicamente grãos de pólen da família Passifloraceae, ocorrentes na Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Serra Branca/Raso da Catarina, Jeremoabo, Bahia, Brasil, visando complementar o levantamento palinológico e taxonômico realizado na área, bem como fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento do plano de manejo da APA Serra Branca/Raso da Catarina. Os botões florais foram coletados de material herborizado, depositado no Herbário HUNEB – Coleção Paulo Afonso. O material polinífero foi acetolisado, mensurado e descrito sob microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura (MEV). A família Passifloraceae está representada na Ecorregião Raso da Catarina por quatro espécies pertencentes ao gênero Passiflora: P. cincinnata Mast., P. foetida L. P. luetzelburgii Harms e P.  setacea DC. Todas as espécies apresentaram grãos de pólen grandes, 6-sincolpados, aberturas aos pares, com três pontopérculos e três pseudopérculos, exina reticulada com a presença de báculos ou grânulos no interior dos grandes retículos sinuosos. Os resultados obtidos mostraram uma uniformidade morfopolínica caracterizando o gênero Passiflora na área de estudo como estenopolínico.
Insecticidal activity of Pilocarpus spicatus Saint-Hilaire (Rutaceae) essential oil against the crop pest Dysdercus peruvianus (Guérin-Méneville, 1831) and Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas, 1852)
Authors: Apolinário Raul , Nogueira Jeane , Costa Meiriellem G. da Silveira , Santos-Mallet Jacenir , Santos Marcelo Guerra , Azambuja Patrícia , Mello Cícero Brasileiro , Gonzalez Marcelo Salabert , Rocha Leandro , Feder Maria Denise
Published: December 2020

Studies were carried out to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Pilocarpus spicatus Saint-Hilaire (Rutaceae) essential oil (EO) on the development of the Hemiptera Dysdercus peruvianus (Guérin-Méneville, 1831) and Oncopeltus fasciatus (Dallas, 1852). Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry analysis revealed a chemical composition with sabinene (32.27%) and sylvestrene (27.26%) as major constituents. Topical and continuous treatment with the pure EO induced 100% of mortality while serial dilutions of the EO induced different levels of lethality in a dose response manner. Median lethal dose (LD50) and lethal dose 90% (LD90) were determined. Malformations in insects and permanent or supernumerary nymphs were often observed after treatments, and the use of scanning electron microscopy allowed the analysis of morphological changes. The different biological effects of P. spicatus EO point out its potential as a rich source of bioactive molecules to be used as an alternative control method against agricultural pest insects.
Perfil do mercado farmacêutico de drogarias no Município de Teresina-PI
Authors: Santos Igor Alves dos , Paz Francisco Adalberto do Nascimento
Published: December 2020

Nos últimos anos o mercado farmacêutico tem crescido de uma forma promissora, as grandes redes de farmácias, drogarias e a própria indústria farmacêutica tem conseguido resultados que geram bilhões de reais por ano e esses números só tendem a crescer. Esse trabalho surgiu da necessidade de se traçar um perfil de mercado para o município de Teresina-PI em relação a grande expansão do mercado farmacêutico que nos últimos anos apresentou uma alta de cerca de dois dígitos sendo superior ao PIB, apresentando um faturamento de 11,76% em 2018. Tem por objetivo analisar o crescimento de drogarias e traçar um perfil de mercado apresentando um levantamento de como o mercado tem se apresentado e em comparativo fazer uma análise do aumento ou não de estabelecimento em irregularidade, traçando esse perfil pode-se demonstrar se o índice de crescimento irá garantir um setor competitivo e de qualidade através dos serviços prestados pelos estabelecimentos ao que se diz respeito as drogarias. Para o desenvolvimento do projeto serão analisados dados comparativos juntos aos órgãos responsáveis a que diz respeito GEVISA, Jucepi e CRF-PI, onde será traçado um perfil do mercado de drogarias no município e do estado de regularidades de ambas. Espera-se que os resultados sejam positivos com relação ao crescimento e grau de regularidade extremamente imprescindível para a promoção da saúde. Após análise dos dados constatou-se um crescimento elevado na rede de drogarias no município de Teresina-PI gerando uma perspectiva de que o mercado farmacêutico está cada vez mais tomando força garantido grandes empreendimentos, novos empregos e a promoção da saúde no município.
Informing sea otter reintroduction through habitat and human interaction assessment
Authors: Kone DV , Tinker MT , Torres LG
Published: December 2020

Sea otters Enhydra lutris have been absent from Oregon, USA, following their extirpation over a century ago. Stakeholder groups and native tribes are advocating for reintroduction to restore historic populations. We investigated the potential for successful reintroduction by: (1) estimating expected equilibrium sea otter densities as a function of habitat variables to assess sea otter habitat in Oregon; and (2) spatially relating areas of high expected densities to human activities (e.g. fisheries, recreation, vessel activity, protected areas) to anticipate potential disturbance or fishery resource competition. We estimated that 4538 (1742-8976; 95% CI) sea otters could exist in Oregon, with higher expected abundance (N = 1551) and densities (x̄ = 2.45 km-2) within the southern region. Most core habitat areas (97%), representing clusters of high expected densities, overlapped with some form of human activity. While commercial shipping and tow lanes overlapped little (1%) with core habitat areas, recreational activities (58%) and fisheries (76%) had a higher degree of overlap, posing higher disturbance risk. We anticipate higher resource competition potential with the commercial red sea urchin fishery (67% of harvest areas) than the commercial Dungeness crab fishery (9% of high-catch crabbing grounds). Our study presents the first published carrying capacity estimate for sea otters in Oregon and can provide population recovery targets, focus attention on ecological and socioeconomic considerations, and help to inform a recovery plan for a resident sea otter population. Our findings suggest current available habitat may be sufficient to support a sea otter population, but resource managers may need to further investigate and consider whether current human activities might conflict with reestablishment in Oregon, if plans for a reintroduction continue.
Carnival as Contentious Performance
Authors: Arnaud Lionel
Published: December 2020

In the 1970s, in a context of increased racial tensions and growing nationalist claims, the use of rhythms, instruments, and clothing associated with Africa among the black populations of England, Guadeloupe, and Martinique became part of a cultural and political repertoire aimed at resurrecting and denouncing a long history of subordination. Similarly, the mobilization of carnival by Afro-Caribbean activists today can be considered as a tactical choice—that is to say, carnival has become part of the standardized, limited, context-dependent repertoires from which claim-making performances are drawn.

Based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Fort-de-France, London, and Pointe-à-Pitre between 2000 and 2018, this article analyzes how cultural movements have drawn on carnivalesque aesthetics to both memorialize and display the complex history of black Caribbean populations. I argue that Caribbean carnival has been subject to constant reinterpretations since the eighteenth century and that, as such, this repertoire is not only a model or a set of limited means of action, but also a convention through which carnival groups constantly reinvent their skills and resources. Furthermore, this article shows that the repertoires mobilized by the carnival bands I study in Europe and in the Caribbean cannot be reduced to an aesthetic gesture that serves political claims, and that they are part of a historical genealogy that testifies to the irreducible character of a way of life.
Venice Carnival from the Middle Ages to the Twenty- First Century
Authors: Bertrand Gilles
Published: December 2020

As with other carnivals around the world, the history of the Venetian Carnival sheds light on the complex dialectic between festivity and politics and more particularly on the growing need for political authorities to control the urban environment. This article provides a longue durée approach to carnival in Venice and unpacks the meaning of its successive metamorphoses. During the Middle Ages, Venetians used carnival as a defense strategy for their city, intended to ensure the cohesion of its various neighborhoods around a common destiny. In the fifteenth century, the legacy of public festivals for both rich and poor gave way to a more official celebration, which allowed Venice to outdo its European rivals. The civilized and policed expressions that were elaborated from the Renaissance until the eighteenth century gradually set Venetian Carnival apart from the exuberance and invertibility displayed by rustic carnivals in other parts of Europe. However watered-down and commodified present-day Venetian Carnival may seem, it continues to raise eminently political issues, most of which have to do with the appropriation of public space by private interests and the recreation of traditions for mass consumption.
Playing and Praying
Authors: Riggio Milla Cozart
Published: December 2020

Theorizing carnival throughout the Americas means dealing not only with class and social issues in the context of modernity but also with the complexities of slavery, indentureship, colonialism, and neocolonialism reflected in this pre-Lenten festival. Dealing with carnival generally, it is impossible to separate its Christian, primarily Catholic, framework from the politics of its evolution and development. In the Americas, and in the island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in particular, the carnival story is further complicated by deeply embedded African and Asian influences. In a nation in which political parties are still largely race-based, with the division identified as “Afro-” or “Indo-,” politics are entwined not only with race and religion but also with class distinctions that realign supposed antagonists. This article traces the Afro-Trinidadian People’s National Movement (PNM) party’s paradoxical attempt to claim carnival as a national festival, while negating the essence of the emancipation carnival narrative that underlay its claim. It then examines warrior traditions crucial to that narrative. Afro-based kalinda, the martial art form that spawned stickfighting (or bois, as it is called in patois, with the fighters known as “boismen”) intermingled with Indo-identified stickfighting known as gatka, and the Indo-based, whipcracking jab jabs (devil-devils). Though racially distinct, these Afro- and Indo- traditions, which are actively being revived today, share world views (radically different from the ethos of Christian “respectability”) that honor the living presence of ancestors, acknowledge conflict as basic to life, respect nature as a living partner in human community, and practice rituals that are as sacred and protective as they are fundamentally violent.
Behind the Masks
Authors: Godet Aurélie
Published: December 2020

Introduction to the special issue on "The Politics of Carnival."
The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Chronic Kidney Disease: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Mo Yenan , Lu Zhaoyu , Wang Lixin , Ji Chunlan , Zou Chuan , Liu Xusheng
Published: December 2020

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that promotes cell responses to small molecules derived from the diet, microorganisms, metabolism and pollutants. The AhR signal regulates many basic cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, adhesion, migration, apoptosis and cell proliferation. Many studies have shown that AhR is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its complications. This article reviews the current knowledge about the role of AhR in CKD, showing that AhR mediates CKD complications, including cardiovascular disease, anemia, bone disorders, cognitive dysfunction and malnutrition, and that it influences drug metabolism in individuals with CKD. AhR enhances the intestinal barrier function to reduce the harmful effects of uremic toxins. Therefore, understanding the complex roles of AhR during CKD is important to be able to target this transcription factor safely and effectively for CKD prevention and treatment.
The Suppression of miR-199a-3p by Promoter Methylation Contributes to Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Aggressiveness by Targeting RAP2a and DNMT3a
Authors: Wu Feng , Lin Xiao , Shan Su-Kang , Li Fuxingzi , Xu Feng , Zhong Jia-Yu , Guo Bei , Zheng Ming-Hui , Wang Yi , Mo Zhao-Hui , Yuan Ling-Qing
Published: December 2020

Background

It was previously demonstrated that miR-199a-3p plays an important role in tumor progression; especially, its down-regulation in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is associated with cancer cell invasion and proliferation. In the present report, we investigated the mechanism involved in the down-regulation of miR-199a-3p in PTC and how miR-199a-3p regulates PTC invasion both in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to determine the expression of the investigated genes. Bisulfite sequencing PCR was used to investigate miR-199a-3p methylation. The functions of miR-199a-3p were investigated by a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

Our results showed hypermethylation of the miR-199a-3p promoter, which resulted in decreased miR-199a-3p expression both in PTC cell lines and PTC tissues. DNA-methyltransferase 3a (DNMT3a), a target gene of miR-199a-3p, was increased both in PTC cell lines and PTC tissues, while 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (methyltransferase-specific inhibitor) or knock-down using DNMT3a Small-Interfering RNA could restore the expression of miR-199a-3p, and the over-expression of miR-199a-3p could decrease the expression of DNMT3a; this suggests that miR-199a-3p/DNMT3a constructs a regulatory circuit in regulating miR-199a-3p/DNMT3a expression. Moreover, gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that miR-199a-3p is involved in cancer cell migration, invasion, and growth. Meanwhile, we found that RAP2a was also a direct target of miR-199a-3p, which might mediate the tumor-growth-inhibiting effect of miR-199a-3p. To further confirm the tumor-suppressive properties of miR-199a-3p, stable overexpression of miR-199a-3p in a PTC cell line (BCPAP cells) was xenografted to athymic BALB/c nude mice, resulting in delayed tumor growth in vivo. In clinical PTC samples, the expression of RAP2a and DNMT3a was increased significantly, and the expression of RAP2a was inversely correlated with that of miR-199a-3p.

Conclusion

Our studies demonstrate that an epigenetic change in the promoter region of miR-199a contributes to the aggressive behavior of PTC via the miR-199a-3p/DNMT3a regulatory circuit and directly targets RAP2a.
Mitochondrial Transfer and Regulators of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Function and Therapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Mohammadalipour Amina , Dumbali Sandeep P. , Wenzel Pamela L.
Published: December 2020

Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) metabolism plays a crucial role in the surrounding microenvironment in both normal physiology and pathological conditions. While MSCs predominantly utilize glycolysis in their native hypoxic niche within the bone marrow, new evidence reveals the importance of upregulation in mitochondrial activity in MSC function and differentiation. Mitochondria and mitochondrial regulators such as sirtuins play key roles in MSC homeostasis and differentiation into mature lineages of the bone and hematopoietic niche, including osteoblasts and adipocytes. The metabolic state of MSCs represents a fine balance between the intrinsic needs of the cellular state and constraints imposed by extrinsic conditions. In the context of injury and inflammation, MSCs respond to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), such as damaged mitochondria and mitochondrial products, by donation of their mitochondria to injured cells. Through intercellular mitochondria trafficking, modulation of ROS, and modification of nutrient utilization, endogenous MSCs and MSC therapies are believed to exert protective effects by regulation of cellular metabolism in injured tissues. Similarly, these same mechanisms can be hijacked in malignancy whereby transfer of mitochondria and/or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to cancer cells increases mitochondrial content and enhances oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to favor proliferation and invasion. The role of MSCs in tumor initiation, growth, and resistance to treatment is debated, but their ability to modify cancer cell metabolism and the metabolic environment suggests that MSCs are centrally poised to alter malignancy. In this review, we describe emerging evidence for adaptations in MSC bioenergetics that orchestrate developmental fate decisions and contribute to cancer progression. We discuss evidence and potential strategies for therapeutic targeting of MSC mitochondria in regenerative medicine and tissue repair. Lastly, we highlight recent progress in understanding the contribution of MSCs to metabolic reprogramming of malignancies and how these alterations can promote immunosuppression and chemoresistance. Better understanding the role of metabolic reprogramming by MSCs in tissue repair and cancer progression promises to broaden treatment options in regenerative medicine and clinical oncology.
Slow Transition Path Times Reveal a Complex Folding Barrier in a Designed Protein
Authors: Mehlich Alexander , Fang Jie , Pelz Benjamin , Li Hongbin , Stigler Johannes
Published: December 2020

De-novo designed proteins have received wide interest as potential platforms for nano-engineering and biomedicine. While much work is being done in the design of thermodynamically stable proteins, the folding process of artificially designed proteins is not well-studied. Here we used single-molecule force spectroscopy by optical tweezers to study the folding of ROSS, a de-novo designed 2x2 Rossmann fold. We measured a barrier crossing time in the millisecond range, much slower than what has been reported for other systems. While long transition times can be explained by barrier roughness or slow diffusion, we show that isotropic roughness cannot explain the measured transition path time distribution. Instead, this study shows that the slow barrier crossing of ROSS is caused by the population of three short-lived high-energy intermediates. In addition, we identify incomplete and off-pathway folding events with different barrier crossing dynamics. Our results hint at the presence of a complex transition barrier that may be a common feature of many artificially designed proteins.
Facet-Related Non-uniform Photoluminescence in Passivated GaAs Nanowires
Authors: Jiang Nian , Joyce Hannah J. , Parkinson Patrick , Wong-Leung Jennifer , Tan Hark Hoe , Jagadish Chennupati
Published: December 2020

The semiconductor nanowire architecture provides opportunities for non-planar electronics and optoelectronics arising from its unique geometry. This structure gives rise to a large surface area-to-volume ratio and therefore understanding the effect of nanowire surfaces on nanowire optoelectronic properties is necessary for engineering related devices. We present a systematic study of the non-uniform optical properties of Au-catalyzed GaAs/AlGaAs core–shell nanowires introduced by changes in the sidewall faceting. Significant variation in intra-wire photoluminescence (PL) intensity and PL lifetime (τPL) was observed along the nanowire axis, which was strongly correlated with the variation of sidewall facets from {112} to {110} from base to tip. Faster recombination occurred in the vicinity of {112}-oriented GaAs/AlGaAs interfaces. An alternative nanowire heterostructure, the radial quantum well tube consisting of a GaAs layer sandwiched between two AlGaAs barrier layers, is proposed and demonstrates superior uniformity of PL emission along the entire length of nanowires. The results emphasize the significance of nanowire facets and provide important insights for nanowire device design.
Experimental Rodent Models of Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Jia Tian , Wang Chen , Han Zhengxi , Wang Xiaozhi , Ding Ming , Wang Quanyi
Published: December 2020

Cardiovascular diseases, as the most common non-communicable disease in the world, cause a high mortality rate today and bring a serious medical burden to countries worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Experimental rodent models are widely used for cardiovascular diseases researches due to the effective simulation of human cardiovascular diseases, strong reproductive ability, and easy detection. Herein, we will summarize the pathological manifestations of common cardiovascular diseases and illustrate the establishment of corresponding experimental rodent models in detail.
Process Simulation and Economic Analysis of Pre-combustion CO2 Capture With Deep Eutectic Solvents
Authors: Xin Kun , Hashish Mahmoud , Roghair Ivo , van Sint Annaland Martin
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to identify firstly the most important solvent characteristics in the CO2 capture process and secondly to determine how they contribute to the total cost of CO2 separation and analyze the economic feasibility of current deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in literature. A rate-based modeling approach was adopted to simulate pre-combustion CO2 capture. The effects of the flow model and the number of segments were investigated for the Selexol process. Different mass transfer correlations due to Bravo et al. (1985), Billet and Schultes (1993) and Hanley and Chen (2012) were adopted for the rate-based models and compared with the equilibrium modelling approach. Subsequently, property and process models were developed for a mixture of decanoic acid and menthol, in equal quantities. A physical property study was conducted with this DES. The CO2 solubility is found to be very important in all rate-based models, as expected, but properties such as the surface tension, thermal conductivity, heat capacity and volatility had a minor influence on the absorption performance. The solvent viscosity strongly affects the mass transfer rate when using the Hanley and Chen (2012) correlations, whereas it plays only a small role in the other two sets of correlations. Using a high CO2 solubility as criterion, two mixtures of allyl triphenylphosphonium bromide (ATPPB) and diethylene glycol (DEG) were screened out from literature. The conventional Selexol process was set as the benchmark for the evaluation of the performances of these DESs. The optimum capture cost for Selexol process is 27.22, 26.66 and 30.84 $2018/tonne CO2 for the adopted correlations, respectively. When employing two of the three studied mass transfer correlations, the estimated process costs for a capture process using this DES can be similar to the costs of the Selexol process. However, when the liquid viscosity strongly affects the mass transfer rate, as is the case when using the Hanley and Chen (2012) correlations, the Selexol process remains more economical. This strongly indicates the need for further experimental and modelling studies on mass transfer rates in absorption columns (with higher viscosity liquids) to help directing the development of suitable DESs for pre-combustion CO2 capture.
Application of the Conservation Planning Tool Zonation to Inform Retention Planning in the Boreal Forest of Western Canada
Authors: Robinne François-Nicolas , Stadt J. John , Bater Christopher W. , Nock Charles A. , Macdonald S. Ellen , Nielsen Scott E.
Published: December 2020

Retention forestry is an approach in which live trees and other components of forest structure are retained within harvested areas. A primary objective of retention forestry is to maintain biodiversity and to hasten post-harvest recovery of forest structure and function. Retention is now a key element in sustainable forest management practices in many regions of the world. However, locating where retention should be placed to best achieve management objectives is a challenging problem, and evidence-based approaches to operational applications are rare. We suggest here that harvest planners could benefit from the use of systematic conservation planning principles and methods to inform retention design. Specifically, we used a conservation planning—or prioritization—tool, Zonation, to create spatially-explicit scenarios of retention harvesting in a boreal mixedwood forest in northwestern Alberta, Canada. Scenarios were informed by several environmental variables related to site productivity; in particular, we used a metric of wetness (depth-to-water from the Wet Areas Mapping algorithm) that is based on airborne lidar-derived terrain models previously shown to correlate with patterns in post-harvest forest regeneration and biodiversity. The nine retention scenarios examined here related to the placement of retention focused to drier, mesic, or wetter sites in combination with other prioritization constraints. Results were compared with an existing harvest plan to assess differences in the spatial pattern of retention (e.g., percent overlapping area, number of patches, size of the patches). We also tested for the homogeneity of forest attributes (e.g., tree species, deciduous density) between scenarios and the existing harvest plan using multivariate dispersion analysis. Our results showed limited commonalities among scenarios compared to the existing harvest plan; they were characterized as having limited spatial overlap, and more and smaller patches with the use of a timber-cost constraint further affecting retention patterns. While modeling results significantly differed from current retention practices, the approach presented here offers flexibility in testing different scenarios and assessing trade-offs between timber production and conservation goals using a standardized conservation planning toolkit.
Differential Apoptotic Responses of Hemocyte Subpopulations to White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection in Fenneropenaeus chinensis
Authors: Cui Chuang , Liang Qianrong , Tang Xiaoqian , Xing Jing , Sheng Xiuzhen , Zhan Wenbin
Published: December 2020

The apoptosis of hemocytes plays an essential function in shrimp immune defense against pathogen invasions. In order to further elucidate the differential apoptotic responses of the granulocytes and the hyalinocytes in Fenneropenaeus chinensis post WSSV infection, the characteristics of apoptotic dynamics and viral proliferation in total hemocytes and hemocyte subpopulations were respectively investigated in the present work. The results showed that the apoptotic rate of hemocytes changed significantly, and the apoptosis-related genes also showed significantly differential expression responses during WSSV infection. Interestingly, we found that the apoptotic rate of virus-negative hemocytes was significantly higher than that of virus-positive hemocytes in the early stage of WSSV infection, while it was significantly lower than that of virus-positive cells in the middle and late infection stages. The difference of apoptosis between virus-positive and virus-negative hemocytes seems to be an important way for the WSSV to destroy the host’s immune system and facilitate the virus spread at different infection stages. It was further found that the apoptosis rate of granulocytes was always significantly higher than that of hyalinocytes during WSSV infection, indicating that granulocytes have a stronger apoptotic response to WSSV infection. Moreover, a higher viral load was detected in granulocytes, and the density of granulocytes decreased more rapidly post WSSV infection, indicating that the granulocytes are more susceptible and vulnerable to WSSV infection compared with the hyalinocytes. These results collectively demonstrated that the apoptotic response in shrimp hemocytes was significantly influenced by the WSSV infection, and the differential apoptotic response of granulocytes and hyalinocytes to WSSV indicated the differences of antiviral mechanisms between the two hemocyte subpopulations.
Prenatal Diagnosis for Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders—An Overview of the Indian Scenario
Authors: Yadav Reetika Malik , Gupta Maya , Dalvi Aparna , Bargir Umair Ahmed , Hule Gouri , Shabrish Snehal , Aluri Jahnavi , Kulkarni Manasi , Kambli Priyanka , Uppuluri Ramya , Seshadri Suresh , Jagadeesh Sujatha , Suresh Beena , Raja Jayarekha , Taur Prasad , Malaischamy Sivasankar , Ghosh Priyanka , Mahalingam Shweta , Kadam Priya , Lashkari Harsha Prasada , Tamhankar Parag , Tamhankar Vasundhara , Mithbawkar Shilpa , Bhattad Sagar , Jhawar Prerna , Makam Adinarayan , Bansal Vandana , Prasad Malathi , Govindaraj Geeta , Guhan Beena , Bharadwaj Tallapaka Karthik , Desai Mukesh , Raj Revathi , Madkaikar Manisha Rajan
Published: December 2020

Prenatal Diagnosis (PND) forms an important part of primary preventive management for families having a child affected with primary immunodeficiency. Although individually sparse, collectively this group of genetic disorders represents a significant burden of disease. This paper discusses the prenatal services available for affected families at various centers across the country and the challenges and ethical considerations associated with genetic counseling. Mutation detection in the index case and analysis of chorionic villous sampling or amniocentesis remain the preferred procedures for PND and phenotypic analysis of cordocentesis sample is reserved for families with well-characterized index case seeking PND in the latter part of the second trimester of pregnancy. A total of 112 families were provided PND services in the last decade and the presence of an affected fetus was confirmed in 32 families. Post-test genetic counseling enabled the affected families to make an informed decision about the current pregnancy.
Reproductive Strategies of the Seagrass Zostera japonica Under Different Geographic Conditions in Northern China
Authors: Yue Shidong , Zhang Xiaomei , Xu Shaochun , Zhang Yu , Zhao Peng , Wang Xiaodong , Zhou Yi
Published: December 2020

Seagrasses form a unique group of submerged marine angiosperms capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction. The amounts of sexual and asexual reproduction differ within some species relying on geographic location and environmental factors. Here, we studied the reproductive strategies of different geographic Zostera japonica populations, S1 and S2 at Swan Lake lagoon (SLL), and H1 and H2 at Huiquan Bay (HQB), in northern China. The duration of flowering at SLL was longer than at HQB, whereas flowering initiation at HQB occurred earlier than at SLL. In addition, the timing of seed maturation at HQB occurred earlier than at SLL. The allocation to sexual reproduction at SLL was greater than at HQB. The maximum potential seed production was greatest at S1 (22228.52 ± 8832.46 seeds ⋅ m–2), followed by S2 (21630.34 ± 9378.67 seeds ⋅ m–2), H2 (7459.60 ± 1779.33 seeds ⋅ m–2), and H1 (2821.05 ± 1280.57 seeds ⋅ m–2). The seasonal changes in total shoot density and biomass were small at HQB. There was a relatively large number of overwintering shoots at HQB because of the higher average temperature during winter. The allocation to sexual reproduction was lower than at SLL, and no seedlings were observed at HQB during our study. Thus, the population of Z. japonica at HQB was maintained by asexual reproduction. Compared with HQB, the biomass of overwintering shoots at SLL was less than 30 g dry weight ⋅ m–2. The Z. japonica at SLL relied on asexual and sexual reproduction to maintain the population. The results show the necessity of understanding local reproductive strategies before starting restoration and management projects. The study provides fundamental information and guidance for the conservation and restoration of seagrass beds.
Interannual Variability in the Thermal Habitat of Alexandrium catenella in the Bay of Fundy and the Implications of Climate Change
Authors: Bucci Andre F. , Thomas Andrew C. , Cetinić Ivona
Published: December 2020

Globally, harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an increasing problem. In the Gulf of Maine and Bay of Fundy, blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella are annually recurrent phenomena. As this region is one of the most rapidly warming areas of the global ocean, an improved understanding of the mechanisms driving the initiation of local A. catenella blooms, their interannual variability and the implications of future climate change is critical to local monitoring strategies and marine resources management. A 27-year (1988–2014) time series of weekly A. catenella cell counts from the Bay of Fundy and concurrent satellite-measured sea surface temperature, freshwater discharge from the St. John River and wind-driven turbulence are compared to assess their relationship to variability in bloom phenology metrics. The mean thermal habitat associated with early detection of A. catenella is 6.5 ± 1.6°C, whereas that of bloom initiation averages 9.2 ± 1.5°C. Both thermal habitats for A. catenella are trending earlier over the study period. Bloom initiations that precede the arrival of the thermal habitat mean (occur in colder water) are associated with higher spring freshwater discharge and are generally weaker blooms. Increased spring freshwater discharge is also associated with earlier bloom initiation and earlier maximum concentration dates. No significant relationship was observed with the strength of wind-driven mixing. Removal of the mean thermal seasonal cycle shows that surface temperature anomalies have a strong negative relationship to the bloom phenology metrics and arrival of thermal habitat: warmer years are linked to earlier arrival of thermal habitats (∼12 days °C–1) and earlier detection and bloom initiation dates (∼33 days °C–1). Using these relationships and present trends in Bay of Fundy surface temperature warming over the period 1982–2019, we project the arrival dates of bloom thermal habitat and bloom phenology metrics out to the middle of this century. Based on current rates of sea surface temperature change, bloom phenology metrics (e.g., bloom initiation, early detection), can be expected to shift 1–2 months earlier in the season by mid-century. Such changes in the phenology of A. catenella blooms will need to be incorporated into both monitoring strategies and forecasting models for the region.
Cigarette Smoking Increased Risk of Overall Mortality in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Charatcharoenwitthaya Phunchai , Karaketklang Khemajira , Aekplakorn Wichai
Published: December 2020

Background: The evidence suggests a detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on the progression of chronic liver disease. However, the impact of cigarette smoking on mortality among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unclear.

Methods: We used the National Health Examination Survey data collected during 2008–2009 to link the National Death Index to follow-up respondent survival. Diagnosis of NAFLD was based on a lipid accumulation product in participants without significant alcohol use or other liver diseases.

Results: During 64,116 person-years of follow-up, 928 of 7,529 participants with NAFLD died, and the cumulative all-cause mortality was 14.5 per 1,000 person-years. In a Cox regression model adjusted for age, body mass index, alcohol intake, exercise, comorbidities, lipid profiles, and handgrip strength, current smoking increased the risk of mortality by 109% (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–3.71) compared with never smoker status in women, but showed only a trend toward harm among men (aHR: 1.41, 95% CI: 0.96–2.08). After controlling for potential confounders, smoking ≥10 pack-years continued to show a significant harmful effect on all-cause mortality among women (aHR: 5.40, 95% CI: 2.19–13.4), but not in men. Among women who drink alcohol ≥10 grams per day, current smoking (aHR: 13.8, 95% CI: 1.66–145) and smoking ≥10 pack-years (aHR: 310, 95% CI: 78–1,296) also significantly increased risk of death.

Conclusion: This nationwide population-based study highlight a detrimental effect of cigarette smoking on mortality, with a similar but more definite association in women than in men with NAFLD.
Unraveling the 17β-Estradiol Degradation Pathway in Novosphingobium tardaugens NBRC 16725
Authors: Ibero Juan , Galán Beatriz , Rivero-Buceta Virginia , García José L.
Published: December 2020

We have analyzed the catabolism of estrogens inNovosphingobium tardaugensNBRC 16725, which is able to use endocrine disruptors such as 17β-estradiol, estrone, and estriol as sole carbon and energy sources. A transcriptomic analysis enabled the identification of a cluster of catabolic genes (edccluster) organized in two divergent operons that are involved in estrogen degradation. We have developed genetic tools for this estrogen-degrading bacterium, allowing us to delete by site-directed mutagenesis some of the genes of theedccluster and complement them by using expression plasmids to better characterize their precise role in the estrogen catabolism. Based on these results, a catabolic pathway is proposed. The first enzyme of the pathway (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) used to transform 17β-estradiol into estrone is encoded out of the cluster. A CYP450 encoded by theedcAgene performs the second metabolic step, i.e., the 4-hydroxylation of estrone in this strain. TheedcBgene encodes a 4-hydroxyestrone-4,5-dioxygenase that opens ring A after 4-hydroxylation. The initial steps of the catabolism of estrogens and cholate proceed through different pathways. However, the degradation of estrogens converges with the degradation of testosterone in the final steps of the lower catabolic pathway used to degrade the common intermediate 3aα-H-4α(3′-propanoate)7a-β-methylhexahydro-1,5-indanedione (HIP). The TonB-dependent receptor protein EdcT appears to be involved in estrogen uptake, being the first time that this kind of proteins has been involved in steroid transport.
Metabolic Disorder of Extracellular Matrix Mediated by Decorin Upregulation Is Associated With Brain Arteriovenous Malformation Diffuseness
Authors: Li Maogui , Liu Qingyuan , Yang Junhua , Jiang Pengjun , Yang Yi , Zhang Yanan , Cao Yong , Wu Jun , Wang Shuo
Published: December 2020

Background and Objective

Diffuse brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) are mixed up with normal brain parenchyma and therefore increase the difficulty of surgical resection, leading to poor surgical prognosis. Since the mechanism underlying BAVM diffuseness remains unknown, a quantitative proteomic analysis was performed to investigate the altered expression of proteins in diffuse BAVMs compared to compact ones.

Methods

We performed proteomic analysis on five diffuse BAVMs and five compact BAVMs. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to identify potential signals related to BAVM diffuseness. Candidate proteins were then investigated in BAVM specimens using immunofluorescence and Western blot analysis. Tube formation assays were used to investigate the effects of candidate proteins on the angiogenesis of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). Finally, Masson, Sirius red staining, and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the characteristics of extracellular matrix (ECM) in BAVM tissues.

Results

A total of 58 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between diffuse and compact BAVMs via proteomic analysis. TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) signaling pathway, ECM–receptor pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, and several other pathways were associated with BAVM diffuseness. The TGF-β signaling pathway is associated with angiogenesis; the role of this pathway in the formation of diffuse BAVMs was investigated, and the decorin (DCN) upregulation played an important role in this process. Immunofluorescence showed that DCN was significantly upregulated within and around the malformed vessels of diffuse BAVMs. Functional assays showed that exogenous DCN could promote the tube formation ability of HUVECs through inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway and overproducing ECM. Histological staining demonstrated the overproduction of ECM in diffuse BAVMs.

Conclusion

TGF-β signaling pathway inhibited by DCN in vascular endothelial cells is related to BAVM diffuseness. The metabolic disorder of ECM caused by DCN upregulation may significantly contribute to the formation of diffuse BAVMs.
The Way to a Human’s Brain Goes Through Their Stomach: Dietary Factors in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Aly Janine , Engmann Olivia
Published: December 2020

Globally, more than 250 million people are affected by depression (major depressive disorder; MDD), a serious and debilitating mental disorder. Currently available treatment options can have substantial side effects and take weeks to be fully effective. Therefore, it is important to find safe alternatives, which act more rapidly and in a larger number of patients. While much research on MDD focuses on chronic stress as a main risk factor, we here make a point of exploring dietary factors as a somewhat overlooked, yet highly promising approach towards novel antidepressant pathways. Deficiencies in various groups of nutrients often occur in patients with mental disorders. These include vitamins, especially members of the B-complex (B6, B9, B12). Moreover, an imbalance of fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, or an insufficient supply with minerals, including magnesium and zinc, are related to MDD. While some of them are relevant for the synthesis of monoamines, others play a crucial role in inflammation, neuroprotection and the synthesis of growth factors. Evidence suggests that when deficiencies return to normal, changes in mood and behavior can be, at least in some cases, achieved. Furthermore, supplementation with dietary factors (so called “nutraceuticals”) may improve MDD symptoms even in the absence of a deficiency. Non-vital dietary factors may affect MDD symptoms as well. For instance, the most commonly consumed psychostimulant caffeine may improve behavioral and molecular markers of MDD. The molecular structure of most dietary factors is well known. Hence, dietary factors may provide important molecular tools to study and potentially help treat MDD symptoms. Within this review, we will discuss the role of dietary factors in MDD risk and symptomology, and critically discuss how they might serve as auxiliary treatments or preventative options for MDD.
The BAL-Score Almost Perfectly Predicts Testicular Torsion in Children: A Two-Center Cohort Study
Authors: Klinke Michaela , Elrod Julia , Stiel Carolin , Ghadban Tarik , Wenskus Julia , Herrmann Jochen , Junge Carl-Martin , Reinshagen Konrad , Boettcher Michael
Published: December 2020

Introduction: Testicular torsion (TT) is a common emergency that warrants immediate exploration to prevent infertility or testicular loss. To improve diagnostic reliability, various scoring systems have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate and validate different testicular torsion scores in a large cohort of children with acute scrotum.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all male children that were admitted for acute scrotum at the Pediatric Surgery Department of the Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus and University medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf from 01/2013 to 03/2019. Two testicular torsion scores (Boettcher Alert Score, Testicular Workup for Ischemia and Suspected Torsion Score) were applied to all data sets. Furthermore, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based score was developed and compared to the two current scores.

Results: In total, 460 boys were included in the study. Of those, 48 (10.4%) had TT. Children with TT suffered most often from short duration of pain, nausea and vomiting, high riding testicle and absent cremasteric reflex. The BALS and the AI-based score had excellent predictive values and all patients with TT would have been detected.

Conclusion: The BAL and the AI score show excellent predictive capabilities and may be used to identify all cases of TT in a pediatric population. The scores are easy to apply. As the BALS was slightly better, we advocate to use this score but to validate our findings in prospective multicenter studies.