bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generating accurate negative samples for landslide susceptibility mapping: A combined self-organizing-map and one-class SVM method
Authors: Ye Chengming , Tang Rong , Wei Ruilong , Guo Zixuan , Zhang Huajun
Published: January 2023

The accuracy of data-driven landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is closely affected by the quality of non-landslide samples. This research proposes a method combining a self-organizing-map (SOM) and a one-class SVM (SOM-OCSVM) to generate more reasonable non-landslide samples. We designed two steps: first, a random selection, a SOM network, a one class SVM model, and a SOM-OCSVM model were used to generate non-landslide sample datasets. Second, four machine learning models (MLs)—namely logistic regression (LRG), multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF)—were used to verify the effects of four non-landslide sample datasets on LSM. From the region along the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, we selected 11 conditioning factors and 1186 investigated landslides to perform the aforementioned experiments. The results show that the SOM-OCSVM method achieves the highest AUC (>0.94) and minimum standard deviation (<0.081) compared with other methods. Moreover, RF achieves the best performance in different datasets compared with other ML models. The aforementioned results prove that the proposed method can enhance the performance of ML models to produce more reliable LSM.
The long-term failure processes of a large reactivated landslide in the Xiluodu reservoir area based on InSAR technology
Authors: Li Lingjing , Yao Xin , Wen Baoping , Zhou Zhenkai , Li Renjiang
Published: January 2023

After the first impoundment of the reservoir, many landslides seriously threatened the safety of the reservoir. Accurate determination of the relationship between the landslide deformation characteristics and water-level fluctuations is crucial. However, with the increasing number of water-level fluctuation cycles, the deformation characteristics of the landslides were also changing, and long-term continuous monitoring to capture the failure process of reservoir landslides is necessary. A large reacted landslide in the Xiluodu reservoir was set as an example, using InSAR technology to seek its variations of deformation characteristics over nine years. The local deformation rate and annual maximum deformation area variation were analyzed by InSAR technology based on Sentinel-1 descending SAR data from October 2014 to June 2022. According to the regional deformation characteristics, the landslide was divided into three zones: Zone I above the elevation of 950 m; Zone II below it; the front edge of Zone II, where the collapse happened, was further divided into Zone III. In general, the accumulated deformation in Zone I was the largest, followed by Zone III, and Zone II was the smallest. The average deformation rate of Zone II was the smallest. Zone I of NLJL was mainly affected by the drawdown of reservoir water level, and the impacts of water-level rising and drawdown on Zone II and Zone III were similar. After analyzing a nine-year variation of the deformation area, the deformation mechanism of NLJL changed from a retrogressive type to a progressive one after the first impoundment and then changed back to a retrogressive one after 2017. The impact of reservoir impoundment on NLJL was most substantial in the first three years after the first impoundment.
Homozygous mutation in DNALI1 leads to asthenoteratozoospermia by affecting the inner dynein arms
Authors: Sha Yanwei , Liu Wensheng , Nie Hua , Han Lu , Ma Chunjie , Zhang Xiaoya , Xiao Ziyi , Qin Weibing , Jiang Xiaoming , Wei Xiaoli
Published: January 2023

Asthenozoospermia is the most common cause of male infertility. Dynein protein arms play a crucial role in the motility of sperm flagella and defects in these proteins generally impair the axoneme structure and affect sperm flagella function. In this study, we performed whole exome sequencing for a cohort of 126 infertile patients with asthenozoospermia and identified homozygous DNALI1 mutation in one patient from a consanguineous family. This identified homozygous mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing. In silico analysis showed that this homozygous mutation is very rare, highly pathogenic, and very conserved. Sperm routine analysis confirmed that the motility of the spermatozoa from the patient significantly decreased. Further sperm morphology analysis showed that the spermatozoa from the patient exhibited multiple flagella morphological defects and a specific loss in the inner dynein arms. Fortunately, the patient was able to have his child via intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment. Our study is the first to demonstrate that homozygous DNALI1 mutation may impair the integration of axoneme structure, affect sperm motility and cause asthenoteratozoospermia in human beings.
Identification and characterization of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine regulation-associated modification patterns in stomach adenocarcinoma with auxiliary prognostic assessment and immunotherapy response prediction
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zeng Lingfeng , Lin Dexin , Chang Guijian , Zeng Yueyue , Xia Yueming
Published: January 2023

Background

The significance of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine in cellular immune response and cancer is becoming more well-established. However, the mechanisms underlying nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine involvement in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) remain unclear.

Methods

First, a pan-cancer overview of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine-related genes (NMNGs) was explored through the integration of expression profiles, prognostic values, mutation information, methylation levels, and pathway-regulation relationships. We next extensively assessed variations in prognosis and tumor microenvironment (TME) features across the various modification patterns, based on an extensive analysis of the NMNG modification patterns of 808 STAD samples based on 46 NMNGs. Utilizing principal component analysis methodologies, the NMNGscore was developed to measure NMNG alteration patterns of individual tumors.

Results

Pan-cancer analysis shows that NMNGs mostly act as risk genes in multiple cancer types, especially in STAD. Based on the NMNGs we detected two different NMNG modification patterns in STAD. Both patterns showed distinct immune cell infiltration features and biological behavior, with NMNGcluster A exhibiting a worse prognosis and a larger amount of immune infiltration. Differentially expressed genes with prognostic relevance were used to classify the STAD samples into three genomic subgroups. Analysis of survival rates revealed that cluster B genes were associated with longer life expectancy than clusters A and C. Individual STAD patients’ NMNG alteration patterns were analyzed by analyzing their NMNGscore signatures. NMNGscore and immune cells showed a statistically significant adverse correlation with each other. Increased longevity, a higher incidence of mutations, and a better response to immunotherapy were associated with patients’ NMNG scores.

Conclusions

Our findings provide a personalized prediction tool for prognosis and immunotherapy sensitivity in patients, as well as a promising knowledge of nucleotide metabolism and neuroendocrine in STAD.
A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals
Authors: Ullah Sana , Ahmad Shahid , Guo Xinle , Ullah Saleem , Ullah Sana , Nabi Ghulam , Wanghe Kunyuan
Published: January 2023

Over the years, the vaste expansion of plastic manufacturing has dramatically increased the environmental impact of microplastics [MPs] and nanoplastics [NPs], making them a threat to marine and terrestrial biota because they contain endocrine disrupting chemicals [EDCs] and other harmful compounds. MPs and NPs have deleteriouse impacts on mammalian endocrine components such as hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testes, and ovaries. MPs and NPs absorb and act as a transport medium for harmful chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ether, polychlorinated biphenyl ether, organotin, perfluorinated compounds, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organic contaminants, and heavy metals, which are commonly used as additives in plastic production. As the EDCs are not covalently bonded to plastics, they can easily leach into milk, water, and other liquids affecting the endocrine system of mammals upon exposure. The toxicity induced by MPs and NPs is size-dependent, as smaller particles have better absorption capacity and larger surface area, releasing more EDC and toxic chemicals. Various EDCs contained or carried by MPs and NPs share structural similarities with specific hormone receptors; hence they interfere with normal hormone receptors, altering the hormonal action of the endocrine glands. This review demonstrates size-dependent MPs’ bioaccumulation, distribution, and translocation with potential hazards to the endocrine gland. We reviewed that MPs and NPs disrupt hypothalamic-pituitary axes, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid/adrenal/testicular/ovarian axis leading to oxidative stress, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, developmental abnormalities, decreased sperm quality, and immunotoxicity. The direct consequences of MPs and NPs on the thyroid, testis, and ovaries are documented. Still, studies need to be carried out to identify the direct effects of MPs and NPs on the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands.
Obesity-related kidney disease: Beyond hypertension and insulin-resistance
Authors: Arabi Tarek , Shafqat Areez , Sabbah Belal Nedal , Fawzy Nader Ashraf , Shah Hassan , Abdulkader Humzah , Razak Adhil , Sabbah Ahmad Nedal , Arabi Ziad
Published: January 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) causes considerable morbidity, mortality, and health expenditures worldwide. Obesity is a significant risk factor for CKD development, partially explained by the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension in obese patients. However, adipocytes also possess potent endocrine functions, secreting a myriad of cytokines and adipokines that contribute to insulin resistance and induce a chronic low-grade inflammatory state thereby damaging the kidney. CKD development itself is associated with various metabolic alterations that exacerbate adipose tissue dysfunction and insulin resistance. This adipose-renal axis is a major focus of current research, given the rising incidence of CKD and obesity. Cellular senescence is a biologic hallmark of aging, and age is another significant risk factor for obesity and CKD. An elevated senescent cell burden in adipose tissue predicts renal dysfunction in animal models, and senotherapies may alleviate these phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the direct mechanisms by which adipose tissue contributes to CKD development, emphasizing the potential clinical importance of such pathways in augmenting the care of CKD.
Effects of steroid hormones on lipid metabolism in sexual dimorphism: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Liang Junzhi , Zhang Bowen , Hu Yannan , Na Zhijing , Li Da
Published: January 2023

Background

Although the role of steroid hormones in lipid levels has been partly discussed in the context of separate sexes, the causal relationship between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism according to sex has not been elucidated because of the limitations of observational studies. We assessed the relationship between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism in separate sexes using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Methods

Instrumental variables for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), progesterone, estradiol, and androstenedione were selected. MR analysis was performed using inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier tests. Cochran’s Q test, the MR-Egger intercept test, and leave-one-out analysis were used for sensitivity analyses.

Results

The results showed that the three steroid hormones affected lipid metabolism and exhibited sex differences. In males, DHEAS was negatively correlated with total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (P = 0.007; P = 0.006; P = 0.041, respectively), and progesterone was negatively correlated with TC and LDL-C (P = 0.019; P = 0.038, respectively). In females, DHEAS was negatively correlated with TC (P = 0.026) and androstenedione was negatively correlated with triglycerides and apolipoprotein A (P = 0.022; P = 0.009, respectively). No statistically significant association was observed between the estradiol levels and lipid metabolism in male or female participants.

Conclusions

Our findings identified sex-specific causal networks between steroid hormones and lipid metabolism. Steroid hormones, including DHEAS, progesterone, and androstenedione, exhibited beneficial effects on lipid metabolism in both sexes; however, the specific lipid profiles affected by steroid hormones differed between the sexes.
A united credible capacity evaluation method of distributed generation and energy storage based on active island operation
Authors: Jiahao Chen , Bing Sun , Yuan Zeng , Ruipeng Jing , Yunfei Li , Shiqian Ma
Published: January 2023

Cooperating with distributed energy storage, distributed generation is with the potential of supply load stably under both normal and failure periods of distribution network. Therefore, distributed generation has not only electricity value, but also capacity value. The capacity value can be characterized by credible capacity index. However, the uncertainty of the distributed generation output and the sequential characteristics of energy-storage operation must be considered during a united credible capacity evaluation. A united credible capacity evaluation method of distributed generation and energy storage based on active island operation is proposed. The proposed method carries out day-ahead economic dispatching under a normal state and island partition under a fault state, alternately, to realize accurate reliability calculation, which is the key link of credible capacity searching. The main work is as follows. First, a day-ahead economic dispatching model under normal state is established to obtain the sequential remaining electricity information of energy storage. Second, the models of maximum island partition and optimal island rectification are established based on electricity sufficiency and power balance information. By solving the maximum island partition and optimal island rectification models alternately, optimal island partition schemes under the fault state could be achieved. Then, the convergence criterion based on variance coefficients instead of artificial selection is designed in reliability calculation. Finally, the united credible capacity of distributed generation and energy storage is evaluated in the PG&E 69-bus system. It is found that credible capacity value increases by 23%, 53%, and 61%, respectively, under the energy storage allocation ratios of 20%, 30%, and 40%. It can be seen that the integration of energy storage makes a significant impact on distributed generation credible capacity value.
Efficiency enhancement of natural cocktail dyes in a TiO2-based dye-sensitized solar cell and performance of electron kinetics on the TiO2 surface
Authors: Dhanasekaran P. , Marimuthu R.
Published: January 2023

In this study, natural dye extracts were prepared from the dried leaves of Andrographis paniculata and Psidium guajava (APPG). The study’s objective was to increase the light harvesting phenomenon from solar energy utilizing natural dye from APPG, and the problem statement was to harvest the optimum solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy. Acetone and ethanol were used as solvents during the preparation process. Based on this research, the crystallite size of TiO2 nanoparticles was assessed, the impact of acetone and ethanol on APPG dye was compared, and the absorption, FTIR, and UV-Vis spectra of the solar cell fabrication process using solvents were experimentally explored. APPG leaf extract functions as a dye sensitizer. Cells are precisely sandwiched with a photoanode, TiO2 nanoparticles, an electrolyte (I/I3−), and a cathode. The JV properties of dye extracts utilizing acetone and ethanol were measured using a solar simulator equipped with a 100 mW/cm2 Xenon light and a Keithley 2400 Graphical Series SMU. An experimental DSSC with dye extraction and utilizing acetone solvent yielded a maximum photo-conversion efficiency of 0.6914%, while ethanol yielded a photo-conversion efficiency of 0.5630%. Furthermore, an energy-level diagram was used to explain the electron kinetics of DSSC, and the time required for transfer electron injection in the TiO2 surface from a dye-excited state was 150 ps.
Analysis of groundwater ion abnormality and its cause of centralized drinking water sources in Jieshou City, China
Authors: Su Guifen , Liu Guijian , Li Yongli , Wang Guanyu
Published: January 2023

Groundwater provides drinking water to city and rural residents; which is also one of the chief water sources for commercial and agricultural activities in Jieshou City. We collected and analyzed the samples of 18 underground water source wells in Jieshou. We investigated whether the water was of acceptable quality and had characteristics that exceeded the standard. This study was conducted to determine the chemical characteristics of groundwater and abnormally high super-standard ions found in groundwater. The hydrogeological conditions of the study area were analyzed through data collection; through sample collection and sample testing, the characteristics and types of water chemistry were analyzed by means of mathematical statistics analysis and the Piper chart. The genesis of water chemistry was discussed using the Gibbs chart and correlation analysis; the proportional coefficient of ion molar concentration was used to judge the source, origin, and forming process of groundwater chemical composition. The results show that the groundwater is classified as marginally alkaline water, with a composition of Na-HCO3. The cations are mainly Na+, and the anions are mainly HCO3−. According to the Ⅲ water standard of groundwater quality standard and comparing the content of each ion, Na+ and F− are the primary abnormal super-standard ions, and ions and compounds are the main occurrence states. The concentrations of Na+ and F− exceed the standard for class Ⅲ water. There was a positive correlation between the abnormal Na+ and F−, and the concentration of F− increased with the increase in monitoring depth. The causes of abnormal ions were mainly determined by the lithology of the aquifer in the study area, and most of them are fluorine-containing rocks, which are transferred into groundwater through leaching or hydration. The enrichment of Na+ and F− is influenced by the local primary geological setting, hydrochemical type, hydrogeological conditions, pH and artificial activities, and the primary geological setting is the main influencing factor.
Spatial and temporal evolution and driving factors of county solid waste harmless disposal capacity in China
Authors: Chen Xi , Xing Lirong , Zhou Junting , Wang Kai , Lu Jianzhen , Han Xiqiu
Published: January 2023

Currently, China mainly adopts the waste treatment model of “household sorting, village collection, town transfer and county disposal.” Determining the spatial and temporal distribution of China’s county solid waste harmless disposal capacity and formulating strategies according to local conditions are of great significance in promoting the construction of beautiful villages in China and realizing the Beautiful China strategy. This paper explores the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of county solid waste harmless disposal capacity by selecting relevant data from 27 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020, and adopts the Dagum Gini coefficient method to measure the spatial gap of it. In addition, this paper empirically analyses the drivers affecting county solid waste harmless disposal capacity using the spatial Durbin model (SDM). The main conclusions are as follows: 1) In terms of time, county solid waste harmless disposal capacity in China as a whole shows a year-by-year increasing trend, especially after 2018 when the growth rate is faster. 2) In terms of spatial patterns, the solid waste harmless disposal capacity of coastal areas is generally higher than that of inland areas, and the distribution of provinces with low and middle levels of solid waste harmless disposal capacity is characterized by concentrated contiguity. From the perspective of spatial agglomeration, the characteristics of spatial agglomeration in the north are gradually becoming more pronounced, while those in the south are not significant. From the trajectory of the evolution of the spatial center of gravity, the center of gravity of county solid waste harmless disposal capacity as a whole shows a northeast, then northwest, then northeast movement, and the speed of “northward expansion” is greater than the speed of “eastward expansion”. 3) The results of the Dagum Gini coefficient and its decomposition show that the northeast has the smallest average annual rate of change in the Gini coefficient. The reduction of the within-group gap is an important driver towards equilibrium. The contribution of hypervariable density is decreasing year by year. 4) The number of harmless disposal plants, GDP per person, population urbanization, the number of township waste transfer stations and county waste disposal fixed asset investment are important drivers of county waste harmless disposal capacity. Findings provide helpful insights into optimizing rural habitat and promoting the comprehensive transformation of China’s county development.
High-dimensional CoVaR risk spillover network from oil market to global stock markets—Lessons from the Kyoto Protocol
Authors: Sheng Jiliang , Li Juchao , Yang Jun , Wang Yufan , Li Jiayu
Published: January 2023

This paper explores the impact of the Kyoto Protocol by investigating the correlation and risk spillover between the crude oil market and the stock markets of 28 countries during its two commitment periods. Besides time-varying Copula-CoVaR models, the Adaptive Lasso-VAR model with oracle properties is employed in generalized variance decomposition, and a risk connectedness network is constructed to explore risk spillovers between the stock markets of various countries when the crude oil market is at risk. The results reveal positive correlations between the crude oil market and stock markets, which become weaker in the second commitment period than in the first. The crude oil market has both upside and downside spillover effects to most stock markets during both commitment periods, and the upside risk spillover effect is stronger than the downside effect. Overall, most non-signatories of the Kyoto Protocol are net receivers of risk spillovers when the crude oil market is at risk, while most signatories are net exporters of risk spillovers.
Different sea urchin RAG-like genes were domesticated to carry out different functions
Authors: Yakovenko Iryna , Tobi Dror , Ner-Gaon Hadas , Oren Matan
Published: January 2023

The closely linked recombination activating genes (RAG1 and RAG2) in vertebrates encode the core of the RAG recombinase that mediates the V(D)J recombination of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. RAG1 and RAG2 homologues (RAG1L and RAG2L) are present in multiple invertebrate phyla, including mollusks, nemerteans, cnidarians, and sea urchins. However, the function of the invertebrates’ RAGL proteins is yet unknown. The sea urchins contain multiple RAGL genes that presumably originated in a common ancestral transposon. In this study, we demonstrated that two different RAG1L genes in the sea urchin Paracentrutus lividus (PlRAG1La and PlRAG1Lb) lost their mobility and, along with PlRAG2L, were fully domesticated to carry out different functions. We found that the examined echinoid RAGL homologues have distinct expression profiles in early developmental stages and in adult tissues. Moreover, the predicted structure of the proteins suggests that while PlRAG1La could maintain its endonuclease activity and create a heterotetramer with PlRAG2L, the PlRAG1Lb adopted a different function that does not include an interaction with DNA nor a collaboration with PlRAG2L. By characterizing the different RAG homologues in the echinoid lineage, we hope to increase the knowledge about the evolution of these genes and shed light on their domestication processes.
Chronic exposure to low-level lipopolysaccharide dampens influenza-mediated inflammatory response via A20 and PPAR network
Authors: Gu Yinuo , Hsu Alan Chen-Yu , Zuo Xu , Guo Xiaoping , Zhou Zhengjie , Jiang Shengyu , Ouyang Zhuoer , Wang Fang
Published: January 2023

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection leads to severe inflammation, and while epithelial-driven inflammatory responses occur via activation of NF-κB, the factors that modulate inflammation, particularly the negative regulators are less well-defined. In this study we show that A20 is a crucial molecular switch that dampens IAV-induced inflammatory responses. Chronic exposure to low-dose LPS environment can restrict this excessive inflammation. The mechanisms that this environment provides to suppress inflammation remain elusive. Here, our evidences show that chronic exposure to low-dose LPS suppressed IAV infection or LPS stimulation-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Chronic low-dose LPS environment increases A20 expression, which in turn positively regulates PPAR-α and -γ, thus dampens the NF-κB signaling pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Knockout of A20 abolished the inhibitory effect on inflammation. Thus, A20 and its induced PPAR-α and -γ play a key role in suppressing excessive inflammatory responses in the chronic low-dose LPS environment.
Changes in macrofauna bioturbation during repeated heatwaves mediate changes in biogeochemical cycling of nutrients
Authors: Kauppi Laura , Göbeler Norman , Norkko Joanna , Norkko Alf , Romero-Ramirez Alicia , Bernard Guillaume
Published: January 2023

The increasing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (MHWs) observed worldwide entails changes in the structure and functioning of ecological communities. While severe and extreme heatwaves often have more destructive effects, the more subtle effects of moderate and strong heatwaves may nevertheless affect ecosystem functioning through complex, context-dependent linkages between different processes. Here we conducted a laboratory experiment to study the effects of repeated short-term, strong MHWs on macrofauna bioturbation and associated solute fluxes as a measure of ecosystem functioning using natural soft-sediment communities from the Baltic Sea. Our results showed changes in both bioturbation and biogeochemical cycling of nutrients following short-term, strong heatwaves, which seemed to contribute to an enhanced degradation of organic matter in the seafloor and an enhanced exchange of solutes across the sediment-water interface as well as increased sediment oxygen consumption. Following changes in these processes, the relative contribution of macrofauna and the environmental context to ecosystem functioning was altered. Our results highlight the potential of even shorter-term, strong MHWs of having system-wide impacts due to changes in the mechanistic process of bioturbation underpinning the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients. This study also highlights the need to measure a wide range of variables for a comprehensive understanding of the changes in functioning under disturbances, such as MHWs.
Combined effect of Cu- and ZnO- NPs on antibiotic resistance genes in an estuarine water
Authors: Chen Yu-ru , Sha Rong-rong , Sun Xiao-li , Guo Xing-pan , Yang Yi
Published: January 2023

Most studies of whether and how nanoparticles (NPs) affect antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) focus on testing single NPs type. In this study, we determined the combined effect of Cu- and ZnO- NPs in the water samples collected from the Yangtze River Estuary and found the effect differs greatly from that produced by individual NPs. The results showed that the Cu- and ZnO- NPs co-exposure resulted in an enrichment of ARGs, whereas individual Cu- and ZnO- NPs exposure decreased the abundance of ARGs. Furthermore, the co-exposure of Cu- and ZnO- NPs induced obvious changes in the microbial communities compared to the control communities. Redundancy analysis suggested that the microbial community contributed the most (43.5%) to the ARG profiles, followed by dissolved metal ions (25.7%), MRGs, (19.4%), and MGEs (4.4%). Network analysis found several potential hosts (such as Mycobacterium and Escherichia coli) and implied the extent of the risk of ARG transmission into various environmental niches by these common microbes.
Image analysis reveals environmental influences on the seagrass-epiphyte dynamic relationship for Thalassia testudinum in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Huang Chi , Piñón Carissa , Mehrubeoglu Mehrube , Cammarata Kirk
Published: January 2023

Spatiotemporal patterns in seagrass-epiphyte dynamics for Thalassia testudinum in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico were evaluated through biomass measurements and scanned-image based metrics to investigate the potentially harmful impact of excessive epiphyte accumulations on seagrass condition. Image analysis with Spectral Angle Mapper algorithms distinguished epiphyte and uncovered seagrass leaf pixels to generate a normalized metric of leaf area coverage (epiphyte pixels/total leaf pixels). Imaging metrics were compared to biomass-based metrics seasonally, among three locations with different environmental conditions (depth, salinity, temperature and nutrient levels inferred from sediment porewater measurements) near Redfish Bay, Texas, USA. Image analysis, in conjunction with biomass measures, provides enhanced insight into the seagrass-epiphyte dynamic relationship and how it varies with environmental conditions. Compared with the biomass and morphological measures, image analysis may be more informative as an indicator of environmental changes. Variation in linear regressions of epiphyte biomass vs. epiphyte area (pixels) suggested changes in the thickness and/or density of accumulated epiphytes across environmental contexts and seasons. Two different epiphyte colonization patterns were presented based on the correlation between the normalized metrics of epiphyte load and epiphyte leaf coverage. The epiphyte load was highest at low temperatures and locations with elevated DIN:P ratio in sediment porewater. Conversely, the mean leaf coverage by epiphytes stayed relatively constant (± 10%) across seasons but differed by location (25% ~55% in this case), suggesting that leaf growth in this study is regulated to maintain the proportion of uncolonized leaf surface and that epiphyte coverage plays a role in its regulation.
Single-channel blind source separation of underwater acoustic signals using improved NMF and FastICA
Authors: Li Dawei , Wu Minghui , Yu Liang , Han Jianhui , Zhang Hao
Published: January 2023

When automatic monitoring buoys receive mixed acoustic signals from multiple underwater acoustic targets, the statistical blind source separation (BSS) task is used to separate the signals and identify vessel features, which is overly complex and needs improvement, especially noting that noise cancellation and stealth technologies are advancing rapidly. To fill this gap in capability, an improved non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) based BSS algorithm is built on a FastICA machine learning backbone. With this tool, the spatial and spectral correlation of underwater acoustic signals is introduced into the NMF algorithm improved by to resolve the non-convex and feature correlation problems commonly encountered by contemporary NMF algorithms. Moreover, the improved modulation feature adaptability of the NMF increases the local expressivity and independence of the decomposed base matrix, which is proven to meet the requirements of FastICA and used to improve the BSS effect of the FastICA. Simulated and empirical results show that compared with state-of-the-art FastICA and NMF based BSS algorithms, our novel approach obtains better signal-to-noise reduction and separation accuracy while maintaining superior target signal recognition features.
Screening for cardiovascular risk in the general population: The SPICES implementation survey
Authors: Le Goff Delphine , Perraud Gabriel , Aujoulat Paul , Deriennic Jeremy , Guillou Morgane , Barais Marie , Le Reste Jean-Yves
Published: January 2023

Background

In 2019, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) caused 32% of deaths worldwide. The SPICES survey involved five countries in an international primary CVD prevention implementation study in the general population. The French SPICES survey was implemented in the Centre Ouest Bretagne area (COB), which is a rural, economically deprived, medically underserved territory with high cardiovascular mortality. A CVD screening in the general population was needed to select the implementation population without overburdening family practitioner (FP) workforces. The efficacy and the replicability of such a screening were unknown. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of the individuals undergoing CVD risk assessment with the Non-Laboratory Interheart risk score (NL-IHRS), and to identify barriers and explore facilitators when screening the general population.

Methods

An implementation study combining a cross-sectional descriptive study with qualitative interviews was undertaken. The NL-IHRS was completed by trained screeners selected from health students, pharmacists, nurses, and physiotherapists in the area with a dedicated e-tool in sport and cultural events and public places. After the screening, all screener groups were interviewed until theoretical saturation for each group. Thematic analysis was performed using double-blind coding.

Results

In 5 months, 3,384 assessments were undertaken in 60 different places, mostly by health students. A total of 1,587, 1,309, and 488 individuals were at low, moderate, and high CVD risk. Stressed or depressed individuals were remarkably numerous (40.1 and 24.5% of the population, respectively). Forty-seven interviews were conducted. The main facilitators were willingness of the population, trust between screeners and the research team, and media publicity. The main barriers were lack of motivation of some screeners, some individuals at risk, some stakeholders and difficulties in handling the e-tool.

Conclusion

The efficacy of CVD risk screening while using mostly health students was excellent and preserved the FP workforce. Replicability was highly feasible if research teams took great care to establish and maintain trust between screeners and researchers. The e-tools should be more user-friendly.
Gut microbiota therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Evidence from randomized clinical trials
Authors: Han Ting-Rui , Yang Wen-Juan , Tan Qing-Hua , Bai Shuai , Zhong Huang , Tai Yang , Tong Huan
Published: January 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a high prevalence worldwide, but there are no medications approved for treatment. Gut microbiota would be a novel and promising therapeutic target based on the concept of the gut–liver axis in liver disease. We reviewed randomized controlled trials on gut microbiota therapy in NAFLD in this study to evaluate its efficacy and plausibility in NAFLD.
Spatial co-occurrence patterns of benthic microbial assemblage in response to trace metals in the Atacama Desert Coastline
Authors: Zárate Ana , Molina Verónica , Valdés Jorge , Icaza Gonzalo , Vega Sue Ellen , Castillo Alexis , Ugalde Juan A. , Dorador Cristina
Published: January 2023

Taxonomic and functional microbial communities may respond differently to anthropogenic coastal impacts, but ecological quality monitoring assessments using environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA/eRNA) in response to pollution are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the utility of the co-occurrence network approach’s to comprehensively explore both structure and potential functions of benthic marine microbial communities and their responses to Cu and Fe fractioning from two sediment deposition coastal zones of northern Chile via 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. The results revealed substantial differences in the microbial communities, with the predominance of two distinct module hubs based on study zone. This indicates that habitat influences microbial co-occurrence networks. Indeed, the discriminant analysis allowed us to identify keystone taxa with significant differences in eDNA and eRNA comparison between sampled zones, revealing that Beggiatoaceae, Carnobacteriaceae, and Nitrosococcaceae were the primary representatives from Off Loa, whereas Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Latescibacteraceae, and Clostridiaceae were the families responsible for the observed changes in Mejillones Bay. The quantitative evidence from the multivariate analyses supports that the benthic microbial assemblages’ features were linked to specific environments associated with Cu and Fe fractions, mainly in the Bay. Furthermore, the predicted functional microbial structure suggested that transporters and DNA repair allow the communities to respond to metals and endure the interacting variable environmental factors like dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity. Moreover, some active taxa recovered are associated with anthropogenic impact, potentially harboring antibiotic resistance and other threats in the coastal zone. Overall, the method of scoping eRNA in parallel with eDNA applied here has the capacity to significantly enhance the spatial and functional understanding of real-time microbial assemblages and, in turn, would have the potential to increase the acuity of biomonitoring programs key to responding to immediate management needs for the marine environment.
Effects of waste milk feeding on rumen fermentation and bacterial community of pre-weaned and post-weaned dairy calves
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Cheng Chuanteng , Lv Jingyi , Bai Haixin , Sun Fang , Liu Chundong , Liu Chunlong , Zhang Yonggen , Xin Hangshu
Published: January 2023

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of waste milk with antibiotic residue on rumen fermentation and rumen bacterial composition of dairy calves during pre-weaned and post-weaned periods. A total of 24 Holstein male calves (43.4 ± 0.93 kg body weight, mean ± standard error) were allocated into four blocks based on birth date. Dairy calves were supplied 100% milk replacer (MR, n = 8), 50% milk replacer mixed with 50% waste milk (MM, n = 8), or 100% waste milk (WM, n = 8). Ruminal samples were collected at 49 and 63 days of age and then subjected to determinations of pH value, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N) and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The results showed that feeding WM had no effect on the pH value, the concentrations of VFA (acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid), and NH3–N in dairy calves compared to feeding MR. However, from 49 to 63 days of age, the pH value (p < 0.001) was significantly increased, while the levels of total VFA (p = 0.004), acetic acid (p = 0.01), propionic acid (p = 0.003) and valeric acid (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. For rumen microorganisms, there was no differences in bacterial diversity among the treatments. But the relative abundance of Veillonellaceae was significantly lower (p = 0.05) in the calves fed WM than that from MR group at 49 days of age; however, no difference was detected at 63 days of age. Feeding WM to calves tended to reduce family Veillonellaceae and genus Olsenella in the rumen at 49 days of age (p = 0.049). Analysis of temporal changes in rumen bacteria based on alpha-diversity and beta-diversity as well as the microbial relative abundances did not exhibit any difference. In addition, relative abundances of Clostridia_UCG-014, Prevotella, Syntrophococcus, Eubacterium_nodatum_group, Pseudoramibacter and Solobacterium were correlated with rumen pH value and the concentrations of TVFA, propionic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid and NH3–N. In conclusion, compare to MR, calves supplied with WM had little changes on the rumen pH value, NH3–N or VFAs contents. Additionally, limited effects could be found on rumen microbiota in the calves fed WM. However, further studies needed to explore if there exist any long-term effects of early-life rumen microbiota modulation on dairy cows.
Human immunoglobulins are transported to HCMV viral envelope by viral Fc gamma receptors-dependent and independent mechanisms
Authors: Vezzani Giacomo , Pimazzoni Silvia , Ferranti Rossella , Calò Stefano , Monda Giuseppina , Amendola Diego , Frigimelica Elisabetta , Maione Domenico , Cortese Mirko , Merola Marcello
Published: January 2023

Human cytomegaloviruses (HCMVs) employ many different mechanisms to escape and subvert the host immune system, including expression of the viral IgG Fcγ receptors (vFcγRs) RL11 (gp34), RL12 (gp95), RL13 (gpRL13), and UL119 (gp68) gene products. The role of vFcγRs in HCMV pathogenesis has been reported to operate in infected cells by interfering with IgG-mediated effector functions. We found that gp34 and gp68 are envelope proteins that bind and internalize human IgGs on the surface of infected cells. Internalized IgGs are then transported on the envelope of viral particles in a vFcR-dependent mechanism. This mechanism is also responsible for the incorporation on the virions of the anti-gH neutralizing antibody MSL-109. Intriguingly, we show that gp68 is responsible for MSL-109 incorporation, but it is dispensable for other anti-HCMV antibodies that do not need this function to be transported on mature virions. HCMV-infected cells grown in presence of anti-HCMV monoclonal antibodies generate a viral progeny still infective and possible to be neutralized. This is the first example of a virus carrying neutralizing IgGs on its surface and their possible role is discussed.
Involvement of heterologous ubiquitination including linear ubiquitination in Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Sato Yusuke , Terawaki Seigo , Oikawa Daisuke , Shimizu Kouhei , Okina Yoshinori , Ito Hidefumi , Tokunaga Fuminori
Published: January 2023

In neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive accumulation of ubiquitin-positive cytoplasmic inclusions leads to proteinopathy and neurodegeneration. Along with the seven types of Lys-linked ubiquitin chains, the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC)-mediated Met1-linked linear ubiquitin chain, which activates the canonical NF-κB pathway, is also involved in cytoplasmic inclusions of tau in AD and TAR DNA-binding protein 43 in ALS. Post-translational modifications, including heterologous ubiquitination, affect proteasomal and autophagic degradation, inflammatory responses, and neurodegeneration. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SHARPIN and RBCK1 (which encodes HOIL-1L), components of LUBAC, were recently identified as genetic risk factors of AD. A structural biological simulation suggested that most of the SHARPIN SNPs that cause an amino acid replacement affect the structure and function of SHARPIN. Thus, the aberrant LUBAC activity is related to AD. Protein ubiquitination and ubiquitin-binding proteins, such as ubiquilin 2 and NEMO, facilitate liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and linear ubiquitination seems to promote efficient LLPS. Therefore, the development of therapeutic approaches that target ubiquitination, such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and inhibitors of ubiquitin ligases, including LUBAC, is expected to be an additional effective strategy to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Autophagy regulates inflammation in intracerebral hemorrhage: Enemy or friend?
Authors: Fu Kaijing , Xu Weilin , Lenahan Cameron , Mo Yong , Wen Jing , Deng Teng , Huang Qianrong , Guo Fangzhou , Mo Ligen , Yan Jun
Published: January 2023

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second-largest stroke subtype and has a high mortality and disability rate. Secondary brain injury (SBI) is delayed after ICH. The main contributors to SBI are inflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity. Harmful substances from blood and hemolysis, such as hemoglobin, thrombin, and iron, induce SBI. When cells suffer stress, a critical protective mechanism called “autophagy” help to maintain the homeostasis of damaged cells, remove harmful substances or damaged organelles, and recycle them. Autophagy plays a critical role in the pathology of ICH, and its function remains controversial. Several lines of evidence demonstrate a pro-survival role for autophagy in ICH by facilitating the removal of damaged proteins and organelles. However, many studies have found that heme and iron can aggravate SBI by enhancing autophagy. Autophagy and inflammation are essential culprits in the progression of brain injury. It is a fascinating hypothesis that autophagy regulates inflammation in ICH-induced SBI. Autophagy could degrade and clear pro-IL-1β and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) to antagonize NLRP3-mediated inflammation. In addition, mitophagy can remove endogenous activators of inflammasomes, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory components, and cytokines, in damaged mitochondria. However, many studies support the idea that autophagy activates microglia and aggravates microglial inflammation via the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway. In addition, autophagy can promote ICH-induced SBI through inflammasome-dependent NLRP6-mediated inflammation. Moreover, some resident cells in the brain are involved in autophagy in regulating inflammation after ICH. Some compounds or therapeutic targets that regulate inflammation by autophagy may represent promising candidates for the treatment of ICH-induced SBI. In conclusion, the mutual regulation of autophagy and inflammation in ICH is worth exploring. The control of inflammation by autophagy will hopefully prove to be an essential treatment target for ICH.
Inconsistencies in mapping current distribution in transcranial direct current stimulation
Authors: Jwa Anita S. , Goodman Jonathan S. , Glover Gary H.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

tDCS is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has been widely studied both as a therapy for neuropsychiatric diseases and for cognitive enhancement. However, recent meta-analyses have reported significant inconsistencies amongst tDCS studies. Enhancing empirical understanding of current flow in the brain may help elucidate some of these inconsistencies.

Methods

We investigated tDCS-induced current distribution by injecting a low frequency current waveform in a phantom and in vivo. MR phase images were collected during the stimulation and a time-series analysis was used to reconstruct the magnetic field. A current distribution map was derived from the field map using Ampere's law.

Results

The current distribution map in the phantom showed a clear path of current flow between the two electrodes, with more than 75% of the injected current accounted for. However, in brain, the results did evidence a current path between the two target electrodes but only some portion ( 25%) of injected current reached the cortex demonstrating that a significant fraction of the current is bypassing the brain and traveling from one electrode to the other external to the brain, probably due to conductivity differences in brain tissue types. Substantial inter-subject and intra-subject (across consecutive scans) variability in current distribution maps were also observed in human but not in phantom scans.

Discussions

An in-vivo current mapping technique proposed in this study demonstrated that much of the injected current in tDCS was not accounted for in human brain and deviated to the edge of the brain. These findings would have ramifications in the use of tDCS as a neuromodulator and may help explain some of the inconsistencies reported in other studies.