bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Place Marketing and Tourism: Aspects of Public Management in the Light of the First Wave of Covid-19
Authors: Weninger Sándor
Published: July 2021

The present study aims to clarify the general theoretical aspects of place marketing and tourism followed by a presentation of the interlinkages of these ‘collocations’ as understood in the context of sustainability. Then moving along the historical perspective of changes in the function fulfilled by tourism and arriving at the event-sensitive nature – that entails genuine risks in terms of both safety and trust – of the issue of destination choice, which has gained a high profile economically as well as socially upon the development of modern tourism, this paper looks into the relationship between the Covid-19 pandemic developed in the first half of 2020 and tourism on the one hand while also examining the epidemic-induced measures taken by the central authorities and their effects on tourism on the other hand; in the latter context, the event series related to Hungary will receive particular focus. Methodologically the article is built upon literature analysis, the secondary research of relevant research papers written by academics researching the field of tourism-marketing, pandemic and on the analysis of the statistical data and on descriptive analysis of press products. Findings resulting from the article points to tourism industry’s vulnerability, increased security risks and unsustainability of current global system.
Subject-Specific Modeling of Femoral Torsion Influences the Prediction of Hip Loading During Gait in Asymptomatic Adults
Authors: De Pieri Enrico , Friesenbichler Bernd , List Renate , Monn Samara , Casartelli Nicola C. , Leunig Michael , Ferguson Stephen J.
Published: July 2021

Hip osteoarthritis may be caused by increased or abnormal intra-articular forces, which are known to be related to structural articular cartilage damage. Femoral torsional deformities have previously been correlated with hip pain and labral damage, and they may contribute to the onset of hip osteoarthritis by exacerbating the effects of existing pathoanatomies, such as cam and pincer morphologies. A comprehensive understanding of the influence of femoral morphotypes on hip joint loading requires subject-specific morphometric and biomechanical data on the movement characteristics of individuals exhibiting varying degrees of femoral torsion. The aim of this study was to evaluate hip kinematics and kinetics as well as muscle and joint loads during gait in a group of adult subjects presenting a heterogeneous range of femoral torsion by means of personalized musculoskeletal models. Thirty-seven healthy volunteers underwent a 3D gait analysis at a self-selected walking speed. Femoral torsion was evaluated with low-dosage biplanar radiography. The collected motion capture data were used as input for an inverse dynamics analysis. Personalized musculoskeletal models were created by including femoral geometries that matched each subject’s radiographically measured femoral torsion. Correlations between femoral torsion and hip kinematics and kinetics, hip contact forces (HCFs), and muscle forces were analyzed. Within the investigated cohort, higher femoral antetorsion led to significantly higher anteromedial HCFs during gait (medial during loaded stance phase and anterior during swing phase). Most of the loads during gait are transmitted through the anterior/superolateral quadrant of the acetabulum. Correlations with hip kinematics and muscle forces were also observed. Femoral antetorsion, through altered kinematic strategies and different muscle activations and forces, may therefore lead to altered joint mechanics and pose a risk for articular damage. The method proposed in this study, which accounts for both morphological and kinematic characteristics, might help in identifying in a clinical setting patients who, as a consequence of altered femoral torsional alignment, present more severe functional impairments and altered joint mechanics and are therefore at a higher risk for cartilage damage and early onset of hip osteoarthritis.
Current Advances in the Development of Decellularized Plant Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Zhu Yiwei , Zhang Qi , Wang Shengyu , Zhang Jianfeng , Fan Shunwu , Lin Xianfeng
Published: July 2021

An imbalance exists between the supply of organs for transplantation and the number of patients in the donor transplant waiting lists. Current use of autologous, synthetic, and animal-derived grafts for tissue replacement is limited by the low availability, poor biocompatibility, and high cost. Decellularized plant scaffolds with remarkable physical similarities to human organs have recently emerged and have been found to present favorable characteristics that make them suitable as an alternative biomaterial, such as a superficial surface area, excellent water transport and retention, pre-existing vascular networks, interconnected porosity, and a wide range of mechanical properties. In addition to their unique and superior biocompatibility, plant-derived scaffolds present the advantages of low production cost, no ethical or supply constraints, simple operation and suitability for large-scale production and research. However, there are still some problems and deficiencies in this field, such as immature decellularization standards and methods, insufficient research on the biocompatibility of plant extracellular matrix. At present, research on decellularized plant extracellular matrix is still in its infancy, and its applicability to tissue engineering needs to be further improved. In this review, the current research progress on decellularized plant scaffolds is reviewed, the problems to be solved and future research directions are discussed.
Identification of Jmjd3 as an Essential Epigenetic Regulator of Hox Gene Temporal Collinear Activation for Body Axial Patterning in Mice
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhao Xiong , Jiang Runmin , Wang Yuying , Wang Xinli , Gu Yu , Xu Longyong , Ye Jing , Chen Charlie Degui , Guo Shuangping , Zhang Dawei , Zhao Daqing
Published: July 2021

Body axial patterning develops via a rostral-to-caudal sequence and relies on the temporal colinear activation of Hox genes. However, the underlying mechanism of Hox gene temporal colinear activation remains largely elusive. Here, with small-molecule inhibitors and conditional gene knockout mice, we identified Jmjd3, a subunit of TrxG, as an essential regulator of temporal colinear activation of Hox genes with its H3K27me3 demethylase activity. We demonstrated that Jmjd3 not only initiates but also maintains the temporal collinear expression of Hox genes. However, we detected no antagonistic roles between Jmjd3 and Ezh2, a core subunit of PcG repressive complex 2, during the processes of axial skeletal patterning. Our findings provide new insights into the regulation of Hox gene temporal collinear activation for body axial patterning in mice.
The Effects of Early Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviour: Insights From Zebrafish Models
Authors: Eachus Helen , Choi Min-Kyeung , Ryu Soojin
Published: July 2021

The early life period represents a window of increased vulnerability to stress, during which exposure can lead to long-lasting effects on brain structure and function. This stress-induced developmental programming may contribute to the behavioural changes observed in mental illness. In recent decades, rodent studies have significantly advanced our understanding of how early life stress (ELS) affects brain development and behaviour. These studies reveal that ELS has long-term consequences on the brain such as impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, altering learning and memory. Despite such advances, several key questions remain inadequately answered, including a comprehensive overview of brain regions and molecular pathways that are altered by ELS and how ELS-induced molecular changes ultimately lead to behavioural changes in adulthood. The zebrafish represents a novel ELS model, with the potential to contribute to answering some of these questions. The zebrafish offers some important advantages such as the ability to non-invasively modulate stress hormone levels in a whole animal and to visualise whole brain activity in freely behaving animals. This review discusses the current status of the zebrafish ELS field and its potential as a new ELS model.
Proliferation of Lung Epithelial Cells Is Regulated by the Mechanisms of Autophagy Upon Exposure of Soots
Authors: Niranjan Rituraj , Mishra Kaushal Prasad , Tripathi Sachchida Nand , Thakur Ashwani Kumar
Published: July 2021

Background

Soots are known to cause many diseases in humans, but their underlying mechanisms of toxicity are still not known. Here, we report that soots induce cell proliferation of lung epithelial cells via modulating autophagy pathways.

Results

Fullerene soot and diesel exhaust particles (DEP) induced cell proliferation of lung epithelial, A549 cells via distinct autophagic mechanisms and did not cause cell death. Exposure of fullerene soot protected the cell death of A549 cells, caused by hydrogen peroxide, and inhibited LPS-induced autophagy. Fullerene soot co-localized with the autophagic proteins and inhibited starvation-induced autophagy (downregulated ATG-5, beclin-1, p62, and LC3 expressions) independent of its antioxidant properties. Similarly, it decreased the expression profile of autophagic genes and upregulated the proliferation-responsive gene, Ki-67, in mice. We observed that expressions of fullerene soot-responsive genes (Beclin-1, ATG-5, and p62) were reverted by Akt Inhibitor X, indicating an important role of the Akt pathway. At an elemental level, we found that elemental carbon of fullerene soot may be converted into organic carbon, as measured by OCEC, which may point fullerene soot as a source of carbon. On the other hand, DEP upregulated the expressions of autophagy genes. Akt Inhibitor X did not attenuate DEP-induced cell proliferation and autophagic response. However, an autophagic inhibitor, chloroquine, and significantly inhibited DEP-induced cell proliferation.

Conclusion

It can be said that distinct autophagic mechanisms are operational in cell proliferation of lung epithelial cells due to soots, which may be responsible for different diseases. Understanding the mechanism of these pathways provides some important targets, which can be utilized for the development of future therapeutics.
Coordinated Expressional Landscape of the Human Placental miRNome and Transcriptome
Authors: Inno Rain , Kikas Triin , Lillepea Kristiina , Laan Maris
Published: July 2021

Placenta is a unique organ that serves its own function, and contributes to maternal gestational adaptation and fetal development. Coordination of its transcriptome to satisfy all the maternal-fetal needs across gestation is not fully understood. MicroRNAs are powerful transcriptome modulators capable to adjust rapidly the expression level and dynamics of large gene sets. This MiR-Seq based study presents a multi-omics investigation of the human placental miRNome and its synergy with the transcriptome. The analysis included 52 placentas representing three trimesters of normal pregnancy, and term cases of late-onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), gestational diabetes and affected fetal growth. Gestational-age dependent differential expression (FDR < 0.05) was detected for 319 of 417 tested miRNAs (76.5%). A shared list of target genes of dynamic miRNAs suggested their coordinated action. The most abundant miR-143-3p revealed as a marker for pregnancy progression. The data suggested critical, but distinct roles of placenta-specific imprinted C19MC and C14MC miRNA clusters. Paternally encoded primate-specific C19MC was highly transcribed during first trimester, potentially fine-tuning the early placental transcriptome in dosage-sensitive manner. Maternally encoded eutherian C14MC showed high expression until term, underlining its key contribution across gestation. A major shift in placental miRNome (16% miRNAs) was observed in LO-PE, but not in other term pregnancy complications. Notably, 13/38 upregulated miRNAs were transcribed from C19MC and only one from C14MC, whereas 11/28 downregulated miRNAs represented C14MC and none C19MC. miR-210-3p, miR-512-5p, miR-32-5p, miR-19a-3p, miR-590-3p, miR-379-5p were differentially expressed in LO-PE and cases of small-for-gestational-age newborns, supporting a shared etiology. Expression correlation analysis with the RNA-Seq data (16,567 genes) of the same samples clustered PE-linked miRNAs into five groups. Large notable clusters of miRNA–gene pairs showing directly and inversely correlated expression dynamics suggested potential functional relationships in both scenarios. The first genome-wide study of placental miR-eQTLs identified 66 placental SNVs associated with the expression of neighboring miRNAs, including PE-linked miRNAs miR-30a-5p, miR-210-3p, miR-490-3p and miR-518-5p. This study provided a rich catalog of miRNAs for further in-depth investigations of their individual and joint effect on placental transcriptome. Several highlighted miRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for pregnancy monitoring and targets to prevent or treat gestational disorders.
Changes in N6-Methyladenosine Modification Modulate Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Reducing Myocardial Fibrosis and Myocyte Hypertrophy
Authors: Ju Wenhao , Liu Kai , Ouyang Shengrong , Liu Zhuo , He Feng , Wu Jianxin
Published: July 2021

In this study, we aimed to systematically profile global RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification patterns in a mouse model of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Patterns of m6A in DCM and normal hearts were analyzed via m6A-specific methylated RNA immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput sequencing (MeRIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). m6A-related mRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis of input and m6A immunoprecipitated RNA samples from DCM and normal hearts. A total of 973 new m6A peaks were detected in DCM samples and 984 differentially methylated sites were selected for further study, including 295 hypermethylated and 689 hypomethylated m6A sites (fold change (FC) > 1.5, P < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) Pathway analyses indicated that unique m6A-modified transcripts in DCM were closely linked to cardiac fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial energy metabolism. Total m6A levels were higher in DCM, while levels of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) protein were downregulated. Overexpression of FTO in DCM model mice improved cardiac function by reducing myocardial fibrosis and myocyte hypertrophy. Overall, m6A modification patterns were altered in DCM, and modification of epitranscriptomic processes, such as m6A, is a potentially interesting therapeutic approach.
Major Constituents of Cannabis Vape Oil Liquid, Vapor and Aerosol in California Vape Oil Cartridge Samples
Authors: Guo Weihong , Vrdoljak Gordon , Liao Ven-Chi , Moezzi Bahman
Published: July 2021

During the E-cigarette or Vaping product use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak of August 2019 to February 2020, the California Department of Public Health, Food and Drug Laboratory Branch received numerous cannabis vape oil cartridge investigation samples from throughout the state. Many of these products were directly linked to patients; others were collected as part of investigations. We determined the major ingredients and additives in twelve unused cannabis vape oil cartridge samples obtained before (n = 2) and during the EVALI outbreak (n = 10) in California from September 2018 to December 2019. We tested for major constituents in vape oil liquid, vape oil vapor, and vape oil aerosol phases. A nontargeted Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry direct injection screening method was developed for vape oils, a headspace heating module used for vape oil vapors and a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) vaping rig for aerosols generated by vaping. We have identified more than 100 terpenes and natural extracts, 19 cannabinoids, and other potential toxic additives such as Vitamin E Acetate, Polyethylene Glycols, and Medium Chain Triglycerides. We determined more terpenes and minor cannabinoids can be produced via vaporizing and aerosolizing the vape oil. Delta9-THC and potential toxic additives were found at lower levels in the vapor and aerosol than in the vape liquid.
Single Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 Nanoparticles for Nanothermometry
Authors: de Oliveira Lima Karmel , dos Santos Luiz Fernando , Galvão Rodrigo , Tedesco Antonio Claudio , de Souza Menezes Leonardo , Gonçalves Rogéria Rocha
Published: July 2021

Among several optical non-contact thermometry methods, luminescence thermometry is the most versatile approach. Lanthanide-based luminescence nanothermometers may exploit not only downshifting, but also upconversion (UC) mechanisms. UC-based nanothermometers are interesting for biological applications: they efficiently convert near-infrared radiation to visible light, allowing local temperatures to be determined through spectroscopic investigation. Here, we have synthesized highly crystalline Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped upconverting KGd3F10 nanoparticles (NPs) by the EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. We characterized the structure and morphology of the obtained NPs by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Nonlinear spectroscopic studies with the Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 powder showed intense green and red emissions under excitation at 980 and 1,550 nm. Two- and three-photon processes were attributed to the UC mechanisms under excitation at 980 and 1,550 nm. Strong NIR emission centered at 1,530 nm occurred under low 980-nm power densities. Single NPs presented strong green and red emissions under continuous wave excitation at 975.5 nm, so we evaluated their use as primary nanothermometers by employing the Luminescence Intensity Ratio technique. We determined the temperature felt by the dried NPs by integrating the intensity ratio between the thermally coupled 2H11/2→4I15/2 and 4S3/2→4I15/2 levels of Er3+ ions in the colloidal phase and at the single NP level. The best thermal sensitivity of a single Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 NP was 1.17% at the single NP level for the dry state at 300 K, indicating potential application of this material as accurate nanothermometer in the thermal range of biological interest. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first promising thermometry based on single KGd3F10 particles, with potential use as biomarkers in the NIR-II region.
Role of Host-Guest Interaction in Understanding Polymerisation in Metal-Organic Frameworks
Authors: Wonanke A.D. Dinga , Bennett Poppy , Caldwell Lewis , Addicoat Matthew A.
Published: July 2021

Metal-organic frameworks, MOFs, offer an effective template for polymerisation of polymers with precisely controlled structures within the sub-nanometre scales. However, synthetic difficulties such as monomer infiltration, detailed understanding of polymerisation mechanisms within the MOF nanochannels and the mechanism for removing the MOF template post polymerisation have prevented wide scale implementation of polymerisation in MOFs. This is partly due to the significant lack in understanding of the energetic and atomic-scale intermolecular interactions between the monomers and the MOFs. Consequently in this study, we explore the interaction of varied concentration of styrene, and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), at the surface and in the nanochannel of Zn2(1,4-ndc)2 (dabco), where 1,4-ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate and dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Our results showed that the interactions between monomers are stronger in the nanochannels than at the surfaces of the MOF. Moreover, the MOF-monomer interactions are strongest in the nanochannels and increase with the number of monomers. However, as the number of monomers increases, the monomers turn to bind more strongly at the surface leading to a potential agglomeration of the monomers at the surface.
Porous Materials Confining Single Atoms for Catalysis
Authors: Zhu Tao , Han Yiwei , Liu Shuai , Yuan Bo , Liu Yatao , Ma Hongli
Published: July 2021

In recent years, single-atom catalysts (SACs) have received extensive attention due to their unique structure and excellent performance. Currently, a variety of porous materials are used as confined single-atom catalysts, such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), or carbon nitride (CN). The support plays a key role in determining the coordination structure of the catalytic metal center and its catalytic performance. For example, the strong interaction between the metal and the carrier induces the charge transfer between the metal and the carrier, and ultimately affects the catalytic behavior of the single-atom catalyst. Porous materials have unique chemical and physical properties including high specific surface area, adjustable acidity and shape selectivity (such as zeolites), and are rational support materials for confined single atoms, which arouse research interest in this field. This review surveys the latest research progress of confined single-atom catalysts for porous materials, which mainly include zeolites, CN and MOFs. The preparation methods, characterizations, application fields, and the interaction between metal atoms and porous support materials of porous material confined single-atom catalysts are discussed. And we prospect for the application prospects and challenges of porous material confined single-atom catalysts.
Corrected QT Interval Is Associated With Stroke but Not Coronary Heart Disease: Insights From a General Chinese Population
Authors: Guo Xiaofan , Li Zhao , Zhou Ying , Yu Shasha , Yang Hongmei , Sun Guozhe , Zheng Liqiang , Lee Byron K. , Pletcher Mark J. , Sun Yingxian
Published: July 2021

Background: Prolonged heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval has been associated with incident cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in general Western populations. However, this association is unclear in Asian population. We aim to estimate the association between QTc interval and incident CVD in a general Chinese population.

Methods: We analyzed 8,867 participants age ≥35 years and free of CVD at baseline in the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study. A resting 12-lead electrocardiogram was performed on all participants, and QTc interval computed using the Framingham formula. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between QTc interval and incident stroke, coronary heart disease, and combined CVD events.

Results: Over a median follow-up of 4.66 years, a total of 439 CVD events occurred (298 stroke cases and 152 CHD cases). After full adjustment, prolonged QTc defined by a sex-specific cutoff was associated with increased risk of developing stroke (HR: 1.82, 95% CI 1.20–2.75, P = 0.004) and combined CVD (HR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.19, P = 0.026). Spline analyses demonstrated no clear thresholds; when modeled as a linear relationship, each 10 ms increase of QTc interval was associated with an HR of 1.12 (95% CI 1.06–1.19, P < 0.001) for stroke and an HR of 1.10 (95% CI 1.05–1.15, P < 0.001) for combined CVD. Baseline QTc interval was not associated with incident CHD with either modeling strategy.

Conclusions: Baseline QTc interval is associated with incident stroke and CVD in adults without prior CVD from a general Chinese population.
Targeted Temperature Management for In-hospital Cardiac Arrest Caused by Thyroid Storm: A Case Report
Authors: Fu Yuanwei , Ge Hongxia , Zhang Yumei , Li Yan , Mu Bingyao , Shang Wen , Li Shu , Ma Qingbian
Published: July 2021

Background: Malignant ventricular arrhythmias caused by thyroid storm, such as ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF), which are life-threatening, are rare. We report the case of a patient who suffered from cardiac arrest caused by thyroid storm and the rare VF; the patient showed a favorable neurologic outcome after receiving targeted temperature management (TTM) treatment by intravascular cooling measures.

Case presentation: A 24-year-old woman who had lost 20 kg in the preceding 2 months presented to the emergency department with diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and tachycardia. Thyroid function testing showed increased free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and positive TSH-receptor antibody (TRAB). She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and had experienced sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) due to ventricular fibrillation (VF) caused by thyroid storm. The patient was performed with targeted temperature management (TTM) by intravascular cooling measures. Regular follow-up in the endocrinology department showed a good outcome.

Conclusions: Our case not only suggests a new method of cooling treatment for thyroid storm, but also provides evidence for the success of TTM on patients resuscitated from in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) who remain comatose after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).
Peat Carbon Vulnerability to Projected Climate Warming in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada: A Decision Support Tool for Land Use Planning in Peatland Dominated Landscapes
Authors: McLaughlin James W. , Packalen Maara S.
Published: July 2021

Peatlands help regulate climate by sequestering (net removal) carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in plants and soils. However, as mean annual air temperature (MAAT) increases, peat carbon stocks may decrease. We conducted an in-depth synthesis of current knowledge about ecosystem controls on peatland carbon storage and fluxes to constrain the most influential parameters in probabilistic modelling of peat carbon sinks, such as Bayesian belief networks. Evaluated parameters included climate, carbon flux and mass, land cover, landscape position (defined here as elevation), fire records, and current and future climate scenarios for a 74,300 km2landscape in the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada. The Bayesian belief network was constructed with four tiers: 1) exposure, expressed as MAAT, and the state variables of elevation and land cover; 2) sensitivity, expressed as ecosystem conditions relevant to peat carbon mass and its quality for decomposition, peat wetness, and fire; 3) carbon dioxide and methane fluxes and peat combustion; and 4) vulnerability of peat carbon sink strength under warmer MAAT. Simulations were conducted using current (−3.0 to 0.0°C), moderately warmer (0.1–4.0°C), and severely warmer (4.1–9.0°C) climate scenarios. Results from the severely warmer climate scenario projected an overall drying of peat, with approximately 20% reduction in the strong sink categories of net ecosystem exchange and peat carbon sink strength for the severely and, to a lesser degree, the moderately warmer climate scenarios relative to current MAAT. In the warmest temperature simulation, probability of methane emission decreased slightly and the probability of the strong peat carbon sink strength was 27% lower due to peat combustion. Our Bayesian belief network can assist land planners in decision-making for peatland-dominated landscapes, such as identifying high carbon storage areas and those projected to be at greatest risk of carbon loss due to climate change. Such areas may be designated, for example, as protected or reduced management intensity. The Bayesian belief network presented here is built on an in-depth knowledge synthesis to construct conditional probability tables, so is expected to apply to other peatland-dense jurisdictions by changing only elevation, peatland types, and MAAT.
Conceptualizing Thriving: An Exploration of Students’ Perceptions of Positive Functioning Within Graduate Education
Authors: Coe-Nesbitt Heather A. , Soleas Eleftherios K. , Moucessian Anoushka M. , Arghash Nadia , Kutsyuruba Benjamin
Published: July 2021

The current wellness crisis among graduate students calls on institutions of higher education to act and advocate for student thriving. While existing research on human thriving provides insight into how this experience of positive functioning can be understood across the lifespan, what it means to thrive within graduate programs—and by extension, how to support students in their ability to thrive within these programs—remains understudied. To address this gap in the literature, this study examined how graduate students describe and understand thriving within their programs of study. We thematically and quantitatively analyzed 2,287 Canadian graduate students survey responses to the question “How would you describe a student who is thriving in your program.” Findings indicate that graduate students conceptualize thriving as a complex and multi-dimensional construct involving both academic and non-academic components. The six overarching themes of achieving, engaging, connecting, balancing, enjoying, and being provide foundation for further exploration and insight into the ways that universities and post-secondary institutions can support students’ positive functioning.
Transcriptome and Small RNA Combined Sequencing Analysis of Cold Tolerance in Non-heading Chinese Cabbage
Authors: Wang Jin , Zhang Qinxue , You Xiong , Hou Xilin
Published: July 2021

Background

Non-heading Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) is an important leaf vegetable grown worldwide. However, there has currently been not enough transcriptome and small RNA combined sequencing analysis of cold tolerance, which hinders further functional genomics research.

Results

In this study, 63.43 Gb of clean data was obtained from the transcriptome analysis. The clean data of each sample reached 6.99 Gb, and the basic percentage of Q30 was 93.68% and above. The clean reads of each sample were sequence aligned with the designated reference genome (Brassica rapa, IVFCAASv1), and the efficiency of the alignment varied from 81.54 to 87.24%. According to the comparison results, 1,860 new genes were discovered in Pak-choi, of which 1,613 were functionally annotated. Among them, 13 common differentially expressed genes were detected in all materials, including seven upregulated and six downregulated. At the same time, we used quantitative real-time PCR to confirm the changes of these gene expression levels. In addition, we sequenced miRNA of the same material. Our findings revealed a total of 34,182,333 small RNA reads, 88,604,604 kinds of small RNAs, among which the most common size was 24 nt. In all materials, the number of common differential miRNAs is eight. According to the corresponding relationship between miRNA and its target genes, we carried out Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis on the set of target genes on each group of differentially expressed miRNAs. Through the analysis, it is found that the distributions of candidate target genes in different materials are different. We not only used transcriptome sequencing and small RNA sequencing but also used experiments to prove the expression levels of differentially expressed genes that were obtained by sequencing. Sequencing combined with experiments proved the mechanism of some differential gene expression levels after low-temperature treatment.

Conclusion

In all, this study provides a resource for genetic and genomic research under abiotic stress in Pak-choi.
Dynamic Changes in AQP4-IgG Level and Immunological Markers During Protein-A Immunoadsorption Therapy for NMOSD: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Bo , Qin Chuan , Chen Man , Yu Hai-Han , Tao Ran , Chu Yun-Hui , Bu Bi-Tao , Tian Dai-Shi
Published: July 2021

The changes in the serum levels of aquaporin-4-IgG (AQP4-IgG), immunoglobulins, and inflammatory mediators in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) cases treated with immunoadsorption have been rarely described in detail. Here we report a 29-year-old steroid-resistant NMOSD female with a severe disability (bilateral blindness and paraplegia) who received protein-A immunoadsorption as a rescue treatment. During the total 5 sessions, the circulating level of AQP4-IgG, immunoglobulins, and complement proteins (C3 and C4) showed a rapid and sawtooth-like decrease, and the serum AQP4-IgG titer declined from 1:320 to below the detectable limit at the end of the 3rd procedure. Of all the antibodies, IgG had the biggest removal rate (>96.1%), followed by IgM (>66.7%) and IgA (53%), while complement C3 and C4 also dropped by 73% and 65%, respectively. The reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α) and marked increased lymphocyte (T and B cell) counts were also observed. The improvement of symptoms initiated after the last session, with a low AQP4-IgG titer (1:32) persisting thereafter. Accordingly, protein-A immunoadsorption treatment could be one of the potential rescue therapies for steroid-resistant NMOSD patients with a severe disability.
Allotransplantation Is Associated With Exacerbation of CD8 T-Cell Senescence: The Particular Place of the Innate CD8 T-Cell Component
Authors: Daniel Lauren , Tassery Marion , Lateur Clara , Thierry Antoine , Herbelin André , Gombert Jean-Marc , Barbarin Alice
Published: July 2021

Immunosenescence is a physiological process that is associated with changes in the immune system, particularly among CD8 T-cells. Recent studies have hypothesized that senescent CD8 T-cells are produced with chronologic age by chronic stimulation, leading to the acquisition of hallmarks of innate-like T-cells. While conventional CD8 T-cells are quite well characterized, CD8 T-cells sharing features of NK cells and memory CD8 T-cells, are a newly described immune cell population. They can be distinguished from conventional CD8 T-cells by their combined expression of panKIR/NKG2A and Eomesodermin (E), a unique phenotype closely associated with IFN-γ production in response to innate stimulation. Here, we first provided new evidence in favor of the innate character of panKIR/NKG2A(+) E(+) CD8 T-cells in normal subjects, documenting their position at an intermediate level in the innateness gradient in terms of both innate IFN-γ production and diminished mitochondrial mass. We also revealed that CD8 E(+) panKIR/NKG2A(+) T-cells, hereafter referred to as Innate E(+) CD8 T-cells, exhibit increased senescent (CD27(-) CD28(-)) phenotype, compared to their conventional memory counterparts. Surprisingly, this phenomenon was not dependent on age. Given that inflammation related to chronic viral infection is known to induce NK-like marker expression and a senescence phenotype among CD8 T-cells, we hypothesized that innate E(+) CD8 T-cells will be preferentially associated with exacerbated cellular senescence in response to chronic alloantigen exposure or CMV infection. Accordingly, in a pilot cohort of stable kidney allotransplant recipients, we observed an increased frequency of the Innate E(+) CD8 T-cell subset, together with an exacerbated senescent phenotype. Importantly, this phenotype cannot be explained by age alone, in clear contrast to their conventional memory counterparts. The senescent phenotype in CD8 T-cells was further increased in cytomegalovirus (CMV) positive serology transplant recipients, suggesting that transplantation and CMV, rather than aging by itself, may promote an exacerbated senescent phenotype of innate CD8 T-cells. In conclusion, we proposed that kidney transplantation, via the setting of inflammatory stimuli of alloantigen exposure and CMV infection, may exogenously age the CD8 T-cell compartment, especially its innate component. The physiopathological consequences of this change in the immune system remain to be elucidated.
Depression and Obesity in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Is IL-17-Mediated Immune Dysregulation the Connecting Link?
Authors: Zafiriou Efterpi , Daponte Athina I. , Siokas Vasileios , Tsigalou Christina , Dardiotis Efthymios , Bogdanos Dimitrios P.
Published: July 2021

Patients with psoriasis are frequently obese and experience anxiety or suffer from depressive disorders. The immunopathogenesis of psoriasis and indeed psoriatic arthritis is largely based on the pivotal role of IL-17/IL-23 axis, to an extent that currently monoclonal antibodies selectively inhibiting IL-17 or IL-23 are routinely used for the treatment of psoriatic diseases. Emerging data, demonstrating a decisive role for IL-17 and IL-17 producing cell subsets, such as Th17 in the induction and progression of obesity and depression has led authors to suggest that psoriatic disease, obesity and anxiety/depression may indeed be interconnected manifestation of a state of immunedysregulation, the linked being IL-17 and its related cells. We discuss this hypothetical link in depth taking into account the beneficial effects anti-IL17 and anti-IL-17 receptor inhibitors in treating psoriatic disease and the on-going debate as to whether these biologics may exert a direct or indirect effect in ameliorating concomitant obesity and depressive disorders, which are frequently noted in the same patient.
Marine Water Quality at Diego Garcia: A Preliminary Study of Pollution Levels in Coastal and Lagoon Waters
Authors: Painting Suzanne J. , Nelson Paul , Smith Andy J. , Graves Carolyn A. , Powell Andy , Bersuder Philippe , Bullen Samuel , Archer-Rand Simeon
Published: July 2021

Diego Garcia is the largest atoll within the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Since the 1960s it has been a military base, populated only by military and support personnel. Infrastructure includes sewage treatment works, a waste disposal facility and an airbase. Lagoon use includes boating and large vessel anchorage. Current pollution levels by inorganic nutrients and other contaminants are unknown. A field study was undertaken in March 2019 to obtain baseline information on key environmental parameters and pollutants for assessing the state of marine water quality. Outside the atoll, three stations were sampled where human impacts were likely to be lowest (two off the north coast, considered as ‘near-pristine’; one on the east coast); one station was sampled in the lagoon mouth; 10 stations were sampled downstream from two sewage outflows. Inside the lagoon, 10 stations were sampled at near-shore sites likely to be directly impacted by activities such as boating and waste management; six stations were sampled in the central or eastern lagoon. In situ sensors were used to estimate temperature, salinity, chlorophyll (as fluorescence) and dissolved oxygen. Discrete water samples were analyzed for nutrients, chemical contaminants, heavy metals and fecal indicator bacteria. Sea surface temperatures were highest (29.5–35 °C) inside the lagoon; salinities were generally higher (> 34.1) outside the lagoon (vs 33.8–34.1 inside). Surface nutrient concentrations at near-pristine stations were undetectable for nitrate and phosphate and averaged 1.39 μM for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and 1.73 μM for silicate. Concentrations were higher at most other stations (maximum 5.7 μM DIN, 0.38 μM phosphate, and 9.93 μM silicate), with ammonium contributing most to DIN. In the lagoon, chlorophyll concentrations were relatively low (0.3 – 0.6 μg chl l–1) near the surface and higher (max 0.9 μg chl l–1) at depth. Results suggested low levels of pollution overall. However, levels of nutrients, oxygen deficiency, chemical contaminants (e.g., solvents and DEET) and heavy metals (cadmium, nickel, zinc and copper) at some sites inside the lagoon are a concern due to slow flushing rates and will be used to inform future monitoring and assessment of environmental health at Diego Garcia.
Volatile Compounds From Bacillus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas Promote Growth and Alter the Transcriptional Landscape of Solanum tuberosum in a Passively Ventilated Growth System
Authors: Heenan-Daly Darren , Coughlan Simone , Dillane Eileen , Doyle Prestwich Barbara
Published: July 2021

The interaction of an array of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) termed bacterial volatile compounds (BVCs) with plants is now a major area of study under the umbrella of plant-microbe interactions. Many growth systems have been developed to determine the nature of these interactions in vitro. However, each of these systems have their benefits and drawbacks with respect to one another and can greatly influence the end-point interpretation of the BVC effect on plant physiology. To address the need for novel growth systems in BVC-plant interactions, our study investigated the use of a passively ventilated growth system, made possible via Microbox® growth chambers, to determine the effect of BVCs emitted by six bacterial isolates from the genera Bacillus, Serratia, and Pseudomonas. Solid-phase microextraction GC/MS was utilized to determine the BVC profile of each bacterial isolate when cultured in three different growth media each with varying carbon content. 66 BVCs were identified in total, with alcohols and alkanes being the most abundant. When cultured in tryptic soy broth, all six isolates were capable of producing 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, however BVC emission associated with this media were deemed to have negative effects on plant growth. The two remaining media types, namely Methyl Red-Voges Proskeur (MR-VP) and Murashige and Skoog (M + S), were selected for bacterial growth in co-cultivation experiments with Solanum tuberosum L. cv. ‘Golden Wonder.’ The BVC emissions of Bacillus and Serratia isolates cultured on MR-VP induced alterations in the transcriptional landscape of potato across all treatments with 956 significantly differentially expressed genes. This study has yielded interesting results which indicate that BVCs may not always broadly upregulate expression of defense genes and this may be due to choice of plant-bacteria co-cultivation apparatus, bacterial growth media and/or strain, or likely, a complex interaction between these factors. The multifactorial complexities of observed effects of BVCs on target organisms, while intensely studied in recent years, need to be further elucidated before the translation of lab to open-field applications can be fully realized.
Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Analysis of Stephanoascus ciferrii Complex Species Isolated From Patients With Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
Authors: Guo Penghao , Wu Zhongwen , Liu Pingjuan , Chen Yili , Liao Kang , Peng Yaqin , He Yuting
Published: July 2021

Background

Stephanoascus ciferrii is a heterothallic ascomycetous yeast-like fungus. Recently, the concept of S. ciferrii complex has been proposed and it consists of S. ciferrii, Candida allociferrii, and Candida mucifera. We aimed to identify 32 strains of S. ciferrii complex isolated from patients with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) at the species level and analyze the morphology and antifungal susceptibility profiles of the three species.

Method

The sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) were used to identify S. ciferrii complex species. The SARAMIS software was used for cluster analysis of the mass spectra. All the strains were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and CHROM plates for 7 days. In the meantime, colonies of the 32 strains went through Gram staining. The Sensititre YeastOne YO10 colorimetric panel was used for the antifungal susceptibility analysis.

Results

There were 10 strains of C. allociferrii (31.25%), six strains of C. mucifera (18.75%), and 16 strains of S. ciferrii (50%) in the 32 strains of S. ciferrii complex according to the sequencing of the ITS region. MALDI-TOF MS could identify S. ciferrii but showed no results for C. allociferrii and C. mucifera. The cluster analysis of the mass spectra by SARAMIS indicated that the MALDI-TOF MS could distinguish the three species. The morphology characteristics of the three species were similar. As for antifungal susceptibility, S. ciferrii and C. mucifera tended to have high fluconazole MICs compared with C. allociferrii. C. mucifera and C. allociferrii had relatively low flucytosine MICs while S. ciferrii owned high flucytosine MICs. Besides, C. mucifera tended to have a higher MIC value than S. ciferrii for amphotericin B and C. allociferrii for anidulafungin, micafungin, and caspofungin.

Conclusion

The antifungal susceptibility profiles of the three species of S. ciferrii complex had their own characteristics. Besides, more mass spectra of C. allociferrii and C. mucifera are needed to construct the reference database for S. ciferrii complex species, enabling MALDI-TOF MS to identify S. ciferrii complex at species level.
Oncolytic Adenovirus: Prospects for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Yaqi , Liu Zheming , Li Lan , Wu Jie , Zhang Huibo , Zhang Haohan , Lei Tianyu , Xu Bin
Published: July 2021

Immunotherapy has moved to the forefront of modern oncologic treatment in the past few decades. Various forms of immunotherapy currently are emerging, including oncolytic viruses. In this therapy, viruses are engineered to selectively propagate in tumor cells and reduce toxicity for non-neoplastic tissues. Adenovirus is one of the most frequently employed oncolytic viruses because of its capacity in tumor cell lysis and immune response stimulation. Upregulation of immunostimulatory signals induced by oncolytic adenoviruses (OAds) might significantly remove local immune suppression and amplify antitumor immune responses. Existing genetic engineering technology allows us to design OAds with increasingly better tumor tropism, selectivity, and antitumor efficacy. Several promising strategies to modify the genome of OAds have been applied: capsid modifications, small deletions in the pivotal viral genes, insertion of tumor-specific promoters, and addition of immunostimulatory transgenes. OAds armed with tumor-associated antigen (TAA) transgenes as cancer vaccines provide additional therapeutic strategies to trigger tumor-specific immunity. Furthermore, the combination of OAds and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) increases clinical benefit as evidence shown in completed and ongoing clinical trials, especially in the combination of OAds with antiprogrammed death 1/programed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) therapy. Despite remarkable antitumor potency, oncolytic adenovirus immunotherapy is confronted with tough challenges such as antiviral immune response and obstruction of tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we focus on genomic modification strategies of oncolytic adenoviruses and applications of OAds in cancer immunotherapy.
Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Elucidates the Structure and Organization of Microbial Communities
Authors: Brennan Melanie A. , Rosenthal Adam Z.
Published: July 2021

Clonal bacterial populations exhibit various forms of heterogeneity, including co-occurrence of cells with different morphological traits, biochemical properties, and gene expression profiles. This heterogeneity is prevalent in a variety of environments. For example, the productivity of large-scale industrial fermentations and virulence of infectious diseases are shaped by cell population heterogeneity and have a direct impact on human life. Due to the need and importance to better understand this heterogeneity, multiple methods of examining single-cell heterogeneity have been developed. Traditionally, fluorescent reporters or probes are used to examine a specific gene of interest, providing a useful but inherently biased approach. In contrast, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is an agnostic approach to examine heterogeneity and has been successfully applied to eukaryotic cells. Unfortunately, current extensively utilized methods of eukaryotic scRNA-seq present difficulties when applied to bacteria. Specifically, bacteria have a cell wall which makes eukaryotic lysis methods incompatible, bacterial mRNA has a shorter half-life and lower copy numbers, and isolating an individual bacterial species from a mixed community is difficult. Recent work has demonstrated that these technical hurdles can be overcome, providing valuable insight into factors influencing microbial heterogeneity. This perspective describes the emerging microbial scRNA-seq toolkit. We outline the benefit of these new tools in elucidating numerous scientific questions in microbiological studies and offer insight about the possible rules that govern the segregation of traits in individual microbial cells.