bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenylate Kinase 4 Promotes Inflammatory Gene Expression via Hif1α and AMPK in Macrophages
Authors: Chin Wei-Yao , He Chi-Ying , Chow Tsun Wai , Yu Qi-You , Lai Liang-Chuan , Miaw Shi-Chuen
Published: March 2021

Macrophages comprise the front line of defense against various pathogens. Classically activated macrophages (M1), induced by IFN-γ and LPS, highly express inflammatory cytokines and contribute to inflammatory processes. By contrast, alternatively activated macrophages (M2) are induced by IL-4 and IL-13, produce IL-10, and display anti-inflammatory activity. Adenylate kinase 4 (Ak4), an enzyme that transfers phosphate group among ATP/GTP, AMP, and ADP, is a key modulator of ATP and maintains the homeostasis of cellular nucleotides which is essential for cell functions. However, its role in regulating the function of macrophages is not fully understood. Here we report that Ak4 expression is induced in M1 but not M2 macrophages. Suppressing the expression of Ak4 in M1 macrophages with shRNA or siRNA enhances ATP production and decreases ROS production, bactericidal ability and glycolysis in M1 cells. Moreover, Ak4 regulates the expression of inflammation genes, including Il1b, Il6, Tnfa, Nos2, Nox2, and Hif1a, in M1 macrophages. We further demonstrate that Ak4 inhibits the activation of AMPK and forms a positive feedback loop with Hif1α to promote the expression of inflammation-related genes in M1 cells. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis demonstrates that Ak4 also regulates other biological processes in addition to the expression of inflammation-related genes in M1 cells. Interestingly, Ak4 does not regulate M1/M2 polarization. Taken together, our study uncovers a potential mechanism linking energy consumption and inflammation in macrophages.
Novel Human Tenascin-C Function-Blocking Camel Single Domain Nanobodies
Authors: Dhaouadi Sayda , Ben Abderrazek Rahma , Loustau Thomas , Abou-Faycal Chérine , Ksouri Ayoub , Erne William , Murdamoothoo Devadarssen , Mörgelin Matthias , Kungl Andreas , Jung Alain , Ledrappier Sonia , Benlasfar Zakaria , Bichet Sandrine , Chiquet-Ehrismann Ruth , Hendaoui Ismaïl , Orend Gertraud , Bouhaouala-Zahar Balkiss
Published: March 2021

The extracellular matrix (ECM) molecule Tenascin-C (TNC) is well-known to promote tumor progression by multiple mechanisms. However, reliable TNC detection in tissues of tumor banks remains limited. Therefore, we generated dromedary single-domain nanobodies Nb3 and Nb4 highly specific for human TNC (hTNC) and characterized the interaction with TNC by several approaches including ELISA, western blot, isothermal fluorescence titration and negative electron microscopic imaging. Our results revealed binding of both nanobodies to distinct sequences within fibronectin type III repeats of hTNC. By immunofluroescence and immunohistochemical imaging we observed that both nanobodies detected TNC expression in PFA and paraffin embedded human tissue from ulcerative colitis, solid tumors and liver metastasis. As TNC impairs cell adhesion to fibronectin we determined whether the nanobodies abolished this TNC function. Indeed, Nb3 and Nb4 restored adhesion of tumor and mesangial cells on a fibronectin/TNC substratum. We recently showed that TNC orchestrates the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment involving chemoretention, causing tethering of CD11c+ myeloid/dendritic cells in the stroma. Here, we document that immobilization of DC2.4 dendritic cells by a CCL21 adsorbed TNC substratum was blocked by both nanobodies. Altogether, our novel TNC specific nanobodies could offer valuable tools for detection of TNC in the clinical practice and may be useful to inhibit the immune-suppressive and other functions of TNC in cancer and other diseases.
Neutrophil in Reverse Migration: Role in Sepsis
Authors: Ji Jingjing , Fan Jie
Published: March 2021

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. During the development and progression of sepsis, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are the most abundantly recruited innate immune cells at sites of infection, playing critical roles in the elimination of local infection and healing of the injury. PMN reverse migration (rM) describes the phenomenon in which PMNs migrate away from the inflammatory site back into the vasculature following the initial PMN infiltration. The functional role of PMN rM within inflammatory scenarios requires further exploration. Current evidence suggests that depending on the context, PMN rM can be both a protective response, by facilitating an efficient resolution to innate immune reaction, and also a tissue-damaging event. In this review, we provide an overview of current advancements in understanding the mechanism and roles of PMN rM in inflammation and sepsis. A comprehensive understanding of PMN rM may allow for the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for sepsis.
Methylobacterium ajmalii sp. nov., Isolated From the International Space Station
Authors: Bijlani Swati , Singh Nitin K. , Eedara V. V. Ramprasad , Podile Appa Rao , Mason Christopher E. , Wang Clay C. C. , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: March 2021

Four strains belonging to the family of Methylobacteriaceae were isolated from different locations on the International Space Station (ISS) across two consecutive flights. Of these, three were identified as Gram-negative, rod-shaped, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive, motile bacteria, designated as IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, whereas the fourth was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum. The sequence similarity of these three ISS strains, designated as IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, was <99.4% for 16S rRNA genes and <97.3% for gyrB gene, with the closest being Methylobacterium indicum SE2.11T. Furthermore, the multi-locus sequence analysis placed these three ISS strains in the same clade of M. indicum. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of these three ISS strains were <93% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were <46.4% with any described Methylobacterium species. Based on the ANI and dDDH analyses, these three ISS strains were considered as novel species belonging to the genus Methylobacterium. The three ISS strains showed 100% ANI similarity and dDDH values with each other, indicating that these three ISS strains, isolated during various flights and from different locations, belong to the same species. These three ISS strains were found to grow optimally at temperatures from 25 to 30°C, pH 6.0 to 8.0, and NaCl 0 to 1%. Phenotypically, these three ISS strains resemble M. aquaticum and M. terrae since they assimilate similar sugars as sole carbon substrate when compared to other Methylobacterium species. Fatty acid analysis showed that the major fatty acid produced by the ISS strains are C18:1−ω7c and C18:1−ω6c. The predominant quinone was ubiquinone 10, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified lipid. Therefore, based on genomic, phylogenetic, biochemical, and fatty acid analyses, strains IF7SW-B2T, IIF1SW-B5, and IIF4SW-B5, are assigned to a novel species within the genus Methylobacterium, and the name Methylobacterium ajmalii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is IF7SW-B2T (NRRL B-65601T and LMG 32165T).
Tract Specificity of Age Effects on Diffusion Tensor Imaging Measures of White Matter Health
Authors: Matijevic Stephanie , Ryan Lee
Published: March 2021

Well-established literature indicates that older adults have poorer cerebral white matter integrity, as measured through diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Age differences in DTI have been observed widely across white matter, although some tracts appear more sensitive to the effects of aging than others. Factors like APOE ε4 status and sex may contribute to individual differences in white matter integrity that also selectively impact certain tracts, and could influence DTI changes in aging. The present study explored the degree to which age, APOE ε4, and sex exerted global vs. tract specific effects on DTI metrics in cognitively healthy late middle-aged to older adults. Data from 49 older adults (ages 54–92) at two time-points separated by approximately 2.7 years were collected. DTI metrics, including fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), were extracted from nine white matter tracts and global white matter. Results showed that across timepoints, FA and MD increased globally, with no tract-specific changes observed. Baseline age had a global influence on both measures, with increasing age associated with lower FA and higher MD. After controlling for global white matter FA, age additionally predicted FA for the genu, callosum body, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), and both anterior and posterior cingulum. Females exhibited lower global FA on average compared to males. In contrast, MD was selectively elevated in the anterior cingulum and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), for females compared to males. APOE ε4 status was not predictive of either measure. In summary, these results indicate that age and sex are associated with both global and tract-specific alterations to DTI metrics among a healthy older adult cohort. Older women have poorer white matter integrity compared to older men, perhaps related to menopause-induced metabolic changes. While age-related alterations to white matter integrity are global, there is substantial variation in the degree to which tracts are impacted, possibly as a consequence of tract anatomical variability. The present study highlights the importance of accounting for global sources of variation in DTI metrics when attempting to investigate individual differences (due to age, sex, or other factors) in specific white matter tracts.
Perspectives on ROCK2 as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Weber Audrey J. , Herskowitz Jeremy H.
Published: March 2021

Rho-associated coiled-coil containing kinase isoform 2 (ROCK2) is a member of the AGC family of serine/threonine kinases and an extensively studied regulator of actin-mediated cytoskeleton contractility. Over the past decade, new evidence has emerged that suggests ROCK2 regulates autophagy. Recent studies indicate that dysregulation of autophagy contributes to the development of misfolded tau aggregates among entorhinal cortex (EC) excitatory neurons in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While the accumulation of tau oligomers and fibrils is toxic to neurons, autophagy facilitates the degradation of these pathologic species and represents a major cellular pathway for tau disposal in neurons. ROCK2 is expressed in excitatory neurons and pharmacologic inhibition of ROCK2 can induce autophagy pathways. In this mini-review, we explore potential mechanisms by which ROCK2 mediates autophagy and actin dynamics and discuss how these pathways represent therapeutic avenues for Alzheimer’s disease.
Excitatory Impact of Dental Occlusion on Dorsal Motor Nucleus of Vagus
Authors: Liu Xin , Shi Minghong , Ren Haotian , Xie Mianjiao , Zhang Chunkui , Wang Dongmei , Liu Xiaodong , Li Jinlian , Wang Meiqing
Published: March 2021

Neurons in the trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus (Vme) have axons that branch peripherally to innervate the orofacial region and project centrally to several motor nuclei in brainstem. The dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve (DMV) resides in the brainstem and takes a role in visceral motor function such as pancreatic exocrine secretion. The present study aimed to demonstrate the presence of Vme–DMV circuit, activation of which would elicit a trigeminal neuroendocrine response. A masticatory dysfunctional animal model termed unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) model created by disturbing the dental occlusion was used. Cholera toxin B subunit (CTb) was injected into the inferior alveolar nerve of rats to help identify the central axon terminals of Vme neurons around the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) positive motor neurons in the DMV. The level of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) expressed in DMV, the level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expressed in pancreas, the level of glucagon and insulin expression in islets and serum, and the blood glucose level were detected and compared between UAC and the age matched sham-operation control mice. Data indicated that compared with the controls, there were more CTb/VGLUT1 double labeled axon endings around the ChAT positive neurons in the DMV of UAC groups. Mice in UAC group expressed a higher VGLUT1 protein level in DMV, AChE protein level in pancreas, glucagon and insulin level in islet and serum, and higher postprandial blood glucose level, but lower fasting blood glucose level. All these were reversed at 15-weeks when UAC cessation was performed from 11-weeks (all, P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrated Vme–DMV circuit via which the aberrant occlusion elicited a trigeminal neuroendocrine response such as alteration in the postprandial blood glucose level. Dental occlusion is proposed as a potential therapeutic target for reversing the increased postprandial glucose level.
A Neuromotor to Acoustical Jaw-Tongue Projection Model With Application in Parkinson’s Disease Hypokinetic Dysarthria
Authors: Gómez Andrés , Gómez Pedro , Palacios Daniel , Rodellar Victoria , Nieto Víctor , Álvarez Agustín , Tsanas Athanasios
Published: March 2021

Aim

The present work proposes the study of the neuromotor activity of the masseter-jaw-tongue articulation during diadochokinetic exercising to establish functional statistical relationships between surface Electromyography (sEMG), 3D Accelerometry (3DAcc), and acoustic features extracted from the speech signal, with the aim of characterizing Hypokinetic Dysarthria (HD). A database of multi-trait signals of recordings from an age-matched control and PD participants are used in the experimental study.

Hypothesis:

The main assumption is that information between sEMG and 3D acceleration, and acoustic features may be quantified using linear regression methods.

Methods

Recordings from a cohort of eight age-matched control participants (4 males, 4 females) and eight PD participants (4 males, 4 females) were collected during the utterance of a diadochokinetic exercise (the fast repetition of diphthong [aI]). The dynamic and acoustic absolute kinematic velocities produced during the exercises were estimated by acoustic filter inversion and numerical integration and differentiation of the speech signal. The amplitude distributions of the absolute kinematic and acoustic velocities (AKV and AFV) are estimated to allow comparisons in terms of Mutual Information.

Results

The regression results show the relationships between sEMG and dynamic and acoustic estimates. The projection methodology may help in understanding the basic neuromotor muscle activity regarding neurodegenerative speech in remote monitoring neuromotor and neurocognitive diseases using speech as the vehicular tool, and in the study of other speech-related disorders. The study also showed strong and significant cross-correlations between articulation kinematics, both for the control and the PD cohorts. The absolute kinematic variables presents an observable difference for the PD participants compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Kinematic distributions derived from acoustic analysis may be useful biomarkers toward characterizing HD in neuromotor disorders providing new insights into PD.
Brain–Heart Interaction During Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Authors: Machetanz Kathrin , Berelidze Levan , Guggenberger Robert , Gharabaghi Alireza
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) modulates brain activity and heart function. The induced parasympathetic predominance leads to an increase of heart rate variability (HRV). Knowledge on the corresponding cortical activation pattern is, however, scarce. We hypothesized taVNS-induced HRV increases to be related to modulation of cortical activity that regulates the autonomic outflow to the heart.

Materials and Methods

In thirteen healthy subjects, we simultaneously recorded 64-channel electroencephalography and electrocardiography during taVNS. Two taVNS stimulation targets were investigated, i.e., the cymba conchae and inner tragus, and compared to active control stimulation in the anatomical vicinity, i.e., at the crus helicis and outer tragus. We used intermitted stimulation bursts of 25 Hz applied at a periodicity of 1 Hz. HRV was estimated with different time-domain methodologies: standard deviation of RR (SDNN), the root mean squares of successive differences (RMSSD), the percentage of RR-intervals with at least 50 ms deviation from the preceding RR-interval (pNN50), and the difference of consecutive RR intervals weighted by their mean (rrHRV).

Results

The stimulation-induced HRV increases corresponded to frequency-specific oscillatory modulation of different cortical areas. All stimulation targets induced power modulations that were proportional to the HRV elevation. The most prominent changes that corresponded to HRV increases across all parameters and stimulation locations were frontal elevations in the theta-band. In the delta-band, there were frontal increases (RMSSD, pNN50, rrHRV, SDNN) and decreases (SDNN) across stimulation sites. In higher frequencies, there was a more divers activity pattern: Outer tragus/crus helicis stimulation increased oscillatory activity with the most prominent changes for the SDNN in frontal (alpha-band, beta-band) and fronto-parietal (gamma-band) areas. During inner tragus/cymba conchae stimulation the predominant pattern was a distributed power decrease, particularly in the fronto-parietal gamma-band.

Conclusion

Neuro–cardiac interactions can be modulated by electrical stimulation at different auricular locations. Increased HRV during stimulation is correlated with frequency-specific increases and decreases of oscillatory activity in different brain areas. When applying specific HRV measures, cortical patterns related to parasympathetic (RMSSD, pNN50, rrHRV) and sympathetic (SDNN) modulation can be identified. Thus, cortical oscillations may be used to define stimulation locations and parameters for research and therapeutic purposes.
Research on the Modality Transfer Method of Brain Imaging Based on Generative Adversarial Network
Authors: Cheng Dapeng , Qiu Nuan , Zhao Feng , Mao Yanyan , Li Chengnuo
Published: March 2021

Brain imaging technology is an important means to study brain diseases. The commonly used brain imaging technologies are fMRI and EEG. Clinical practice has shown that although fMRI is superior to EEG in observing the anatomical details of some diseases that are difficult to diagnose, its costs are prohibitive. In particular, more and more patients who use metal implants cannot use this technology. In contrast, EEG technology is easier to implement. Therefore, to break through the limitations of fMRI technology, we propose a brain imaging modality transfer framework, namely BMT-GAN, based on a generative adversarial network. The framework introduces a new non-adversarial loss to reduce the perception and style difference between input and output images. It also realizes the conversion from EEG modality data to fMRI modality data and provides comprehensive reference information of EEG and fMRI for radiologists. Finally, a qualitative and quantitative comparison with the existing GAN-based brain imaging modality transfer approaches demonstrates the superiority of our framework.
Changing Management of Hematological Malignancies With COVID-19: Statement and Recommendations of the Lebanese Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmad , Noun Peter , Khalil Charbel , Taher Ali
Published: March 2021

COVID-19 caused by SARS-Cov-2 is a devastating infection in patients with hematological malignancies. In 2018, the Lebanese Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (LSHBT) updated the guidelines for the management of hematological malignancies in Lebanon. In 2019, it was followed by a second update. Given the rapidly changing evidence and general situation for COVID-19, the LSHBT established some recommendations and suggestions for the management of the patients with hematological malignancies taking into account the Lebanese condition, economic situation, and the facts that SARS-Cov-2 infection has apparently been devastating. In this article we present recommendations and proposals to reduce or to manage SARS-Cov-2 infection in the patients with myeloid and lymphoid hematological malignancies.
Interdisciplinary Radical “En-Bloc” Resection of Ewing Sarcoma of the Chest Wall and Simultaneous Chest Wall Repair Achieves Excellent Long-Term Survival in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Basharkhah Alireza , Lackner Herwig , Karastaneva Anna , Bergovec Marko , Spendel Stephan , Castellani Christoph , Sorantin Erich , Benesch Martin , Liegl-Atzwanger Bernadette , Smolle-Jüttner Freyja-Maria , Urban Christian , Höllwarth Michael , Singer Georg , Till Holger
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Ewing sarcomas of the chest wall, historically known as “Askin tumors” represent highly aggressive pediatric malignancies with a reported 5-year survival ranging only between 40 and 60% in most studies. Multimodal oncological treatment according to specific Ewing sarcoma protocols and radical “en-bloc” resection with simultaneous chest wall repair are key factors for long-term survival. However, the surgical complexity depends on tumor location and volume and potential infiltrations into lung, pericardium, diaphragm, esophagus, spine and major vessels. Thus, the question arises, which surgical specialties should join their comprehensive skills when approaching a child with Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall.

Patients and Methods: All pediatric patients with Ewing sarcomas of the chest wall treated between 1990 and 2020 were analyzed focusing on complete resection, chest wall reconstruction, surgical complications according to Clavien-Dindo (CD) and survival. Patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy according to the respective Ewing sarcoma protocols. Depending on tumor location and organ infiltration, a multi-disciplinary surgical team was orchestrated to perform radical en-bloc resection and simultaneous chest wall repair.

Results: Thirteen consecutive patients (seven boys and six girls) were included. Median age at presentation was 10.9 years (range 2.2–21 years). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 13) and irradiation (n = 3) achieved significant reduction of the median tumor volume (305.6 vs. 44 ml, p < 0.05). En-bloc resection and simultaneous chest wall reconstruction was achieved without major complications despite multi-organ involvement. Postoperatively, one patient with infiltration of the costovertebral joint and laminectomy required surgical re-intervention (CD IIIb). 11/13 patients were treated with clear resections margins (R1 resection in one patient with infiltration of the costovertebral joint and marginal resection <1 mm in one child with multiple pulmonary metastases). All patients underwent postoperative chemotherapy; irradiation was performed in four children. Two deaths occurred 18 months and 7.5 years after diagnosis, respectively. Median follow-up for the remaining patients was 8.8 years (range: 0.9–30.7 years). The 5-year survival rate was 89% and the overall survival 85%.

Conclusion: EWING specific oncological treatment and multi-disciplinary surgery performing radical en-bloc resections and simultaneous chest wall repair contribute to an improved survival of children with Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall.
The Balance of MU-Opioid, Dopamine D2 and Adenosine A2A Heteroreceptor Complexes in the Ventral Striatal-Pallidal GABA Antireward Neurons May Have a Significant Role in Morphine and Cocaine Use Disorders
Authors: Borroto-Escuela Dasiel O. , Wydra Karolina , Fores-Pons Ramon , Vasudevan Lakshmi , Romero-Fernandez Wilber , Frankowska Małgorzata , Ferraro Luca , Beggiato Sarah , Crespo-Ramirez Minerva , Rivera Alicia , Rocha Luisa L. , Perez de la Mora Miguel , Stove Christophe , Filip Małgorzata , Fuxe Kjell
Published: March 2021

The widespread distribution of heteroreceptor complexes with allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in the CNS represents a novel integrative molecular mechanism in the plasma membrane of neurons and glial cells. It was proposed that they form the molecular basis for learning and short-and long-term memories. This is also true for drug memories formed during the development of substance use disorders like morphine and cocaine use disorders. In cocaine use disorder it was found that irreversible A2AR-D2R complexes with an allosteric brake on D2R recognition and signaling are formed in increased densities in the ventral enkephalin positive striatal-pallidal GABA antireward neurons. In this perspective article we discuss and propose how an increase in opioid heteroreceptor complexes, containing MOR-DOR, MOR-MOR and MOR-D2R, and their balance with each other and A2AR-D2R complexes in the striatal-pallidal enkephalin positive GABA antireward neurons, may represent markers for development of morphine use disorders. We suggest that increased formation of MOR-DOR complexes takes place in the striatal-pallidal enkephalin positive GABA antireward neurons after chronic morphine treatment in part through recruitment of MOR from the MOR-D2R complexes due to the possibility that MOR upon morphine treatment can develop a higher affinity for DOR. As a result, increased numbers of D2R monomers/homomers in these neurons become free to interact with the A2A receptors found in high densities within such neurons. Increased numbers of A2AR-D2R heteroreceptor complexes are formed and contribute to enhanced firing of these antireward neurons due to loss of inhibitory D2R protomer signaling which finally leads to the development of morphine use disorder. Development of cocaine use disorder may instead be reduced through enkephalin induced activation of the MOR-DOR complex inhibiting the activity of the enkephalin positive GABA antireward neurons. Altogether, we propose that these altered complexes could be pharmacological targets to modulate the reward and the development of substance use disorders.
Antimicrobials Affect the Fat Body Microbiome and Increase the Brown Planthopper Mortality
Authors: Shi Jiateng , Song Yang , Shentu Xuping , Yu Xiaoping
Published: March 2021

Symbionts in the abdomen fat body of brown planthopper (BPH) play an important role in the growth and reproduction of their host, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (Hemiptera: Delphacidae). Thus, controlling BPH infection on rice by inhibiting symbionts with antimicrobials is feasible. However, the effect of antimicrobials on the microbiome in the fat body and the relationship between microbial community and mortality have not been fully elucidated. A decrease in the total number of yeast-like symbiotes in the fat body and elevated mortality were observed after exposure to toyocamycin, tebuconazole, and zhongshengmycin. Additionally, we found that the antimicrobials reduced bacterial diversity and increased fungal diversity in the fat body and altered the bacterial and fungal community structure. Although the total absolute abundance of bacteria and fungi decreased after antimicrobial exposure, the absolute abundance of Serratia increased, indicating that Serratia, which was the most dominant in the fat body, is an important symbiont involved in resistance to antimicrobials. After antimicrobial exposure, seven genera, which probably participated in the nutrition and development function of the host, were totally eliminated from the fat body. Overall, our study enriches the knowledge of microbiomes in the fat body of BPH under antimicrobial treatment and the disturbance of symbionts would be further used to help other pesticides to control pests.
The Efficiency of Plant Defense: Aphid Pest Pressure Does Not Alter Production of Food Rewards by Okra Plants in Ant Presence
Authors: Singh Akanksha , Mayer Veronika E. , Zytynska Sharon E. , Hesse Benjamin , Weisser Wolfgang W.
Published: March 2021

Pearl bodies are produced by some plant species as food reward for ants and in exchange, ants defend these plants against insect pests. Sap-sucking pests such as aphids also excrete honeydew as food reward for ants, leading to potential conflict where ants could preferentially defend either the plant or the aphid. How pest insects might influence plant pearl body production, is yet to be investigated. Okra is a widely consumed vegetable worldwide and is attacked by the ant-tended cotton aphid. The plants produce pearl bodies, which are predominantly found on the underside of the leaves and formed from epidermal cells. We conducted a set of field and greenhouse experiments to explore plant-aphid-ant interactions, their influence on pearl body production and resulting performance of okra plants, across okra varieties. We found that ants of Pheidole genus, which are dominant in okra fields, preferred pearl bodies over aphid honeydew; although, their highest abundance was recorded in presence of both these food rewards, and on one okra variety. Removal of pearl bodies from the plants increased their production; however, plant growth and chlorophyll content were negatively associated with pearl body replenishment. Potentially to mitigate this resource cost, plants developed such a novel defense response because we found that aphid presence reduced pearl body production, but only when there were no ants. Finally, aphids negatively affected plant performance, but only at very high densities. As aphids also attract ants, plants may tolerate their presence at low densities to attract higher ant abundances. Our study highlights that plants can adapt their defense strategies in pest presence for efficient resource use. We suggest that understanding pearl body associated interactions in crop plants can assist in using such traits for pest management.
An Arabidopsis Prolyl 4 Hydroxylase Is Involved in the Low Oxygen Response
Authors: Konkina Anna , Klepadlo Mariola , Lakehal Abdellah , Zein Zein El , Krokida Afroditi , Botros Mina , Iakovidis Michail , Chernobavskiy Pavel , Elfatih Zerroumda Mohamed , Tsanakas George , Petrakis Nikos , Dourou Athanasia-Maria , Kalaitzis Panagiotis
Published: March 2021

Plant responses to flooding, submergence and waterlogging are important for adaptation to climate change environments. Therefore, the characterization of the molecular mechanisms activated under hypoxic and anoxic conditions might lead to low oxygen resilient crops. Although in mammalian systems prolyl 4 hydroxylases (P4Hs) are involved in the oxygen sensing pathway, their role in plants under low oxygen has not been extensively investigated. In this report, an Arabidopsis AtP4H3 T-DNA knock out mutant line showed higher sensitivity to anoxic treatment possibly due to lower induction of the fermentation pathway genes, ADH and PDC1, and of sucrose synthases, SUS1 and SUS4. This sensitivity to anoxia was accompanied by lower protein levels of AGPs-bound epitopes such as LM14 in the mutant line and induction of extensins-bound epitopes, while the expression levels of the majority of the AGPs genes were stable throughout a low oxygen time course. The lower AGPs content might be related to altered frequency of proline hydroxylation occurrence in the p4h3 line. These results indicate active involvement of proline hydroxylation, a post-translational modification, to low oxygen response in Arabidopsis.
Effects of Amateur Musical Experience on Categorical Perception of Lexical Tones by Native Chinese Adults: An ERP Study
Authors: Zhu Jiaqiang , Chen Xiaoxiang , Yang Yuxiao
Published: March 2021

Music impacting on speech processing is vividly evidenced in most reports involving professional musicians, while the question of whether the facilitative effects of music are limited to experts or may extend to amateurs remains to be resolved. Previous research has suggested that analogous to language experience, musicianship also modulates lexical tone perception but the influence of amateur musical experience in adulthood is poorly understood. Furthermore, little is known about how acoustic information and phonological information of lexical tones are processed by amateur musicians. This study aimed to provide neural evidence of cortical plasticity by examining categorical perception of lexical tones in Chinese adults with amateur musical experience relative to the non-musician counterparts. Fifteen adult Chinese amateur musicians and an equal number of non-musicians participated in an event-related potential (ERP) experiment. Their mismatch negativities (MMNs) to lexical tones from Mandarin Tone 2–Tone 4 continuum and non-speech tone analogs were measured. It was hypothesized that amateur musicians would exhibit different MMNs to their non-musician counterparts in processing two aspects of information in lexical tones. Results showed that the MMN mean amplitude evoked by within-category deviants was significantly larger for amateur musicians than non-musicians regardless of speech or non-speech condition. This implies the strengthened processing of acoustic information by adult amateur musicians without the need of focused attention, as the detection of subtle acoustic nuances of pitch was measurably improved. In addition, the MMN peak latency elicited by across-category deviants was significantly shorter than that by within-category deviants for both groups, indicative of the earlier processing of phonological information than acoustic information of lexical tones at the pre-attentive stage. The results mentioned above suggest that cortical plasticity can still be induced in adulthood, hence non-musicians should be defined more strictly than before. Besides, the current study enlarges the population demonstrating the beneficial effects of musical experience on perceptual and cognitive functions, namely, the effects of enhanced speech processing from music are not confined to a small group of experts but extend to a large population of amateurs.
Associations of Vascular Risk Factors, APOE and TOMM40 Polymorphisms With Cognitive Function in Dementia-Free Chinese Older Adults: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Gui Wenjun , Qiu Chengxuan , Shao Qi , Li Juan
Published: March 2021

Objective: The associations of vascular risk factors (VRFs), apolipoprotein E (APOE), and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 (TOMM40) with cognitive function have been investigated mostly in western societies. In the present study, we sought to examine the associations of VRFs [i.e., current smoking, current drinking, physical inactivity, obesity, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), diabetes, and hypertension] and variants located in APOE (ε2/3/4) and TOMM40 (rs2075650) with global cognitive function in Chinese older adults, with a focus on their potential interactions.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that included 422 permanent residents (mean age 69.2 years, 54.3% female) living in Beijing, who were free of dementia. Data were collected through interviews, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests. The two genetic polymorphisms were genotyped, and participants were dichotomized as carriers vs. non-carriers of APOE ε4 or TOMM40 G. Global cognitive function was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed with multivariable linear regression models.

Results: Physical inactivity and diabetes were independently associated with a lower MMSE score (all p < 0.05). When four putative VRFs (i.e., current smoking, physical inactivity, high LDL-C, and diabetes) were aggregated, an increasing number of having these factors was associated with a decreasing MMSE score in a dose–response manner (p = 0.001). TOMM40 polymorphisms, independent of the APOE ε4 allele, interacted with aggregated VRFs to influence cognitive performance, such that having one or more of these VRFs was particularly detrimental to the cognition of TOMM40 carriers. Further analyses revealed interactions of the TOMM40 polymorphism with (i) physical inactivity and (ii) diabetes, such that having either physical inactivity or diabetes in combination with carrying a TOMM40 G allele, compared to having neither, was significantly associated with a markedly lower MMSE score (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study provides some evidence supporting the association of vascular risk factors with poor cognitive performance among dementia-free Chinese older adults and further revealed their interactions with the TOMM40 polymorphism. The results underscore the vulnerability of global cognitive function to VRFs, which could be reinforced by carrying the TOMM40 rs2075650 G allele. These findings have potential implications for developing tailored intervention programs to maintain cognitive function.
SWOT Analysis and Preliminary Study on Prevention and Control Management of Temporary Integrated Isolation Ward During COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Zhou Ye , Bai Lixiang , Guo Hao , Guo Shaowei , Han Xiaowen , Yue Ning J. , Li Qingxia
Published: March 2021

Background: The world faced crises of prevention and control and shortage of medical resources during the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) outbreak. The establishment of temporary integrated isolation wards in hospitals, which is universal and representative in China, is one of the most-effective strategies in solving these problems according to China's experiences.

Aim: To conduct a preliminary study on the establishment of a temporary integrated isolation ward during the outbreak of COVID-19 and to evaluate related impact.

Methods: SWOT analysis was used to analyze the advantages, disadvantages, opportunities, and risks in the establishment of the temporary integrated isolation ward, and corresponding corrective measures were made according to the analysis results.

Findings: The ward has formulated more than 10 related work procedures and prevention and control measures. A total of 93 patients with 18 critically ill patients were admitted for treatment and isolation. They were all evaluated based on established procedures and protocols. Twenty-four supplementary nucleic acid tests were ordered and conducted. One new patient with COVID-19 was confirmed and was successfully transferred to the designated COVID-19 infectious control hospital. There were no missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis, no cross-infection of patients, no cluster outbreak, and no infection of medical workers during the entire process.

Conclusion: SWOT analysis is helpful in guiding the establishment of a temporary integrated isolation ward and the formulation of prevention and control measures in Hebei General Hospital during the COVID-19 outbreak. It provides the guidance and reference of significance for the establishment of similar types of wards in the future.
Input From Practice: Reshaping Dental Education for Integrated Patient Care
Authors: MacNeil R. Lamont (Monty) , Hilario Helena
Published: March 2021

Among the primary challenges in advancing the practice of integrated primary dental and medical health care is the appropriate educational and clinical preparation of a dental workforce that can function and flourish within integrated care environments. Most dental schools teach to traditional concepts and standards of dental care delivery which may be inconsistent with those of integrated care and could deter the entry and retention of graduates in contemporary, non-traditional practice models. To better understand how the dental school curriculum should be modified to accommodate integrative care models, a number of patient care organizations actively engaged in dental-medical integration were site visited to gain insight into the readiness of newer graduates, with emphasis on the US DMD/DDS graduate, to function in integrated practice. Leaders, practicing clinicians and staff were interviewed and common observations and themes were documented. This manuscript will focus on those educational components that integrated care organizations identify as absent or inadequate in current dentist education which must be addressed to meet the unique expectations and requirements of integrated patient care. These changes appear pivotal in the preparation of a dental clinician workforce that is respectful and receptive to new practice concepts, adaptative to new practice models, and competent in new care delivery systems.
Attitudes Toward Gender-Neutral Spanish: Acceptability and Adoptability
Authors: Bonnin Juan Eduardo , Coronel Alejandro Anibal
Published: March 2021

This article presents the results of a survey conducted in January 2020 about attitudes toward gender-neutral language in Argentina. The survey was delivered mainly through social networks to 4,205 participants, and its results help understand the complexity of the attitudes toward the phenomenon. In particular, I will argue two hypotheses: 1) that an extensive favorable attitude of acceptance toward gender-neutral language does not imply extensive willingness to use it; 2) that its use is more readily accepted and used in vocative positions, indicating that it works better as a strategic discursive option than as an ongoing linguistic change.
Suppress Vibration on Robotic Polishing with Impedance Matching
Authors: Dai Junjie , Chen Chin-Yin , Zhu Renfeng , Yang Guilin , Wang Chongchong , Bai Shaoping
Published: March 2021

Installing force-controlled end-effectors on the end of industrial robots has become the mainstream method for robot force control. Additionally, during the polishing process, contact force stability has an important impact on polishing quality. However, due to the difference between the robot structure and the force-controlled end-effector, in the polishing operation, direct force control will have impact during the transition from noncontact to contact between the tool and the workpiece. Although impedance control can solve this problem, industrial robots still produce vibrations with high inertia and low stiffness. Therefore, this research proposes an impedance matching control strategy based on traditional direct force control and impedance control methods to improve this problem. This method’s primary purpose is to avoid force vibration in the contact phase and maintain force–tracking performance during the dynamic tracking phase. Simulation and experimental results show that this method can smoothly track the contact force and reduce vibration compared with traditional force control and impedance control.
Genotype Imputation to Improve the Cost-Efficiency of Genomic Selection in Rabbits
Authors: Mancin Enrico , Sosa-Madrid Bolívar Samuel , Blasco Agustín , Ibáñez-Escriche Noelia
Published: March 2021

Genomic selection uses genetic marker information to predict genomic breeding values (gEBVs), and can be a suitable tool for selecting low-hereditability traits such as litter size in rabbits. However, genotyping costs in rabbits are still too high to enable genomic prediction in selective breeding programs. One method for decreasing genotyping costs is the genotype imputation, where parents are genotyped at high SNP-density (HD) and the progeny are genotyped at lower SNP-density, followed by imputation to HD. The aim of this study was to disentangle the best imputation strategies with a trade-off between genotyping costs and the accuracy of breeding values for litter size. A selection process, mimicking a commercial breeding rabbit selection program for litter size, was simulated. Two different Quantitative Trait Nucleotide (QTN) models (QTN_5 and QTN_44) were generated 36 times each. From these simulations, seven different scenarios (S1–S7) and a further replicate of the third scenario (S3_A) were created. Scenarios consist of a different combination of genotyping strategies. In these scenarios, ancestors and progeny were genotyped with a mix of three different platforms, containing 200,000, 60,000, and 600 SNPs under a cost of EUR 100, 50 and 11 per animal, respectively. Imputation accuracy (IA) was measured as a Pearson’s correlation between true genotype and imputed genotype, whilst the accuracy of gEBVs was the correlation between true breeding value and the estimated one. The relationships between IA, the accuracy of gEBVs, genotyping costs, and response to selection were examined under each QTN model. QTN_44 presented better performance, according to the results of genomic prediction, but the same ranks between scenarios remained in both QTN models. The highest IA (0.99) and the accuracy of gEBVs (0.26; QTN_44, and 0.228; QTN_5) were observed in S1 where all ancestors were genotyped at HD and progeny at medium SNP-density (MD). Nevertheless, this was the most expensive scenario compared to the others in which the progenies were genotyped at low SNP-density (LD). Scenarios with low average costs presented low IA, particularly when female ancestors were genotyped at LD (S5) or non-genotyped (S7). The S3_A, imputing whole-genomes, had the lowest accuracy of gEBVs (0.09), even worse than Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP). The best trade-off between genotyping costs and the accuracy of gEBVs (0.234; QTN_44 and 0.199) was in S6, in which dams were genotyped with MD whilst grand-dams were non-genotyped. However, this relationship would depend mainly on the distribution of QTN and SNP across the genome, suggesting further studies on the characterization of the rabbit genome in the Spanish lines. In summary, genomic selection with genotype imputation is feasible in the rabbit industry, considering only genotyping strategies with suitable IA, accuracy of gEBVs, genotyping costs, and response to selection.
Sex-Specific Variation of Social Play in Wild Immature Tibetan Macaques, Macaca thibetana
Authors: Wang Tong , Wang Xi , Garber Paul A. , Sun Bing-Hua , Sun Lixing , Xia Dong-Po , Li Jin-Hua
Published: March 2021

Theories proposed to explain social play have centered on its function in establishing social relationships critical for adulthood, its function in developing motor skills needed to survive, and promoting cognitive development and social learning. In this study, we compared variations in social play among infant and juvenile male and female Macaca thibetana. Given that this species is characterized by female philopatry and male dispersal, we hypothesized that immature females use social play as a mechanism to develop bonds that persist through adulthood whereas immature males use play to develop social skills needed to successfully enter new groups. The results indicated that social play steadily increased during the infant period and peaked at approximately 12 months of age. There were no significant differences in the frequency or types of social play exhibited between infant males and infant females. During the juvenile period, however, social play was found to decrease with age, with males engaging in social play more frequently than juvenile females. Moreover, whereas juvenile males engaged in more aggressive forms of play, juvenile females engaged in more affiliative forms of play. In addition, juvenile females engaged in higher rates of grooming than juvenile males. These results provide evidence of sex-specific differences and imply the functional variation of social play in Tibetan macaques, with immature males using social play to develop skills needed to enter and enhanced their dominance rank in a new social group and immature females using social play to develop long-term same-sex social bonds in their natal group.