bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome analysis of a halophilic Virgibacillus halodenitrificans ASH15 revealed salt adaptation, plant growth promotion, and isoprenoid biosynthetic machinery
Authors: Sharma Anjney , Singh Ram Nageena , Song Xiu-Peng , Singh Rajesh Kumar , Guo Dao-Jun , Singh Pratiksha , Verma Krishan K. , Li Yang-Rui
Published: September 2023

Globally, due to widespread dispersion, intraspecific diversity, and crucial ecological components of halophilic ecosystems, halophilic bacteria is considered one of the key models for ecological, adaptative, and biotechnological applications research in saline environments. With this aim, the present study was to enlighten the plant growth-promoting features and investigate the systematic genome of a halophilic bacteria, Virgibacillus halodenitrificans ASH15, through single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technology. Results showed that strain ASH15 could survive in high salinity up to 25% (w/v) NaCl concentration and express plant growth-promoting traits such as nitrogen fixation, plant growth hormones, and hydrolytic enzymes, which sustain salt stress. The results of pot experiment revealed that strain ASH15 significantly enhanced sugarcane plant growth (root shoot length and weight) under salt stress conditions. Moreover, the sequencing analysis of the strain ASH15 genome exhibited that this strain contained a circular chromosome of 3,832,903 bp with an average G+C content of 37.54%: 3721 predicted protein-coding sequences (CDSs), 24 rRNA genes, and 62 tRNA genes. Genome analysis revealed that the genes related to the synthesis and transport of compatible solutes (glycine, betaine, ectoine, hydroxyectoine, and glutamate) confirm salt stress as well as heavy metal resistance. Furthermore, functional annotation showed that the strain ASH15 encodes genes for root colonization, biofilm formation, phytohormone IAA production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate metabolism, and siderophore production, which are beneficial for plant growth promotion. Strain ASH15 also has a gene resistance to antibiotics and pathogens. In addition, analysis also revealed that the genome strain ASH15 has insertion sequences and CRISPRs, which suggest its ability to acquire new genes through horizontal gene transfer and acquire immunity to the attack of viruses. This work provides knowledge of the mechanism through which V. halodenitrificans ASH15 tolerates salt stress. Deep genome analysis, identified MVA pathway involved in biosynthesis of isoprenoids, more precisely “Squalene.” Squalene has various applications, such as an antioxidant, anti-cancer agent, anti-aging agent, hemopreventive agent, anti-bacterial agent, adjuvant for vaccines and drug carriers, and detoxifier. Our findings indicated that strain ASH15 has enormous potential in industries such as in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
Comparative genomic analysis of Aeromonas dhakensis and Aeromonas hydrophila from diseased striped catfish fingerlings cultured in Vietnam
Authors: Erickson Vera Irene , Khoi Le Minh , Hounmanou Yaovi Mahuton Gildas , Dung Tu Thanh , Phu Tran Minh , Dalsgaard Anders
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS) is a burden for striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) farmers in Vietnam. MAS can be caused by several species of Aeromonas but Aeromonas hydrophila is seen as the leading cause of MAS in aquaculture, but recent reports suggest that A. dhakensis is also causing MAS.

Methods

Here we investigated the bacterial etiology of MAS and compared the genomic features of A. hydrophila and A. dhakensis. We collected 86 isolates from diseased striped catfish fingerlings over 5 years from eight provinces in Vietnam. Species identification was done using PCR, MALDI-TOF and whole genome sequence (WGS). The MICs of commonly used antimicrobials was established. Thirty presumed A. hydrophila isolates were sequenced for species confirmation and genomic comparison. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted using publicly available sequences and sequences from this study.

Results

A total of 25/30 isolates were A. dhakensis sequence type (ST) 656 and 5/30 isolates were A. hydrophila ST 251. Our isolates and all publicly available A. hydrophila isolates from Vietnam belonged to ST 251 and differed with <200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP). Similarly, all A. dhakensis isolates from Vietnam belonged to ST 656 and differed with <100 SNPs. The tet(A) gene was found in 1/5 A. hydrophila and 19/25 A. dhakensis. All A. hydrophila had an MIC ≤2 mg/L while 19/25 A. dhakensis had MIC ≥8 mg/L for oxytetracycline. The floR gene was only found in A. dhakensis (14/25) which showed a MIC ≥8 mg/L for florfenicol. Key virulence genes, i.e., aerA/act, ahh1 and hlyA were present in all genomes, while ast was only present in A. dhakensis.

Discussion

This study confirms previous findings where A. dhakensis was the dominating pathogen causing MAS and that the importance of A. hydrophila has likely been overestimated. The differences in antimicrobial susceptibility between the two species could indicate a need for targeted antimicrobial treatment plans. The lipopolysaccharide regions and outer membrane proteins did not significantly differ in their immunogenic potentials, but it remains to be determined with in vivo experiments whether there is a difference in the efficacy of available vaccines against A. hydrophila and A. dhakensis.
Effects of a novel microbial fermentation medium produced by Tremella aurantialba SCT-F3 on cigar filler leaf
Authors: Zhang Qianying , Yang Shuanghong , Yang Zhen , Zheng Tianfei , Li Pinhe , Zhou Quanwei , Cai Wen , Wang Yue , Zhang Juan , Ji Xiaoying , Li Dongliang
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Adding a fermentation medium is an effective way to improve the quality of cigar tobacco leaves.

Methods

A novel microbial fermentation medium produced by an edible medicinal fungus, Tremella aurantialba SCT-F3 (CGMCC No.23831) was used to improve the quality of cigar filler leaves (CFLs). Changes in sensory quality, chemical components, volatile flavor compounds (VFCs), and the structure and function of microbes were investigated during the fermentation process.

Results

The sensory quality of CFLs supplemented with the T. aurantialba SCT-F3 fermentation medium significantly improved. Adding the fermentation medium increased the total alkaloid, reducing sugar, total sugar, and 12 VFCs significantly. A total of 31 microbial genera were significantly enriched, which increased the microbial community’s richness and diversity. Microbial functions increased, including nucleotide biosynthesis, amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis, nicotine degradation, and nicotinate degradation. During fermentation, the total alkaloid, reducing sugar, and total sugar content decreased. The richness and diversity of the microbial community decreased, whereas bacterial enzyme activity increased. At the end of fermentation, the sensory quality was excellent. The microbial structure gradually stabilized, and functional genes were low. The contents of the four Maillard reaction products and three nicotine degradation products increased significantly. 2-Ethyl-6-methylpyrazine, methylpyrazine, D,L-anatabine, β-nicotyrine, nicotinic degradation products, and total nitrogen were significantly and positively correlated with sensory quality. Methylpyrazine, D,L-anatabine, and β-nicotyrine were negatively correlated with Luteimonas, Mitochondria, Paracoccus, Stemphylium, and Stenotrophomonas.

Conclusion

This research provides not only a new microbial fermentation medium that utilizes edible and medicinal fungi to improve the quality of fermented CFLs, but also new ideas for the development and application of other edible medicinal fungi to improve the quality of cigar tobacco leaves.
Mechanism of herpesvirus UL24 protein regulating viral immune escape and virulence
Authors: Ruan Peilin , Wang Mingshu , Cheng Anchun , Zhao Xinxin , Yang Qiao , Wu Ying , Zhang Shaqiu , Tian Bin , Huang Juan , Ou Xumin , Gao Qun , Sun Di , He Yu , Wu Zhen , Zhu Dekang , Jia Renyong , Chen Shun , Liu Mafeng
Published: September 2023

Herpesviruses have evolved a series of abilities involved in the process of host infection that are conducive to virus survival and adaptation to the host, such as immune escape, latent infection, and induction of programmed cell death for sustainable infection. The herpesvirus gene UL24 encodes a highly conserved core protein that plays an important role in effective viral infection. The UL24 protein can inhibit the innate immune response of the host by acting on multiple immune signaling pathways during virus infection, and it also plays a key role in the proliferation and pathogenicity of the virus in the later stage of infection. This article reviews the mechanism by which the UL24 protein mediates herpesvirus immune escape and its effects on viral proliferation and virulence by influencing syncytial formation, DNA damage and the cell cycle. Reviewing these studies will enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of herpesvirus infection and provide evidence for new strategies to combat against viral infection.
Ferroptosis: a new regulatory mechanism in neuropathic pain
Authors: Li Lu , Guo Lingling , Gao Rui , Yao Mengwen , Qu Xinyu , Sun Guangwei , Fu Qi , Hu Cuntao , Han Guang
Published: September 2023

Neuropathic pain (NP) is pain caused by damage to the somatosensory system. It is a common progressive neurodegenerative disease that usually presents with clinical features such as spontaneous pain, touch-evoked pain, nociceptive hyperalgesia, and sensory abnormalities. Due to the complexity of the mechanism, NP often persists. In addition to the traditionally recognized mechanisms of peripheral nerve damage and central sensitization, excessive iron accumulation, oxidative stress, neuronal inflammation, and lipid peroxidation damage are distinctive features of NP in pathophysiology. However, the mechanisms linking these pathological features to NP are not fully understood. The complexity of the pathogenesis of NP greatly limits the development of therapeutic approaches for NP. Ferroptosis is a novel form of cell death discovered in recent years, in which cell death is usually accompanied by massive iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis-inducing factors can affect glutathione peroxidase directly or indirectly through different pathways, leading to decreased antioxidant capacity and accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, ultimately leading to oxidative cell death. It has been shown that ferroptosis is closely related to the pathophysiological process of many neurological disorders such as NP. Possible mechanisms involved are changes in intracellular iron ion levels, alteration of glutamate excitability, and the onset of oxidative stress. However, the functional changes and specific molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis during this process still need to be further explored. How to intervene in the development of NP by regulating cellular ferroptosis has become a hot issue in etiological research and treatment. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress of ferroptosis research in NP, to provide a reference for further understanding of its pathogenesis and propose new targets for treatment.
Identifying prodromal symptoms at high specificity for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Jackson Holly , Anzures-Cabrera Judith , Simuni Tanya , Postuma Ronald B. , Marek Kenneth , Pagano Gennaro
Published: September 2023

Introduction

To test drugs with the potential to prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD), it is key to identify individuals in the general population at high risk of developing PD. This is often difficult because most of the clinical markers are non-specific, common in PD but also common in older adults (e.g., sleep problems).

Objective

We aimed to identify the clinical markers at high specificity for developing PD by comparing individuals with PD or prodromal PD to healthy controls.

Methods

We investigated motor and non-motor symptoms (Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale Part 1 and 2 items) in 64 prodromal PD and 422 PD individuals calculating the odds ratios, adjusting for age and gender, for PD and prodromal PD versus 195 healthy controls. Symptoms at high specificity were defined as having an adjusted odds ratio ≥ 6.

Results

Constipation had an adjusted odds ratio, 6.14 [95% CI: 2.94–12.80] showing high specificity for prodromal PD, and speech difficulties had an adjusted odds ratio, 9.61 [95% CI: 7.88–48.81] showing high specificity for PD. The proportion of participants showing these specific markers was moderate (e.g., prevalence of constipation was 43.75% in prodromal PD, and speech difficulties was 33.89% in PD), suggesting these symptoms may make robust predictors of prodromal PD and PD, respectively.

Discussion

Clinical markers at high specificity for developing PD could be used as tools in the screening of general populations to identify individuals at higher risk of developing PD.
Acute spinal cord infarction secondary to ankylosing spondylitis: a case report and literature review
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Guo Jia , Wang Lei , Zhang Tinghua , Li Tian
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Spinal cord infarction secondary to ankylosing spondylitis is a rare but severe disorder.

Case presentation

Here we present a case of acute spinal cord infarction in a 54 years-old man with a medical history of ankylosing spondylitis, scoliosis, and hypotension. The patient complained of a sudden onset of lower limb weakness. A physical examination showed that he suffered from a dissociative sensory disorder, paralysis, and concomitant sphincter disturbances. After undergoing a whole-spine MRI, he was diagnosed with an acute ischemic injury from T2 to T5. As he did not treat his ankylosing spondylitis, it later caused a spinal deformity, making the lumbar puncture technically challenging. However, using Taylor’s approach, a CSF sample was successfully obtained. A CSF biochemical test ruled out myelitis, NMOSD, and MS. After receiving treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin, atorvastatin calcium, and methylprednisolone, his sphincter function gradually recovered, but his strength was only partially restored.

Conclusion

Although this is a rare entity, it is necessary for physicians to consider it when evaluating patients with a sudden loss of sensation and strength in their lower limbs.
Effect of cerebral oxygen saturation monitoring in patients undergoing superficial temporal anterior-middle cerebral artery anastomosis for ischemic Moyamoya disease: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Xuanling , Qin Xuewei , Wang Jing , Wang Rong , Guo Xiangyang , Yao Lan
Published: September 2023

Objective

Regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) is linked with blood pressure. This study evaluated the influence of perioperative rSO2 monitoring on the prognosis of ischemic Moyamoya disease (MMD) patients undergoing anastomosis surgery.

Methods

In this prospective cohort, patients with unilateral ischemic MMD of Suzuki stage ≥3 were included. The decision of rSO2 was made by the clinician and the patient. The rSO2 group maintained intraoperative rSO2 levels through the modulation of blood pressure, inhaled oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide in arterial blood, and red blood cell transfusion. The non-rSO2 group used conventional anesthesia practices. Perioperative mean arterial pressure (MAP), rSO2 values, neurological complications, and postoperative results were assessed.

Results

A total of 75 eligible patients were categorized into a rSO2 monitoring group (n = 30) and a non-rSO2 monitoring group (n = 45). For the rSO2 group, the preoperative rSO2 was significantly lower on the affected side (P < 0.05). After anastomosis, this value notably increased (P = 0.01). A moderate relationship was observed between perioperative rSO2 and MAP before, during, and after surgery, with correlation coefficients (r) of 0.536, 0.502, and 0.592 (P < 0.05). Post-surgery MAP levels differed between the groups, with the rSO2 group showing decreased levels compared to pre-surgery and the non-rOS2 group displaying elevated levels. Notably, the rSO2 group reported shorter hospitalizations and decreased neurological complications. Patients with a hypertension history found postoperative MAP influencing hospital stay duration.

Conclusion

Perioperative rSO2 surveillance enhanced cerebral perfusion and minimized postoperative complications in ischemic MMD patients. Thus, rSO2 monitoring is advocated for MMD patients undergoing vascular anastomosis.
Clinical outcomes following responsive neurostimulation implantation: a single center experience
Authors: Owens Micaela R. , Sather Michael , Fisher Tiffany L.
Published: September 2023

Background

Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is an implantable device for persons with medically refractory focal-onset epilepsy. We report a single-center experience for RNS outcomes with special focus on stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) for seizure onset localization.

Methods

We performed retrospective review of patients with drug resistant focal epilepsy implanted with the RNS System for a minimum of six months between July 2014 and July 2019. Records were reviewed for demographic data, epilepsy duration, seizure frequency, number of prior antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), number of AEDs at RNS System implantation, prior epilepsy surgery or device use, previous seizure localization with sEEG, and RNS system information. Clinical response was defined as a 50% reduction in seizures. Differing response rates were calculated using Fisher Exact test.

Results

30 patients met inclusion criteria. Seventeen (57%) underwent previous sEEG. Average clinical follow up was 3.0 years. Overall response rate was 70%. Median seizure reduction was 74.5%. Response rate was 82.3% for patients with sEEG compared to 53.8% without (p = 0.08); 37.5% for prior epilepsy surgery compared to 81.8% without (p = 0.02); 70% for mesial temporal onset; 50% for previous vagal nerve stimulator compared to 77.3% without (p = 0.13).

Conclusion

Our response rates match or surpass outcome metrics of previous studies. Although limited by small study size, subpopulation analyses show positive response rates in patients with previous sEEG versus no sEEG and in temporal versus extratemporal pathology. Additional research is needed to evaluate efficacy of RNS in patients with previous epilepsy surgery, and utility of sEEG in this population.
Perceived performance of activities of daily living by stroke patients: key in decision to call EMS and outcomes
Authors: Tarantini Luca , Merzou Fatma , Luley Maxine , Rollmann Aline , Schwindling Michael Peter , Lesmeister Martin , Gläss Marietheres , Wollenburg Jennifer , Schwindling Lenka , Fassbender Klaus
Published: September 2023

Background

Until recently, public education campaigns aimed at improving help-seeking behavior by acute stroke patients have achieved only limited or even no effects. Better understanding of psychological factors determining help-seeking behavior may be relevant in the design of more effective future campaigns.

Methods

In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we interviewed 669 acute stroke patients within 72 h after hospital admission. The primary endpoint was the effect of psychological factors on the decision to call emergency medical services (EMS). Secondary endpoints were the effects of such factors on treatment rates and clinical improvement (difference between modified Rankin scale (MRS) scores at admission and at discharge).

Results

Only 48.7% of the study population called the EMS. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses revealed that perception of unimpaired performance of activities of daily living (ADL) was the only psychological factor that predicted EMS use and outcomes. Thus, patients who perceived only minor impairment in performing ADL were less likely to use EMS (odds ratio, 0.54 [95% confidence interval, 0.38–0.76]; p = 0.001), had lower treatment rates, and had less improvement in MRS scores (b = 0.40, p = 0.004). Additional serial mediation analyses involving ischemic stroke patients showed that perception of low impairment in ADL decreased the likelihood of EMS notification, thereby increasing prehospital delays, leading to reduced thrombolysis rates and, finally, to reduced clinical improvement.

Conclusion

Perception of unimpaired performance of ADL is a crucial barrier to appropriate help-seeking behavior after acute stroke, leading to undertreatment and less improvement in clinical symptoms. Thus, beyond improving the public’s knowledge of stroke symptoms, future public education campaigns should focus on the need for calling the EMS in case of stroke symptoms even if daily activities do not seem to be severely impaired.
The Black radical imagination: a space of hope and possible futures
Authors: Hill-Jarrett Tanisha G.
Published: September 2023

The radical imagination entails stepping outside the confines of the now and into the expansiveness of what could be. It has been described as the ability to dream of possible futures and bring these possibilities back to the present to drive social transformation. This perspective paper seeks to provide an overview of the radical imagination and its intersections with Afrofuturism, a framework and artistic epistemology that expresses the Black cultural experience through a space of hope where Blackness is integral. In this paper, I propose three processes that comprise the radical imagination: (1) imagining alternative Black futures, (2) radical hope, and (3) collective courage. I consider the neural networks that underlie each process and consider how the Black radical imagination is a portal through which aging Black adults experience hope and envision futures that drive social change. I conclude with considerations of what brain health and healing justice looks like for aging Black Americans— specifically, how invocation of the Black radical imagination may have positive brain health effects for a demographic group at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Prospective analysis of video head impulse tests in patients with acute posterior circulation stroke
Authors: Ha Sang Hee , Lee Dong Kyu , Park Gayoung , Kim Bum Joon , Chang Jun Young , Kang Dong-Wha , Kwon Sun U. , Kim Jong S. , Park Hong Ju , Lee Eun-Jae
Published: September 2023

Background

Video head impulse tests (vHITs), assessing the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of acute dizziness. We aimed to investigate vHITs in patients with acute posterior circulation stroke (PCS) to examine whether these findings could exhibit significant abnormalities based on lesion locations, and to evaluate diagnostic value of vHIT in differentiating dizziness between PCS and vestibular neuritis (VN).

Methods

We prospectively recruited consecutive 80 patients with acute PCS and analyzed vHIT findings according to the presence of dorsal brainstem stroke (DBS). We also compared vHIT findings between PCS patients with dizziness and a previously studied VN group (n = 29). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the performance of VOR gain and its asymmetry in distinguishing dizziness between PCS and VN.

Results

Patients with PCS underwent vHIT within a median of 2 days from stroke onset. Mean horizontal VOR gain was 0.97, and there was no significant difference between PCS patients with DBS (n = 15) and without (n = 65). None exhibited pathologic overt corrective saccades. When comparing the PCS group with dizziness (n = 40) to the VN group (n = 29), patients with VN demonstrated significantly lower mean VOR gains in the ipsilesional horizontal canals (1.00 vs. 0.57, p < 0.001). VOR gain and their asymmetry effectively differentiated dizziness in the PCS from VN groups, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.86 (95% CI 0.74–0.98) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.83–0.99, p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusion

Significantly abnormal vHIT results were rare in patients with acute PCS, even in the presence of DBS. Moreover, vHIT effectively differentiated dizziness between PCS and VN, highlighting its potential for aiding differential diagnosis of acute dizziness.
Long-term progression of clinician-reported and gait performance outcomes in hereditary spastic paraplegias
Authors: Cubillos Arcila Diana Maria , Dariva Machado Gustavo , Martins Valéria Feijó , Leotti Vanessa Bielefeldt , Schüle Rebecca , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre , Saute Jonas Alex Morales
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases in which little is known about the most appropriate clinical outcome assessments (COAs) to capture disease progression. The objective of this study was to prospectively determine disease progression after 4.5 years of follow-up with different clinician-reported (ClinRO) and gait performance outcomes (PerFOs).

Methods

Twenty-six HSP patients (15 SPG4, 5 SPG7, 4 SPG5, 2 SPG3A) participated in this single-center cohort study in which the ClinRO: Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale; and the PerFOs: 10-meters walking test and timed-up and go (TUG), at self-selected and maximal walking speeds; Locomotor Rehabilitation Index; and 6-min walking test were performed at baseline and after 1.5 (18 patients) and 4.5 (13 patients) years.

Results

In the 3-year interval between the second and third assessments, significant progressions were only found in PerFOs, while in the overall 4.5 years of follow-up, both PerFOs and ClinROs presented significant progressions. The progression slopes of COAs modeled according to the disease duration allowed the estimation of the annual progression of the outcomes and sample size estimations for future clinical trials of interventions with different effect sizes. TUG at maximal walking speed was the only COA capable of differentiating subjects with a worse compared to a stable/better impression of change and would require the smallest sample size if chosen as the primary endpoint of a clinical trial.

Discussion

These findings indicate that both performance and clinician-reported outcomes can capture long-term progression of HSPs, with some PerFOs presenting greater sensitivity to change. The presented data are paramount for planning future disease-modifying and symptomatic therapy trials for this currently untreatable group of diseases.
Dynamic alterations in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Song Jiarui , Lei Ting , Li Yajun , Zhou Lijing , Yan Wei , Li Haiqing , Chen Li
Published: September 2023

Background and purpose

Previous studies have focused on the changes of dynamic and static functional connections in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, the dynamic characteristics of local brain activity are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic cerebral activity changes in patients with CSVD using the dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (d-ALFF).

Methods

A total of 104 CSVD patients with cognitive impairment (CSVD-CI, n = 52) or normal cognition (CSVD-NC, n = 52) and 63 matched healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Every participant underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans and a battery of neuropsychological examinations. The dynamics of spontaneous brain activity were assessed using dynamic changes in the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) with the sliding-window method. We used voxel-wise one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare dynamic ALFF variability among the three groups. Post-hoc t-tests were used to evaluate differences between each group pair. Finally, the brain regions with d-ALFF values with differences between CSVD subgroups were taken as regions of interest (ROI), and the d-ALFF values corresponding to the ROI were extracted for partial correlation analysis with memory.

Results

(1) There was no significant difference in age (p = 0.120), sex (p = 0.673) and education (p = 0.067) among CSVD-CI, CSVD-NC and HC groups, but there were significant differences Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus among the three groups (p < 10−3). There were significant differences in scores of several neuropsychological scales among the three groups (p < 10−3). (2) ANOVA and post-hoc t-test showed that there were dynamic abnormalities of spontaneous activity in several brain regions in three groups, mainly located in bilateral parahippocampal gyrus and bilateral hippocampus, bilateral insular and frontal lobes, and the static activity abnormalities in bilateral parahippocampal gyrus and bilateral hippocampal regions were observed at the same time, suggesting that bilateral parahippocampal gyrus and bilateral hippocampus may be the key brain regions for cognitive impairment caused by CSVD. (3) The correlation showed that d-ALFF in the bilateral insular was slightly correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score and disease progression rate. The d-ALFF value of the left postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) score (r = −0.416, p = 0.004), and the d-ALFF value of the right postcentral gyrus was negatively correlated with the Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) word recognition (r = −0.320, p = 0.028).

Conclusion

There is a wide range of dynamic abnormalities of spontaneous brain activity in patients with CSVD, in which the abnormalities of this activity in specific brain regions are related to memory and execution or emotion.
FT-ICR-MS reveals the molecular imprints of the brewing process
Authors: Pieczonka Stefan A. , Zarnkow Martin , Ampenberger Friedrich , Gastl Martina , Rychlik Michael , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe
Published: September 2023

The study of fermentation and brewing has a long history of pioneering discoveries that continue to influence modern industrial food production. Since then, numerous research endeavors have yielded conventional criteria that guide contemporary brewing practices. However, the intricate open challenges faced today necessitate a more exhaustive understanding of the process at the molecular scale. We have developed an ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis (FT-ICR-MS) of the brewing process that can rapidly and comprehensively resolve thousands of molecules. This approach allows us to track molecular fluctuation during brewing at the level of chemical compositions. Employing biological triplicates, our investigation of two brewing lines that are otherwise identical except for the malt used revealed over 8,000 molecular descriptors of the brewing process. Metabolite imprints of both the similarities and differences arising from deviating malting temperatures were visualized. Additionally, we translated traditional brewing attributes such as the EBC-value, free amino nitrogen, pH-value, and concentration curves of specific molecules, into highly correlative molecular patterns consisting of hundreds of metabolites. These in-depth molecular imprints provide a better understanding of the molecular circumstances leading to various changes throughout the brewing process. Such chemical maps go beyond the observation of traditional brewing attributes and are of great significance in the investigation strategies of current open challenges in brewing research. The molecular base of knowledge, along with advancements in technological and data integration schemes, can facilitate the efficient monitoring of brewing and other productions processes.
Rapid detection of micronutrient components in infant formula milk powder using near-infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Shaoli , Lei Ting , Li Guipu , Liu Shuming , Chu Xiaojun , Hao Donghai , Xiao Gongnian , Khan Ayaz Ali , Haq Taqweem Ul , Sameeh Manal Y. , Aziz Tariq , Tashkandi Manal , He Guanghua
Published: September 2023

In order to achieve rapid detection of galactooligosaccharides (GOS), fructooligosaccharides (FOS), calcium (Ca), and vitamin C (Vc), four micronutrient components in infant formula milk powder, this study employed four methods, namely Standard Normal Variate (SNV), Multiplicative Scatter Correction (MSC), Normalization (Nor), and Savitzky–Golay Smoothing (SG), to preprocess the acquired original spectra of the milk powder. Then, the Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS) algorithm and Random Frog (RF) algorithm were used to extract representative characteristic wavelengths. Furthermore, Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) models were established to predict the contents of GOS, FOS, Ca, and Vc in infant formula milk powder. The results indicated that after SNV preprocessing, the original spectra of GOS and FOS could effectively extract feature wavelengths using the CARS algorithm, leading to favorable predictive results through the CARS-SVR model. Similarly, after MSC preprocessing, the original spectra of Ca and Vc could efficiently extract feature wavelengths using the CARS algorithm, resulting in optimal predictive outcomes via the CARS-SVR model. This study provides insights for the realization of online nutritional component detection and optimization control in the production process of infant formula.
The impact of endometriosis on dietary choices and activities of everyday life: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mazza Elisa , Troiano Ersilia , Mazza Santino , Ferro Yvelise , Abbinante Antonia , Agneta Maria Teresa , Montalcini Tiziana , Pujia Arturo
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Endometriosis is characterized by ectopic endometrial tissue and severe pain; frequently, women afflicted by this condition resort to non-medical interventions, such as dietary modifications. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of endometriosis on dietary patterns and quality of life.

Methods

An online survey was conducted among Italian women with endometriosis to gather self-reported demographic, clinical, dietary habit, and daily life data post-diagnosis.

Results

A total of 4,078 participants were included. Following an endometriosis diagnosis, 66% reported changes in eating habits, and 92% experienced a decline in daily life. Respondents chose dietary interventions: gluten-free (15%), anti-inflammatory (8%), Mediterranean (7.1%), or ketogenic (4%) diets, to improve health and reduce symptoms. The study revealed a shift in eating habits, with increased consumption of vegetables, fruits (10%), cereals, legumes (6.6%), and fish (4.5%), while reducing dairy products (18.4%), soy-containing foods (6.7%), and high saturated fats (8%). Eating habit changes correlated with endometriosis stages and worsened daily life. Educational level, endometriosis stages, years of symptoms, and eating habit changes linked to changes in daily life.

Conclusion

Our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring eating behaviors to prevent unhealthy habits and malnutrition in women with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to evaluate how different diets impact symptoms and enhance daily life for these individuals.
Case Report: A rare case of non-small cell lung cancer with STRN-ALK fusion in a patient in very poor condition treated with first-line ensartinib
Authors: Song Guo-qiang , Li Yi-zhong , Kong Weiliang , Hu Guo-qiang
Published: September 2023

Several cases of STRN-ALK fusion have been reported, and some anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have been shown to be effective for treatment. Nevertheless, no cases of COVID-19 leading to heart failure and respiratory failure have been reported in people older than 70 years treated with ALK inhibitors. The present case report describes a 70-year-old patient with usual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and carotid plaque disease. Next-generation sequencing of tissue obtained by puncture biopsy revealed a STRN-ALK mutation accompanied by a TP53 mutation. The patient was treated with ensartinib and developed COVID-19 leading to heart failure and respiratory failure; nevertheless, he had a good clinical outcome and exhibited high treatment tolerability.
Updates in pathobiological aspects of anaplastic large cell lymphoma
Authors: Wu Rui , Lim Megan S.
Published: September 2023

Anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) encompass several distinct subtypes of mature T-cell neoplasms that are unified by the expression of CD30 and anaplastic cytomorphology. Identification of the cytogenetic abnormality t(2;5)(p23;q35) led to the subclassification of ALCLs into ALK+ ALCL and ALK- ALCL. According to the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Haematolymphoid Tumours as well as the International Consensus Classification (ICC) of Mature Lymphoid Neoplasms, ALCLs encompass ALK+ ALCL, ALK- ALCL, and breast implant-associated ALCL (BI-ALCL). Approximately 80% of systemic ALCLs harbor rearrangement of ALK, with NPM1 being the most common partner gene, although many other fusion partner genes have been identified to date. ALK- ALCLs represent a heterogeneous group of lymphomas with distinct clinical, immunophenotypic, and genetic features. A subset harbor recurrent rearrangement of genes, including TYK2, DUSP22, and TP63, with a proportion for which genetic aberrations have yet to be characterized. Although primary cutaneous ALCL (pc-ALCL) is currently classified as a subtype of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, due to the large anaplastic and pleomorphic morphology together with CD30 expression in the malignant cells, this review also discusses the pathobiological features of this disease entity. Genomic and proteomic studies have contributed significant knowledge elucidating novel signaling pathways that are implicated in ALCL pathogenesis and represent candidate targets of therapeutic interventions. This review aims to offer perspectives on recent insights regarding the pathobiological and genetic features of ALCL.
Optimizing tylosin dosage for co-infection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida in pigs using pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling
Authors: Lee Eon-Bee , Abbas Muhammad Aleem , Park Jonghyun , Tassew Dereje D. , Park Seung-Chun
Published: September 2023

Formulating a therapeutic strategy that can effectively combat concurrent infections of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (A. pleuropneumoniae) and Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) can be challenging. This study aimed to 1) establish minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time kill curve, and post-antibiotic effect (PAE) of tylosin against A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida pig isolates and employ the MIC data for the development of epidemiological cutoff (ECOFF) values; 2) estimate the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of tylosin following its intramuscular (IM) administration (20 mg/kg) in healthy and infected pigs; and 3) establish a PK–pharmacodynamic (PD) integrated model and predict optimal dosing regimens and PK/PD cutoff values for tylosin in healthy and infected pigs. The MIC of tylosin against both 89 and 363 isolates of A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida strains spread widely, ranging from 1 to 256 μg/mL and from 0.5 to 128 μg/mL, respectively. According to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) ECOFFinder analysis ECOFF value (≤64 µg/mL), 97.75% (87 strains) of the A. pleuropnumoniae isolates were wild-type, whereas with the same ECOFF value (≤64 µg/mL), 99.72% (363 strains) of the P. multicoda isolates were considered wild-type to tylosin. Area under the concentration time curve (AUC), T1/2, and Cmax values were significantly greater in healthy pigs than those in infected pigs (13.33 h × μg/mL, 1.99 h, and 5.79 μg/mL vs. 10.46 h × μg/mL, 1.83 h, and 3.59 μg/mL, respectively) (p < 0.05). In healthy pigs, AUC24 h/MIC values for the bacteriostatic activity were 0.98 and 1.10 h; for the bactericidal activity, AUC24 h/MIC values were 1.97 and 1.99 h for A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida, respectively. In infected pigs, AUC24 h/MIC values for the bacteriostatic activity were 1.03 and 1.12 h; for bactericidal activity, AUC24 h/MIC values were 2.54 and 2.36 h for A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida, respectively. Monte Carlo simulation lead to a 2 μg/mL calculated PK/PD cutoff. Managing co-infections can present challenges, as it often demands the administration of multiple antibiotics to address diverse pathogens. However, using tylosin, which effectively targets both A. pleuropneumoniae and P. multocida in pigs, may enhance the control of bacterial burden. By employing an optimized dosage of 11.94–15.37 mg/kg and 25.17–27.79 mg/kg of tylosin can result in achieving bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects in 90% of co-infected pigs.
Effective precursors for self-organization of complex systems into a critical state based on dynamic series data
Authors: Dmitriev Andrey , Lebedev Andrey , Kornilov Vasily , Dmitriev Victor
Published: September 2023

Many different precursors are known, but not all of which are effective, i.e., giving enough time to take preventive measures and with a minimum number of false early warning signals. The study aims to select and study effective early warning measures from a set of measures directly related to critical slowing down as well as to the change in the structure of the reconstructed phase space in the neighborhood of the critical transition point of sand cellular automata. We obtained a dynamical series of the number of unstable nodes in automata with stochastic and deterministic vertex collapse rules, with different topological graph structure and probabilistic distribution law for pumping of automata. For these dynamical series we computed windowed early warning measures. We formulated the notion of an effective measure as the measure that has the smallest number of false signals and the longest early warning time among the set of early warning measures. We found that regardless of the rules, topological structure of graphs, and probabilistic distribution law for pumping of automata, the effective early warning measures are the embedding dimension, correlation dimension, and approximation entropy estimated using the false nearest neighbors algorithm. The variance has the smallest early warning time, and the largest Lyapunov exponent has the greatest number of false early warning signals. Autocorrelation at lag-1 and Welch’s estimate for the scaling exponent of power spectral density cannot be used as early warning measures for critical transitions in the automata. The efficiency definition we introduced can be used to search for and investigate new early warning measures. Embedding dimension, correlation dimension and approximation entropy can be used as effective real-time early warning measures for critical transitions in real-world systems isomorphic to sand cellular automata such as microblogging social network and stock exchange.
Pathogen infection induces specific transgenerational modifications to gene expression and fitness in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wibisono Phillip , Sun Jingru
Published: September 2023

How pathogen infection in a parental generation affects response in future generations to the same pathogen via epigenetic modifications has been the topic of recent studies. These studies focused on changes attributed to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance and how these changes cause an observable difference in behavior or immune response in a population. However, we questioned if pathogen infection causes hidden epigenetic changes to fitness that are not observable at the population level. Using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, we examined the generation-to-generation differences in survival of both an unexposed and primed lineage of animals against a human opportunistic pathogen Salmonella enterica. We discovered that training a lineage of C. elegans against a specific pathogen does not cause a significant change to overall survival, but rather narrows survival variability between generations. Quantification of gene expression revealed reduced variation of a specific member of the TFEB lipophagic pathway. We also provided the first report of a repeating pattern of survival times over the course of 12 generations in the control lineage of C. elegans. This repeating pattern indicates that the variability in survival between generations of the control lineage is not random but may be regulated by unknown mechanisms. Overall, our study indicates that pathogen infection can cause specific phenotypic changes due to epigenetic modifications, and a possible system of epigenetic regulation between generations.
Factors affecting establishment and population growth of the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Authors: Zhao Wenxuan , Xue Zhifang , Liu Tong , Wang Hanyue , Han Zhiquan
Published: September 2023

Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a highly invasive weed. Identifying the characteristics and the factors influencing its establishment and population growth may help to identify high invasion risk areas and facilitate monitoring and prevention efforts. Six typical habitats: river banks, forests, road margins, farmlands, grasslands, and wastelands, were selected from the main distribution areas of A. artemisiifolia in the Yili Valley, China. Six propagule quantities of A. artemisiifolia at 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 seeds m-2 were seeded by aggregation, and dispersion in an area without A. artemisiifolia. Using establishment probability models and Allee effect models, we determined the minimum number of seeds and plants required for the establishment and population growth of A. artemisiifolia, respectively. We also assessed the moisture threshold requirements for establishment and survival, and the influence of native species. The influence of propagule pressure on the establishment of A. artemisiifolia was significant. The minimum number of seeds required varied across habitats, with the lowest being 60 seeds m-2 for road margins and the highest being 398 seeds for forests. The minimum number of plants required for population growth in each habitat was 5 and the largest number was 43 in pasture. The aggregation distribution of A. artemisiifolia resulted in a higher establishment and survival rate. The minimum soil volumetric water content required for establishment was significantly higher than that required for survival. The presence of native dominant species significantly reduced the establishment and survival rate of A. artemisiifolia. A. artemisiifolia has significant habitat selectivity and is more likely to establish successfully in a habitat with aggregated seeding with sufficient water and few native species. Establishment requires many seeds but is less affected by the Allee effect after successful establishment, and only a few plants are needed to ensure reproductive success and population growth in the following year. Monitoring should be increased in high invasion risk habitats.