bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Dense RNN for Sequential Four-Chamber View Left Ventricle Wall Segmentation and Cardiac State Estimation
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhang Wanjun
Published: August 2021

The segmentation of the left ventricle (LV) wall in four-chamber view cardiac sequential image is significant for cardiac disease diagnosis and cardiac mechanisms study; however, there is no successful reported work on sequential four-chambered view LV wall segmentation due to the complex four-chamber structure and diversity of wall motion. In this article, we propose a dense recurrent neural network (RNN) algorithm to achieve accurately LV wall segmentation in a four-chamber view MRI time sequence. In the cardiac sequential LV wall process, not only the sequential accuracy but also the accuracy of each image matters. Thus, we propose a dense RNN to provide compensation for the first long short-term memory (LSTM) cells. Two RNNs are combined in this work, the first one aims at providing information for the first image, and the second RNN generates segmentation result. In this way, the proposed dense RNN improves the accuracy of the first frame image. What is more is that, it improves the effectiveness of information flow between LSTM cells. Obtaining more competent information from the former cell, frame-wise segmentation accuracy is greatly improved. Based on the segmentation result, an algorithm is proposed to estimate cardiac state. This is the first time that deals with both cardiac time-sequential LV segmentation problems and, robustly, estimates cardiac state. Rather than segmenting each frame separately, utilizing cardiac sequence information is more stable. The proposed method ensures an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 92.13%, which outperforms other classical deep learning algorithms.
Regenerative Medicine Technologies to Treat Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Defects
Authors: Latimer Jessica M. , Maekawa Shogo , Yao Yao , Wu David T. , Chen Michael , Giannobile William V.
Published: August 2021

Additive manufacturing (AM) is the automated production of three-dimensional (3D) structures through successive layer-by-layer deposition of materials directed by computer-aided-design (CAD) software. While current clinical procedures that aim to reconstruct hard and soft tissue defects resulting from periodontal disease, congenital or acquired pathology, and maxillofacial trauma often utilize mass-produced biomaterials created for a variety of surgical indications, AM represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing at the individual patient level. Computer-aided systems employ algorithms to design customized, image-based scaffolds with high external shape complexity and spatial patterning of internal architecture guided by topology optimization. 3D bioprinting and surface modification techniques further enhance scaffold functionalization and osteogenic potential through the incorporation of viable cells, bioactive molecules, biomimetic materials and vectors for transgene expression within the layered architecture. These computational design features enable fabrication of tissue engineering constructs with highly tailored mechanical, structural, and biochemical properties for bone. This review examines key properties of scaffold design, bioresorbable bone scaffolds produced by AM processes, and clinical applications of these regenerative technologies. AM is transforming the field of personalized dental medicine and has great potential to improve regenerative outcomes in patient care.
Unpicking the Roles of DNA Damage Protein Kinases in Trypanosomatids
Authors: Silva Gabriel L. A. , Tosi Luiz R. O. , McCulloch Richard , Black Jennifer Ann
Published: August 2021

To preserve genome integrity when faced with DNA lesions, cells activate and coordinate a multitude of DNA repair pathways to ensure timely error correction or tolerance, collectively called the DNA damage response (DDR). These interconnecting damage response pathways are molecular signal relays, with protein kinases (PKs) at the pinnacle. Focused efforts in model eukaryotes have revealed intricate aspects of DNA repair PK function, including how they direct DDR pathways and how repair reactions connect to wider cellular processes, including DNA replication and transcription. The Kinetoplastidae, including many parasites like Trypanosoma spp. and Leishmania spp. (causative agents of debilitating, neglected tropical infections), exhibit peculiarities in several core biological processes, including the predominance of multigenic transcription and the streamlining or repurposing of DNA repair pathways, such as the loss of non-homologous end joining and novel operation of nucleotide excision repair (NER). Very recent studies have implicated ATR and ATM kinases in the DDR of kinetoplastid parasites, whereas DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PKcs) displays uncertain conservation, questioning what functions it fulfills. The wide range of genetic manipulation approaches in these organisms presents an opportunity to investigate DNA repair kinase roles in kinetoplastids and to ask if further kinases are involved. Furthermore, the availability of kinase inhibitory compounds, targeting numerous eukaryotic PKs, could allow us to test the suitability of DNA repair PKs as novel chemotherapeutic targets. Here, we will review recent advances in the study of trypanosomatid DNA repair kinases.
m6A Modification Mediates Mucosal Immune Microenvironment and Therapeutic Response in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Chen Yongyu , Lei Jing , He Song
Published: August 2021

Accumulating evidence links m6A modification with immune infiltration. However, the correlation and mechanism by which m6A modification promotes intestinal immune infiltration in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown. Here, genomic information from IBD tissues was integrated to evaluate disease-related m6A modification, and the correlation between the m6A modification pattern and the immune microenvironment in the intestinal mucosa was explored. Next, we identified hub genes from the key modules of the m6Acluster and analyzed the correlation among the hub genes, immune infiltration, and therapy. We found that IGF2BP1 and IGF2BP2 expression was decreased in Crohn’s disease (CD) tissues and that IGF2BP2 was decreased in ulcerative colitis (UC) tissues compared with normal tissues (P < 0.05). m6Acluster2, containing higher expressions of IL15, IL16, and IL18, was enriched in M0 macrophage, M1 macrophage, native B cells, memory B cells, and m6Acluster1 with high expression of IL8 and was enriched in resting dendritic and plasma cells (P < 0.05). Furthermore, we reveal that expression of m6A phenotype-related hub genes (i.e., NUP37, SNRPG, H2AFZ) was increased with a high abundance of M1 macrophages, M0 macrophages, and naive B cells in IBD (P < 0.01). Immune checkpoint expression in the genecluster1 with higher expression of hub genes was increased. The anti-TNF therapeutic response of patients in genecluster1 was more significant, and the therapeutic effect of CD was better than that of UC. These findings indicate that m6A modification may affect immune infiltration and therapeutic response in IBD. Assessing the expression of m6A phenotype-related hub genes might guide the choice of IBD drugs and improve the prediction of therapeutic response to anti-TNF therapy.
HiPS-Endothelial Cells Acquire Cardiac Endothelial Phenotype in Co-culture With hiPS-Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Helle Emmi , Ampuja Minna , Dainis Alexandra , Antola Laura , Temmes Elina , Tolvanen Erik , Mervaala Eero , Kivelä Riikka
Published: August 2021

Cell-cell interactions are crucial for organ development and function. In the heart, endothelial cells engage in bidirectional communication with cardiomyocytes regulating cardiac development and growth. We aimed to elucidate the organotypic development of cardiac endothelial cells and cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell crosstalk using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed with hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPS-CMs) and endothelial cells (hiPS-ECs) in mono- and co-culture. The presence of hiPS-CMs led to increased expression of transcripts related to vascular development and maturation, cardiac development, as well as cardiac endothelial cell and endocardium-specific genes in hiPS-ECs. Interestingly, co-culture induced the expression of cardiomyocyte myofibrillar genes and MYL7 and MYL4 protein expression was detected in hiPS-ECs. Major regulators of BMP- and Notch-signaling pathways were induced in both cell types in co-culture. These results reflect the findings from animal studies and extend them to human endothelial cells, demonstrating the importance of EC-CM interactions during development.
A Model of Waardenburg Syndrome Using Patient-Derived iPSCs With a SOX10 Mutation Displays Compromised Maturation and Function of the Neural Crest That Involves Inner Ear Development
Authors: Wen Jie , Song Jian , Bai Yijiang , Liu Yalan , Cai Xinzhang , Mei Lingyun , Ma Lu , He Chufeng , Feng Yong
Published: August 2021

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder that is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and abnormal pigmentation. SOX10 is one of its main pathogenicity genes. The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an efficient means to investigate the mechanisms of inherited human disease. In our work, we set up an iPSC line derived from a WS patient with SOX10 mutation and differentiated into neural crest cells (NCCs), a key cell type involved in inner ear development. Compared with control-derived iPSCs, the SOX10 mutant iPSCs showed significantly decreased efficiency of development and differentiation potential at the stage of NCCs. After that, we carried out high-throughput RNA-seq and evaluated the transcriptional misregulation at every stage. Transcriptome analysis of differentiated NCCs showed widespread gene expression alterations, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in gene ontology terms of neuron migration, skeletal system development, and multicellular organism development, indicating that SOX10 has a pivotal part in the differentiation of NCCs. It’s worth noting that, a significant enrichment among the nominal DEGs for genes implicated in inner ear development was found, as well as several genes connected to the inner ear morphogenesis. Based on the protein-protein interaction network, we chose four candidate genes that could be regulated by SOX10 in inner ear development, namely, BMP2, LGR5, GBX2, and GATA3. In conclusion, SOX10 deficiency in this WS subject had a significant impact on the gene expression patterns throughout NCC development in the iPSC model. The DEGs most significantly enriched in inner ear development and morphogenesis may assist in identifying the underlying basis for the inner ear malformation in subjects with WS.
Boosting the Productivity of H2-Driven Biocatalysis in a Commercial Hydrogenation Flow Reactor Using H2 From Water Electrolysis
Authors: Poznansky Barnabas , Cleary Sarah E. , Thompson Lisa A. , Reeve Holly A. , Vincent Kylie A.
Published: August 2021

Translation of redox biocatalysis into a commercial hydrogenation flow reactor, with in-built electrolytic H2 generation, was achieved using immobilized enzyme systems. Carbon-supported biocatalysts were first tested in batch mode, and were then transferred into continuous flow columns for H2-driven, NADH-dependent asymmetric ketone reductions. The biocatalysts were thus handled comparably to heterogeneous metal catalysts, but operated at room temperature and 1–50 bar H2, highlighting that biocatalytic strategies enable implementation of hydrogenation reactions under mild–moderate conditions. Continuous flow reactions were demonstrated as a strategy for process intensification; high conversions were achieved in short residence times, with a high biocatalyst turnover frequency and productivity. These results show the prospect of using enzymes in reactor infrastructure designed for conventional heterogeneous hydrogenations.
A New Species-Specific Typing Method for Salivarius Group Streptococci Based on the Dephospho-Coenzyme A Kinase (coaE) Gene Sequencing
Authors: Abdelbary Mohamed M. H. , Wilms Gerrit , Conrads Georg
Published: August 2021

Viridans streptococci are a group of α-hemolytic streptococcal species. They are mainly commensals, most abundant in the mouth supporting oral health. But they also include important human pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Identification and molecular typing of viridans group streptococci are challenging, especially for members of the salivarius group. In this study, we developed a single-locus molecular typing method that is able to differentiate among the highly phylogenetically related members of the salivarius group (S. salivarius, S. vestibularis and S. thermophilus) and might support differentiation in other groups as well. This typing approach is based on the amplification and sequence analysis of the housekeeping gene dephospho-coenzyme A kinase (coaE), a gene with unrecognized taxonomic potential to date. Here, we analysed coaE gene sequences of 154 publicly available genomes and of 30 salivarius group isolates of our own collection that together belong to 20 different gram-positive bacterial (sub) species. Our results revealed that the coaE phylogeny distinguished between streptococcal and non-streptococcal genomes and that coaE gene sequences were species-specific. In contrast to MALDI-TOF MS performance, the coaE typing was able to precisely identify the phylogenetically very closely related members of the salivarius group.
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Small Holder Farmers: A Case of Nyanga District in Zimbabwe
Authors: Mushore Terence Darlington , Mhizha Teddious , Manjowe Moven , Mashawi Linia , Matandirotya Electdom , Mashonjowa Emmanuel , Mutasa Collen , Gwenzi Juliet , Mushambi George Tawanda
Published: August 2021

Climate change encompassing mostly hydro-meteorological hazards is a reality affecting the world in diverse ways. It is manifesting in various ways such as increases in frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and extreme temperatures. In recent years, climate change has induced droughts, other extreme weather events and meteorological disasters in many countries including Zimbabwe. Effective management of climate change induced challenges require localized strategies which may vary from one part of the world to another and even within a country. In view of the need to understand localized impacts and responses to climate change, the main objectives of the study were to (i) assess the impact of climate change on livelihoods and food security, (ii) identify and evaluate adaptation and mitigation strategies that small holder farmers in Ward 17, Nyanga, Zimbabwe have developed. The research used both qualitative and quantitative approaches with data collection methods comprising of questionnaires (56), observations and interviews (8). The tools were used to gather information which included encounters with extreme weather events, climatic trends as well as adaptive responses. The findings showed that climate change had a significant negative impact on the livelihoods and food security status of small holder farmers in ward 17 of Nyanga district. The identified climate change adaptation strategies implemented in the study area included food aid, use of traditional grains and other drought resistant crops, early planting, multiple planting, barter trade and livelihood diversification. The mitigation strategies used included afforestation and reforestation programs, avoiding veld fires and preservation of wetlands. The research identified challenges to climate change adaptation which include lack of markets to sell farming produce, inefficient institutions, poverty and high climate variability and increased uncertainty in the behavior of seasons. The findings of this study indicated the need for similar assessment in other parts of the country as impacts of climate change and responses thereof should vary from place to place.
Embodiment and Performance in the Supernumerary Hand Illusion in Augmented Reality
Authors: Rosa Nina , Veltkamp Remco C. , Hürst Wolfgang , Brouwer Anne-Marie , Gijsbertse Kaj , Cocu Ioana , Werkhoven Peter
Published: August 2021

In teleoperations, robots are generally used because related tasks are too dangerous, uncomfortable or impossible for humans to perform. When using augmented reality to control robotic limbs in such teleoperations, it is essential to understand how these extra virtual limbs are experienced. In particular, the relationship between the embodiment experience of the user and relevant outcomes such as task performance must be examined. In this article, we study the relationship between experienced embodiment of a supernumerary virtual arm that acts alongside a user’s two real arms, and their task performance in augmented reality. Specifically, we compare how well users can trace a virtual half ring placed just outside of personal space using their virtual arm in a condition where there is expected to be low embodiment (a floating disconnected hand) and a condition where there is expected to be high embodiment (a connected arm and hand). Embodiment is measured quantitatively through skin conductance response and qualitatively through ownership, agency, and self-location questionnaires. Performance is measured in terms of tracing precision. The results show positive correlations between subjective ownership and agency, and agency and performance, but no correlation between subjective or objective ownership and performance. Also, ownership ratings were low overall, while the agency ratings were significantly higher for the disconnected hand condition than the connected arm condition, as was performance. Notably, the presence of the virtual arm evoked incorrect expectations of the movement capabilities of the arm, which may have contributed to an overall preference for the unrealistic disconnected hand over the more realistic connected arm in this particular task. Our results imply that methods to increase performance in various teleoperations can indeed be found in the experience of embodiment: not necessarily directly through ownership, but through ownership mediated by agency.
Time and Action Co-Training in Reinforcement Learning Agents
Authors: Akella Ashlesha , Lin Chin-Teng
Published: August 2021

In formation control, a robot (or an agent) learns to align itself in a particular spatial alignment. However, in a few scenarios, it is also vital to learn temporal alignment along with spatial alignment. An effective control system encompasses flexibility, precision, and timeliness. Existing reinforcement learning algorithms excel at learning to select an action given a state. However, executing an optimal action at an appropriate time remains challenging. Building a reinforcement learning agent which can learn an optimal time to act along with an optimal action can address this challenge. Neural networks in which timing relies on dynamic changes in the activity of population neurons have been shown to be a more effective representation of time. In this work, we trained a reinforcement learning agent to create its representation of time using a neural network with a population of recurrently connected nonlinear firing rate neurons. Trained using a reward-based recursive least square algorithm, the agent learned to produce a neural trajectory that peaks at the “time-to-act”; thus, it learns “when” to act. A few control system applications also require the agent to temporally scale its action. We trained the agent so that it could temporally scale its action for different speed inputs. Furthermore, given one state, the agent could learn to plan multiple future actions, that is, multiple times to act without needing to observe a new state.
The Meaning and Purpose of Primary Tooth Disposal Rituals: Implications for Pediatric Dental Professionals
Authors: Parsons Clara L. B. , Mountain Rebecca V. , Lau Agnes , Troulis Maria J. , Bidlack Felicitas B. , Dunn Erin C.
Published: August 2021

Rituals for disposing of exfoliated primary teeth exist in virtually all cultures around the globe, suggesting an important psychological and social function for young children and parents. Despite the importance of these rituals, and the role they may play in children's interactions with dental professionals, the meaning and purpose of primary tooth disposal traditions has not yet received adequate attention in pediatric dentistry. The overarching goal of this perspective was to draw attention to the meaning and purpose of primary tooth disposal rituals and show how, with a greater understanding of these rituals, dental professionals could improve the interactions they have with their young patients. To achieve this goal, we first summarize findings from prior research on how primary tooth disposal rituals are primarily practiced as a rite-of-passage to ease the transition from early to later childhood, to counteract anxiety, trauma, or pain experienced by children of tooth-shedding age, and to honor spiritual or religious beliefs that are thought to protect the child and aid their healthy development. Second, we articulate how, by understanding the significance and diversity of these traditions, practitioners can potentially improve their ability to prevent dental anxiety, increase their cultural competence to engage with increasingly diverse pediatric patient populations, and ensure more timely primary oral care. Finally, we provide a two-pronged approach, centered around the pillars of Education and Communication, to improve overall patient care built on knowledge of these rituals and cultural practices.
Late Mesozoic Intracontinental Deformation in the Northern Margin of the North China Craton: A Case Study From the Shangyi Basin, Northwestern Hebei Province, China
Authors: Yang Qian , Shi Wei , Hou Guiting , Zhang Yu , Zhao Yilin
Published: August 2021

During the late Mesozoic, the East Asian continent underwent a complex tectonic history due to multiple episodes of plate convergence. How the crust responds to the multiple plate convergence in the North China Craton (NCC) remains unclear. Here we undertook field geological investigations and fault-slip vectors analysis of the Shangyi Basin in the western Yanshan fold and thrust belt, northern margin of the NCC. Combined with new geochronological data, we delineate three phases of intracontinental deformation in the area: 1) NW-SE compression during the Late Jurassic to earliest Cretaceous (ca. 151–141 Ma); 2) NW-SE extension during the middle–late Early Cretaceous (ca. 135–110 Ma); and 3) NE-SW compressional deformation later than 110 Ma. The early NW-SE compression controlled the present bulk architecture of the basin, and the subsequent two tectonic events only caused limited reworking of the previous structures. Through balanced cross-section restoration, we estimate the horizontal shortening ratio of the crust in the study area is over 27% due to the NW-SE compression. Moreover, the contribution of tectonic shortening from the north side of the basin is greater than that from the south side. NW-SE compressional deformation is consistent in time with the episode B of the Yanshanian movement (Yanshanian B), which may be influenced by the subduction of the Paleo-Pacific plate beneath East Asia and the closure of the Mongol-Okhosk Ocean. Subsequent NW–SE extension is likely to be associated with the destruction of the NCC during the Early Cretaceous. Extension may result from the roll-back of the Paleo-Pacific plate and post-orogenic collapse of the Mongol-Okhotsk belt. The last NE-SW compressional event may be linked to the remote effect of the final collision between the Qiangtang and Lhasa terranes.
Vitamin D Level and Vitamin D Receptor Genetic Variation Were Involved in the Risk of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Ru , Wang Minxian , Wang Min , Zhang Liuxin , Ding Yajie , Tang Zongzhe , Fu Zuqiang , Fan Haozhi , Zhang Wei , Wang Jie
Published: August 2021

Background

It has been demonstrated that vitamin D receptor (VDR), a key gene in the metabolism of vitamin D (VD), may affect the development of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by regulating VD level and its biological effects.

Objectives

To investigate the effects of serum VD level, VDR variation, and a combination of VDR SNP and environmental behavior factor on the risk of NAFLD.

Methods

A total of 3023 subjects from a community in Nanjing were enrolled, including 1120 NAFLD cases and 1903 controls. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were measured and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in VDR gene were genotyped.

Results

Logistic regression analyses indicated that VD sufficiency and VD insufficiency were significantly associated with a low risk of NAFLD (all P<0.05; all Ptrend<0.05, in a locus-dosage manner). After adjusting for gender and age, VDR rs2228570-A and rs11168287-A alleles were all reduced the risk of NAFLD (all PFDR=0.136, in dominant model; Ptrend =0.039, combined effects in a locus-dosage manner). The protective effects of two favorable alleles were more evident among subjects ≤40 years, non-hypertension, non-hyperglycemia and non-low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (all P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating curve of the combination of VDR SNP and exercise time for assessing NAFLD risk was slightly higher than that of only including exercise time or neither (all P<0.05).

Conclusion

High serum VD levels and VDR variants (rs2228570-A and rs11168287-A) might contribute to a low risk of NAFLD in Chinese Han population. The inclusion of VDR SNP and exercise time could improve the efficiency in assessment of NAFLD risk, which might provide a novel perspective for early screening and preventing NAFLD.
Biogas Technology as an “Engine” for Facilitating Circular Bio-Economy in Denmark—The Case of Lolland & Falster Municipalities Within Region Zealand
Authors: Lybæk Rikke , Kjær Tyge
Published: August 2021

This article investigates how biogas technology can facilitate the deployment of municipal circular bio-economic solutions within the energy and agrarian sectors in Denmark. The emphasis is on the regional climate policy and the existing biogas technology concepts, within a decentralized energy market located in the Southern part of Zealand. The case analysis will identify how such technology can be utilized as a lever for future “extraction-activities,” as for example protein, wax, and furfural substrates. Within Falster & Lolland Municipalities, it is identified that 800.000 tons of animal manure is readily available for biogas production, just as 880.000 tons and 220.000 tons of unused beet tops and residual cereal straw could be feed to biogas facilities as for example co-silage materials. With a potential gas yield of approximately 897.000 MWh, composed by the crop residues alone, the challenge is how to utilize such resources the most efficient when addressing future needs for bio-products and high value materials and energy. Through the lens of Circular Bio-Economy this article addresses three themes, by which biogas technology can become an “engine” for future bioenergy solutions, where cascading activities and use of side-streams are developed: 1) production of biogas by means of local agricultural residues (beet tops, residual straw, and animal manure), combined with 2) “extraction-activities” as furfural and wax from straw, as well as protein from beet tops. Besides this 3) opportunities for upgrading the biogas and distributing it on a natural gas network, hereby enlarging the supply market for energy services from the biogas plant and facilitating the development of a more “integrated energy system,” currently being promoted by the European Commission. This article concludes on a step-by-step approach to utilize biomass residues more efficiently in light of the CBE concept and cascading approach, and the available biomass resources within the specific case area addressed.
Time-Varying Impact of Economic Growth on Carbon Emission in BRICS Countries: New Evidence From Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Xiang Lijin , Chen Xiao , Su Shuling , Yin Zhichao
Published: August 2021

Carbon emission leads to environmental and social consequences, which could be severe in the emerging economies. Owing to the dilemma of emission and economic expansion, it is necessary to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between economic growth and carbon emission. Multivariate Wavelet analysis is introduced in addition to the decoupling analysis for BRICS countries. The decoupling analysis detects an obvious trend of economic growth decoupling from carbon emission in China, and generates mixed results for the other countries. Estimates of wavelet coherency suggest that BRICS countries have experienced different kinds of structural changes in growth–emission nexus. Results of partial phase-difference and wavelet gain imply that different resource endowments and growth paths lead to varied impact of economic growth on carbon emission and time-varying characteristics of the causality relationship over different frequencies. Energy structure and trade openness matter for anatomizing this time-varying relationship. To succeed in the fight against climate change, the policy makers need to pay serious attention to the dynamic impact of economic growth, energy structure, and trade openness on carbon emission.
Variations of Hawk Mimicry Traits in the Four Sympatric Cuculus Cuckoos
Authors: Go Jun-Seo , Lee Jin-Won , Yoo Jeong-Chil
Published: August 2021

A well-known visual signal, hawk-like features such as yellow eyes and feet, and barred underparts have been recognized as coevolutionary traits obtained against host defense inCuculuscuckoos. However, the variation of these traits within and among species remains poorly understood because empirical studies quantifying these traits are limited in terms of the number of studies and the number of species concerned, and mostly depend on museum collections. In this study, we quantified and compared these traits as well as other new features (e.g., inner wing spot and underpart background color) in the four sympatricCuculuscuckoos (Cuculus poliocephalus,Cuculus micropterus,Cuculus optatus, andCuculus canorus) that were wild-captured in South Korea. We found that the yellow color of the eye ring and feet was fairly consistent across the four species. However, the iris color appeared to vary within a species (e.g., between sexes) and varied more substantially among species from nearly black inC. micropterusto bright yellow inC. canorus. In addition, there were significant differences among species with respect to the thickness of the underpart bars, from the thinnest inC. canorusto the thickest inC. micropterus. We also found that the underpart color (pure white versus yellowish brown) and the number of inner wing spots varied within and among species. These results indicate that although hawk-like traits are widely present inCuculuscuckoos, detailed quantitative features of these traits vary across species. We discuss the potential reasons that generate such variations and suggest future directions to increase our understanding of visual signals in avian brood parasitism.
The rs2619566, rs10260404, and rs79609816 Polymorphisms Are Associated With Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Individuals of Han Ancestry From Mainland China
Authors: Zhang Jie , Qiu Weiwen , Hu Fan , Zhang Xiong , Deng Youqing , Nie Hongbing , Xu Renshi
Published: August 2021

The pathogenesis of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) remains unknown; however, recent research suggests that genetic factors may play an important role. This study aimed at investigating possible genetic risk factors for the pathogenesis of sALS. In our previous study, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 250 sALS patients and 250 control participants of Han ancestry from mainland China (HACM) and retrospectively analyzed the previously reported candidate loci related with sALS including our GWAS investigated results. In this study, twenty-seven candidate loci that were most likely associated with sALS were selected for further analysis in an independent case/control population of 239 sALS patients and 261 control subjects of HACM ethnicity using sequenom massARRAY methodology and DNA sequencing. We discovered that the polymorphism rs2619566 located within the contactin-4 (CNTN4) gene, rs10260404 in the dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 (DPP6) gene, and rs79609816 in the inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase B (INPP5B) gene were strongly associated with sALS in subjects of HACM ethnicity. Subjects harboring the minor C allele of rs2619566 and the minor T allele of rs79609816 exhibited an increased risk for sALS development, while carriers of the minor C allele of rs10260404 showed a decreased risk of sALS development compared to the subjects of other genotypes. The polymorphisms of rs2619566, rs10260404, and rs79609816 may change or affect the splicing, transcription, and translation of CNTN4, DPP6, and INPP5B genes and may play roles in the pathogenesis of sALS roles in the pathogenesis of sALS.
Identification of Distinct Molecular Patterns and a Four-Gene Signature in Colon Cancer Based on Invasion-Related Genes
Authors: Dong Yunfei , Shang Tao , Ji HaiXin , Zhou Xiukou , Chen Zhi
Published: August 2021

Background

The pathological stage of colon cancer cannot accurately predict recurrence, and to date, no gene expression characteristics have been demonstrated to be reliable for prognostic stratification in clinical practice, perhaps because colon cancer is a heterogeneous disease. The purpose was to establish a comprehensive molecular classification and prognostic marker for colon cancer based on invasion-related expression profiling.

Methods

From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we collected two microarray datasets of colon cancer samples, and another dataset was obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) further underwent univariate analysis, least absolute shrinkage, selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and multivariate Cox survival analysis to screen prognosis-associated feature genes, which were further verified with test datasets.

Results

Two molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) were identified based on invasion-related genes in the colon cancer samples in TCGA training dataset, and C2 had a good prognosis. Moreover, C1 was more sensitive to immunotherapy. A total of 1,514 invasion-related genes, specifically 124 downregulated genes and 1,390 upregulated genes in C1 and C2, were identified as DEGs. A four-gene prognostic signature was identified and validated, and colon cancer patients were stratified into a high-risk group and a low-risk group. Multivariate regression analyses and a nomogram indicated that the four-gene signature developed in this study was an independent predictive factor and had a relatively good predictive capability when adjusting for other clinical factors.

Conclusion

This research provided novel insights into the mechanisms underlying invasion and offered a novel biomarker of a poor prognosis in colon cancer patients.
Personalised Profiling of Innate Immune Memory Induced by Nano-Imaging Particles in Human Monocytes
Authors: Della Camera Giacomo , Madej Mariusz , Ferretti Anna Maria , La Spina Rita , Li Yang , Corteggio Annunziata , Heinzl Tommaso , Swartzwelter Benjamin J. , Sipos Gergö , Gioria Sabrina , Ponti Alessandro , Boraschi Diana , Italiani Paola
Published: August 2021

Engineered nanoparticles used for medical purposes must meet stringent safety criteria, which include immunosafety, i.e., the inability to activate possibly detrimental immune/inflammatory effects. Even medical nanomaterials devoid of direct immunotoxic or inflammatory effects may have an impact on human health if able to modify innate memory, which is the ability to “prime” future immune responses towards a different, possibly more detrimental reactivity. Although innate memory is usually protective, anomalous innate memory responses may be at the basis of immune pathologies. In this study, we have examined the ability of two nanomaterials commonly used for diagnostic imaging purposes, gold and iron oxide nanoparticles, to induce or modulate innate memory, using an in vitro model based on human primary monocytes. Monocytes were exposed in culture to nanoparticles alone or together with the bacterial agent LPS (priming phase/primary response), then rested for six days (extinction phase), and eventually challenged with LPS (memory/secondary response). The memory response to the LPS challenge was measured as changes in the production of inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-1Ra), as compared to unprimed monocytes. The results show that both types of nanoparticles can have an effect in the induction of memory, with changes observed in the cytokine production. By comparing nanomaterials of different shapes (spherical vs. rod-shaped gold particles) and different size (17 vs. 22 nm diameter spherical iron oxide particles), it was evident that innate memory could be differentially induced and modulated depending on size, shape and chemical composition. However, the main finding was that the innate memory effect of the particles was strongly donor-dependent, with monocytes from each donor showing a distinct memory profile upon priming with the same particles, thereby making impossible to draw general conclusions on the particle effects. Thus, in order to predict the effect of imaging nanoparticles on the innate memory of patients, a personalised profiling would be required, able to take in consideration the peculiarities of the individual innate immune reactivity.
Impacts of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) on Coral Community Structure at an Inshore Patch Reef of the Upper Florida Keys Using Photomosaics
Authors: Kolodziej Graham , Studivan Michael S. , Gleason Arthur C. R. , Langdon Chris , Enochs Ian C. , Manzello Derek P.
Published: August 2021

Since the appearance of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) on reefs off Miami in 2014, this unprecedented outbreak has spread across the entirety of Florida’s coral reef tract, as well as to many territories throughout the Caribbean. The endemic zone reached the upper Florida Keys by 2016, resulting in partial or complete mortality of coral colonies across numerous species. Disease was first observed at Cheeca Rocks (Islamorada, Florida) in the beginning of 2018, with reports of coral mortality peaking mid-year. The disease was still present at Cheeca Rocks as of March 2020, however, to a lesser degree compared to the initial outbreak. Annual monitoring efforts have been ongoing at Cheeca Rocks since 2012, including repeated benthic photomosaics of a 330 m2 survey zone, spanning six replicate sites. As such, a repository of coral community composition data exists for before and after the disease outbreak that was analyzed to assess the impacts of SCTLD on reef communities at an upper Florida Keys inshore reef. Cheeca Rocks is hypothesized to be a resilient reef due to its persistent high coral cover despite its inshore location, which subjects corals to fluctuating water quality and marginal environmental conditions. Coral populations here have been shown to recover from bleaching events and heat stress with minimal coral mortality. Though colonies of coral species characterized as highly and moderately susceptible to SCTLD (e.g., Colpophyllia natans, Diploria labyrinthiformis, Pseudodiploria strigosa, Orbicella annularis, and O. faveolata) suffered mortality as a result of the outbreak with an average loss of 16.42% relative cover by species, the overall impacts on coral cover and community structure were relatively low, contributing to a loss of total coral cover of only 1.65%. Comparison of photomosaic data to other studies indicate Cheeca Rocks may not have been affected as severely as other sites on Florida’s coral reef tract, underlying this site’s potential role in coral resilience to stressors including bleaching events, land-based pollution, and disease epizootics.
Case Report: Young Adults With Breast Cancer: A Case Series of Fertility Preservation Management and Literature Review
Authors: Ahmad Mohd Faizal , Sugishita Yodo , Suzuki-Takahashi Yuki , Sawada Shino , Iwahata Hideyuki , Shiraishi Eriko , Takae Seido , Horage-Okutsu Yuki , Suzuki Nao
Published: August 2021

Breast cancer comprised at least 21.8% of the overall cancer among young adult (YA) women and became the leading cancer in this group in Japan, with 50% adolescent and YAs being diagnosed and 15–44-year-old women showing excellent 5-year survival. Surgical-chemoradiation therapy often results in excellent survivorship with an increased incidence of treatment-induced subfertility. Therefore, adding fertility preservation (FP) to the primary cancer treatment is necessary. Herein, we reported a series of cases of YA women with breast cancer who opted for FP, where their option was tailored accordingly. To date, the selection of oocytes, embryos and ovarian tissue is widely available as an FP treatment. PGT could reduce the risk of BRCA mutation transmission amongst BRCA carriers before pregnancy planning. Otherwise, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog has no gonadoprotective effect and thus should not be considered as an FP option.
Organic Stabilization of Extracellular Elemental Sulfur in a Sulfurovum-Rich Biofilm: A New Role for Extracellular Polymeric Substances?
Authors: Cron Brandi , Macalady Jennifer L. , Cosmidis Julie
Published: August 2021

This work shines light on the role of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in the formation and preservation of elemental sulfur biominerals produced by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. We characterized elemental sulfur particles produced within aSulfurovum-rich biofilm in the Frasassi Cave System (Italy). The particles adopt spherical and bipyramidal morphologies, and display both stable (α-S8) and metastable (β-S8) crystal structures. Elemental sulfur is embedded within a dense matrix of EPS, and the particles are surrounded by organic envelopes rich in amide and carboxylic groups. Organic encapsulation and the presence of metastable crystal structures are consistent with elemental sulfur organomineralization, i.e., the formation and stabilization of elemental sulfur in the presence of organics, a mechanism that has previously been observed in laboratory studies. This research provides new evidence for the important role of microbial EPS in mineral formation in the environment. We hypothesize that the extracellular organics are used by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria for the stabilization of elemental sulfur minerals outside of the cell wall as a store of chemical energy. The stabilization of energy sources (in the form of a solid electron acceptor) in biofilms is a potential new role for microbial EPS that requires further investigation.
Regulatory Non-coding RNAs for Death Associated Protein Kinase Family
Authors: Wang Qingshui , Lin Youyu , Zhong Wenting , Jiang Yu , Lin Yao
Published: August 2021

The death associated protein kinases (DAPKs) are a family of calcium dependent serine/threonine kinases initially identified in the regulation of apoptosis. Previous studies showed that DAPK family members, including DAPK1, DAPK2 and DAPK3 play a crucial regulatory role in malignant tumor development, in terms of cell apoptosis, proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that non-coding RNAs, including microRNA (miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circRNA, are involved in the regulation of gene expression and tumorigenesis. Recent studies indicated that non-coding RNAs participate in the regulation of DAPKs. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge of non-coding RNAs, as well as the potential miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs, that are involved in the regulation of DAPKs.
Mental Resilience and Coping With Stress: A Comprehensive, Multi-level Model of Cognitive Processing, Decision Making, and Behavior
Authors: Palamarchuk Iryna S. , Vaillancourt Tracy
Published: August 2021

Aversive events can evoke strong emotions that trigger cerebral neuroactivity to facilitate behavioral and cognitive shifts to secure physiological stability. However, upon intense and/or chronic exposure to such events, the neural coping processes can be maladaptive and disrupt mental well-being. This maladaptation denotes a pivotal point when psychological stress occurs, which can trigger subconscious, “automatic” neuroreactivity as a defence mechanism to protect the individual from potential danger including overwhelming unpleasant feelings and disturbing or threatening thoughts.The outcomes of maladaptive neural activity are cognitive dysfunctions such as altered memory, decision making, and behavior that impose a risk for mental disorders. Although the neurocognitive phenomena associated with psychological stress are well documented, the complex neural activity and pathways related to stressor detection and stress coping have not been outlined in detail. Accordingly, we define acute and chronic stress-induced pathways, phases, and stages in relation to novel/unpredicted, uncontrollable, and ambiguous stressors. We offer a comprehensive model of the stress-induced alterations associated with multifaceted pathophysiology related to cognitive appraisal and executive functioning in stress.
Neural Substrates of Incidental Associations and Mediated Learning: The Role of Cannabinoid Receptors
Authors: Ioannidou Christina , Busquets-Garcia Arnau , Ferreira Guillaume , Marsicano Giovanni
Published: August 2021

The ability to form associations between different stimuli in the environment to guide adaptive behavior is a central element of learning processes, from perceptual learning in humans to Pavlovian conditioning in animals. Like so, classical conditioning paradigms that test direct associations between low salience sensory stimuli and high salience motivational reinforcers are extremely informative. However, a large part of everyday learning cannot be solely explained by direct conditioning mechanisms – this includes to a great extent associations between individual sensory stimuli, carrying low or null immediate motivational value. This type of associative learning is often described as incidental learning and can be captured in animal models through sensory preconditioning procedures. Here we summarize the evolution of research on incidental and mediated learning, overview the brain systems involved and describe evidence for the role of cannabinoid receptors in such higher-order learning tasks. This evidence favors a number of contemporary hypotheses concerning the participation of the endocannabinoid system in psychosis and psychotic experiences and provides a conceptual framework for understanding how the use of cannabinoid drugs can lead to altered perceptive states.