bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catheter ablation in combined procedures is associated with residual leaks
Authors: Zhu Xuefeng , Li Wenjing , Chu Hongxia , Zhong Lin , Wang Chunxiao , Li Jianping , Liang Pingping , Wang Lihong , Shi Lei
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To compare patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with catheter ablation (CA) and those without CA.

Background

The CA of AF may cause ridge edema, which may affect the safety of LAAC.

Methods

Patients with AF (N = 98) who underwent LAAC (combined CA + LAAC procedure group; N = 51) or alone (LAAC group; N = 47) received pre-procedural, intra-procedural, and 6 week post-procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The depth and ostial diameter of LAA, device compression, residual leak, and ridge thickness were evaluated in the patients who had undergone combined and alone procedures, as well as images of LAA and primary clinical characteristics.

Results

A residual leak was identified in 27 patients at 6 weeks after implantation by TEE (19 in the combined procedures group and eight in the alone group; p = 0.04). The combined procedure group had a significantly higher rate of a new residual leak than the alone group (25.5 vs. 8.5%; p = 0.03). Meanwhile, compared with at the time of implant, a smaller amount of device compression ratio was significant after 6 weeks (22.44 ± 3.90 vs. 19.59 ± 5.39; p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between both groups in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and TIA/stroke/system embolism.

Conclusion

The combined procedures of CA and LAAC for AF are feasible and safe; however, during the follow-up period, we found that the resolution of ridge edema caused by CA might cause an increased residual leak and a smaller device compression ratio.
Association of plasma propionate concentration with coronary artery disease in a large cross-sectional study
Authors: Pagonas Nikolaos , Seibert Felix S. , Liebisch Gerhard , Seidel Maximillian , Giannakopoulos Theodoros , Sasko Benjamin , Ritter Oliver , Babel Nina , Westhoff Timm H.
Published: February 2023

Background

Microbiome has been linked to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) but data providing direct evidence for an association of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) with CAD are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the role of propionate, the most important SCFA in patients with CAD.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling patients admitted for invasive coronary angiography in two university hospitals in Germany. Patients with known or suspected CAD and risk factors for cardiovascular disease were prospectively recruited. Blood sampling was performed after overnight fasting and before invasive procedures. Measurement of propionate was performed by liquid chromatography.

Results

The study included 1,253 patients (median [IQR], 67 [58–76] years; 799 men [64%]). A total of 739 had invasively confirmed CAD with at least one coronary artery stenosis ≥50% and 514 had exclusion of CAD. CAD patients had significant lower levels of propionate (median 5.75 μM, IQR, 4.1–7.6) compared to the non-CAD groups 6.53 μM (4.6–8.6, p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an odds ratio of 0.94 (CI 0.90–0.98, p = 0.002) for propionate as predictor of CAD. The odds ratio was further decreased to 0.45 (CI 0.31–0.65, p < 0.001) when comparing patients in the lowest quartile of propionate with those with higher levels of propionate.

Conclusion

The study provides large-scale in vivo data for the association of propionate to manifest coronary artery disease, independent of other traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Vegetation changes and climate shift during the latest Ladinian to the early Carnian: Palynological evidence from the Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Ying , Sun Yuewu , Shi Xiao , Zhang Shuqin
Published: February 2023

The Middle–Late Triassic climates have attracted the attention of paleontological and geological scientists for the Carnian pluvial event in the early Late Triassic. The event is well-documented in the pelagic and epi-continental marine deposits of the Tethys, Gondwana, and Laurasia. However, inland terrestrial deposits are less frequently depicted, with high-resolution palynological biostratigraphy constraints. In this study, we report the palynological records from the YC8-1 and YC7-3 sub-members of the Yunmeng profile in the Ordos Basin, China, where the YC7-3 was dated at 236.0–234.1 Ma. Two palynological assemblages were recognized and named the Lundbladispora watangensis–Taeniaesporites combinatus assemblage and Lundbladispora communis–Discisporites granulus assemblage for the YC8-1 and YC7-3 sub-members, respectively. Their ages were determined to be the latest Ladinian and early Carnian, respectively, for their stratigraphic correlations with the global boundary stratotype section and point (GSSP) of the base of Carnian in Europe and additional co-occurring floras with condonts in the Upper Triassic of South China. The coexistence of Cyathidites minor (Couper, 1953), Dictyophyllidites harrisii (Couper, 1958), Apiculatisporis bulliensis (Helby ex De Jersey, 1972), Aratrisporites xiangxiensis (Li and Shang, 2011), Piceaepollenites omoriciformis (Bolkh.) (Xu and Zhang, 1984), Podocarpidites ornatus (Pocock, 1962), Discisporites granulus (Zhang, 1984), and Classopollis (Pflug, 1953) is equivalent to the Carnian palynostratigraphic criterion reported in the North China palynofloristic realm. Vegetational changes, especially those occurring at the boundary between Ladinian and Carnian, account for approximately 70% of ferns and over 30% of gymnosperms lost. These were discovered and attributed to the strong seasonal arid climate, indicated by the emergence of Cheirolepidiaceae and Pinuspollenites. We thus know that the climate during the latest Ladinian and early Carnian was “hot house” with seasonal aridity. In addition, three strong monsoonal pluvial pulses were signaled by the humidity index of lowland plants. The present study will enable a better understanding the Carnian pluvial event in the Late Triassic inland basin.
Collaborative reflection: Professional development among friends across contexts
Authors: Haniford Laura C. , Allison Valerie A. , Ramirez Laurie A.
Published: February 2023

This inquiry presents an illustrative case of three teacher educator researchers’ collaborative reflection process using the transcript of a virtual meeting. The researchers are long-term friends and colleagues working in different university contexts in the United States. The case is presented and analyzed to illuminate how the triad facilitates one another’s professional development and engages in sustainable collaborative self-study research. Self-study tenets of collaboration, reflection, and critical friendship are delineated and demonstrated through excerpts from the transcript. Conclusions and recommendations are offered for teacher educators who hope to establish and maintain similar partnerships focused on promoting healthy and productive professional/personal relationships while also improving teacher education.
Extending unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to understand the acceptance of digital textbook for elementary School in Indonesia
Authors: Hermita Neni , Wijaya Tommy Tanu , Yusron Eri , Abidin Yunus , Alim Jesi Alexander , Putra Zetra Hainul
Published: February 2023

The rapid development of technology has led to the change of textbooks from printed to digital forms accessible by students irrespective of their location, thereby improving their overall academic performance. This change is appropriate to the sustainable learning program, where digital textbooks support online learning and students can access material from anywhere and at any time. This research aims to analyze the factors affecting the intention of elementary school teachers to use digital textbooks. Quantitative data were collected and measured from 493 elementary school teachers in Riau, Indonesia, and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that performance expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), Perceived learning opportunities (PLO), Self-efficacy (SE), and Facilitating Condition (FC) positively affected teachers’ intention to use digital textbooks. SI was found to be the factor with the greatest effect on BI. However, attitude, affective need (AN), ICT usage habits, gender, age, and education level did not affect teachers’ intention to use digital textbooks. This research provides important information for the government, decision-makers, and schools on using digital textbooks at the elementary level in the future.
Is it necessary for young patients with recurrent implantation failure to undergo preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy?
Authors: Du Yulin , Guan Yichun , Li Na , Shi Congxing , Zhang Yongjie , Ren Bingnan , Liu Jing , Lou Hua
Published: February 2023

Objective

To determine whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) can improve the pregnancy outcomes of patients aged under 38 years who have a history of recurrent implantation failure(RIF).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

We retrospectively studied the pregnancy outcomes of RIF patients aged under 38 years from January 2017 to December 2021.178 patients were divided into two groups according to whether they underwent PGT-A: the PGT-A group(n=59)and the control group(n=119).In the PGT-A group, we compared the euploidy rate of the different quality and developmental rate blastocysts. In both groups,the patients were the first frozen-thaw single blastocysts transfer after the diagnosis of RIF. Among the pregnancy outcomes, the clinical pregnancy rate was assessed as the primary outcome. The spontaneous abortion rate and ongoing pregnancy rate were the secondry outcomes. The generalized estimation equation was used to adjust for the blastocysts derived from the same patients. Multivariate logistic analysis models were used to compare the pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.

Results

In the PGT-A group, 293 blastocysts obtained from59 patients underwent PGT-A. The proportions of euploidy, aneuploidy and mosaic blastocysts were 56.31%, 25.60% and 18.09%, respectively. A comparison of the euploidy rates of different quality blastocysts showed that the rate of good-quality blastocysts was significantly higher than that of poor-quality blastocysts (67.66% vs 46.88%; odds ratio [OR], 2.203; 95%confidence interval[CI], 0.943–3.612; P=0.002). However, no significant difference was observed in the different developmental rates blastocysts. Compared with Day 5 blastocysts, the euploidy rates of Day 6 and Day 7 blastocysts were not significantly different(61.54%vs51.91%; OR,0.945; 95%CI, 0.445–2.010; P=0.884; and 61.54%vs47.37%; OR, 1.106; 95%CI, 0.774–1.578; P=0.581, respectively).As for the pregnancy outcomes, the clinical pregnancy rate was significantly increase after the use of PGT-A compared with the control group(71.19%vs56.30%; OR, 0.538; 95%CI, 0.262–1.104; P=0.039). However, the spontaneous abortion rates and ongoing pregnancy rates were not significantly different between the control and PGT-A groups (21.43% vs 19.40%; aOR,0.727; 95%CI,0.271–1.945; P=0.525; and55.93% vs 45.38%; aOR, 0.649; 95%CI, 0.329–1.283; P = 0.214,respectively).

Conclusion

PGT-A improved the clinical pregnancy rate after blastocyst transfer in RIF patients aged under 38 years.
Frequency stability analysis of power system with photovoltaic frequency regulation considering communication delay
Authors: Yang Zhichun , Hu Wei , Yang Fan , Liu Ruifan
Published: February 2023

Photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected will reduce the inertia of the system, which has an effect on power system frequency reliability. In order to clarify the frequency stability situation of power system when photovoltaic participates in frequency regulation, this paper first establishes the load frequency control (LFC) model of the power system with photovoltaic based on the analysis of the traditional LFC model of the power system. Secondly, based on the Pade approximation method, the communication delay in the control loop is linearized. The frequency stability of power system with photovoltaic participation in frequency regulation is characterized by system frequency steady-state error, feedback system sensitivity, and closed-loop system stability margin. According to the index calculation and theoretical derivation, the influence of system frequency regulation related parameters on frequency characteristics is analyzed. Finally, on the matlab/simulink simulation environment, the frequency stability methodological approach presented in this research is validated. The results of the simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of this analytical approach in assessing the frequency stability of a power system with photovoltaic frequency regulation while taking communication latency into account. It can provide guidance for the power grid’s secure operation and control when photovoltaics participate in frequency regulation.
q-Rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft ordered aggregation operators and their application towards green supplier
Authors: Khan Salma , Gulistan Muhammad , Kausar Nasreen , Pamucar Dragan , Ozbilge Ebru , El-Kanj Nasser
Published: February 2023

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) is essential to ensure environmental compliance and commercial growth in the current climate. Businesses constantly look for fresh concepts and techniques for ensuring environmental sustainability. To keep up with the new trends in environmental concerns related to company management and procedures, Green Supplier Selection (GSS) criteria are added to the traditional supplier selection processes. This study aims to identify general and environmental supplier selection criteria to provide a framework that can assist decision-makers in choosing and prioritizing appropriate green supplier selection. The development and implementation of decision support systems aimed to solve these difficulties at a rapid rate. In order to manage inaccurate data and simulate decision-making problems. Fuzzy sets introduced by Zadeh, are a useful technique to handle the imperfectness and uncertainty in different problems. Although fuzzy sets can handle incomplete information in different real worlds problems, but its cannot handle all type of uncertainty such as incomplete and indeterminate data. Therefore different extensions of fuzzy sets such as intuitionistic fuzzy, pythagorean fuzzy and q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets introduced to address the problems of uncertainty by considering the membership and non-membership grade. However, these concepts have some shortcomings in the handling uncertainty with sub-attributes. To overcome this difficulties Khan et al. developed the structure of q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft sets by combining q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets with hypersoft sets. A remarkable and beneficial research work is done in the field of q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft sets, and then we think about the application. In this paper, we use the structure of q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft in multi-criteria supplier selection problems. For this, we present aggregation operator to solve multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems with q-rung orthopair fuzzy hypersoft (q-ROFH) information, known as ordered weighted geometric aggregation operator. Since the uncertainty and vagueness is an unavoidable feature of multi-criteria decision-making problems, the proposed structure can be a useful tool for decision making in an uncertain environment. Further, the expert opinions were investigated using the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique, which helped identify interrelationship and causal preference of green supplier evaluation aspects that used aggregation operators. Finally, a numerical example of the proposed method for the task of Green Supplier Selection is presented.
Mapping groundwater discharge seeps by thermal UAS imaging on a wetland restoration site
Authors: Watts C. Lyn , Hatch Christine E. , Wicks Ryan
Published: February 2023

One of the key metrics for the effectiveness of wetland restoration is whether a restored wetland behaves hydrologically like a natural wetland. Restoration is designed to increase the water residence time on the surface of the site in order to capture and process nutrients, mitigate the impact of local flooding and drought, and provide a habitat for wetland species abundance and biodiversity. Quantifying the change in groundwater presence at the wetland’s surface will inform future freshwater wetland restorations across New England. The ability to produce a comprehensive map of the locations of groundwater discharge over a large area has the potential to provide insight into restoration practice, its success, and its effects on individual seeps over time. Identification, mapping, and measurement of groundwater discharge sites have long been a challenge, but new methodologies are developing with the advances in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This study uses a UAS-mounted thermal infrared camera to map groundwater seeps on a 25-ha (62-acre) site in Plymouth, Massachusetts, before and after it underwent restoration to a freshwater wetland. Using the thermal map, we located and quantified the spatial extent that of groundwater seeps pre-restoration and the changes after restoration. The location and size of these seeps show that existing groundwater seeps remained immobile through restoration, but their surface expression grew, indicating that restoration removed barriers to surface expression and successfully increased residence time. This analysis using a thermal camera-enabled UAS allows for a temporal comparison over large spatial scales and provides insight into restoration impacts to groundwater expression on the surface of post-agricultural wetland sites.
Protection mechanism of N,N-dimethylformamide on stability of few-layer black phosphorus
Authors: Lei Lei , Zhang Siyu , Lou Wenhao , Zhang Xuejiao , Qin Bin , Zhao Qing , Xing Baoshan
Published: February 2023

Few-layer black phosphorus (LBP) has been widely investigated for its unique optical and electronic properties. As degradation of LBP in ambient conditions largely limited its practical applications, numerous stabilization methods were developed. Understanding stabilization mechanism is essential to development of new protection technologies for LBP. Herein, protection mechanism of the most wildly used exfoliation solvent N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on LBP was investigated. DMF was found to accelerate color fading of LBP in aerobic water solution. Nevertheless, dissolvable phosphorus generated from degradation of LBP in the presence of DMF accounted for only 52%–57% of that generated in the absence of DMF. By measuring kinetics constants and activation energies of the degradation reactions, the protection mechanism of DMF was attributed to impede hydrolysis of phosphorus oxides. This was caused by occupation of oxidation sites on LBP by DMF through electrostatic interaction. Insoluble phosphorus oxides in addition to dissolvable phosphorus were observed in DMF exfoliated LBP aqueous solution, providing further evidence for hydrolysis impeding mechanism. This finding threw mechanism light on protection effects of DMF on LBP, providing new knowledge for development of effective stabilization technologies of LBP.
Cuproptosis-related LncRNAs are correlated with immunity and predict prognosis in HNSC independent of TMB
Authors: Li Mingyu , Nurzat Yeltai , Huang He , Min Peiru , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: February 2023

Aims: Cuproptosis is a novel cell death pathway, and the regulatory mechanism in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) remains to be explored. We determined whether cuproptosis-related lncRNAs (CRLs) could predict prognosis in HNSC.

Methods and Results: First, we identified 10 prognostic CRLs by Pearson correlation and univariate Cox regression analyses. Next, we constructed the CRLs prognostic model based on 5 CRLs screened by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox analysis. Following this, we calculated the risk score for HNSC patients and divided patients into high- and low-risk groups. In our prognostic model, HNSC patients with higher risk scores had poorer outcomes. Based on several prognostic features, a predictive nomogram was established. Furthermore, we investigated principal component analysis to distinguish two groups, and functional enrichment analysis of 176 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between risk groups was performed. Finally, we analyzed relationships between tumor mutation burden (TMB) and risk scores.

Conclusion: Cuproptosis-related lncRNAs can be applied to predict HNSC prognosis independent of TMB, which is closely correlated with tumor immunity.
Epidemiological profile of perinatal mental disorders at a tertiary hospital in Yaoundé- Cameroon
Authors: Djatche Miafo Joël , Woks Namanou Ines Emma , Nzebou Daniel , Tchaptchet Idriss , Delene Suzi Thio , Kegha Tchidje Orelien , Ndzodo Gervais , Siewe Kamga Berthe , Assumpta Lucienne Bella
Published: February 2023

In developing countries, 15.6% of pregnant women and 19.8% after childbirth experience a mental disorder. In the absence of data on the situation in Cameroon, we carried out a study to determine the prevalence of perinatal mental illness in this hospital and its risk factors among women in perinatal period and the relationship between both at the Yaoundé Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, a reference mother and child hospital. We conducted a hospital-based, cross sectional, observational study. Data was collected using structured and semi-structured interviews. There were six sub-themes covered: participants’ socio-demographic profile, clinical profile, perinatal history, psychopathology aspects with the Mini International Psychiatric Interview, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the perinatal mental illness risk factors. Data entry was done using Microsoft Excel 2010 and transferred to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 for analysis. Among 194 women who participated in the study, the general prevalence for perinatal mental disorders was 53.6% (104/194), 25.8% among pregnant women and 27.8% among postnatal women. Comorbidities were present in 17.5% of our study population. We observed that 45.8% suffered from depression, 17% had a risk of suicide, 10.3% suffered from perinatal anxiety, 3.1% presented with post-traumatic stress disorder, 3.6% acute stress disorder, 7.7% had adjustment disorder. Concerning risk factors, we found a significant link between depression and severe anxiety before delivery (p < 0.05) and the absence of social support (p = 0.005). We found that women with at least four risk factors were 1.6 times more likely to present with a perinatal mental disorder. The prevalence of perinatal mental disorders at this Hospital is very high. This highlights the need for institutional screening and management of perinatal mental disorders, which suggests that we explore the situation in others and other health facilities in Cameroon.
Exercise training-attenuated insulin resistance and liver injury in elderly pre-diabetic patients correlates with NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Zhang Tan , Tian Jingjing , Fan Jingcheng , Liu Xiangyun , Wang Ru
Published: February 2023

Background

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases and continues to be a leading cause of death worldwide. The NLRP3 inflammasome has been shown to exert detrimental effects on diabetic models. However, evidence linking NLRP3 inflammasome and pre-diabetes has been scarcely explored. Herein, we aimed to determine whether the NLRP3 inflammasome correlates with insulin resistance and liver pathology in a cohort of pre-diabetic subjects.

Methods

50 pre-diabetic subjects were randomly assigned to a Pre-diabetes Control (DC, n=25) and a Pre-diabetes exercise (DEx, n=25) group. 25 Normal subjects (NC) were selected as controls. The DEx group performed a 6-month combined Yijingjing and resistance training intervention, while DC and NC group remained daily routines. Clinical metabolic parameters were determined with an automatic biochemistry analyzer; inflammatory cytokines were quantified by the ELISA assay; the protein expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome components in PBMCs were evaluated by Western Blot.

Results

The insulin resistance, liver injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activity were higher in pre-diabetic individuals than in normal control group. However, 6-month exercise intervention counteracted this trend, significantly improved insulin sensitivity, reduced liver injury and inhibited the overactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome in pre-diabetic subjects. Moreover, positive correlations between insulin resistance, liver pathology and NLRP3 inflammasome were also found.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that exercise training is an effective strategy to alleviate insulin resistance and liver injury in elderly pre-diabetic subjects which is probably associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activity.
Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells as treatment for poor graft function after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: A multicenter prospective analysis
Authors: Servais Sophie , Baron Frédéric , Lechanteur Chantal , Seidel Laurence , Baudoux Etienne , Briquet Alexandra , Selleslag Dominik , Maertens Johan , Poire Xavier , Schroyens Wilfried , Graux Carlos , De Becker Ann , Zachee Pierre , Ory Aurélie , Herman Julie , Kerre Tessa , Beguin Yves
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Poor graft function (PGF) is a rare but serious complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Due to their hematopoietic supporting properties and immune regulatory effects, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) could be considered a good candidate to help to restore bone marrow (BM) niches homeostasis and facilitate hematopoiesis after alloHCT.

Methods

We prospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of ex-vivo expanded BM-derived MSC from third-party donor in a series of 30 patients with prolonged severe cytopenia and PGF after alloHCT. This multicenter trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (#NTC00603330).

Results

Within 90 days post-MSC infusion, 53% (95% CI, 35 – 71%) of patients improved at least one cytopenia (overall response, OR) and 37% (95% CI, 19 - 54%) achieved a complete hematological response (CR: absolute neutrophil count, ANC >0.5 x 109/L, Hb > 80g/L and platelet count > 20 x 109/L with transfusion independence). Corresponding response rates increased to 67% (95% CI, 50 - 84%) OR and 53% (95% CI, 35 - 71%) CR within 180 days after MSC infusion. A significant decrease in red blood cells and platelets transfusion requirement was observed after MSC (median of 30-days transfusion requirement of 0.5 and 0 from d90-120 post-MSC versus 5 and 6.5 before MSC, respectively, p ≤0.001). An increase in ANC was also noted by day +90 and +180, with 3/5 patients with severe neutropenia having recovered an ANC > 1 x 109/L within the 90-120 days after MSC infusion. Overall survival at 1 year post-MSC was 70% (95% CI, 55.4 – 88.5), with all but one of the patients who achieved CR being alive. A single infusion of third-party MSC appeared to be safe, with the exception of one deep vein thrombotic event possibly related to the intervention.

Discussion

In conclusion, a single i.v. infusion of BM-derived MSC from third party donor seemed to improve hematological function after alloHCT, although spontaneous amelioration cannot be excluded. Comparative studies are warranted to confirm these encouraging results.
The role of glutamate receptors in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Koda Stephane , Hu Jing , Ju Xiaoman , Sun Guowei , Shao Simin , Tang Ren-Xian , Zheng Kui-Yang , Yan Juming
Published: February 2023

Glutamate, as one of the most important carbon sources in the TCA cycle, is central in metabolic processes that will subsequently influence tumor progression. Several factors can affect the expression of glutamate receptors, playing either a tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressor role in cancer. Thus, the activation of glutamate receptors by the ligand could play a role in tumor development as ample studies have demonstrated the expression of glutamate receptors in a broad range of tumor cells. Glutamate and its receptors are involved in the regulation of different immune cells’ development and function, as suggested by the receptor expression in immune cells. The activation of glutamate receptors can enhance the effectiveness of the effector’s T cells, or decrease the cytokine production in immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells, increasing the antitumor immune response. These receptors are essential for the interaction between tumor and immune cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the regulation of antitumor immune responses. Although the role of glutamate in the TCA cycle has been well studied, few studies have deeply investigated the role of glutamate receptors in the regulation of cancer and immune cells within the TME. Here, by a systematic review of the available data, we will critically assess the physiopathological relevance of glutamate receptors in the regulation of cancer and immune cells in the TME and provide some unifying hypotheses for futures research on the role of glutamate receptors in the immune modulation of the tumor.
Tropical cyclone size estimation based on deep learning using infrared and microwave satellite data
Authors: Xu Jianbo , Wang Xiang , Wang Haiqi , Zhao Chengwu , Wang Huizan , Zhu Junxing
Published: February 2023

Tropical cyclone (TC) size is an important parameter for estimating TC risks such as wind damage, rainfall distribution, and storm surge. Satellite observation data are the primary data used to estimate TC size. Traditional methods of TC size estimation rely on a priori knowledge of the meteorological domain and emerging deep learning-based methods do not consider the considerable blurring and background noise in TC cloud systems and the application of multisource observation data. In this paper, we propose TC-Resnet, a deep learning-based model that estimates 34-kt wind radii (R34, commonly used as a measure of TC size) objectively by combining infrared and microwave satellite data. We regarded the resnet-50 model as the basic framework and embedded a convolution layer with a 5 × 5 convolution kernel on the shortcut branch in its residual block for downsampling to avoid the information loss problem of the original model. We also introduced a combined channel-spatial dual attention mechanism to suppress the background noise of TC cloud systems. In an R34 estimation experiment based on a global TC dataset containing 2003–2017 data, TC-Resnet outperformed existing methods of TC size estimation, obtaining a mean absolute error of 11.287 nmi and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.907.
Evidence for the first multi-species shark nursery area in Atlantic Africa (Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde)
Authors: Rosa Rui , Nunes Emanuel , Pissarra Vasco , Santos Catarina Pereira , Varela Jaquelino , Baptista Miguel , Castro Joana , Paula José Ricardo , Repolho Tiago , Marques Tiago A. , Freitas Rui , Frazão Santos Catarina
Published: February 2023

This study describes the first potential multi-species shark nursery area in Atlantic Africa (Sal Rei Bay – SRB, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde). From August 2016 to September 2019, 6162 neonates and juveniles of 5 different shark species were observed in SRB using beach gillnet-based bycatch surveys, namely milk (Rhizoprionodon acutus; n= 4908), scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini; n= 1035), blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus; n=115), Atlantic weasel (Paragaleus pectoralis; n= 93) and nurse (Ginglymostoma cirratum; n= 12) sharks. Except for nurse sharks, significant seasonal variations in shark relative abundance were observed, with higher levels being recorded during summer and autumn. These findings, together with local knowledge (interviews to fishermen), denote the consistent use of SRB by juvenile sharks and its preference relative to other areas in the region. Ensuring the protection and conservation of SRB nursery area is especially relevant as, according to IUCN, all identified shark species are threatened with extinction over the near-future – in particular, scalloped hammerheads (critically endangered) and Atlantic weasel sharks (endangered). The effective protection of SRB will not only support the conservation of shark populations, but also of other charismatic fauna (e.g., loggerhead turtles) and broader benthic and pelagic ecosystems.
Analysis of reproductive traits reveals complex population dynamics on a small geographical scale in Atlantic herring
Authors: Mueller Jonas , dos Santos Schmidt Thassya C. , Seljestad Gaute Wilhelmsen , Clemmesen Catriona , Gröger Joachim Paul , Berg Florian
Published: February 2023

Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) has a complex population structure and displays a variety of reproductive strategies. Differences in reproductive strategies among herring populations are linked to their time of spawning, as well as to their reproductive investment which can be an indicator for migratory vs. stationary behavior. These differences are reflected in the number of oocytes (fecundity) and the size of the oocytes prior spawning. We studied potential mixing of herring with different reproductive strategies during the spring spawning season on a coastal spawning ground. It has been hypothesized that both spring and autumn spawning herring co-occur on this specific spawning ground. Therefore, we investigated the reproductive traits oocyte size, fecundity, fertilization success as well as length of the hatching larvae during the spring spawning season from February to April. We used a set of 11 single nucleotide polymorphism markers (SNPs), which are associated with spawning season, to genetically identify autumn and spring spawning herring. Reproductive traits were investigated separately within these genetically distinct spawning types. Furthermore, we used multivariate analyses to identify groups with potentially different reproductive strategies within the genetic spring spawners. Our results indicate that mixing between ripe spring and autumn spawners occurs on the spawning ground during spring, with ripe autumn spawners being generally smaller but having larger oocytes than spring spawners. Within spring spawners, we found large variability in reproductive traits. A following multivariate cluster analysis indicated two groups with different reproductive investment. Comparisons with other herring populations along the Norwegian coastline suggest that the high variability can be explained by the co-occurrence of groups with different reproductive investments potentially resulting from stationary or migratory behavior. Fertilization success and the length of the hatching larvae decreased with progression of the spawning season, with strong inter-individual variation, supporting our findings. Incorporating such complex population dynamics into management strategies of this species will be essential to build its future population resilience.
Greenlandic sea ice products with a focus on an updated operational forecast system
Authors: Ponsoni Leandro , Ribergaard Mads Hvid , Nielsen-Englyst Pia , Wulf Tore , Buus-Hinkler Jørgen , Kreiner Matilde Brandt , Rasmussen Till Andreas Soya
Published: February 2023

Sea ice information has traditionally been associated with Manual Ice Charts, however the demand for accurate forecasts is increasing. This study presents an improved operational forecast system for the Arctic sea ice focusing on the Greenlandic waters. In addition, we present different observational sea ice products and conduct inter-comparisons. First, a re-analysis forced by ERA5 from 2000 to 2021 is evaluated to ensure that the forecast system is stable over time and to provide statistics for the users. The output is similar to the initial conditions for a forecast. Secondly, the sea ice forecast system is tested and evaluated based on two re-forecasts forced by the high resolution ECMWF-HRES forecast for the period from January 2019 to September 2021. Both the re-analysis and the re-forecasts include assimilation of sea surface temperatures and sea ice concentrations. We validate the re-analysis and the re-forecast systems for sea ice concentration against different remotely sensed observational products by computing the Integrated Ice Edge Error metric at the initial conditions of each system. The results reveal that the re-analysis and the re-forecast perform well. However, the summertime retreat of sea ice near the western Greenlandic coast seems to be delayed a few days compared with the observations. Importantly, part of the bias associated with the model representation of the sea ice edge is associated with the observational errors due to limitations in the passive microwave product in summertime and also near the coast. An inter-comparison of the observational sea ice products suggests that the model performance could be improved by assimilation of sea ice concentrations derived from a newly-developed automated sea ice product. In addition, analysis of persistence shows that the re-forecast has better skill than the persistence forecast for the vast majority of the time.
Naegleria genus pangenome reveals new structural and functional insights into the versatility of these free-living amoebae
Authors: Dereeper Alexis , Allouch Nina , Guerlais Vincent , Garnier Maëlle , Ma Laurence , De Jonckheere Johan F. , Joseph Sandeep J. , Ali Ibne Karim M. , Talarmin Antoine , Marcelino Isabel
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Free-living amoebae of the Naegleria genus belong to the major protist clade Heterolobosea and are ubiquitously distributed in soil and freshwater habitats. Of the 47 Naegleria species described, N. fowleri is the only one being pathogenic to humans, causing a rare but fulminant primary amoebic meningoencephalitis. Some Naegleria genome sequences are publicly available, but the genetic basis for Naegleria diversity and ability to thrive in diverse environments (including human brain) remains unclear.

Methods

Herein, we constructed a high-quality Naegleria genus pangenome to obtain a comprehensive catalog of genes encoded by these amoebae. For this, we first sequenced, assembled, and annotated six new Naegleria genomes.

Results and Discussion

Genome architecture analyses revealed that Naegleria may use genome plasticity features such as ploidy/aneuploidy to modulate their behavior in different environments. When comparing 14 near-to-complete genome sequences, our results estimated the theoretical Naegleria pangenome as a closed genome, with 13,943 genes, including 3,563 core and 10,380 accessory genes. The functional annotations revealed that a large fraction of Naegleria genes show significant sequence similarity with those already described in other kingdoms, namely Animalia and Plantae. Comparative analyses highlighted a remarkable genomic heterogeneity, even for closely related strains and demonstrate that Naegleria harbors extensive genome variability, reflected in different metabolic repertoires. If Naegleria core genome was enriched in conserved genes essential for metabolic, regulatory and survival processes, the accessory genome revealed the presence of genes involved in stress response, macromolecule modifications, cell signaling and immune response. Commonly reported N. fowleri virulence-associated genes were present in both core and accessory genomes, suggesting that N. fowleri’s ability to infect human brain could be related to its unique species-specific genes (mostly of unknown function) and/or to differential gene expression. The construction of Naegleria first pangenome allowed us to move away from a single reference genome (that does not necessarily represent each species as a whole) and to identify essential and dispensable genes in Naegleria evolution, diversity and biology, paving the way for further genomic and post-genomic studies.
Inhibitory effects of Patchouli alcohol on the early lifecycle stages of influenza A virus
Authors: Fan Yaohua , Zhang Qiong , Zhang Wen , Lai Yanni , Long Haishan , Huang Huiting , Zhan Shaofeng , Liu Xiaohong , Lai Jielan , Zhang Zhongde , Pan Pan , Su Ziren , Li Geng
Published: February 2023

Background

The antiviral activity and underlying mechanism of Patchouli alcohol remain unclear.

Methods

This study evaluated the cytotoxicity, optimal methods for drug administration, anti-influenza A activity of Patchouli alcohol. The antiviral mechanism of Patchouli alcohol was also assessed via qRT-PCR, western blot, hemagglutination inhibiting (HAI) assay, and hemolysis inhibiting assay.

Results

Patchouli alcohol was shown to have low cytotoxicity and its strongest antiviral effect was associated with premixed administration. Patchouli alcohol inhibited virus replication during the early lifecycle stages of influenza A virus infection and specifically prevented expression of the viral proteins, HA and NP. In both the HAI and hemolysis inhibiting assays, Patchouli alcohol was able to block HA2-mediated membrane fusion under low pH conditions. Patchouli alcohol had lower binding energy with HA2 than HA1.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Patchouli alcohol could be a promising membrane fusion inhibitor for the treatment of influenza A infection.
Portable nanopore-sequencing technology: Trends in development and applications
Authors: Chen Pin , Sun Zepeng , Wang Jiawei , Liu Xinlong , Bai Yun , Chen Jiang , Liu Anna , Qiao Feng , Chen Yang , Yuan Chenyan , Sha Jingjie , Zhang Jinghui , Xu Li-Qun , Li Jian
Published: February 2023

Sequencing technology is the most commonly used technology in molecular biology research and an essential pillar for the development and applications of molecular biology. Since 1977, when the first generation of sequencing technology opened the door to interpreting the genetic code, sequencing technology has been developing for three generations. It has applications in all aspects of life and scientific research, such as disease diagnosis, drug target discovery, pathological research, species protection, and SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, the first- and second-generation sequencing technology relied on fluorescence detection systems and DNA polymerization enzyme systems, which increased the cost of sequencing technology and limited its scope of applications. The third-generation sequencing technology performs PCR-free and single-molecule sequencing, but it still depends on the fluorescence detection device. To break through these limitations, researchers have made arduous efforts to develop a new advanced portable sequencing technology represented by nanopore sequencing. Nanopore technology has the advantages of small size and convenient portability, independent of biochemical reagents, and direct reading using physical methods. This paper reviews the research and development process of nanopore sequencing technology (NST) from the laboratory to commercially viable tools; discusses the main types of nanopore sequencing technologies and their various applications in solving a wide range of real-world problems. In addition, the paper collates the analysis tools necessary for performing different processing tasks in nanopore sequencing. Finally, we highlight the challenges of NST and its future research and application directions.
Optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy: A novel solution for rapid identification of antimicrobial resistance at the single-cell level via deuterium isotope labeling
Authors: Shams Sahand , Lima Cassio , Xu Yun , Ahmed Shwan , Goodacre Royston , Muhamadali Howbeer
Published: February 2023

The rise and extensive spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a growing concern, and a threat to the environment and human health globally. The majority of current AMR identification methods used in clinical setting are based on traditional microbiology culture-dependent techniques which are time-consuming or expensive to be implemented, thus appropriate antibiotic stewardship is provided retrospectively which means the first line of treatment is to hope that a broad-spectrum antibiotic works. Hence, culture-independent and single-cell technologies are needed to allow for rapid detection and identification of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and to support a more targeted and effective antibiotic therapy preventing further development and spread of AMR. In this study, for the first time, a non-destructive phenotyping method of optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, coupled with deuterium isotope probing (DIP) and multivariate statistical analysis was employed as a metabolic fingerprinting approach to detect AMR in UropathogenicEscherichia coli(UPEC) at both single-cell and population levels. Principal component-discriminant function analysis (PC-DFA) of FT-IR and O-PTIR spectral data showed clear clustering patterns as a result of distinctive spectral shifts (C–D signature peaks) originating from deuterium incorporation into bacterial cells, allowing for rapid detection and classification of sensitive and resistant isolates at the single-cell level. Furthermore, the single-frequency images obtained using the C–D signature peak at 2,163 cm−1clearly displayed the reduced ability of the trimethoprim-sensitive strain for incorporating deuterium when exposed to this antibiotic, compared to the untreated condition. Hence, the results of this study indicated that O-PTIR can be employed as an efficient tool for the rapid detection of AMR at the single-cell level.
Differential responses of canonical nitrifiers and comammox Nitrospira to long-term fertilization in an Alfisol of Northeast China
Authors: Wang Yanan , Zeng Xibai , Ma Qiang , Zhang Yang , Yu Wantai , Zheng Zhong , Zhang Nan , Xu Liyang
Published: February 2023

The newly identified complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox) that converts ammonia directly into nitrate has redefined the long-held paradigm of two-step nitrification mediated by two distinct groups of nitrifiers. However, exploration of the niche differentiation of canonical nitrifiers and comammox Nitrospira and their ecological importance in agroecosystems is still limited. Here, we adopted quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Illumina MiSeq sequencing to investigate the effects of five long-term fertilization regimes in the variations of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and comammox Nitrospira abundances and comammox community composition in two soil layers (0–20 cm, topsoil; 20–40 cm, subsoil) in an Alfisol in Northeast China. The fertilization treatments included no fertilizer (CK); chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer; chemical N; phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers (NPK); recycled organic manure (M) and chemical N, P, K plus recycled manure (MNPK). Compared with CK, manure and/or chemical fertilizer significantly increased the AOB amoA gene abundance. Long-term recycled manure increased soil organic matter (SOM) contents and maintained the soil pH, but decreased the NH4+-N concentrations, which markedly promoted the nxrA and nxrB gene abundances of NOB and the amoA gene abundances of comammox Nitrospira clade A and AOA. Although the comammox Nitrospira clade B abundance tended to decrease after fertilization, the structural equation modeling analysis showed that comammox clade B had direct positive impacts on soil potential ammonia oxidation (PAO; λ = 0.59, p < 0.001). The long-term fertilization regime altered the community composition of comammox Nitrospira. Additionally, comammox Nitrospira clades A and B had individual response patterns to the soil layer. The relative abundance of clade A was predominant in the topsoil in the N (86.5%) and MNPK (76.4%) treatments, while clade B appeared to be dominant in the subsoil (from 78.7 to 88.1%) with lower ammonium contents, implying niche separation between these clades. Soil pH, NH4+-N and SOM content were crucial factors shaping the soil nitrifying microbial abundances and the comammox Nitrospira community. Together, these findings expand the current understanding of the niche specialization and the important role of comammox Nitrospira in terrestrial ecosystems.