bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Na ceste z chudoby a sociálneho vylúčenia? Dostupnosť pitnej vody v rómskych komunitách na východnom Slovensku
Authors: ROCHOVSKÁ Alena , HORŇÁK Marcel , HLUŠKO Richard
Published: July 2021

Access to fresh water and sanity represent elementary human rights leading to a healthy life and high life quality. Among other features of social exclusion, poor access to basic infrastructure such as drinking water pipelines and public sewage systems may adversely affect human health and cause high risk of epidemics related to poor hygienic conditions. Not surprisingly, communities with low hygienic conditions and poor access to drinking water are often at high risk of spreading Covid-19. In Slovakia, numerous communities of Roma ethnicity have been repeatedly reported to have no or limited access to sewage and drinking water pipeline systems. The principal aim of our paper is to analyse the quality of access to various water sources in Roma communities located in NUTS2 East Slovakia consisting of Prešov and Košice Self-Governing Regions. Our ambition is to show how the level of spatial segregation of Roma communities affects the quality of access to healthy water sources. The database used in the paper allows covering regional and partly also local territorial levels of scope. Specifically, we attempt to show the conditions in the most segregated Roma communities located apart from built-up areas of municipalities with generally poor access to drinking water.
Revitalisasi Cagar Budaya untuk Pengembangan Pariwisata di Kawasan van Dering Serukam
Authors: Beni Sabinus , Manggu Blasius , Sadewo Yosua Damas , Aquino Thomas
Published: July 2021

ENGLISHThe hilltop is located at van Dering Hill commonly named van Dering Fortress by the nearest communities in Serukam Hamlet, Pasti Jaya Village, Samalatan Sub-district, Bengkayang District. This research aimed to describe the revitalization process of van Dering Fortress. This study used a qualitative approach. It carried on in the van Dering Serukam tourism area. Primary data were collected through interviews with community elders, village leader, and sub-district head. Next, the data were analyzed qualitatively. This study resulted that van Dering Fortress was broken about 90%. It happened for a long time since the Dutch have not left Serukam yet. Both local and central government have not yet to pay attention to van Dering Hilltop as a cultural heritage. The landowner of the location of Dutch Hilltop finally built a house on the foothill. This cultural heritage abandonment caused the loss of historical asset during Dutch colonization. Van Dering revitalization was assumed to bring positive impacts for tourism development in Bengkayang District. Then, it could increase the local government income, so that it can support economic growth and local development. INDONESIAPos intai Belanda yang terletak di Bukit Van Dering biasa disebut Benteng van Dering oleh masyarakat Dusun Se-rukam merupakan salah satu peninggalan sejarah yang terletak di Desa Pasti Jaya, Kecamatan Samalatan, Kabupaten Bengkayang. Tujuan penelitian adalah menggambarkan upaya revitalisasi Benteng van Dering. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dan dilakukan di kawasan wisata van Dering Serukam. Data primer diperoleh melalui wawancara dengan para tetua adat, kepala desa, dan camat. Data yang diperoleh selanjutnya dianalisis secara kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa cagar budaya Benteng van Dering berada pada kondisi rusak. Kondisi tersebut terjadi sudah sejak lama, dimana 90% Benteng van Dering sudah hancur, bahkan sebelum Belanda meninggalkan Dusun Serukam. Pemerintah, baik pusat maupun daerah belum memberikan perhatian terhadap revi-talisasi Benteng van Dering sebagai kawasan cagar budaya sejarah. Pemilik lahan tempat berlokasinya pos intai Bel-anda pada akhirnya membangun rumah di bawah kaki bukit. Apabila kondisi tersebut terus terjadi, dapat berdampak hilangnya jejak keberadaan aset bersejarah periode penjajahan Belanda. Revitalisasi Benteng van Dering di Bukit van Dering diharapkan dapat memberikan dampak positif bagi perkembangan pariwisata di Kabupaten Bengkayang. Se-lanjutnya, hal tersebut dapat meningkatkan pendapatan asli daerah sehingga mendukung pembangunan dan pertum-buhan ekonomi.
Minimum Effective Dose of Chlorantraniliprole and Chromafenozide to Control Oil Palm Bunch Moth Tirathana mundella Walker
Authors: KING PATRICIA JIE HUNG , SU CHONG MING , KWAN YEE MIN , AB AZIZ ZAKRY FITRI , ONG KIAN HUAT
Published: July 2021

The bunch moth, Tirathaba mundella is one of the leading pests in oil palm estates established on peatland. Severely infested male inflorescences usually would fail reaching anthesis. Reduction in the number of inflorescences at anthesis stage would suggest less food source and breeding ground for oil palm pollinating weevils, Elaeidobius kamerunicus, thus, affecting the fruiting percentage of oil palm and its yield. Despite to be less detrimental to the environment, biopesticide usages in the field is losing favour due to its slower rate of kill compared with conventional chemical pesticides, shorter persistence in the environment and susceptibility to unfavourable environmental conditions. The use of high host specificity chemical pesticides, such as chlorantraniliprole and chromafenozide are gaining popularity in pest management regimes. In this study, the optimum dose for chlorantraniliprole and chromafenozide in controlling T. mundella was assessed to provide valuable information for sustainable oil palm pest management. Several dosages of pesticide were evaluated for their effectiveness against T. mundella in a 7-year-old oil palm estate for six months.   Based on the results obtained, application of 30 g or 40 g active ingredient (a.i.) per ha chlorantraniliprole were recommended to provide the longest protection period. To make plan for an effective pest management that could reduce material and labour cost per ha as well as the risks in developing pesticide resistance among pest, 30 g a.i per ha of chlorantraniliprole is recommended to be rotated with 25 g a.i. per ha chromafenozide for a total of four rounds in a year.
Role of Internal Marketing Practices in the Service Recovery Performance of Call Center Employees
Authors: Ahmad Norzieiriani , Zakaria Nazlina , Javed Ahmad Munawar
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the internal marketing philosophy is applicable to call centers operating in Pakistan. This study attempted to investigate the role of internal marketing practices assess through internal communication (Huang & Rundle-Thiele, 2014), employee rewards (Boshoff & Allen, 2000), employee training (Boshoff & Allen, 2000), and employee empowerment (Yavas, Karatepe, Avci, & Tekinkus, 2003) on the service recovery performance (Boshoff & Allen, 2000) of call center employees working in inbound telecom call centers. Primary data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire from 15 telecom call centers located in three major cities namely Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. A simple random sampling technique was implemented to collect data from 318 male and female respondents. Results showed that internal communication, employee rewards and employee training were positively linked with service recovery performance, while a nonsignificant relationship was found between employee empowerment and service recovery performance. Results revealed that internal marketing practices influence toward frontline employee’s service recovery performance. Findings suggested that the call centers operating in the Asian region, especially, in Pakistan, should focus on internal marketing practices to enhance the service recovery performance of the frontline employees.
Construction of Moral Disengagement Scale for Adults: A Reliable Measure
Authors: Saif Ayesha , Riaz Saima
Published: July 2021

The main objective of current research was development of an indigenous Moral Disengagement Scale for Adults (MDS-A) in Urdu language. The subsequent objective was the establishment of reliability of newly developed Scale. Initially an item pool of 116 items was formulated based on Bandura’s model (2002) which was reduced to 106 items and later 92 items after expert’s evaluation and item analysis, respectively. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted on 92 items scale by administering it on 579 adults (250 men and 329 women), age range of 19-83 years from villages and various educational institutes of district Gujrat, Pakistan. EFA by using Principal Component Analysis with Varimax Orthogonal Rotation resulted in six factor solution of 63 items. Later Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) confirmed the six-factor structure on an independent sample of 413 adults (193 men and 220 women) with age range 19-80 years from Gujrat district, Pakistan. After deletion of 43 items, CFA yielded good model fit indices for final 20 items MDS-A. MDS-A had very satisfactory Cronbach’s alpha reliability and test-retest reliability. MDS-A also demonstrated construct validity in terms of highly significant item-total correlations and subscale-to-scale total correlations. Overall, a reliable and valid scale for measurement of moral disengagement among adults in Pakistani culture is available for further indigenous research and counselling settings.
Translation and Adaptation of Identity Style Inventory for Pakistani Adolescents
Authors: Afzal Anila , Iqbal Malik Najma , Atta Mohsin
Published: July 2021

The present study was aimed to translate and adapt the Revised Identity Style Inventory (ISI-5) developed by Berzonsky et al. (2013) in an indigenous setting. A sample of 600 adolescents was selected from public and private schools in Punjab. The standard procedure of the back-translation method recommended by Water’s et al. (2006) was used to translate and adapt the Inventory. Exploratory Factor Analysis on the sample of adolescents (n = 350) demonstrated three distinct factors that is, diffuse/avoidant identity style, informational identity style, and normative identity style. Factorial structure elucidated that two items of normative identity style were discarded due to low factor loading whereas one item from normative style was loaded on informational identity style. Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the independent sample of adolescents (n = 250) confirmed this three-factor model with good model fit indices. Alpha reliability coefficients were also computed. Moreover, the factorial structure of the scale is considered as validity index. Limitations and suggestions for further investigations were also discussed.
Capillarized Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Undergo Partial Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition to Actively Deposit Sinusoidal ECM in Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Ruan Bai , Duan Juan-Li , Xu Hao , Tao Kai-Shan , Han Hua , Dou Guo-Rui , Wang Lin
Published: July 2021

Tissue-specific endothelial cells are more than simply a barrier lining capillaries and are proved to be capable of remarkable plasticity to become active collagen matrix-producing myofibroblasts (MFs) in solid organs with fibrosis. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) also participate in the development of hepatic fibrosis, but the exact roles and underlying mechanism have been poorly understood in addition to capillarization. In this study, we demonstrate, by using single-cell RNA sequencing, lineage tracing, and colocalization analysis, that fibrotic LSECs undergo partial endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) with a subset of LSECs acquiring an MF-like phenotype. These phenotypic changes make LSECs substantial producers of extracellular matrix (ECM) preferentially deposited in liver sinusoids but not septal/portal scars as demonstrated by immunofluorescence in animal models and patients with fibrosis/cirrhosis, likely due to their limited migration. Bioinformatic analysis verifies that LSECs undergo successive phenotypic transitions from capillarization to mesenchymal-like cells in liver fibrosis. Furthermore, blockade of LSEC capillarization by using YC-1, a selective eNOS-sGC activator, effectively attenuates liver damage and fibrogenesis as well as mesenchymal features of LSECs, suggesting that capillarization of LSECs might be upstream to their mesenchymal transition during fibrosis. In conclusion, we report that capillarized LSECs undergo a partial EndMT characterized by increased ECM production without activating cell mobility, leading to perisinusoidal ECM deposition that aggravate liver function and fibrogenesis. Targeting this transitional process may be of great value for antifibrotic treatment of liver fibrosis.
TRAF2 Is a Novel Ubiquitin E3 Ligase for the Na,K-ATPase β-Subunit That Drives Alveolar Epithelial Dysfunction in Hypercapnia
Authors: Gabrielli Nieves M. , Mazzocchi Luciana C. , Kryvenko Vitalii , Tello Khodr , Herold Susanne , Morty Rory E. , Grimminger Friedrich , Dada Laura A. , Seeger Werner , Sznajder Jacob I. , Vadász István
Published: July 2021

Several acute and chronic lung diseases are associated with alveolar hypoventilation leading to accumulation of CO2 (hypercapnia). The β-subunit of the Na,K-ATPase plays a pivotal role in maintaining epithelial integrity by functioning as a cell adhesion molecule and regulating cell surface stability of the catalytic α-subunit of the transporter, thereby, maintaining optimal alveolar fluid balance. Here, we identified the E3 ubiquitin ligase for the Na,K-ATPase β-subunit, which promoted polyubiquitination, subsequent endocytosis and proteasomal degradation of the protein upon exposure of alveolar epithelial cells to elevated CO2 levels, thus impairing alveolar integrity. Ubiquitination of the Na,K-ATPase β-subunit required lysine 5 and 7 and mutating these residues (but not other lysines) prevented trafficking of Na,K-ATPase from the plasma membrane and stabilized the protein upon hypercapnia. Furthermore, ubiquitination of the Na,K-ATPase β-subunit was dependent on prior phosphorylation at serine 11 by protein kinase C (PKC)-ζ. Using a protein microarray, we identified the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as the E3 ligase driving ubiquitination of the Na,K-ATPase β-subunit upon hypercapnia. Of note, prevention of Na,K-ATPase β-subunit ubiquitination was necessary and sufficient to restore the formation of cell-cell junctions under hypercapnic conditions. These results suggest that a hypercapnic environment in the lung may lead to persistent epithelial dysfunction in affected patients. As such, the identification of the E3 ligase for the Na,K-ATPase may provide a novel therapeutic target, to be employed in patients with acute or chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, aiming to restore alveolar epithelial integrity.
Endothelial-Myocardial Angiocrine Signaling in Heart Development
Authors: Kim Hyeonyu , Wang Mingqiang , Paik David T.
Published: July 2021

Vascular endothelial cells are a multifunctional cell type with organotypic specificity in their function and structure. In this review, we discuss various subpopulations of endothelial cells in the mammalian heart, which spatiotemporally regulate critical cellular and molecular processes of heart development via unique sets of angiocrine signaling pathways. In particular, elucidation of intercellular communication among the functional cell types in the developing heart has recently been accelerated by the use of single-cell sequencing. Specifically, we overview the heterogeneic nature of cardiac endothelial cells and their contribution to heart tube and chamber formation, myocardial trabeculation and compaction, and endocardial cushion and valve formation via angiocrine pathways.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue by WO3 Nanoparticles Under NIR Light Irradiation
Authors: Yin Xiuzhao , Liu Lu , Ai Fujin
Published: July 2021

Photocatalysts have been paid great attention owing to their excellent performance in the degradation of dangerous organic pollutants. Herein, a novel longitudinally grown WO3 photocatalyst was prepared by using a hydrothermal process, which had strong ultraviolet, visible light absorption, and weak near-infrared (NIR) absorption. The WO3 photocatalyst exhibited excellent performance in the rapid degradation of methylene blue (MB) in industry. The photothermal effect is mainly responsible for the rapid degradation of MB under NIR laser irradiation. Besides, different morphologies and structures affect the degradation of MB. The longitudinally grown enlarged the contact area between photocatalyst and MB, and expanded the scope of the absorption wavelength of light, enhancing the stability of photocatalytic materials. So this unique transverse longitudinal structure exhibited a potential capability for degrading organic pollutants.
A Review of Biomarkers for Ischemic Stroke Evaluation in Patients With Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Shang Luxiang , Zhang Ling , Guo Yankai , Sun Huaxin , Zhang Xiaoxue , Bo Yakun , Zhou Xianhui , Tang Baopeng
Published: July 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and results in a significantly increased ischemic stroke (IS) risk. IS risk stratification tools are widely being applied to guide anticoagulation treatment decisions and duration in patients with non-valvular AF (NVAF). The CHA2DS2-VASc score is largely validated and currently recommended by renowned guidelines. However, this score is heavily dependent on age, sex, and comorbidities, and exhibits only moderate predictive power. Finding effective and validated clinical biomarkers to assist in personalized IS risk evaluation has become one of the promising directions in the prevention and treatment of NVAF. A number of studies in recent years have explored differentially expressed biomarkers in NVAF patients with and without IS, and the potential role of various biomarkers for prediction or early diagnosis of IS in patients with NVAF. In this review, we describe the clinical application and utility of AF characteristics, cardiac imaging and electrocardiogram markers, arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis-related markers, circulating biomarkers, and novel genetic markers in IS diagnosis and management of patients with NVAF. We conclude that at present, there is no consensus understanding of a desirable biomarker for IS risk stratification in NVAF, and enrolling these biomarkers into extant models also remains challenging. Further prospective cohorts and trials are needed to integrate various clinical risk factors and biomarkers to optimize IS prediction in patients with NVAF. However, we believe that the growing insight into molecular mechanisms and in-depth understanding of existing and emerging biomarkers may further improve the IS risk identification and guide anticoagulation therapy in patients with NVAF.
Implementation of a Fault-Tolerant AC/DC Converter for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive Systems
Authors: Liu Tian-Hua , Wang Yu-Wei
Published: July 2021

Fault tolerant drive systems have played an increasing role for electric vehicles in order to improve reliability, availability, and to reduce maintenance. For safety reason, a fault-tolerant drive system, which includes some redundant devices and a traditional motor drive system, has been developed. This fault-tolerant system executes real-time fault detection, diagnosis, isolation, and control to make the fault-tolerant drive system operate normally even though some faults have happened. In this paper, an AC/DC converter faults, which includes a single-phase full-bridge rectifier diode fault, a three-phase full-bridge rectifier diode fault, and a DC-link capacitor fault are investigated. The fault-tolerant processes include fault detection, diagnosis, isolation, and control to improve the reliability of the drive system and reduce the disturbances during faulty interval. A digital signal processor, manufactured by Texas Instruments, type TMS320F2808, is used as a control center to achieve the fault tolerant processes. Experimental results validate theoretical analysis to demonstrate the correctness and feasibility of the proposed methods. The proposed method can be easily implemented in industrial products due to its simplicity.
Global, Regional, and National Burden of Diabetes-Related Chronic Kidney Disease From 1990 to 2019
Authors: Deng Yujiao , Li Na , Wu Ying , Wang Meng , Yang Si , Zheng Yi , Deng Xinyue , Xiang Dong , Zhu Yuyao , Xu Peng , Zhai Zhen , Zhang Dai , Dai Zhijun , Gao Jie
Published: July 2021

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem largely caused by diabetes. The epidemiology of diabetes mellitus–related CKD (CKD-DM) could provide specific support to lessen global, regional, and national CKD burden.

Methods

Data were derived from the GBD 2019 study, including four measures and age-standardized rates (ASRs). Estimated annual percentage changes and 95% CIs were calculated to evaluate the variation trend of ASRs.

Results

Diabetes caused the majority of new cases and patients with CKD in all regions. All ASRs for type 2 diabetes–related CKD increased over 30 years. Asia and Middle socio-demographic index (SDI) quintile always carried the heaviest burden of CKD-DM. Diabetes type 2 became the second leading cause of CKD and CKD-related death and the third leading cause of CKD-related DALYs in 2019. Type 2 diabetes–related CKD accounted for most of the CKD-DM disease burden. There were 2.62 million incident cases, 134.58 million patients, 405.99 thousand deaths, and 13.09 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of CKD-DM worldwide in 2019. Age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and prevalence rate (ASPR) of type 1 diabetes–related CKD increased, whereas age-standardized death rate (ASDR) and DALY rate decreased for females and increased for males. In high SDI quintile, ASIR and ASPR of type 1 diabetes–related CKD remained the highest, with the slowest increase, whereas the ASDR and age-standardized DALY rate remained the lowest there. In high SDI quintile, ASIR of type 2 diabetes–related CKD was the highest, with the lowest increasing rate. In addition, type 2 diabetes–related CKD occurred most in people aged 80-plus years worldwide. The main age of type 2 diabetes–related CKD patients was 55–64 years in Asia and Africa. The prevalence, mortality, and DALY rate of type 2 diabetes–related CKD increased with age. As for incidence, there was a peak at 80 years, and after age of 80, the incidence declined. CKD-DM-related anemia was mainly in mild to moderate grade.

Conclusions

Increasing burden of CKD-DM varied among regions and countries. Prevention and treatment measures should be strengthened according to CKD-DM epidemiology, especially in middle SDI quintile and Asia.
The Beautiful and the Dammed: Defining Multi-Stressor Disturbance Regimes in an Atlantic River Floodplain Wetland
Authors: Rideout Natalie K. , Compson Zacchaeus G. , Monk Wendy A. , Bruce Meghann R. , Baird Donald J.
Published: July 2021

Natural hydrological fluctuations within river floodplains generate habitat diversity through variable connections between habitat patches and the main river channel. Human modification of floodplains can alter the magnitude and frequency of large floods and associated sediment movement by interrupting these floodplain connections. The lower Wolastoq | Saint John River and its associated floodplain wetlands are experiencing anthropogenic disturbances arising from climate change, increased urbanization in the watershed, changing upstream agricultural landscape practices, and, most notably, major road and dam construction. By comparing digitized aerial images, we identified key periods of change in wetland extent throughout an ecologically significant component of the floodplain, the Grand Lake Meadows and Portobello Creek wetland complex, with significant erosion evident in coves and backwater areas across the landscape following dam construction and significant accretion around the Jemseg River following highway construction. Connectivity and hydrological regime also influenced other habitat components, namely nutrients and metals retention, as well as the composition of the local macrophyte community. These findings address two key aspects of floodplain management: (1) understanding how hydrological alteration has historically influenced floodplain wetlands can inform us of how the ecosystem may respond under future conditions, such as climate change, and (2) the mechanisms by which habitat diversity and disturbance regimes filter biological communities, with the potential for patches to host a rich biodiversity continuously supporting critical ecosystem functions.
Single Grazing Is More Detrimental to Grasslands Than Mixed Grazing: Evidence From the Response of Functional Traits of Dominant Plants to Grazing Systems
Authors: Wang Zheng , Zhang Jinghui , Li Zhiyong , Liu Huamin , Wang Lixin , Wang Wen , Wang Yang , Liang Cunzhu
Published: July 2021

Plant functional traits reflect species ecological strategies and determine how plants respond to environmental changes, however, how dominant species in the Inner Mongolia grassland adapt to different grazing systems by changing their functional traits has not been systematically investigated. In this study, we established four 7-year grazing treatments in the Inner Mongolia grassland: cattle grazing, sheep grazing, mixed sheep and cattle grazing, and no grazing. Fourteen functional traits of three dominant species (Stipa grandis, Leymus chinensis, and Cleistogenes squarrosa) were measured under the different grazing treatments. We found convergences of plant functional traits that indicate herbivory avoidance or tolerance. Plants reduced their vegetative height (VH) and stem: leaf ratio (SLR) to avoid grazing; increased their ability to acquire resources by increasing their specific leaf area (SLA), leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC), and leaf phosphorus concentration (LPC); and reduced their leaf dry matter content (LDMC) to tolerate grazing. Moreover, plants may adapt to grazing by increasing the intraspecific variability of their functional traits. Sheep-only grazing adversely affected L. chinensis growth and survival, while cattle-only grazing hindered S. grandis growth and increased the intraspecific variability of its plant functional traits. Our study emphasizes that intraspecific variability is an important indicator of the responses of plant functional traits to grazing. Since single grazing is more detrimental to the functional traits of dominant plants, we suggest that mixed cattle and sheep grazing may be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable practice for the Inner Mongolia grassland than single grazing.
Epibionts Reflect Spatial and Foraging Ecology of Gulf of Mexico Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta)
Authors: Silver-Gorges Ian , Ingels Jeroen , dos Santos Giovanni A. P. , Valdes Yirina , Pontes Leticia P. , Silva Alexsandra C. , Neres Patricia F. , Shantharam Arvind , Perry Destin , Richterkessing Andrew , Sanchez-Zarate Sofia , Acevedo Laura , Gillis Anthony J. , Ceriani Simona A. , Fuentes Mariana M. P. B.
Published: July 2021

Sea turtles are exposed to numerous threats during migrations to their foraging grounds and at those locations. Therefore, information on sea turtle foraging and spatial ecology can guide conservation initiatives, yet it is difficult to directly observe migrating or foraging turtles. To gain insights into the foraging and spatial ecology of turtles, studies have increasingly analyzed epibionts of nesting turtles, as epibionts must overlap spatially and ecologically with their hosts to colonize successfully. Epibiont analysis may be integrated with stable isotope information to identify taxa that can serve as indicators of sea turtle foraging and spatial ecology, but few studies have pursued this. To determine if epibionts can serve as indicators of foraging and spatial ecology of loggerhead turtles nesting in the northern Gulf of Mexico we combined turtle stable isotope and taxonomic epibiont analysis. We sampled 22 individual turtles and identified over 120,000 epibiont individuals, belonging to 34 macrofauna taxa (>1 mm) and 22 meiofauna taxa (63 μm–1 mm), including 111 nematode genera. We quantified epidermis δ13C and δ15N, and used these to assign loggerhead turtles to broad foraging regions. The abundance and presence of macrofauna and nematodes did not differ between inferred foraging regions, but the presence of select meiofauna taxa differentiated between three inferred foraging regions. Further, dissimilarities in macrofauna, meiofauna, and nematode assemblages corresponded to dissimilarities in individual stable isotope values within inferred foraging regions. This suggests that certain epibiont taxa may be indicative of foraging regions used by loggerhead turtles in the Gulf of Mexico, and of individual turtle foraging and habitat use specialization within foraging regions. Continued sampling of epibionts at nesting beaches and foraging grounds in the Gulf of Mexico and globally, coupled with satellite telemetry and/or dietary studies, can expand upon our findings to develop epibionts as efficient indicators of sea turtle foraging and spatial ecology.
Splicing in the Diagnosis of Rare Disease: Advances and Challenges
Authors: Lord Jenny , Baralle Diana
Published: July 2021

Mutations which affect splicing are significant contributors to rare disease, but are frequently overlooked by diagnostic sequencing pipelines. Greater ascertainment of pathogenic splicing variants will increase diagnostic yields, ending the diagnostic odyssey for patients and families affected by rare disorders, and improving treatment and care strategies. Advances in sequencing technologies, predictive modeling, and understanding of the mechanisms of splicing in recent years pave the way for improved detection and interpretation of splice affecting variants, yet several limitations still prohibit their routine ascertainment in diagnostic testing. This review explores some of these advances in the context of clinical application and discusses challenges to be overcome before these variants are comprehensively and routinely recognized in diagnostics.
A Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature Identified as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker for Colon Cancer
Authors: Qi Xin , Wang Rui , Lin Yuxin , Yan Donghui , Zuo Jiachen , Chen Jiajia , Shen Bairong
Published: July 2021

Background

Colon cancer (CC) is a common gastrointestinal malignant tumor with high heterogeneity in clinical behavior and response to treatment, making individualized survival prediction challenging. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered iron-dependent cell death that plays a critical role in cancer biology. Therefore, identifying a prognostic biomarker with ferroptosis-related genes provides a new strategy to guide precise clinical decision-making in CC patients.

Methods

Alteration in the expression profile of ferroptosis-related genes was initially screened in GSE39582 dataset involving 585 CC patients. Univariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO-penalized Cox regression analysis were combined to further identify a novel ferroptosis-related gene signature for overall survival prediction. The prognostic performance of the signature was validated in the GSE17536 dataset by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and time-dependent ROC curve analyses. Functional annotation of the signature was explored by integrating GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, GSEA analysis and ssGSEA analysis. Furthermore, an outcome risk nomogram was constructed considering both the gene signature and the clinicopathological features.

Results

The prognostic signature biomarker composed of 9 ferroptosis-related genes accurately discriminated high-risk and low-risk patients with CC in both the training and validation datasets. The signature was tightly linked to clinicopathological features and possessed powerful predictive ability for distinct clinical subgroups. Furthermore, the risk score was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor for CC patients by multivariate Cox regression analysis (p < 0.05). Functional annotation analyses showed that the prognostic signature was closely correlated with pivotal cancer hallmarks, particularly cell cycle, transcriptional regulation, and immune-related functions. Moreover, a nomogram with the signature was also built to quantify outcome risk for each patient.

Conclusion

The novel ferroptosis-related gene signature biomarker can be utilized for predicting individualized prognosis, optimizing survival risk assessment and facilitating personalized management of CC patients.
Effects of a Submesoscale Oceanographic Filament on Zooplankton Dynamics in the Arctic Marginal Ice Zone
Authors: Kaiser Patricia , Hagen Wilhelm , von Appen Wilken-Jon , Niehoff Barbara , Hildebrandt Nicole , Auel Holger
Published: July 2021

Submesoscale structures, characterized by intense vertical and horizontal velocities, potentially play a crucial role in oceanographic dynamics and pelagic fluxes. Due to their small spatial scale and short temporal persistence, conditions for in situ measurements are challenging and thus the role of such structures for zooplankton distribution is still unclear. During RV Polarstern expedition PS107 to Arctic Fram Strait in July/August 2017, a submesoscale filament was detected, which initiated an ad hoc oceanographic and biological sampling campaign. To determine zooplankton taxonomic composition, horizontal and vertical distribution, abundance and biomass, vertical MultiNet hauls (depth intervals: 300–200–100–50–10–0 m) were taken at four stations across the filament. Zooplankton data were evaluated in context with the physical-oceanographic observations of the filament to assess submesoscale physical-biological interactions. Our data show that submesoscale features considerably impact zooplankton dynamics. While structuring the pelagial with distinct zooplankton communities in a vertical as well as horizontal dimension, they accumulate abundance and biomass of epipelagic species at the site of convergence. Further, high-velocity jets associated with such dynamics are possibly of major importance for species allocation and biological connectivity, accelerating for instance processes such as the ‘Atlantification’ of the Arctic. Thus, submesoscale features affect the surrounding ecosystem in multiple ways with consequences for higher trophic levels and biogeochemical cycles.
Broad-Scale Responses of Harbor Porpoises to Pile-Driving and Vessel Activities During Offshore Windfarm Construction
Authors: Benhemma-Le Gall Aude , Graham Isla M. , Merchant Nathan D. , Thompson Paul M.
Published: July 2021

Offshore windfarm developments are expanding, requiring assessment and mitigation of impacts on protected species. Typically, assessments of impacts on marine mammals have focused on pile-driving, as intense impulsive noise elicits adverse behavioral responses. However, other construction activities such as jacket and turbine installation also change acoustic habitats through increased vessel activity. To date, the contribution of construction-related vessel activity in shaping marine mammal behavioral responses at windfarm construction sites has been overlooked and no guidelines or mitigation measures have been implemented. We compared broad-scale spatio-temporal variation in harbor porpoise occurrence and foraging activity between baseline periods and different construction phases at two Scottish offshore windfarms. Following a Before-After Control-Impact design, arrays of echolocation click detectors (CPODs) were deployed in 25 km by 25 km impact and reference blocks throughout the 2017–2019 construction. Echolocation clicks and buzzes were used to investigate porpoise occurrence and foraging activity, respectively. In parallel, we characterized broadband noise levels using calibrated noise recorders (SoundTraps and SM2Ms) and vessel activities using AIS data integrated with engineering records. Following an impact gradient design, we then quantified the magnitude of porpoise responses in relation to changes in the acoustic environment and vessel activity. Compared to baseline, an 8–17% decline in porpoise occurrence was observed in the impact block during pile-driving and other construction activities. The probability of detecting porpoises and buzzing activity was positively related to the distance from vessel and construction activities, and negatively related to levels of vessel intensity and background noise. Porpoise displacement was observed at up to 12 km from pile-driving activities and up to 4 km from construction vessels. This evidence of broad-scale behavioral responses of harbor porpoises to these different construction activities highlights the importance of assessing and managing all vessel activities at offshore windfarm sites to minimize potential impacts of anthropogenic noise.
Optimizing Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) Intervention Treatments on Montastraea cavernosa in an Endemic Zone
Authors: Walker Brian K. , Turner Nicholas R. , Noren Hunter K. G. , Buckley Samantha F. , Pitts Kelly A.
Published: July 2021

Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has persisted since 2014 in the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area (Coral ECA) where it was first discovered. Most of the highly susceptible corals have perished, leaving Montastraea cavernosa as the most abundant reef-building species with high SCTLD prevalence. Disease interventions (DI) have been conducted throughout Florida’s Coral Reef to save the remaining corals and reduce the disease prevalence with varying degrees of success. The two main treatments were chlorinated (Chl) epoxy and an antibiotic paste. The antibiotic paste was highly effective in the Florida Keys, but its effectiveness in the Coral ECA was questionable. Therefore, we compared the effectiveness of the antibiotic paste and Chl epoxy treatments on M. cavernosa to optimize DI efforts on this species in the Coral ECA. Significant differences were found between the treatment materials and applications related to the proportion of quiesced lesions and corals where antibiotic paste (91.2% success) outperformed Chl epoxy (20% success). By day 351, 50.6% of the antibiotic paste disease-break tissue was fully healed compared to 2.2% of the total Chl epoxy-filled disease-break area. During the study, new lesions occurred on previously treated colonies, as well as colonies not previously treated and new lesion rates varied through time, indicating revisitation is necessary to eliminate disease. Most margin treatments failed within the first 9 days, however, most disease-breaks failed before 44 days. Considering the high treatment success of the antibiotic paste and the conditional variation of new lesion rates, about 1 month is a good practical re-visitation time for retreating failures and any new lesions. DI using antibiotic paste is currently the most effective way to intervene the SCTLD epidemic, but this is only effective as a stopgap measure while the larger causative agents are identified and remediated. Conducting DI at a reef-scape scale is time consuming and requires extensive person-power and resources, making it very expensive. But this expense pales in comparison to the current cost to restore the diversity and live tissue saved with DI. This method also comes with the risk of introducing antibiotics into coral reef environments, which may have unintended outcomes.
Phenotypic Convergence in Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Escaping From Fish Farms: The Onset of Feralization?
Authors: Toledo-Guedes Kilian , Brito Alberto , Garcia de Leaniz Carlos
Published: July 2021

The impact of fish escaping from fish farms may depend on the extent to which escapees adapt to the natural environment, resemble wild conspecifics, and become feral. Yet, little is known about the process of feralization in marine fish. We examined phenotypic changes in body shape, body condition, and scale growth profiles of sea bass escaping from fish farms in the Canary Islands and quantified the extent to which escapees had diverged from farmed conspecifics. Most feral sea bass had sizes that overlapped with those of farmed fish, indicating that they had escaped throughout the production cycle. However, 29% of escapees were larger than the maximum size at harvesting, indicating growth in the wild. Analysis of scale growth profiles showed that some escapees had grown in the wild as fast as cultured fish, albeit at more variable growth rates. Feral sea bass tended to converge towards a similar body shape, having more streamlined bodies, lower body condition, and lower hepatosomatic indices (HSI) than fish in cages. Although our study cannot discriminate between phenotypic plasticity and differential mortality of escapees, we interpret phenotypic convergence as the likely result of a period of initial starvation, phenotypic plasticity, and selection against maladapted phenotypes. Our results warn against the risks of rearing sea bass in open-net cages and suggest that sea bass escapees could pose a threat to shallow coastal assemblages, particularly in areas where the species is not naturally found.
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Do We Know?
Authors: Resál Tamás , Farkas Klaudia , Molnár Tamás
Published: July 2021

One of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease is iron deficiency anemia. It is often an untreated condition that significantly impairs patients' quality of life and elevates mortality and morbidity. Although it is often accompanied by mild symptoms (e.g., fatigue, lethargy), it can provoke severe health conditions, such as dyspnea, palpitation, angina, and mental disorders, and increases hospitalization and mortality rate as well. As anemia develops through several pathomechanisms, such as occult bleeding, chronic inflammation, and medicines (e.g., methotrexate), treating anemia effectively requires to manage the underlying pathological changes as well. Based on international publications and data, it is a frequent condition and more frequent in pediatrics. According to Goodhand et al., iron deficiency is present in more than 60% of children, whereas only 14% of them received oral iron therapy. Compared to adult patients, 22% have iron deficiency, and 48% of them received oral and 41% intravenous iron therapy. Miller et al. also highlighted that among young patients iron deficiency anemia is a frequent condition, as almost 50% of the patients were anemic in their cohort. European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation's statements are clear regarding the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, and the iron supplementation as well. Third-generation parenteral iron supplementations seem to be safer and more effective than oral iron pills. Oral iron in many cases cannot replace the iron homeostasis as well; furthermore, it can provoke dysbiosis, which can potentially lead to relapse. As a result, we claim that both oral and parenteral should be used more frequently; furthermore, intravenous iron could replace oral medicines as well in certain cases. Despite the fact that iron deficiency anemia is examined by many aspects, further questions can be raised. Can it imply underlying pathological lesions? Are both oral and intravenous iron therapy safe and effective? When and how are they used? We demand that more studies should be conducted regarding these issues.
Endomembrane-Targeting Plasmodiophora brassicae Effectors Modulate PAMP Triggered Immune Responses in Plants
Authors: Hossain Md Musharaf , Pérez-López Edel , Todd Christopher D. , Wei Yangdou , Bonham-Smith Peta C.
Published: July 2021

Plasmodiophora brassicae is a devastating obligate, intracellular, biotrophic pathogen that causes clubroot disease in crucifer plants. Disease progression is regulated by effector proteins secreted by P. brassicae. Twelve P. brassicae putative effectors (PbPEs), expressed at various stages of disease development [0, 2, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post inoculation (DPI)] in Arabidopsis and localizing to the plant endomembrane system, were studied for their roles in pathogenesis. Of the 12 PbPEs, seven showed an inhibitory effect on programmed cell death (PCD) as triggered by the PCD inducers, PiINF1 (Phytophthora infestans Infestin 1) and PiNPP1 (P. infestans necrosis causing protein). Showing the strongest level of PCD suppression, PbPE15, a member of the 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and Fe (II)-dependent oxygenase superfamily and with gene expression during later stages of infection, appears to have a role in tumorigenesis as well as defense signaling in plants. PbPE13 produced an enhanced PiINF1-induced PCD response. Transient expression, in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves of these PbPEs minus the signal peptide (SP) (ΔspPbPEGFPs), showed localization to the endomembrane system, targeting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi bodies and nucleo-cytoplasm, suggesting roles in manipulating plant cell secretion and vesicle trafficking. ΔspPbPE13GFP localized to plasma membrane (PM) lipid rafts with an association to plasmodesmata, suggesting a role at the cell-to-cell communication junction. Membrane relocalization of ΔspPbPE13GFP, triggered by flagellin N-terminus of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (flg22 – known to elicit a PAMP triggered immune response in plants), supports its involvement in raft-mediated immune signaling. This study is an important step in deciphering P. brassicae effector roles in the disruption of plant immunity to clubroot disease.
Identification of Proteomic Signatures in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Emphysematous Phenotype
Authors: Bai Shuang , Ye Rui , Wang Cuihong , Sun Pengbo , Wang Di , Yue Yong , Wang Huiying , Wu Si , Yu Miao , Xi Shuhua , Zhao Li
Published: July 2021

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly heterogeneous disease. Emphysematous phenotype is the most common and critical phenotype, which is characterized by progressive lung destruction and poor prognosis. However, the underlying mechanism of this structural damage has not been completely elucidated. A total of 12 patients with COPD emphysematous phenotype (COPD-E) and nine patients with COPD non-emphysematous phenotype (COPD-NE) were enrolled to determine differences in differential abundant protein (DAP) expression between both groups. Quantitative tandem mass tag–based proteomics was performed on lung tissue samples of all patients. A total of 29 and 15 lung tissue samples from patients in COPD-E and COPD-NE groups, respectively, were used as the validation cohort to verify the proteomic analysis results using western blotting. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted for DAPs. A total of 4,343 proteins were identified, of which 25 were upregulated and 11 were downregulated in the COPD-E group. GO and KEGG analyses showed that wound repair and retinol metabolism–related pathways play an essential role in the molecular mechanism of COPD emphysematous phenotype. Three proteins, namely, KRT17, DHRS9, and FMO3, were selected for validation. While KRT17 and DHRS9 were highly expressed in the lung tissue samples of the COPD-E group, FMO3 expression was not significantly different between both groups. In conclusion, KRT17 and DHRS9 are highly expressed in the lung tissue of patients with COPD emphysematous phenotype. Therefore, these proteins might involve in wound healing and retinol metabolism in patients with emphysematous phenotype and can be used as phenotype-specific markers.