bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intermittent Short-Duration Re-oxygenation Attenuates Cardiac Changes in Response to Hypoxia: Histological, Ultrastructural and Oxidant/Antioxidant Parameters
Authors: Shati Ayed A. , Zaki Mohamed Samir A. , Alqahtani Youssef A. , Haidara Mohamed A. , Alshehri Mohammed A. , Dawood Amal F. , Eid Refaat A.
Published: March 2022

Context: Intermittent short-duration re-oxygenation attenuates cardiac changes in response to hypoxia.

Objective: To see if intermittent short-duration re-oxygenation may protect the heart muscle from hypoxia damage.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen albino rats were used to carry out the study. Rats divided into: (normoxia); rats exposed to room air as a control, second (hypoxic) group; rats subjected to a pressure of 405 mmHg in a hypobaric chamber to simulate hypoxia at 5,000 m, and third (intermittent short-duration re-oxygenation); rats exposed to room air three times per day. Experiments were all 14 days long.

Results: Hypoxia enhanced the oxidative stress biomarker malondialdehyde while lowering the antioxidant superoxide dismutase . The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the myocardium were elevated in hypoxic hearts. The hypoxic rats’ cardiac myofibrils showed disarray of muscle fibres, vacuolation of the sarcoplasm, pyknosis of the nucleus, and expansion of intercellular gaps on histological examination. In addition, cardiomyocytes showed degenerative defects in ventricular myocardial cells on ultrastructural analysis. Myofibril thinning and degenerative mitochondrial changes affected intercalated discs with fascia adherent, desmosomes, and gap junction. Intermittent short-duration re-oxygenation improve cardiac histological, ultrastructural and oxidant/antioxidant parameters changes during hypoxia.

Conclusion: Hypoxia showed a substantial impact on myocardial architecture, as well as increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Intermittent short-duration re-oxygenation significantly decreases hypoxia-induced cardiac changes.
Predicting Sit-to-Stand Adaptations due to Muscle Strength Deficits and Assistance Trajectories to Complement Them
Authors: Kumar Vinay , Yoshiike Takahide , Shibata Tomohiro
Published: March 2022

Sit-to-stand (STS) transition is one of the most bio-mechanically challenging task necessary for performing activities of daily life. With muscle strength being the most dominant, many co-occurring factors influence how individuals perform STS. This study investigates the STS changes and STS failure caused by strength deficits using the trajectories generated employing an open-loop single shooting optimization framework and musculoskeletal models. The strength deficits were introduced by simultaneously scaling the maximum isometric strength of muscles in steps of 20%. The optimization framework could generate successful STS transitions for models with up to 60% strength deficits. The joint angle kinematics, muscle activation patterns, and the ground reaction forces from the 0% strength deficit model’s STS transition match those observed experimentally for a healthy adult in literature. Comparison of different strength deficit STS trajectories shows that the vasti muscle saturation leads to reduced activation of the antagonistic hamstring muscle, and consequently, the gluteus maximus muscle saturation. Subsequently, the observation of reduced hamstring activation and the motion tracking results are used to suggest the vasti muscle weakness to be responsible for STS failure. Finally, the successful STS trajectory of the externally assisted 80% strength deficit model is presented to demonstrate the optimization framework’s capability to synthesize assisted STS transition. The trajectory features utilization of external assistance as and when needed to complement strength deficits for successful STS transition. Our results will help plan intervention and design novel STS assistance devices.
Achieving Partial Nitrification-Anammox Process Dependent on Microalgal-Bacterial Consortia in a Photosequencing Batch Reactor
Authors: Yang Miao , Xie Kun-Peng , Ma Chi , Yu Si-Hui , Ma Jing-Yi , Yu Ze-Quan , Chen Xi , Gong Zheng
Published: March 2022

Partial nitrification coupled with anammox (PN/A) process is an energy-efficient approach for nitrogen removal from low C/N wastewater. In this study, PN/A was achieved with optimal oxygen supply from a green microalga,Chlorella sorokiniana. The PN process was first initiated within 35 days, and the following algae-intensified PN then reached the steady state within the next 32 days. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was gradually maintained at 0.6 mg L−1viaadjusting the photoperiod to 6-h light/18-h dark cycles, when the accumulation ratio of NO2−-N and the removal ratio of NH4+-N were both more than 90%. The nitrogen removal capability of anammox was acclimatedviaelevating the individual effluent NH4+-N and NO2−-N levels from 100 to 200, to 300 mg L−1. After acclimation, the removal rates of NH4+-N and total nitrogen (TN) reached more than 70 and 80%, respectively, and almost all the NO2−-N was removed. Then, the algae-intensified PN/A, algammox biofilm system, was successfully started up. When the NH4+-N level increased from 100 to 300 mg L−1, the TN removal varied between 78 and 82%. In the photosequencing bioreactor,C. sorokiniana, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and anammox coexisted with an illumination of 200 μmol m−2s−1and a 6-h light/18-h dark cycles. The DO levels ranged between 0.4 and 0.5 mg L−1. In addition, the microbial community analysis by Illumina MiSeq sequencing showed that the dominant functional bacteria in the algae-intensified PN/A reactors includedNitrosomonas(AOB) andCandidatus Brocadia(anammox), whileNitrospiraandNitrobacter(nitrite oxidizing bacteria), together withDenitratisoma(denitrifier) were largely inhibited. Further studies are required to optimize the microalgal–bacterial consortia system to achieve superior nitrogen removal rates under controllable conditions.
Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Ablation in Pericytes Reveals New Glioblastoma Prognostic Markers and Efficient Treatment Against Tumor Progression
Authors: Molina María Luisa , García-Bernal David , Salinas María Dolores , Rubio Gonzalo , Aparicio Pedro , Moraleda José M. , Martínez Salvador , Valdor Rut
Published: March 2022

Background: The lack of knowledge of the progression mechanisms of glioblastoma (GB), the most aggressive brain tumor, contributes to the absence of successful therapeutic strategies. Our team has recently demonstrated a crucial new role for chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in pericytes (PC)-acquired immunosuppressive function, which prevents anti-tumor immune responses and facilitates GB progression. The possible impact that GB-induced CMA in PC has on other functions that might be useful for future GB prognosis/treatment, has not been explored yet. Thus, we proposed to analyze the contribution of CMA to other GB-induced changes in PC biology and determine if CMA ablation in PC is a key target mechanism for GB treatment.

Methods: Studies of RNA-seq and secretome analysis were done in GB-conditioned PC with and without CMA (from knockout mice for LAMP-2A) and compared to control PC. Different therapeutic strategies in a GB mouse model were compared.

Results: We found several gene expression pathways enriched in LAMP2A-KO PC and affected by GB-induced CMA in PC that correlate with our previous findings. Phagosome formation, cellular senescence, focal adhesion and the effector function to promote anti-tumor immune responses were the most affected pathways, revealing a transcriptomic profiling of specific target functions useful for future therapies. In addition, several molecules associated with tumor mechanisms and related to tumor immune responses such as gelsolin, periostin, osteopontin, lumican and vitamin D, were identified in the PC secretome dependent on GB-induced CMA. The CMA ablation in PC with GB cells showed an expected immunogenic phenotype able to phagocyte GB cells and a key strategy to develop future therapeutic strategies against GB tumor progression. A novel intravenous therapy using exofucosylated CMA-deficient PC was efficient to make PC reach the tumor niche and facilitate tumor elimination.

Conclusion: Our results corroborate previous findings on the impaired immunogenic function of PC with GB-induced CMA, driving to other altered PC functions and the identifications of new target markers related to the tumor immune responses and useful for GB prognosis/therapy. Our work demonstrates CMA ablation in PC as a key target mechanism to develop a successful therapy against GB progression.
RNA 5-Methylcytosine Regulators Contribute to Metabolism Heterogeneity and Predict Prognosis in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Xu Jie , Liu Xiaoyi , Chen Yanjie , Wang Yuya , Liu Tao , Yi Ping
Published: March 2022

5-Methylcytosine (m5C) is an abundant and highly conserved modification in RNAs. The dysregulation of RNA m5C methylation has been reported in cancers, but the regulatory network in ovarian cancer of RNA m5C methylation-related genes and its implication in metabolic regulation remain largely unexplored. In this study, RNA-sequencing data and clinical information of 374 ovarian cancer patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and a total of 14 RNA m5C regulators were included. Through unsupervised consensus clustering, two clusters with different m5C modification patterns were identified with distinct survivals. According to enrichment analyses, glycosaminoglycan and collagen metabolism–related pathways were specifically activated in cluster 1, whereas fatty acid metabolism–related pathways were enriched in cluster 2, which had better overall survival (OS). Besides the metabolism heterogeneity, the higher sensitivity to platinum and paclitaxel in cluster 2 can further explain the improved OS. Ultimately, a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator prediction model formed by ALYREF, NOP2, and TET2 toward OS was constructed. In conclusion, distinct m5C modification pattern exhibited metabolism heterogeneity, different chemotherapy sensitivity, and consequently survival difference, providing evidence for risk stratification.
Bioresponsive Nanomaterials: Recent Advances in Cancer Multimodal Imaging and Imaging-Guided Therapy
Authors: Zeng Zeng , Gao Huali , Chen CongXian , Xiao Lianbo , Zhang Kun
Published: March 2022

Cancer is a serious health problem which increasingly causes morbidity and mortality worldwide. It causes abnormal and uncontrolled cell division. Traditional cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and so on. These traditional therapies suffer from high toxicity and arouse safety concern in normal area and have difficulty in accurately targeting tumour. Recently, a variety of nanomaterials could be used for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Nanomaterials have several advantages, e.g., high concentration in tumour via targeting design, reduced toxicity in normal area and controlled drug release after various rational designs. They can combine with many types of biomaterials in order to improve biocompatibility. In this review, we outlined the latest research on the use of bioresponsive nanomaterials for various cancer imaging modalities (magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and phototacoustic imaging) and imaging-guided therapy means (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy), followed by discussing the challenges and future perspectives of this bioresponsive nanomaterials in biomedicine.
Gut Microbiota and Metabolome Description of Antibiotic-Treated Neonates From Parturients With Intrauterine Infection
Authors: Li Huitao , Fu Lei , Chen Xueyu , Xu Heng , Jing Qinlong , Yang Chuanzhong , Wan Zhengwei , Chen Yiran
Published: March 2022

Intrauterine infection is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. Neonates from parturients with intrauterine infection are usually treated with antibiotics, but their gut microbiota and metabolome are seldom studied. In this study, we collected fecal samples from antibiotic-treated neonates of parturients with intrauterine infection (intrauterine infection group), parturients with non-intrauterine infection (antibiotic group), and untreated neonates of healthy parturients (control group). 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics analyses were performed. Our results revealed that the α-diversity of intrauterine infection group differed from that of control group. There were significant differences in β-diversity between intrauterine infection group and control group, between antibiotic group and the control group, but there was no difference between the intrauterine infection and antibiotic groups, implying that antibiotic use has an obvious effect on β-diversity and that the effects of intrauterine infection on β-diversity cannot be identified. Enterococcus was more abundant in intrauterine infection and antibiotic groups than in control group. Gut metabolite differences in intrauterine infection group and antibiotic group (only in negative ion mode) from control group were observed, but no difference between intrauterine infection group and antibiotic group was observed. N-formyl-L-methionine was the most discriminant metabolite between intrauterine infection group and control group. Primary and secondary bile acid biosynthesis, bile secretion, and cholesterol metabolism pathways were altered, and the abundances of bile acids and bile salts were altered in intrauterine infection group compared with control group. Alterations in cholesterol metabolism, arginine biosynthesis and bile secretion pathways were observed both in intrauterine infection and antibiotic groups, which might be caused by the use of antibiotics. In conclusion, we provided a preliminary description of the gut microbiota and gut metabolites in antibiotics-treated neonates from intrauterine infection parturients. Our findings did not show intrauterine infection has a separate role in neonatal gut microbiota dysbiosis, while supporting the idea that antibiotics should be used with caution during neonatal therapy.
Complete Lipopolysaccharide of Piscirickettsia salmonis Is Required for Full Virulence in the Intraperitoneally Challenged Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, Model
Authors: Herrera Valeska , Olavarría Nicole , Saavedra José , Yuivar Yassef , Bustos Patricio , Almarza Oscar , Mancilla Marcos
Published: March 2022

Bacterial cell envelopes play a critical role in host-pathogen interactions. Macromolecular components of these structures have been closely linked to the virulence of pathogens. Piscirickettsia salmonis is a relevant salmonid pathogen with a worldwide distribution. This bacterium is the etiological agent of piscirickettsiosis, a septicemic disease that causes a high economic burden, especially for the Chilean salmon farming industry. Although P. salmonis has been discovered long ago, its pathogenicity and virulence mechanisms are not completely understood. In this work, we present a genetic approach for producing in-frame deletion mutants on genes related to the biosynthesis of membrane-associated polysaccharides. We provide a detailed in vitro phenotype description of knock-out mutants on wzx and wcaJ genes, which encode predicted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) flippase and undecaprenyl-phosphate glucose phosphotransferase enzymes, respectively. We exhibit evidence that the wzx mutant strain carries a defect in the probably most external LPS moiety, while the wcaJ mutant proved to be highly susceptible to the bactericidal action of serum but retained the ability of biofilm production. Beyond that, we demonstrate that the deletion of wzx, but not wcaJ, impairs the virulence of P. salmonis in an intraperitoneally infected Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, model of piscirickettsiosis. Our findings support a role for LPS in the virulence of P. salmonis during the onset of piscirickettsiosis.
Adapting the Technology Performance Level Integrated Assessment Framework to Low-TRL Technologies Within the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Industry, Part I
Authors: Mendoza Nicole , Mathai Thomas , Boren Blake , Roberts Jesse , Niffenegger James , Sick Volker , Zimmermann Arno W. , Weber Jochem , Schaidle Joshua
Published: March 2022

With the urgent need to mitigate climate change and rising global temperatures, technological solutions that reduce atmospheric CO2 are an increasingly important part of the global solution. As a result, the nascent carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) industry is rapidly growing with a plethora of new technologies in many different sectors. There is a need to holistically evaluate these new technologies in a standardized and consistent manner to determine which technologies will be the most successful and competitive in the global marketplace to achieve decarbonization targets. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic assessment (TEA) have been employed as rigorous methodologies for quantitatively measuring a technology's environmental impacts and techno-economic performance, respectively. However, these metrics evaluate a technology's performance in only three dimensions and do not directly incorporate stakeholder needs and values. In addition, technology developers frequently encounter trade-offs during design that increase one metric at the expense of the other. The technology performance level (TPL) combined indicator provides a comprehensive and holistic assessment of an emerging technology's potential, which is described by its techno-economic performance, environmental impacts, social impacts, safety considerations, market/deployability opportunities, use integration impacts, and general risks. TPL incorporates TEA and LCA outputs and quantifies the trade-offs between them directly using stakeholder feedback and requirements. In this article, the TPL methodology is being adapted from the marine energy domain to the CCUS domain. Adapted metrics and definitions, a stakeholder analysis, and a detailed foundation-based application of the systems engineering approach to CCUS are presented. The TPL assessment framework is couched within the internationally standardized LCA framework to improve technical rigor and acceptance. It is demonstrated how stakeholder needs and values can be directly incorporated, how LCA and TEA metrics can be balanced, and how other dimensions (listed earlier) can be integrated into a single metric that measures a technology's potential.
A Left Ventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony-Based Nomogram for Predicting Major Adverse Cardiac Events Risk in Patients With Ischemia and No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zhang Han , Shi Kuangyu , Fei Mengyu , Fan Xin , Liu Lu , Xu Chong , Qin Shanshan , Zhang Jiajia , Wang Junpeng , Zhang Yu , Lv Zhongwei , Che Wenliang , Yu Fei
Published: March 2022

Background

The risk stratification of patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) remains suboptimal. This study aims to establish a left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD)-based nomogram to improve the present situation.

Methods

Patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were retrospectively enrolled and divided into three groups: normal (stenosis <50%, without myocardial ischemia), INOCA (stenosis <50%, summed stress score >4, summed difference score ≥2), and obstructive CAD (stenosis ≥50%). LVMD was defined by ROC analysis. INOCA group were followed up for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs: cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, stroke, heart failure, and hospitalization for unstable angina). Nomogram was established using multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results

Among 334 patients (118 [35.3%] INOCA), LVMD parameters were significantly higher in INOCA group versus normal group but they did not differ between obstructive CAD groups. In INOCA group, 27 (22.9%) MACEs occurred during a 26-month median follow-up. Proportion of LVMD was significantly higher with MACEs under both stress (63.0% vs. 22.0%, P < 0.001) and rest (51.9% vs. 20.9%, P = 0.002). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed significantly higher rate of MACEs (stress log-rank: P = 0.002; rest log-rank: P < 0.001) in LVMD patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that stress LVMD (HR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.30–11.20; P = 0.015) was an independent predictor of MACEs. The internal bootstrap resampling approach indicates that the C-index of nomogram was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.71–0.89) and the AUC values for 1 and 3 years of risk prediction were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.46–0.89) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72–0.95), respectively.

Conclusion

LVMD-based nomogram might provide incremental prognostic value and improve the risk stratification in INOCA patients.
Cardiovascular Complications of COVID-19 Vaccines
Authors: Liu Runyu , Pan Junbing , Zhang Chunxiang , Sun Xiaolei
Published: March 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global public health catastrophe. Vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is proven to be the most effective measure to suppress the pandemic. With the widespread application of the four vaccines, namely, ChAdOx1, Ad26.COV2.S, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273.2, several adverse effects have been reported. The most serious type of complication is cardiovascularly related, including myocarditis, immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), cerebral sinus venous thrombosis, among others. All these adverse events undermine the health of the vaccinees and affect the administration of the vaccines. As the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is surrounded by suspicion and rumors, it is essential to provide the public with accurate reports from trusted experts and journals. Monitoring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines is an important and ongoing process that is also urgent. Thus, we summarized the cardiovascular complications of the major types of COVID-19 vaccines, including mRNA vaccines, which are now generally considered to be innovative vaccines, and the future for vaccination against COVID-19, in addition to the underlying pathogenesis and potential therapeutics.
A Meta-Analysis of Teachers’ Job Burnout and Big Five Personality Traits
Authors: Liu Ziyan , Li Yingnan , Zhu Wenying , He Yuanping , Li Dongbin
Published: March 2022

Introduction

To explore the relationship between teachers’ job burnout and big five personality traits through meta-analysis.

Methods

Chinese and foreign databases, such as China Knowledge Network Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Database, Wanfang database, Chinese excellent master’s degree full text, Science Direct, Web of science, Wiley online library, Springer link, Taylor & Francis, and APA PsycNET, were searched, and the relevant literature was collected and screened for meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 28 literatures were included, and the total sample size was 12,103. Meta-analysis showed that the dimensions of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization were moderately negatively correlated with conscientiousness, openness, extroversion, and agreeableness, and the effect values were −0.20 (−0.26 ∼−0.13), −0.11 (−0.17 ∼−0.05), −0.18 (−0.24 ∼−0.12), −0.14 (−0.22 ∼−0.06), −0.27 (−0.33 ∼−0.22), −0.12 (−0.16 ∼−0.08), −0.19 (−0.24 ∼−0.14), and −0.28 (−0.36 ∼−0.19), respectively. The effect values were 0.30 (0.21 ∼ 0.40) and 0.26 (0.17 ∼ 0.34). The dimension of low sense of achievement was negatively correlated with the five dimensions of conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism, extroversion and agreeableness of the big five personality traits, and the influence values were −0.02 (−0.18 ∼ 0.13), −0.02 (−0.14 ∼ 0.10), −0.03 (−0.16 ∼ 0.10), −0.04 (−0.18 ∼ 0.19), −0.05 (−0.16 ∼ 0.06) respectively. The correlation between each dimension of big five personality traits and each dimension of teachers’ job burnout is adjusted by teaching segment, region, big five personality traits scale, and publication age.

Conclusion

The dimensions of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization are negatively correlated with conscientiousness, openness, extroversion, and agreeableness, and positively correlated with neuroticism. The dimension of low personal achievement is negatively correlated with the dimensions of big five personality traits. According to the results of this study, teachers generally have the problem of job burnout, and their personality characteristics have a significant impact on job burnout. School managers should pay attention to this problem and implement necessary interventions. At the same time, the conclusions of this study also provide some guiding significance for teachers’ career development.
Pin-by-Pin Coupled Transient Monte Carlo Analysis Using the iMC Code
Authors: Kim HyeonTae , Kim Yonghee
Published: March 2022

In this article, we present a coupled multi-physics Monte Carlo reactor transient analysis framework implemented in the KAIST Monte Carlo iMC code. In the multi-physics framework, the time-dependent neutron transport calculation and the transient heat transfer analysis are done based on the predictor–corrector quasi-static Monte Carlo method and the three-dimensional finite element method, respectively. Using this high-fidelity analysis framework, we demonstrated the negative temperature feedback effect in two pressurized water reactor (PWR) transient scenarios. First, a 3-D burnable absorber-loaded fuel assembly was considered with all reflective boundary conditions. In this simple problem, a positive reactivity-induced transient was analyzed to characterize the reactor responses in view of the pin-wise power and temperature distribution. Second, the iMC multi-physics analysis is applied to a control rod withdrawal transient in the TMI-1 mini core problem, and detailed time-dependent results were provided and compared with the Serpent/SUBCHANFLOW analysis. In both cases, independent MC runs were performed to quantify the uncertainty of the multi-physics MC transient analysis.
WGCNA, LASSO and SVM Algorithm Revealed RAC1 Correlated M0 Macrophage and the Risk Score to Predict the Survival of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: You Ji-An , Gong Yuhan , Wu Yongzhe , Jin Libo , Chi Qingjia , Sun Da
Published: March 2022

Background: RAC1 is involved in the progression of HCC as a regulator, but its prognostic performance and the imbalance of immune cell infiltration mediated by it are still unclear. We aim to explore the prognostic and immune properties of RAC1 in HCC.

Methods: We separately downloaded the data related to HCC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO database. CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and LASSO algorithm participate in identifying IRGs and the construction of prognostic signatures.

Results: The study discovered that RAC1 expression was linked to the severity of HCC lesions, and that its high expression was linked to a poor prognosis. Cox analysis confirmed that RAC1 is a clinically independent prognostic marker. M0, M1 and M2 macrophages’ abundance are significantly different in HCC. We found 828 IRGs related to macrophage infiltration, and established a novel 11-gene signature with excellent prognostic performance. RAC1-based risk score and M0 macrophage has a good ability to predict overall survival.

Conclusion: The immune state of irregular macrophage infiltration may be one of the precursors to carcinogenesis. The RAC1 correlated with M0 macrophage and the risk score to show a good performance to predict the survival of HCC patients.
Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Analysis of HD-ZIP Gene Family in Dendrobium officinale
Authors: Yang Qianyu , Xiang Weibo , Li Zhihui , Nian Yuxin , Fu Xiaoyun , Zhou Guangzhu , Li Linbao , Zhang Jun , Huang Guiyun , Han Xiao , Xu Lu , Bai Xiao , Liu Lei , Wu Di
Published: March 2022

The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) gene family, as one of the plant-specific transcription factor families, plays an important role in regulating plant growth and development as well as in response to diverse stresses. Although it has been extensively characterized in many plants, the HD-ZIP family is not well-studied in Dendrobium officinale, a valuable ornamental and traditional Chinese medicinal herb. In this study, 37 HD-ZIP genes were identified in Dendrobium officinale (Dohdzs) through the in silico genome search method, and they were classified into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis. Exon–intron structure and conserved protein domain analyses further supported the prediction with the same group sharing similar gene and protein structures. Furthermore, their expression patterns were investigated in nine various tissues and under cold stress based on RNA-seq datasets to obtain the tissue-specific and cold-responsive candidates. Finally, Dohdz5, Dohdz9, and Dohdz12 were selected to validate their expression through qRT-PCR analysis, and they displayed significantly differential expression under sudden chilling stress, suggesting they might be the key candidates underlying cold stress response. These findings will contribute to better understanding of the regulatory roles of the HD-ZIP family playing in cold stress and also will provide the vital targets for further functional studies of HD-ZIP genes in D. officinale.
Retinoblastoma Protein Paralogs and Tumor Suppression
Authors: Flores Mauricio , Goodrich David W.
Published: March 2022

The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB1) is the first tumor suppressor gene discovered and a prototype for understanding regulatory networks that function in opposition to oncogenic stimuli. More than 3 decades of research has firmly established a widespread and prominent role for RB1 in human cancer. Yet, this gene encodes but one of three structurally and functionally related proteins that comprise the pocket protein family. A central question in the field is whether the additional genes in this family, RBL1 and RBL2, are important tumor suppressor genes. If so, how does their tumor suppressor activity overlap or differ from RB1. Here we revisit these questions by reviewing relevant data from human cancer genome sequencing studies that have been rapidly accumulating in recent years as well as pertinent functional studies in genetically engineered mice. We conclude that RBL1 and RBL2 do have important tumor suppressor activity in some contexts, but RB1 remains the dominant tumor suppressor in the family. Given their similarities, we speculate on why RB1 tumor suppressor activity is unique.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Enhancing Hematopoietic Engraftment and Treatment of Graft-Versus-Host Disease, Hemorrhages and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Ringdén Olle , Moll Guido , Gustafsson Britt , Sadeghi Behnam
Published: March 2022

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess profound immunomodulatory and regenerative properties that are of clinical use in numerous clinical indications with unmet medical need. Common sources of MSCs include among others, bone marrow (BM), fat, umbilical cord, and placenta-derived decidua stromal cells (DSCs). We here summarize our more than 20-years of scientific experience in the clinical use of MSCs and DSCs in different clinical settings. BM-MSCs were first explored to enhance the engraftment of autografts in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and osteogenesis imperfecta around 30 years ago. In 2004, our group reported the first anti-inflammatory use of BM-MSCs in a child with grade IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Subsequent studies have shown that MSCs appear to be more effective in acute than chronic GvHD. Today BM-MSC-therapy is registered for acute GvHD in Japan and for GvHD in children in Canada and New Zeeland. MSCs first home to the lung following intravenous injection and exert strong local and systemic immunomodulatory effects on the host immune system. Thus, they were studied for ameliorating the cytokine storm in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Both, MSCs and DSCs were used to treat SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus-induced disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced ARDS. In addition, they were also used for other novel indications, such as pneumomediastinum, colon perforation, and radiculomyelopathy. MSC and DSCs trigger coagulation and were thus explored to stop hemorrhages. DSCs appear to be more effective for acute GvHD, ARDS, and hemorrhages, but randomized studies are needed to prove superiority. Stromal cell infusion is safe, well tolerated, and only gives rise to a slight fever in a limited number of patients, but no major side effects have been reported in multiple safety studies and metaanalysis. In this review we summarize current evidence fromin vitrostudies, animal models, and importantly our clinical experience, to support stromal cell therapy in multiple clinical indications. This encloses MSC’s effects on the immune system, coagulation, and their safety and efficacy, which are discussed in relation to prominent clinical trials within the field.
Optical Imaging of Dynamic Collagen Processes in Health and Disease
Authors: Iannucci Leanne E. , Dranoff Charles S. , David Michael A. , Lake Spencer P.
Published: March 2022

Collagen is a major structural component of nearly every tissue in the human body, whose hierarchical organization imparts specific mechanical properties and defines overall tissue function. Collagenous soft tissues are dynamic structures that are in a constant state of remodeling but are also prone to damage and pathology. Optical techniques are uniquely suited for imaging collagen in these dynamic situations as they allow for non-invasive monitoring with relatively high spatiotemporal resolution. This review presents an overview of common collagen dynamic processes associated with human health and disease and optical imaging approaches that are uniquely suited for monitoring, sensing, and diagnosing these changes. This review aims to 1) provide researchers with an understanding of the underlying optical properties of collagen that can be leveraged for extracellular matrix visualization and 2) present emerging opportunities for machine learning approaches to drive multiscale and multimodality solutions.
Follow-Up Comparison of Fluorescence Optical Imaging With Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Early Detection of Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Büttner Juliane , Glimm Anne-Marie , Kokolakis Georgios , Erdmann-Keding Magdalena , Burmester Gerd-Rüdiger , Hoff Paula , Klotsche Jens , Ohrndorf Sarah
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is crucial for a patient outcome but hampered by heterogenous manifestation and a lack of specific biomarkers. We recently showed that fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) can differentiate between patients with confirmed and suspected PsA. This study aims to follow-up (FU) patients with confirmed and suspected PsA focusing on patients with a change from suspected to confirmed PsA by the use of FOI in comparison with musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS).

Methods

Follow-up examination of patients included in the study performed by Erdmann-Keding et al. in which FOI of both hands was performed in a standardized manner using three predefined phases (p1–p3) and PrimaVista Mode (PVM). The comparison was drawn to grayscale–power Doppler (GS/PD) MSUS of the clinically dominant hand (wrist, MCP, PIP, DIP 2–5) from dorsal or palmar.

Results

Patients with a change from suspected to diagnosed PsA showed an increased prevalence of joints with pathological enhancement in FOI (p = 0.046) with an unchanged joint distribution pattern, especially with a dominant involvement of DIP joints. Compared to the baseline, these patients were three times more common to show enhancement in FOI p3 at FU. Newly detected pathologic joints by FOI (PVM, p2) and MSUS at FU were positively associated with the change of diagnosis from suspected to confirmed PsA (FOI: AUC 0.78; GSUS: AUC 0.77).

Conclusion

Fluorescence optical imaging appears to be a helpful tool to detect early PsA and to distinguish between acute and chronic disease stages. It could thereby become a suitable tool as a screening method to select psoriasis patients with an indication for further rheumatological evaluation.
The Crosstalk of the Salicylic Acid and Jasmonic Acid Signaling Pathways Contributed to Different Resistance to Phytoplasma Infection Between the Two Genotypes in Chinese Jujube
Authors: Wang Lixin , Liu Shiyan , Gao Mengjiao , Wang Lihu , Wang Linxia , Wang Yunjie , Dai Li , Zhao Jin , Liu Mengjun , Liu Zhiguo
Published: March 2022

Jujube witches’ broom disease (JWB), one of the most serious phytoplasma diseases, usually results in the destruction of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.). Although most jujube cultivars are sensitive to JWB, we found a few genotypes that are highly resistant to JWB. However, the molecular mechanism of phytoplasma resistance has seldom been studied. Here, we used Chinese jujube “T13,” which has strong resistance to JWB, and a typical susceptible cultivar, “Pozao” (“PZ”), as materials to perform comparative transcriptome, hormone, and regulation analyses. After phytoplasma infection, the differential expression genes (DEGs) were detected at all three growth phases (S1, S2, and S3) in “PZ,” but DEGs were detected only at the first growth phase in “T13.” Meanwhile, no phytoplasma was detected, and the symptoms especially witches’ broom caused by JWB were not observed at the last two growth phases (S2 and S3) in “T13.” Protein–protein interaction analysis also showed that the key genes were mainly involved in hormone and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. In addition, during the recovered growth phase in “T13” from S1 to S2, the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was significantly increased and then decreased from S2 to S3. Moreover, jasmonic acid (JA) was significantly accumulated in “PZ” diseased plants, especially at the S2 phase and at the S2 phase in “T13,” while the content of salicylic acid (SA) decreased significantly at the S2 phase of “T13” compared to that in “PZ.” The changes in H2O2 and JA or SA were consistent with the changes in their key synthesis genes in the transcriptome data. Finally, exogenous application of an SA inhibitor [1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT)] rescued witches’ broom symptoms, while the contents of both JA and MeJA increased after ABT treatment compared to the control, demonstrating that exogenous application of an SA inhibitor rescued the symptoms of jujube after phytoplasma infection by decreasing the contents of SA and increasing the contents of JA and MeJA. Collectively, our study provides a new perspective on the transcriptional changes of Chinese jujube in response to JWB and novel insights that the crosstalk of JA and SA signaling communicated together to contribute to “T13” JWB resistance.
Contribution of Ruminal Bacteriome to the Individual Variation of Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency of Dairy Cows
Authors: Li Min , Zhong Huiyue , Li Ming , Zheng Nan , Wang Jiaqi , Zhao Shengguo
Published: March 2022

High nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) is important for increasing milk protein production and decreasing the feed nitrogen cost and nitrogen emission to the environment. Currently, there is a limited whole picture of the relationship between ruminal bacteriome and the NUE of dairy cows, even though some information has been revealed about the bacteriome and milk or milk protein production of dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to compare the rumen bacterial community in dairy cows with different nitrogen utilization efficiency under the same diet. The natural abundance of 15N between the animal proteins and diet (Δ15N) was used as a simple, non-invasive, and accurate biomarker for NUE in ruminants to mark the individual variation. Dairy cows with high NUE (HE_HP, n = 7), medium NUE (ME_MP, n = 7), and low NUE (LE_LP, n = 7) were selected from 284 Holstein dairy cows with the same diet. Measurement of the rumen fermentation indices showed that the proportion of propionate was higher in HE_HP cows and ME_MP cows than in LE_LP cows (P < 0.05). The diversity of rumen bacterial community was higher in LE_LP cows than in ME_MP cows and HE_HP cows by 16S rRNA sequencing analysis (P < 0.05). Moreover, at the genus level, the relative abundances of Succinivibrionaceae_UCG_001, uncultured_Selenomonadaceae, and Acidaminococcus were higher in HE_HP cows than in LE_LP cows (P < 0.05). Interestingly, we found that these bacteria were positively correlated with milk protein yield and negatively correlated with Δ15N (P < 0.05). However, Clostridia_UCG_014, Saccharofermentans, Bacilli_RF39, and Desulfovibrio were lower in HE_HP cows and ME_MP cows than in LE_LP cows (P < 0.05), which were negatively correlated with milk protein yield and positively correlated with Δ15N (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the study showed that the diversity and relative abundances of rumen bacteria differed among different NUE cows, indicating that rumen bacteriome contributes to nitrogen metabolism in dairy cows.
Population Diversity of Antibiotic Resistant Enterobacterales in Samples From Wildlife Origin in Senegal: Identification of a Multidrug Resistance Transposon Carrying blaCTX–M–15 in Escherichia coli
Authors: Abdallah Rim , Kuete Yimagou Edmond , Hadjadj Linda , Mediannikov Oleg , Ibrahim Ahmad , Davoust Bernard , Barciela Amanda , Hernandez-Aguilar R. Adriana , Diatta Georges , Sokhna Cheikh , Raoult Didier , Rolain Jean-Marc , Baron Sophie Alexandra
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The role of wildlife in the transmission of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) is suspected but scarcely reported in current studies. Therefore, we studied the dynamics and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales in antibiotic-limited areas of Senegal.

Materials and Methods

We collected fecal samples from monkeys and apes (N = 226) and non-fecal environmental samples (N = 113) from Senegal in 2015 and 2019. We grew the samples on selective media, subsequently isolated AMR Enterobacterales, and then sequenced their genomes.

Results

We isolated 72 different Enterobacterales among which we obtained a resistance rate of 65% for colistin (N = 47/72) and 29% for third generation-cephalosporin (C3G) (29%, N = 21/72). Interestingly, almost 46% of our isolates, among Enterobacter sp., Citrobacter cronae and Klebsiella aerogenes, belong to 34 new STs. Moreover, the genes blaCTX–M–15, blaTEM1B, sul2, dfrA14, qnrs, aph(3′′), aph(6), tetA, and tetR harbored within a transposon on the IncY plasmid of ST224 Escherichia coli were transferred and inserted into a ST10 E. coli phage coding region.

Conclusion

Wildlife constitutes a rich, unexplored reservoir of natural microbial diversity, AMR genes and international resistant clones pathogenic in humans. The presence of a transposon that carries AMR genes is intriguing since no antibiotics are used in the non-human primates we studied.
Rescue of Recombinant Adenoviruses by CRISPR/Cas-Mediated in vivo Terminal Resolution
Authors: Riedl André , Fischer Julian , Burgert Hans-Gerhard , Ruzsics Zsolt
Published: March 2022

Recombinant adenovirus (rAd) vectors represent one of the most frequently used vehicles for gene transfer applications in vitro and in vivo. rAd genomes are constructed in Escherichia coli where their genomes can be maintained, propagated, and modified in form of circular plasmids or bacterial artificial chromosomes. Although the rescue of rAds from their circular plasmid or bacmid forms is well established, it works with relatively low primary efficiency, preventing this technology for library applications. To overcome this barrier, we tested a novel strategy for the reconstitution of rAds that utilizes the CRISPR/Cas-machinery to cleave the circular rAd genomes in close proximity to their inverted terminal repeats (ITRs) within the producer cells upon transfection. This CRISPR/Cas-mediated in vivo terminal resolution allowed efficient rescue of vectors derived from different human adenovirus (HAdV) species. By this means, it was not only possible to increase the efficiency of virus rescue by about 50-fold, but the presented methodology appeared also remarkably simpler and faster than traditional rAd reconstitution methods.
Refining Mitochondrial Intron Classification With ERPIN: Identification Based on Conservation of Sequence Plus Secondary Structure Motifs
Authors: Prince Samuel , Munoz Carl , Filion-Bienvenue Fannie , Rioux Pierre , Sarrasin Matt , Lang B. Franz
Published: March 2022

Mitochondrial genomes—in particular those of fungi—often encode genes with a large number of Group I and Group II introns that are conserved at both the sequence and the RNA structure level. They provide a rich resource for the investigation of intron and gene structure, self- and protein-guided splicing mechanisms, and intron evolution. Yet, the degree of sequence conservation of introns is limited, and the primary sequence differs considerably among the distinct intron sub-groups. It makes intron identification, classification, structural modeling, and the inference of gene models a most challenging and error-prone task—frequently passed on to an “expert” for manual intervention. To reduce the need for manual curation of intron structures and mitochondrial gene models, computational methods using ERPIN sequence profiles were initially developed in 2007. Here we present a refinement of search models and alignments using the now abundant publicly available fungal mtDNA sequences. In addition, we have tested in how far members of the originally proposed sub-groups are clearly distinguished and validated by our computational approach. We confirm clearly distinct mitochondrial Group I sub-groups IA1, IA3, IB3, IC1, IC2, and ID. Yet, IB1, IB2, and IB4 ERPIN models are overlapping substantially in predictions, and are therefore combined and reported as IB. We have further explored the conversion of our ERPIN profiles into covariance models (CM). Current limitations and prospects of the CM approach will be discussed.
Lifestyle Modifications for Migraine Management
Authors: Agbetou Mendinatou , Adoukonou Thierry
Published: March 2022

Migraine is a disabling disease that inflicts a heavy burden on individuals who suffer from it. Significant advances are being made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of the disease. The role of lifestyle modifications has become increasingly predominant. We reviewed the current and available data on the role of a healthy lifestyle in the management of migraine. Physical activity, management of obesity, a healthy diet, and a better lifestyle, such as adequate sleep and avoidance of drug abuse, significantly contribute to reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. It is important to consider these factors in the overall management strategies for migraine sufferers.