bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pursuing Connectivity in Cardio-Oncology Care—The Future of Telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence in Providing Equity and Access to Rural Communities
Authors: Kappel Coralea , Rushton-Marovac Moira , Leong Darryl , Dent Susan
Published: June 2022

The aim of this review is to discuss the current health disparities in rural communities and to explore the potential role of telehealth and artificial intelligence in providing cardio-oncology care to underserviced communities. With advancements in early detection and cancer treatment, survivorship has increased. The interplay between cancer and cardiovascular disease, which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in this population, has been increasingly recognized. Worldwide, cardio-oncology clinics (COCs) have emerged to deliver a multidisciplinary approach to the care of patients with cancer to mitigate cardiovascular risks while minimizing interruptions in cancer treatment. Despite the value of COCs, the accessibility gap between urban and rural communities in both oncology and cardio-oncology contributes to health care disparities and may be an underrecognized determinant of health globally. Telehealth and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to provide timely care irrespective of rurality. We therefore explore current developments within this sphere and propose a novel model of care to address the disparity in urban vs. rural cardio-oncology using the experience in Canada, a geographically large country with many rural communities.
Adjunct Digital Interventions Improve Opioid-Based Pain Management: Impact of Virtual Reality and Mobile Applications on Patient-Centered Pharmacy Care
Authors: Giravi Hayam Y. , Biskupiak Zack , Tyler Linda S. , Bulaj Grzegorz
Published: June 2022

Digital therapeutics (DTx, mobile medical apps, software as a medical device) are rapidly emerging as clinically effective treatments for diverse chronic diseases. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently authorized a prescription virtual reality (VR) app for treatment of moderate to severe low back pain. The FDA has also approved an adjunct digital therapy in conjunction with buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, further illustrating opportunities to integrate digital therapeutics with pharmacotherapies. There are ongoing needs to disseminate knowledge about advances in digital interventions among health care professionals, policymakers, and the public at large. This mini-review summarizes accumulating clinical evidence of digital interventions delivered via virtual reality and mobile apps to improve opioid-based analgesia. We identified relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Embase and PubMed databases which reported pain scores with a validated pain scale (e.g., visual analog scales, graphic rating scale, numeric rating scale) and use of a digital intervention in conjunction with opiates. Among identified RCTs, the majority of studies reported improved pain scores in the digital intervention group, as compared to “treatment as usual” group. Our work suggests that VR and mobile apps can be used as adjunct digital therapies for pain management. We discuss these findings in the context of how digital health technologies can transform patient-centered pharmacy care.
Mapping of the Subglacial Topography of Folgefonna Ice Cap in Western Norway—Consequences for Ice Retreat Patterns and Hydrological Changes
Authors: Ekblom Johansson Fanny , Bakke Jostein , Støren Eivind Nagel , Gillespie Mette Kusk , Laumann Tron
Published: June 2022

Folgefonna consists of three ice caps which are rapidly retreating in response to warmer temperatures. The melting of Folgefonna has implications for meltwater drainage and hydropower production, as well as the potential for geohazards and impacts to tourism, the communities and infrastructures surrounding the glacier. To support future adaptation strategies, we need to know the subglacial topography of the ice caps to identify water divides and possible areas for geohazards. Therefore, we mapped the subglacial topography at Sørfonna, the largest of the Folgefonna ice caps, using an ice-penetrating radar (2.5 MHz antennas; 1,000 × 500 m grid). The results show a highly irregular subglacial landscape, with deep valleys and high mountain peaks. The maximum ice thickness is 570 m and the mean ice thickness is 190 m. We examined the retreat pattern of Sørfonna using the subglacial topography map in combination with a simple ice flow model and simulated the ice retreat 150 years into the future. We used two climate scenarios (one with a 1.5°C warming and a 3% increase in precipitation, and a second with a 3.5°C warming together with 15% increase in precipitation) and focused on how the glacial retreat will cause hydrological changes in the catchments surrounding the glacier. The main drainage pattern shifts during glacial retreat, with a larger proportion of southward drainage compared to the present day. The ice flow modelling also reveals that the southern part of Sørfonna is more durable during climate change whereas the thinner part of the ice cap, in the north, melts faster. We suggest that increased winter precipitation in a future warmer climate makes the southern part of Sørfonna more resilient than many other glaciers in southern Norway. The subglacial topography map and the retreat pattern also reveal areas that may accumulate water and could potentially generate a future glacial outburst flood. Sediments from distal glacier-fed lakes around Sørfonna have been used to constrain the thresholds identified on the subglacial topography map. Combining sedimentological evidence from distal glacier-fed lakes with the new subglacial topography map confirms that the retreat of specific outlet glaciers, such as Bondhusbreen, Buerbreen, and Møsevassbreen, will have a large impact on meltwater routing, as they are situated behind bedrock thresholds in the upper part of the glacier’s catchment area.
Determination of Favorable Lithofacies for Continental Shale Gas: A Case Study of the Shahezi Formation, Changling Fault Depression, Songliao Basin
Authors: Xu Wen , Yang Guoqiao , Li Ang , Song Zhenxiang , Hu Wenhui
Published: June 2022

In order to determine the optimum lithofacies for continental shale, the reservoir characteristics of different lithofacies types were studied based on a series of experiments. The lacustrine organic-rich shale of the Shahezi Formation is divided into siliceous (ORS), argillaceous (ORA), calcareous (ORC), and mixed (ORM) shales. The ORS, ORA, ORC, and ORM shales all carried out comprehensive reservoir comparative analysis. The results showed that the moderate content of clay minerals (45%) can significantly improve porosity, and high and low clay mineral contents are not conducive to the improvement of porosity. The ORM shale tends to have better pore connectivity than the ORS and ORA shales, and the ORC shale has the poorest pore-throat connectivity in micron-size. Internal pores in bitumen and clay shrinkage cracks are the dominant pore type and are well developed in ORS and ORM shales. The two types of pores are less developed in the ORA shale; however, dissolution pores are better developed than those of ORS and ORM shales. Inorganic pores are well-developed in the ORC shale, but organic pores are not. Organic and inorganic pores tend to be better connected in the ORM shale than those of the other three types, which could help improve the gas storage capacity. The ORM shale may have more irregular surfaces and lower liquid/gas surface tension. The higher capillary condensation on pore surfaces is more likely to occur in the ORA shale. The ORS shale offers fewer adsorption sites for CH4 and has lower adsorption capacity. The ORC shale has weak heterogeneity of the pore structure. Therefore, the ORM shale may be the most favorable lithofacies for shale gas enrichment and development, which has high porosity, good pore connectivity, moderate brittleness, and strong gas adsorption and storage capacity, followed by the ORS and ORA shales. The ORC shale is the worst.
Overriding Lithospheric Strength Affects Continental Collisional Mode Selection and Subduction Transference: Implications for the Greater India–Asia Convergent System
Authors: Li Qian , Li Zhong-Hai , Zhong Xinyi
Published: June 2022

The India–Asia collision, starting from 55 ± 5 Ma, leads to the formation of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau with great gravity potential energy and large forces acting on the surrounding blocks. However, the subduction transference/jump does not occur in the southern Indian continental margin or the northern Indian oceanic plate as supposed to happen repeatedly during the preceding Tethys evolution. Instead, the continental collision and orogeny continues until present day. The total amount of convergence during the India–Asia collision has been estimated to be ∼2,900–4,000 km and needs to be accommodated by shortening/extrusion of the Tibetan plate and/or subduction of the Greater Indian plate, which is a challenging issue. In order to study the collision mode selection, deformation partition, and continental mass conservation, we integrate the reconstruction-based convergence rate of the India–Asia collision into a large-scale thermomechanical numerical model and systematically investigate the effects of overriding Tibetan lithospheric strength and the amount of convergence. The model results indicate that the absence of subduction transference during the India–Asia collision may be attributed to strain localization and shortening of the rheologically weak Tibetan plate. In case of the India–Asia collision for ∼50 Myr with a total convergence of ∼2,900 km, the model with the intermediately weak Tibetan plate could reconcile the general deformation partition and continental mass balance of the Himalayan–Tibetan system. However, the longer period of India–Asia collision for ∼55 Myr leads to significant shortening of the overriding plate that is not consistent with the Tibetan observations, in which case an oceanic basin may be required for the Greater Indian continent.
Management of Hypothyroidism in Internal Medicine: Patient Profile and Effects of an Educational Programme in the Cluster-Randomized FADOI TIAMO Study
Authors: Brancato D. , Biondi B. , Attardo T. M. , Fierro A. , Nizzoli M. , Vettor R. , Monaco E. , Romano R. , Ariete V. , Usai C. , Zagarrì E. , Campanini M.
Published: June 2022

Background and aims

There is still limited knowledge regarding the clinical profile and appropriateness of treatment in patients with hypothyroidism hospitalized in Internal Medicine (IM) Departments in Italy. The aim of this study is to evaluate: 1) the characteristics of patients and possible deviations from national and international clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) in evidence-based guidelines (EBGs); 2) the improvement of patient management by means of a standardized educational programme (EP).

Methods

A nationwide multicentre study, comprising two replications of a retrospective survey (phases 1 and 3) with an intervening EP (phase 2) in half of the centres and no EP in the other half, was conducted. The EP was based on outreach visits. Centres were assigned to the two arms of the study, labelled the training group (TG) and control group (CG) respectively, by cluster randomization. Four EBGs and 39 CPRs provided the basis on which 22 treatment management indicators were identified (7 referring to the time of hospital admission, 15 to post-admission).

Results

The 21 participating centres recruited 587 hospitalized patients with hypothyroidism, 421 of which were females (71.7%, mean age 74.1 + 14.4 yrs): 318 in phase 1 and 269 in phase 3. The cause of hypothyroidism was unknown in 282 patients (48%). Evaluation at the time of admission identified satisfactory adherence to CPRs (>50%) for 63.6% of the indicators. In the phase 3, TG centres showed significant improvement vs CG in 4 of the 15 post-admission indicators, while 1 out of 15 was significantly worse.

Conclusions

The EP based on outreach visits significantly improved some indicators in the management of patients with hypothyroidism, with specific reference to appropriateness of TSH dosage and levothyroxine (LT4) treatment modality.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05314790.
Case Report: Inversion of LMX1B - A Novel Cause of Nail-Patella Syndrome in a Swedish Family and a Longtime Follow-Up
Authors: Lindelöf Hillevi , Horemuzova Eva , Voss Ulrika , Nordgren Ann , Grigelioniene Giedre , Hammarsjö Anna
Published: June 2022

Nail-patella syndrome (NPS, OMIM #161200) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with symptoms from many different parts of the body, including nails, knees, elbows, pelvis, kidneys and eyes. It is caused by truncating variants in the LMX1B gene, which encodes a transcription factor with important roles during embryonic development, including dorsoventral patterning of the limbs. To our knowledge, inversions disrupting the LMX1B gene have not been reported. Here, we report a family with an inversion disrupting the LMX1B gene in five affected family members with mild but variable clinical features of NPS. Our finding demonstrates that genomic rearrangements must be considered a possible cause of NPS.
Vitamin D Effects on Selected Anti-Inflammatory and Pro-Inflammatory Markers of Obesity-Related Chronic Inflammation
Authors: Krajewska Maria , Witkowska-Sędek Ewelina , Rumińska Małgorzata , Stelmaszczyk-Emmel Anna , Sobol Maria , Majcher Anna , Pyrżak Beata
Published: June 2022

Background

Obesity is related to changes in adipokine secretion, activity of adipose tissue macrophages, helper T cells, and regulatory T cells. It has been confirmed that vitamin D has potent anti-inflammatory properties. It contributes to reduction in pro-inflammatory mediators and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines. There is also evidence that vitamin D could decrease C-reactive protein (CRP) and affect selected haematological indices.

Aim of the Study

We aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on interleukin (IL)-10, IL-17, CRP, blood leukocyte profile, and platelet (PLT) count in overweight and obese children before and after six months of vitamin D supplementation.

Material and Methods

The study group consisted of 67 overweight and obese children aged 9.08-17.5 years. The control group included 31 normal weight peers age- and sex-matched. None of the studied children had received vitamin D supplementation before the study. Data were analyzed at baseline and after vitamin D supplementation.

Results

The study group had lower baseline 25(OH)D (p<0.001) and higher white blood cell (WBC) (p=0.014), granulocyte (p=0.015), monocyte (p=0.009) and CRP (p=0.002) compared to the control group. In the study group, vitamin D levels were related negatively to nutritional status. Leukocyte profile parameters, PLT, CRP, IL-10 or IL-17 were not related to baseline 25(OH)D. Baseline IL-17 levels correlated with monocytes (R= 0.36, p=0.003) independently on 25(OH)D deficit. In children with vitamin D <15ng/ml, the baseline 25(OH)D was related to CRP (R=-0.42, p=0.017). After six months of vitamin D supplementation, we noticed a decrease in CRP levels (p=0.0003). Serum 25(OH)D correlated with IL-10 in that period (R=0.27, p=0.028). Moreover, we noticed that IL-10 correlated with monocyte (R=-0.28, p=0.023). We did not find any significant associations between 25(OH)D and leukocyte profile parameters, PLT, or IL-17. The multivariable stepwise regression analysis identified IL-10 as the parameter positively associated with 25(OH)D.

Conclusions

Our study confirmed beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation in overweight and obese paediatric populations. Vitamin D intake seems to exert its anti-inflammatory effect mainly via decreasing the CRP level and protecting stabile values of IL-10, rather than its impact on pro-inflammatory factors such as lL-17 and leukocyte profile parameters.
Factors Related to Metabolic Syndrome Development and Recovery in Chinese Adults: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Zhang Chenyu , Fang Sisi , Wang Haoyu , Shan Zhongyan , Lai Yaxin
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study was a prospective assessment of the epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in cities in Northeast China. We explored the factors that affect the occurrence and outcome of MetS according to sex.

Design and Methods

This was a longitudinal survey assessing MetS status among 750 urban community residents in China. At baseline, the intra-abdominal fat area was measured by MRI, simple anthropometric parameters (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), etc.) were used to evaluate fat distribution; blood pressure and blood lipid profile were measured; an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to detect blood glucose; questionnaires were used to investigate lifestyles. Follow-up was conducted after 1.5 years (follow-up rate was 66.93%) to analyze the incidence of MetS and the influencing factors of MetS outcomes according to sex.

Results

The 1.5-year cumulative incidence of MetS in the survey area was 25.40%. Men with visceral obesity were more likely to develop MetS than those with subcutaneous obesity (OR=9.778, p<0.05). Increased BMI (OR=1.379) and blood uric acid (BUA)>416 mmol/L (OR=2.318) were associated with the occurrence of MetS in men (all p<0.05). At the initial visit, BUA>356.9 mmol/L (OR=3.538), increased BMI (OR=1.212), and increased HbA1c (OR=2.577) were associated with the occurrence of MetS in women (all p<0.05). After 1.5 years, 25.37% of MetS patients no longer had MetS. Elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (OR=1.097) and increased visceral fat (OR=1.023) at the initial visit made men with MetS less likely to recover from MetS (all p<0.05). Higher High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at the initial visit made women with MetS more likely to recover from MetS (β: -3.509, OR=0.003, p<0.05).

Conclusion

There are different risk factors for MetS in different genders. Hyperuricemia is a risk factor for the onset of MetS in both men and women.
Acoustic Prediction of a Multilateral-Well Unconventional Reservoir Based on a Hybrid Feature-Enhancement Long Short-Term Memory Neural Network
Authors: Hu Yating , Li Ouyi , Song Lianteng , Liu Zhonghua , Zhang Qiong , Wu Huilin , Wang Yan , Zhang Yanru
Published: June 2022

Due to the complexity of unconventional reservoir measurement, log data acquired are often incomplete, which results in inaccurate formation evaluation and higher operational risks. Common solutions, such as coring, are typically high cost related while not being sufficiently representative. In recent years, neural network has received increasing attention given its strong ability in data prediction. Nevertheless, most neural networks only focus on one specific feature of the selected data, thus prohibiting their prediction accuracy for reservoir logs where data are often dominated by more than one key feature. To address this challenge, a novel multi-channel hybrid Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network for effective acoustic log prediction is proposed. The network combines Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and LSTM, where CNN is used to extract spatial features of the logs and LSTM network extracts temporal features with the assistance of an adaptive attention mechanism implemented for key feature recognition. In addition, the strong heterogeneity of unconventional reservoirs also increases the difficulty of prediction. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the unconventional reservoir, we designed three feature enhancement methods to mine the hidden information of logs. To prove the performance of the proposed network, a case study is presented with data acquired from Jimusar Oilfield, one of the largest unconventional reservoirs in China. Four groups of experiments are conducted, and the proposed network is employed for acoustic log prediction. The predicted results are validated against measurement (R2: 92.27%, 91.42%, 93.31%, and 92.03%; RMSE: 3.32%, 3.92%, 3.06%, and 3.53%). The performance of the proposed network is compared to other networks such as CNN, LSTM, CNN-LSTM, and random forest (RF). The comparisons show that the proposed network has the highest accuracy level of prediction, which means it provides an effective approach to complement missing data during complicated unconventional reservoir measurement and, therefore, could be of significant potential in energy exploration.
A Review of Pollutant Concentrations in Urban Stormwater Across Eastern Australia, After 20 Years
Authors: Drapper Darren , Olive Kent , McAlister Tony , Coleman Rhys , Lampard Jane-Louise
Published: June 2022

Concerns about pollutants in urban stormwater were initially raised in the early 1970s. Australian investigations decades later, also found urban stormwater runoff contained elevated levels of sediment and nutrients, as well as heavy metals, that brought stormwater management to the forefront for regulators. Planning policies were implemented to integrate stormwater management into development in the form of water sensitive urban design (WSUD), also known internationally as low-impact design (LID) and Sustainable Urban Design solutions (SUDs). Since their introduction, comprehensive broad scale field research to verify their success in achieving load reduction targets (LRTs), has been limited. Paucity of field data on the performance of WSUD has prompted organisations to initiate their own locally-specific studies. Limited regulatory guidance on design of monitoring programs has resulted in various methodologies and meta-data recording. This research review collates urban stormwater data from 77 Australian studies, from geographic regions of east coast Australia. The raw dataset in this review included 2,836 events and 4,536 individual results, collected between 1993 and 2021 from local councils, research organisations and water authorities. The review examined total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations, prior to any form of treatment measures as they are the focus of current guidelines and standards for stormwater management. Seminal research, used to inform stormwater guidelines and water quality modelling across Australia, is significantly different (p < 0.001), in this case approximately double the reviewed concentrations. International data is also >20% higher, on average. Geographic location of catchments had the greatest influence on pollutant concentrations, after accounting for the effects of land use and catchment urbanisation date (p < 0.001). Based on the findings of this review, generic load reduction targets (expressed as a percentage of annual inputs, e.g. 80% TSS reduction, 45% TN, 45% TP) typical in current Australian planning regulations, may be sub-optimal in achieving receiving water quality goals, particularly given the difficulty of removing pollutants when present in low concentrations. Alternately, place-based discharge targets which meet, or exceed, background water quality, or ecological and hydrological benchmarks may be a more appropriate tool to achieve environmental objectives.
Pollution Characteristics, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Surface Soil of Lushan Scenic Area, Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Zhang Shunjie , Ye Hui , Zhang Aijuan , Ma Yanyu , Liu Qing , Shu Qiang , Cao Xilin
Published: June 2022

Heavy metal pollution at tourist attractions centers has caused widespread concern. In this study, the concentration of seven heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, As, and Mn) in the surface soil of the Lushan scenic area was measured, and their pollution characteristics were assessed using the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and geo-accumulation index; further, the human non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health risk assessment model. Correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and a positive matrix factorisation model were used to analyse the heavy metal sources. The results indicated that the heavy metal concentrations did not exceed the pollution threshold levels. The hazard quotients for the six heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ni, and As) are below the threshold for non-carcinogenic health risk, whereas the carcinogenic health risk in the region is at an “acceptable” level; however, because of the high contribution of As, the carcinogenic health risks to residents of this area require continuous monitoring. Analysis revealed six sources of the pollutants: soil parent material, altitude, surface accumulation of organic matter, industrial dustfall, local human activities (life and agriculture), and tourism. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing appropriate strategies for a sustainable development of the scenic area.
Developing Nitrogen Isotopic Source Profiles of Atmospheric Ammonia for Source Apportionment of Ammonia in Urban Beijing
Authors: Wang Chenjing , Li Xiujuan , Zhang Tianle , Tang Aohan , Cui Min , Liu Xuejun , Ma Xin , Zhang Yangyang , Liu Xiaomeng , Zheng Mei
Published: June 2022

Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is the key precursor in secondary particle formation, which is identified as the most abundant components of haze in Beijing in most cases. It is critical to understand the characteristics of NH3 from various emission sources and quantify each source contribution to NH3 in ambient atmosphere. Stable nitrogen (N) isotope composition (δ15N) is an effective tool to study NH3 source. However, this tool cannot be effectively applied in Beijing due to the lack of comprehensive N nitrogen isotope source profiles. Reliable source profiles are the basis of source apportionment of NH3 using the isotope mixing model. In this study, multiple NH3 source samples were collected at sites, representing six major NH3 source types in Beijing from 2017 to 2018 in four seasons. The δ15N values of 212 NH3 source samples were determined to build a local source profiles database of δ15N. NH3 from traffic source presents significantly higher δ15N values (−14.0 ± 5.4‰), distinguished from other sources. The δ15N values of other sources besides traffic were more depleted and did not clear differences (solid waste, sewage, human feces, fertilizer, and livestock for −33.6 ± 4.5‰, −34.1 ± 4.8‰, −32.2 ± 3.8‰, −35.0 ± 3.9‰, and −34.9 ± 4.4‰, respectively). These sources were classified into non-traffic source in this study. From March 2018 to March 2019, ambient NH3 samples were collected at an urban site in Beijing. With the newly developed source profiles in this study, the contribution of traffic and non-traffic sources to ambient NH3 in an urban site in Beijing was calculated using 15N isotope mass balance equations. Traffic and non-traffic sources contributed 8% and 92% to ambient NH3 in urban Beijing, respectively. The highest seasonal average contribution of traffic to ambient NH3 was found in winter (22%). Our results reveal the importance of traffic source and provide evidence for the need to control NH3 emission from traffic in urban Beijing in winter.
Cu/Fe Bimetallic Treatment Performance on Organophosphorus Pesticides
Authors: Wu Xianpei , Wang Yanqiong , Xu Jing , Wang Hongwu
Published: June 2022

Typical organophosphorus pesticides, such as glyphosate, trichlorfon, and ethephon, are widely used nowadays, and the treatment of their production wastewater is difficult to achieve by conventional water treatment methods. A Cu/Fe bimetallic system has been proposed as a viable technology to treat toxic and refractory pollutants. The performance of the system with different pH, Cu/Fe molar ratios, Cu/Fe dosages, and initial glyphosate concentrations was analyzed to investigate the operational factors affecting glyphosate removal by the Cu/Fe bimetallic system. Acidic pH (2.0), 250 g/L Cu/Fe dosage, 0.25% Cu/Fe, and 60 mg/L initial glyphosate concentration were the appropriate conditions for glyphosate removal, in which the efficiency of the system was in accordance with the pseudo–second-order kinetic model. Under this condition, the removal efficiencies of total phosphorus and total organic carbon reached 99 and 65%, respectively. The Fe/Cu bimetal surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimal conditions for glyphosate decomposition were applied to the treatment of trichlorfon and ethephon. The removal efficiency of the system was poor, but its toxicity to luminescent bacteria Q67 was remarkably reduced.
Empirical Evidence for Energy Efficiency Using Intermittent Gliding Flight in Northern Bald Ibises
Authors: Mizrahy-Rewald Ortal , Perinot Elisa , Fritz Johannes , Vyssotski Alexei L. , Fusani Leonida , Voelkl Bernhard , Ruf Thomas
Published: June 2022

Birds face exceptionally high energy demands during their flight. One visible feature of some species is alternating between flapping and gliding, which should allow them to save energy. To date, there is no empirical evidence of an energetic benefit to this. To understand the physiology behind the strategy, we equipped hand-raised Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita) with data loggers during human-guided migration. We monitored the position of the birds, wingbeats, overall dynamic body acceleration (ODBA), and heart rates as a proxy for energy expenditure. The energy expenditure was significantly affected by the length of flapping and gliding bouts. A pronounced decrease in heart rate was measured after already 1 s of gliding. Additionally, the heart rate at flapping bouts up to 30 s increased steadily but stabilized thereafter. The gilding proportion during intermittent flight affected the energy saving compared to continuous flapping. At a gliding proportion of about 20%, we measured a maximum of 11% saving based on heart rate measurement. At higher gliding proportions, the additional energy saving was negligible. Furthermore, as during flight, not all energy is used for mechanical work, we found a greater decrease rate of ODBA at different gliding proportions compared to heart rate. Nevertheless, the combination of the two methods is essential to determine birds’ movement and energy expenditure. This study provides empirical evidence that intermittent flight is energetically beneficial and can reduce the high costs of flights.
Genetic Structure of Natural Northern Range-Margin Mainland, Peninsular, and Island Populations of Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra L.)
Authors: Götz Jeremias , Rajora Om P. , Gailing Oliver
Published: June 2022

Plant populations at the leading edge of the species’ native range often exhibit genetic structure as a result of genetic drift and adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. Hence, they are likely to harbour rare genetic adaptations to local environmental conditions and therefore are of particular interest to understand climate adaptation. We examined genetic structure of nine northern marginal mainland, peninsular and isolated island natural populations of northern red oak (Quercus rubraL.), a valuable long-lived North American hardwood tree species, covering a wide climatic range, using 17 nuclear microsatellites. We found pronounced genetic differentiation of a disjunct isolated island population from all mainland and peninsular populations. Furthermore, we observed remarkably strong fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) in all investigated populations. Such high SGS values are uncommon and were previously solely observed in extreme range-edge marginal oak populations in one other study. We found a significant correlation between major climate parameters and SGS formation in northern range-edge red oak populations, with more pronounced SGS in colder and drier regions. Most likely, the harsh environment in leading edge populations influences the density of reproducing trees within the populations and therefore leads to restricted overlapping of seed shadows when compared to more central populations. Accordingly, SGS was negatively correlated with effective population size and increased with latitude of the population locations. The significant positive association between genetic distances and precipitation differences between populations may be indicative of isolation by adaptation in the observed range-edge populations. However, this association was not confirmed by a multiple regression analysis including geographic distances and precipitation distances, simultaneously. Our study provides new insights in the genetic structure of long-lived tree species at their leading distribution edge.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the Class III Peroxidase Gene Family in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)
Authors: Cheng Lingtong , Ma Lanxin , Meng Lijun , Shang Haihong , Cao Peijian , Jin Jingjing
Published: June 2022

Class III peroxidases (PODs) are plant-specific enzymes that play significant roles in plant physiological processes and stress responses. However, a comprehensive analysis of the POD gene family in tobacco has not yet been conducted. In this study, 210 non-redundant POD gene members (NtPODs) were identified in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and distributed unevenly throughout 24 tobacco chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these genes into six subgroups (I-VI). Gene structure and motif analyses showed the structural and functional diversity among the subgroups. Segmental duplication and purifying selection were the main factors affecting NtPOD gene evolution. Our analyses also suggested that NtPODs might be regulated by miRNAs and cis-acting regulatory elements of transcription factors that are involved in various biological processes. In addition, the expression patterns in different tissues and under various stress treatments were investigated. The results showed that the majority of NtPODs had tissue-specific expression patterns and may be involved in many biotic and abiotic responses. qRT-PCR analyses of different tissues and stress treatments were performed to verify transcriptome patterns. Expression of a green fluorescent protein-NtPOD fusion confirmed the plasma membrane localization of NtPOD121 and NtPOD4. Furthermore, 3D structures provided evidences of membrane-bound peroxidase. These findings provide useful information to better understand the evolution of the NtPOD gene family and lay the foundation for further studies on POD gene function in tobacco.
GATA 2 Deficiency: Focus on Immune System Impairment
Authors: Fabozzi Francesco , Mastronuzzi Angela , Ceglie Giulia , Masetti Riccardo , Leardini Davide
Published: June 2022

GATA2 deficiency is a disease with a broad spectrum of clinical presentation, ranging from lymphedema, deafness, pulmonary dysfunction to miscarriage and urogenital anomalies, but it is mainly recognized as an immune system and bone marrow disorder. It is caused by various heterozygous mutations in the GATA2 gene, encoding for a zinc finger transcription factor with a key role for the development and maintenance of a pool of hematopoietic stem cells; notably, most of these mutations arise de novo. Patients carrying a mutated allele usually develop a loss of some cell populations, such as B-cell, dendritic cell, natural killer cell, and monocytes, and are predisposed to disseminated human papilloma virus and mycobacterial infections. Also, these patients have a predisposition to myeloid neoplasms, including myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloproliferative neoplasms, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia. The age of symptoms onset can vary greatly even also within the same family, ranging from early childhood to late adulthood; incidence increases by age and most frequently clinical presentation is between the second and third decade of life. Currently, haematopoietic stem cell transplantation represents the only curative treatment, restoring both the hematopoietic and immune system function.
Understanding the Trauma of Menstrual Irregularity After COVID Vaccination: A Bird’s-Eye View of Female Immunology
Authors: Minakshi Rinki , Rahman Safikur , Ayaggari Archana , Dutta Durgashree , Shankar Abhishek
Published: June 2022

The intricacies in various signaling routes involved in the menstrual cycle can be impacted by internal as well as external stimuli, and the role of stress, be it physical, psychological, or social, in disturbing the process could be debilitating for a woman. The global endeavor of vaccination rose to protect individuals from the severity of COVID-19, but a conjunction of a short-lived menace of menstrual disturbance in the female population came out as an unsettling side effect. An understanding of the immunological panorama in the female reproductive tract (FRT) becomes important to fathom this issue. The close-knit microenvironment in the FRT shows active microbiota in the lower FRT, but the latest findings are ascertaining the presence of low-biomass microbiota in the upper FRT as well. Concerted signaling, wherein inflammation becomes an underlying phenomenon, results when a stressor elicits molecules of the inflammatory cascade. Learning lessons from the gut microbiota, we need to address the exploration of how FRT microbiota would impose inflammation by manipulating the immune response to vaccines. Since there is a prominent sex bias in the immune response to infectious diseases in women and men, the role of sex hormones and cortisol becomes important. The treatment regimen may be considered differently in women who also consider their ovarian cycle phases. Women exert robust immune response to antigenic encounters via cell-mediated and humoral arms. The inclusion of women in vaccine trials has been marginalized over the years, which resulted in unwanted high dosage administration of vaccines in women.
Immunotherapy for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives
Authors: Lv Meng , Liu Yan , Liu Wei , Xing Yabing , Zhang Shengnan
Published: June 2022

Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common subtype of childhood leukemia, which is characterized by the abnormal proliferation and accumulation of immature lymphoid cell in the bone marrow. Although the long-term survival rate for pediatric ALL has made significant progress over years with the development of contemporary therapeutic regimens, patients are still suffered from relapse, leading to an unsatisfactory outcome. Since the immune system played an important role in the progression and relapse of ALL, immunotherapy including bispecific T-cell engagers and chimeric antigen receptor T cells has been demonstrated to be capable of enhancing the immune response in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed B-cell ALL, and improving the cure rate of the disease and patients’ quality of life, thus receiving the authorization for market. Nevertheless, the resistance and toxicities associated with the current immunotherapy remains a huge challenge. Novel therapeutic options to overcome the above disadvantages should be further explored. In this review, we will thoroughly discuss the emerging immunotherapeutics for the treatment of pediatric ALL, as well as side-effects and new development.
Rituximab, Omalizumab, and Dupilumab Treatment Outcomes in Bullous Pemphigoid: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cao Peng , Xu Wenjing , Zhang Litao
Published: June 2022

Background

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune subepidermal bullous disease of the skin. First-line treatment of systemic corticosteroids may cause serious adverse events. Rituximab, omalizumab, and dupilumab should be explored as alternative treatment options to improve outcomes.

Objective

To systematically review the rituximab, omalizumab, and dupilumab treatment outcomes in bullous pemphigoid.

Methods

A PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library search were conducted on March 10, 2022. A total of 75 studies were included using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines.

Results

Use of rituximab (n=122), omalizumab (n=53) and dupilumab (n=36) were reported in 211 patients with BP. Rituximab led to complete remission in 70.5% (n=86/122) and partial remission in 23.8% (n=29/122) of patients within 5.7 months, with a recurrence rate of 20.5% (n=25/122). 9.0% (n=11/122) of patients died and infection (6.6%, n=8/122) was the most common adverse event. Omalizumab led to complete remission in 67.9% (n=36/53) and partial remission in 20.8% (n=11/53) of patients within 6.6 months, with a recurrence rate of 5.7% (n=3/53). 1.9% (n=1/53) of patients died and thrombocytopenia (1.9%, n=1/53) was observed as the most common adverse event. Dupilumab led to complete remission in 66.7% (n=24/36) and partial remission in 19.4% (n=7/36) of patients within 4.5 months of treatment without any reported adverse events, with a recurrence rate of 5.6% (n=2/36).

Conclusions

Rituximab, omalizumab, and dupilumab have similar clinical benefits for BP patients. However, rituximab resulted in higher recurrence rates, adverse events, and mortality rates.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022316454.
Extremely Stochastic Connectivity of Island Mangroves
Authors: Thomas Maki , Nakajima Yuichi , Mitarai Satoshi
Published: June 2022

Studies of mangrove population connectivity have focused primarily on global to regional scales and have suggested potential for long-distance connectivity, with archipelagos serving as stepping stones for trans-oceanic dispersal. However, the contribution of propagule dispersal to connectivity is still largely unknown, especially at local-scale. Identifying fine-scale propagule dispersal patterns unique to individual island systems is important to understand their contribution to global species distributions, and to select appropriate sizes and locations for mangrove conservation in archipelagos. Using population genetic methods and a release-recapture method employing GPS drifting buoys, we investigated the spatiotemporal scale of propagule dispersal of Rhizophora stylosa, one of the widely distributed mangrove species in the Indo-West Pacific. This study sought to quantify intra- and inter-island connectivity and to assess their contributions to oceanic scale dispersal of R. stylosa from the Ryukyu Archipelago, which spans over 545 km in southwestern Japan. Using 7 microsatellite markers, we tested 354 samples collected from 16 fringing populations on 4 islands. We identified 3 genetic populations, indicating distinct genetic structures comprising 3 distinguishable bioregions (genetic clusters). The western end of the archipelago receives relatively frequent migration (m > 0.1), but is genetically isolated from other sites. Based on genetic migration rates, we found that the central area of the archipelago serves as a stepping stone for southwestward, but not northeastward dispersal. On the other hand, with in-situ drifting buoys, we did not confirm prevailing dispersal directionality within the archipelago, instead confirming local eddies. Some buoys trapped in those eddies demonstrated potential for successful beaching from another island. A large portion of buoys were carried predominantly northeastward by the Kuroshio Current and drifted away from the coastal areas into the Pacific, contrary to local migrations. We found that the spatiotemporal scale of propagule dispersal is limited by the distance between islands (< 200km), propagule viability duration, and fecundity. Over all, recruitment does not occur frequently enough to unify the genetic structure in the archipelago, and the Ryukyu Archipelago is isolated in the center of the global mangrove distribution.
Ocean Warming and Heat Stress Impact Molecules of Keystone Significance in a Predatory Marine Gastropod
Authors: Valles-Regino Roselyn , Mouatt Peter , Yee Lachlan H. , Benkendorff Kirsten
Published: June 2022

Water temperature is a major abiotic driver, controlling the rates and nature of biochemical reactions and subsequently affecting the physiology of marine organisms. However, relatively little is known about the implications of heat stress or predicted ocean climate change on marine secondary metabolites. The predatory gastropod Dicathais orbita is a useful model organism for climate change and natural product studies. Here we determine the upper thermal limit (CTMax) of D. orbita and investigate the effects of thermal stress on the bioactive compounds stored in their biosynthetic organ, the hypobranchial gland. Two CTMax experiments were undertaken, along with a static heat stress experiment where whelks were exposed to an elevated temperature of 30°C for one week, compared to a 20°C seawater control. An additional 35-day ocean climate change experiment used combinations of temperature (ambient: 23°C and future: 25°C) and pCO2 (ambient: ~380 ppm and future: ~765 ppm). The impacts on secondary metabolites in all experiments were assessed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean CTMax of the whelks, from the northern limit of their distribution, was found to be 35.2°C using a rapid temperature increase rate of 1°C/1 h, but was only 30.6°C when a gradual heating rate of 1°C/12 h was used. The overall composition of the secondary metabolites was significantly affected by heat stress in all four experiments, but not by elevated pCO2 in the ocean climate change experiment. The proportion of the choline ester murexine was significantly reduced in heat-stressed snails compared to the controls. Tyrindoxyl sulphate was significantly reduced under prolonged exposure to future temperature, whereas the relative abundance of the oxidation product, 6-bromoisatin significantly increased with elevated temperature exposure. Despite the fact that intertidal gastropods like D. orbita might be able to buffer the impact of external temperatures within the predicted future range, this study provides evidence that ocean warming could have significant implications for secondary metabolite production and/or storage in marine invertebrates. Impacts on bioactive molecules with multifunctional ecological roles could have implications for predator populations with possible flow on effects in some marine communities.
Evolutionary History of DMSP Lyase-Like Genes in Animals and Their Possible Involvement in Evolution of the Scleractinian Coral Genus, Acropora
Authors: Chiu Yi-Ling , Shinzato Chuya
Published: June 2022

Dimethlysulfoniopropionate (DMSP) lyase is an enzyme that mediates cleavage of DMSP into dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylate. DMS is an aerosol substance that may affect cloud formation, solar radiation and ocean temperatures. DMSP lyases in marine organisms, such as marine bacteria, release DMS, which might contribute to atmosphere-ocean feedback. Although DMSP lyases were first identified in marine bacteria, eukaryotic DMSP lyases or genes similar to DMSP lyase,DMSP lyase-like(DL-L) genes have been found not only in coccolithophores (Emiliania huxleyi) and symbiotic algae of the Family Symbiodiniaceae, but also in animals, including scleractinian corals (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia). Comparative genomic analysis showed that gene expansion events ofDL-Lgenes have occurred specifically in the scleractinian genus,Acropora. In the present study, we performed molecular identification ofDL-Lgenes inAcropora digitifera. Thirteen full-length Open Reading Frames were isolated, confirming that these duplicatedDL-Lgenes are likely expressed. A comprehensive survey of available transcriptomic databases revealed thatDL-Lgenes have been identified not only in scleractinians (Hexacorallia), but also Octocorallia (Anthozoa) and even in a jellyfish (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa). Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that although some sequences from cnidarian transcriptomic databases apparently originated with their symbiotic algae, cnidarian sequences from Anthozoa and Hydrozoa clustered together, indicating that these evolved from a gene in the last common ancestor of Cnidaria, dating to the Precambrian. Interestingly, cnidarian species possessingDL-Lgenes apparently occur only in coral reefs or shallow, warmer environments, suggesting that these genes may be essential for animals to survive in such environments.Acropora-specific duplicatedDL-Lgenes, which originated during the past warm geological periods, may enable them to adapt to environmental changes.