bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stable reconstructed human gingiva–microbe interaction model: Differential response to commensals and pathogens
Authors: Zhang Yan , Shang Lin , Roffel Sanne , Krom Bastiaan P. , Gibbs Susan , Deng Dongmei
Published: October 2022

Background

To investigate human oral health and disease, models are required which represent the interactions between the oral mucosa and microbiome. Our aim was to develop an organotypic model which maintains viability of both host and microbes for an extended period of time.

Methods

Reconstructed Human Gingiva (RHG) were cultured air-lifted with or without penicillin-streptomycin (PS) and topically exposed to Streptococcus gordonii (commensal) or Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (pathogen) for 72 hours in agar. RHG histology, viability and cytokines (ELISA), and bacterial viability (colony forming units) and location (FISH) were assessed.

Results

The low concentration of topically applied agar did not influence RHG viability. Topically applied bacteria in agar remained localized and viable for 72 hours and did not spill over to infect RHG culture medium. PS in RHG culture medium killed topically applied bacteria. Co-culture with living bacteria did not influence RHG viability (Ki67 expression, MTT assay) or histology (epithelium differentiation, Keratin10 expression). RHG exposed to S. gordonii (with or without PS) did not influence low level of IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, CCL5, CCL20 or CXCL1 secretion. However, all cytokines increased (except CCL2) when RHG were co-cultured with A. actinomycetemcomitans. The effect was significantly more in the presence of living, rather than dead, A. actinomycetemcomitans. Both bacteria resulted in increased expression of RHG antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) Elafin and HBD-2, with S. gordonii exposure resulting in the most Elafin secretion.

Conclusion

This technical advance enables living human oral host–microbe interactions to be investigated during a 72-hour period and shows differences in innate immunology triggered by S. gordonii and A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Cross-vendor programming abstraction for diverse heterogeneous platforms
Authors: Leppänen Topi , Lotvonen Atro , Jääskeläinen Pekka
Published: October 2022

Hardware specialization is a well-known means to significantly improve the performance and energy efficiency of various application domains. Modern computing systems consist of multiple specialized processing devices which need to collaborate with each other to execute common tasks. New heterogeneous programming abstractions have been created to program heterogeneous systems. Even though many of these abstractions are open vendor-independent standards, cross-vendor interoperability between different implementations is limited since the vendors typically do not have commercial motivations to invest in it. Therefore, getting good performance from vendor-independent heterogeneous programming standards has proven difficult for systems with multiple different device types. In order to help unify the field of heterogeneous programming APIs for platforms with hardware accelerators from multiple vendors, we propose a new software abstraction for hardware-accelerated tasks based on the open OpenCL programming standard. In the proposed abstraction, we rely on the built-in kernel feature of the OpenCL specification to define a portability layer that stores enough information for automated accelerator utilization. This enables the portability of high-level applications to a diverse set of accelerator devices with minimal programmer effort. The abstraction enables a layered software architecture that provides for an efficient combination of application phases to a single asynchronous application description from multiple domain-specific input languages. As proofs of the abstraction layer serving its purpose for the layers above and below it, we show how a domain-specific input description ONNX can be implemented on top of this portability abstraction, and how it also allows driving fixed function and FPGA-based hardware accelerators below in the hardware-specific backend. We also provide an example implementation of the abstraction to show that the abstraction layer does not seem to incur significant execution time overhead.
Future spatial modeling of vegetation in the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor, Brazil
Authors: de Santana Romário Oliveira , Delgado Rafael Coll , Schiavetti Alexandre
Published: October 2022

Tropical forests stand out among forest domains, due to their wide diversity of flora and fauna. However, these areas concentrate a large number of the forest fires that occur annually on the planet. In this context, the present study performs spatial modeling of the normalized multi-band drought index (NMDI) in the Central Atlantic Forest Corridor during past (2001-2020) and future (2021-2040) periods to identify the relationship between drought and forest fires. Fire foci data, soil moisture, and data from the MOD09A1 product were used to obtain the NMDI. Rainfall and mean air temperature data from the past and for different future scenarios (SSP126 and SSP585) were also used. The autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) was used for modeling the NMDI. The results found indicate a recurrence of fire in the CAFC during the period of 2001–2020. Future data indicate reductions in rainfall and an increase in temperature in the CAFC area. The NMDI data indicate that the central region of the corridor is the driest and, among the priority areas for conservation, the Ilha do Lameirão Municipal ecological station has the lowest index values. Future modeling indicates the drought intensifying in the coming years in the corridor area. The CAFC is an extremely important area for the maintenance of Atlantic Forest remnants; however, this area continues to suffer disturbances and without the adoption of public policies, these disturbances could compromise the conservation of natural resources.
John Henryism, psychological labor, and control-value theory: Race, ethnicity, and situational coping for student success
Authors: Torsney Benjamin M. , Burke Kathryn M. , Torsney Cheryl B. , Lombardi Doug
Published: October 2022

This study explored the integration of John Henryism—defined as effortful, active coping in response to environmental stress—into control-value theory. Specifically, we were interested in how this process differed among identity groups. We used measures of John Henryism (JHAC-12), control-value theory, and momentary engagement (Record of Experience) on a school-based task. Results demonstrated the following: identifying as a first-generation college student predicted John Henryism; value significantly predicted cognitive engagement and positive emotion; and perceived control lowered negative emotions. Identifying as a first-generation college student corresponded to higher levels of John Henryism and control. Identifying as female led to a decrease in positive emotions, but an increase in value. Similarly, identifying as a Black student was associated with a decrease in control, but also a decrease in negative emotions. Indirect effects showed that identifying as a first-generation college student led to an increase in John Henryism followed by (1) an increase in value, (2) an increase in perceived control, or (3) an increase in value with attendant positive emotions. Findings indicate that John Henryism integrates into control-value theory and contributes to momentary engagement on a school-based task.
Dose-dependent stimulation of human follicular steroidogenesis by a novel rhCG during ovarian stimulation with fixed rFSH dosing
Authors: Bøtkjær Jane Alrø , Kristensen Stine Gry , Olesen Hanna Ørnes , Larsson Per , Mannaerts Bernadette , Andersen Claus Yding
Published: October 2022

Background

Choriogonadotropin (CG) beta (FE 999302), a novel recombinant human (h)CG produced by a human cell line, has a longer half-life and higher potency than CG alfa produced by a Chinese hamster ovary cell line. hCG augments steroid production, but the extent of which CG beta treatment during ovarian stimulation (OS) increases steroidogenesis is unknown.

Objective

To explore how increasing doses of CG beta during OS augment follicular steroidogenesis and change gene expression in cumulus cells.

Study design

This study is part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of CG beta plus recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (rFSH) in women undergoing OS during a long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocol. The study primary endpoint was intrafollicular steroid concentrations after CG beta administration. Secondary outcomes were gene expression of FSHR, LHR, CYP19a1, and androgen receptor (AR).

Participants/methods

619 women with anti-Müllerian hormone levels 5–35 pmol/L were randomized to receive placebo or 1, 2, 4, 8, or 12 µg/day CG beta from Day 1 of OS plus rFSH. Follicular fluid (FF) (n=558), granulosa (n=498) and cumulus cells (n=368) were collected at oocyte retrieval. Steroid FF hormones were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, gene expression was analyzed in cumulus cells by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed in granulosa cells.

Results

17-OH-progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, and estradiol concentrations significantly increased in a CG-beta dose-dependent manner during OS (p<0.0001), reaching up to 10 times higher values in the highest dose group versus placebo. There was no difference between CG beta dose groups and placebo for progesterone. Expression levels of CYP19a1 increased significantly in the highest dose group of CG beta (p=0.0325) but levels of FSHR, LHR and AR were not affected by CG beta administration. There were no differences between the FSHR(307) or LHR(312) SNP genotypes for dose-dependent effects of CG beta in relation to number of oocytes, intrafollicular steroid hormone levels, or gene expression levels.

Conclusions

These results reflect the importance of the combined effect of FSH and hCG/LH during OS on granulosa cell activity, follicle health and potentially oocyte quality.

Trial Registration number

2017-003810-13 (EudraCT Number).

Trial Registration date

21 May 2018.

Date of first patient’s enrolment

13 June 2018. Presented at the 38th Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, P-567, 2022.
Triglyceride−glucose index in the prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after coronary artery bypass surgery: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang He , Chong Hoshun , Li Zeshi , Li Kai , Zhang Bomin , Xue Yunxing , Wang Dongjin
Published: October 2022

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is a significant risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases and a defining feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to examine the potential value of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index as a predictor of prognosis in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with T2DM after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and to facilitate the identification of those at high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) for closer monitoring or possible early intervention.

Methods

This study enrolled 386 T2DM patients who underwent CABG surgery at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Patients were separated into two groups according to the median preoperative TyG Index. The Kaplan-Meier plot was used to compare the rate of MACEs-free survival in T2DM patients after CABG. The independent risk factors for the occurrence of MACEs were investigated using multivariate analysis. Nomogram was used to depict the predictive model.

Results

Significantly more MACEs occurred in individuals with higher medians of the TyG index (65 (33.7%) vs. 39 (20.2%), p=0.003). TyG index [hazard ratio (HR) 12.926], LVEF [hazard ratio (HR) 0.916], and NYHA functional class III/IV [hazard ratio (HR) 4.331] were identified as independent predictors of MACEs incidence in post-CABG T2DM patients by multivariate analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting MACEs using the TyG index was 0.89 at five years. Combining the TyG index, LVEF, and NYHA functional class III/IV to build a novel risk assessment model for postoperative MACEs, the AUC climbed to 0.93 at five years. With AUCs, the nomogram comprised of the TyG index, LVEF, and NYHA functional class III/IV demonstrated strong specificity in the training and test sets.

Conclusions

The incidence of MACEs is high among post-CABG T2DM patients with a high TyG index. TyG index improves the diagnostic accuracy of MACEs, especially at long-term follow-up. A high TyG index may serve as an early warning signal for individuals to undertake lifestyle adjustments that can reduce the progression or incidence of MACEs.
Leptin receptor antagonist attenuates experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in mice by regulating Treg/Th17 cell differentiation
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Bo-Tao , Jiang Qi-Lan , Zhao Han-Qing , Xu Qin , Zeng Yang , Xu Jia-Ying , Jiang Jun
Published: October 2022

Leptin has been found to be involved in the development and progression of many autoimmune diseases. As an organ-specific autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis has not been fully elucidated. It has been reported that serum leptin level is increased in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but other studies have not shown any difference. We replicated a mouse model of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) with a high-iodine diet and found that injection of the leptin receptor antagonist Allo-aca reduced thyroid follicle destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration in EAT mice, and thyroxine and thyroid autoimmune antibody levels. Further investigation revealed that Allo-aca promotes the differentiation of Treg cells and inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells. We believe that Allo-aca can alter the differentiation of Treg/Th17 cells by inhibiting the leptin signaling pathway, thereby alleviating thyroid injury in EAT mice. Interfering with the leptin signaling pathway may be a novel new approach to treat treating and ameliorating Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Identification and analysis of novel endometriosis biomarkers via integrative bioinformatics
Authors: Bae Sung-Jin , Jo Yunju , Cho Min Kyoung , Jin Jung-Sook , Kim Jin-Young , Shim Jaewon , Kim Yun Hak , Park Jang-Kyung , Ryu Dongryeol , Lee Hyun Joo , Joo Jongkil , Ha Ki-Tae
Published: October 2022

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease prevalent in women of reproductive age, and it is characterized by the ectopic presence and growth of the eutopic endometrium. The pathophysiology and diagnostic biomarkers of endometriosis have not yet been comprehensively determined. To discover molecular markers and pathways underlying the pathogenesis of endometriosis, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in three Gene Expression Omnibus microarray datasets (GSE11691, GSE23339, and GSE7305) and performed gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses. We also validated the identified genes via immunohistochemical analysis of tissues obtained from patients with endometriosis or healthy volunteers. A total of 118 DEGs (79 upregulated and 39 downregulated) were detected in each dataset with a lower (fold change) FC cutoff (log2|FC| > 1), and 17 DEGs (11 upregulated and six downregulated) with a higher FC cutoff (log2|FC| > 2). KEGG and GO functional analyses revealed enrichment of signaling pathways associated with inflammation, complement activation, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix in endometriotic tissues. Upregulation of seven genes (C7, CFH, FZD7, LY96, PDLIM3, PTGIS, and WISP2) out of 17 was validated via comparison with external gene sets, and protein expression of four genes (LY96, PDLIM3, PTGIS, and WISP2) was further analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Based on these results, we suggest that TLR4/NF-κB and Wnt/frizzled signaling pathways, as well as estrogen receptors, regulate the progression of endometriosis. These pathways may be therapeutic and diagnostic targets for endometriosis.
Hypoxia activates the unfolded protein response signaling network: An adaptive mechanism for endometriosis
Authors: Zhou Yong , Jin Yang , Wang Yuan , Wu Ruijin
Published: October 2022

Endometriosis (EMS) is a chronic gynecological disease that affects women of childbearing age. However, the exact cause remains unclear. The uterus is a highly vascularized organ that continuously exposes endometrial cells to high oxygen concentrations. According to the “planting theory” of EMS pathogenesis, when endometrial cells fall from the uterine cavity and retrograde to the peritoneal cavity, they will face severe hypoxic stress. Hypoxic stress remains a key issue even if successfully implanted into the ovaries or peritoneum. In recent years, increasing evidence has confirmed that hypoxia is closely related to the occurrence and development of EMS. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) can play an essential role in the pathological process of EMS by regulating carbohydrate metabolism, angiogenesis, and energy conversion of ectopic endometrial cells. However, HIF-1α alone is insufficient to achieve the complete program of adaptive changes required for cell survival under hypoxic stress, while the unfolded protein response (UPR) responding to endoplasmic reticulum stress plays an essential supplementary role in promoting cell survival. The formation of a complex signal regulation network by hypoxia-driven UPR may be the cytoprotective adaptation mechanism of ectopic endometrial cells in unfavorable microenvironments.
Response to targeted radionuclide therapy with [131I]MIBG AND [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE according to adrenal vs. extra-adrenal primary location in metastatic paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas: A systematic review
Authors: Prado-Wohlwend Stefan , del Olmo-García María Isabel , Bello-Arques Pilar , Merino-Torres Juan Francisco
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) with [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE is an alternative treatment to the classic schemes in slow progressive metastatic/inoperable paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO). There is no consensus on which treatment to administer and/or the best sequence in patients who are candidates for both therapies. To clarify these questions, this systematic review assesses the prognostic value of [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (PRRT-Lu) treatments in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) both globally and considering the primary location.

Methods

This review was developed according to the PRISMA Statement with 27 final studies (608 patients). Patient characteristics, treatment procedure, and follow-up criteria were evaluated. In addition, a Bayesian linear regression model weighted according to its sample size and an alternative model, which also included an interaction between the treatment and the proportion of PHEOs, were carried out, adjusted by a Student’s t distribution.

Results

In linear regression models, [131I]MIBG overall PFS was, on average, 10 months lower when compared with PRRT-Lu. When considering the interaction between treatment responses and the proportion of PHEOs, PRRT-Lu showed remarkably better results in adrenal location. The PFS of PRRT-Lu was longer when the ratio of PHEOs increased, with a decrease in [131I]MIBG PFS by 1.9 months for each 10% increase in the proportion of PHEOs in the sample.

Conclusion

Methodology, procedure, and PFS from the different studies are quite heterogeneous. PRRT-Lu showed better results globally and specifically in PHEOs. This fact opens the window to prospective trials comparing or sequencing [131I]MIBG and PRRT-Lu.
Implications of metabolic health status and obesity on the risk of kidney cancer: A nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Cho Yun Kyung , Kim Hwi Seung , Park Joong-Yeol , Lee Woo Je , Kim Ye-Jee , Jung Chang Hee
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study evaluated the association between metabolic health status and incident kidney cancer among obese participants.

Materials and methods

A total of 514,866 individuals were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort. Changes in metabolic health status and obesity from the baseline examination in 2009–2010 to the next biannual examination in 2011–2012 were determined. Based on the status change, obese participants were divided into four groups: stable metabolically healthy obesity, metabolically healthy obesity to metabolically unhealthy obesity, metabolically unhealthy obesity to metabolically healthy obesity, and stable metabolically unhealthy obesity.

Results

The stable metabolically healthy obesity phenotype did not confer an increased risk of incident kidney cancer, compared to the stable metabolically healthy non-obese group. In contrast, the metabolically healthy obesity to metabolically unhealthy obesity group had a significantly higher risk of incident kidney cancer than the stable metabolically healthy non-obese group. Among patients with metabolically unhealthy obesity at baseline, those who transitioned to the metabolically healthy obese group had no increased risk of kidney cancer, whereas those who remained in metabolically unhealthy obesity status had a higher risk of incident kidney cancer than the stable metabolically healthy non-obese group. The transition or maintenance of metabolic health was a decisive factor for kidney cancer in obese patients.

Conclusions

Maintaining or restoring metabolic health should be stressed upon in obese patients to reduce the risk of kidney cancer.
RUBER: Recoverable UAV-based energy-efficient reconfigurable routing scheme for smart wireless livestock sensor network
Authors: Alanezi Mohammed A. , Salami Abdulazeez F. , Sha’aban Yusuf A. , Bouchekara Houssem R. E. H.
Published: October 2022

This paper is a sequel to a previous article by the authors in which UAV-based energy-efficient reconfigurable routing (UBER) scheme was proposed to address coverage loss and rapid energy depletion issues for smart wireless livestock sensor networks. Sensor node and route failure issues associated with the UBER scheme are therefore addressed in this research by proposing a recoverable UAV-based energy-efficient reconfigurable routing (RUBER) scheme. RUBER scheme relies on an efficient fault detection and recycling technique, dynamic recovery mechanism, and robust route maintenance technique. Performance of RUBER was analyzed under low, medium and high failure rate network conditions. Performance indices employed for this assessment are failure detection ratio (FDR), failure recovery ratio (FRR), load balancing ratio (LBR), and packet delivery ratio (PDR). Analysis results demonstrated that keeping the failure rate below 10% led to performance improvements of 60.96%, 74.14%, 64.68%, and 60.74% for FDR, FRR, LBR, and PDR, respectively. Performance comparison of RUBER was conducted against UBER and hybrid heterogeneous routing (HYBRID) schemes. Performance metrics utilized for this comparative evaluation are average routing delay (ARD), energy dissipation ratio (EDR), routing overhead (ROH), fault tolerance index (FTI), nodal failure recovered (NFR), route failure recovered (RFR), and cluster survival ratio (CSR). With respect to best-case values, RUBER exhibited gains of 79.67%, 44.98%, 67.88%, 74.90%, 52.20%, 70.56%, and 52.52% over UBER and HYBRID in terms of ARD, EDR, ROH, FTI, NFR, RFR, and CSR respectively. Simulation experiments revealed the relative competitiveness of the RUBER scheme against the benchmarked schemes.
Assessing water security in Central Asia through a Delphi method and a clustering analysis
Authors: Assubayeva Aliya , Xenarios Stefanos , Li Albina , Fazli Siamac
Published: October 2022

The accessibility to freshwater sources and even allocation among different uses has become one of the most challenging sustainability aspects, especially in developing and transition economies, where a rapid increase in water consumption and poor management practices are more frequent. Water security has been adopted as a relatively new concept to encompass the relevant dimensions for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Still, water security remains a rather abstract notion without well-established and measurable indicators. Central Asia (CA) is a region where water security was prioritized after the Soviet dissolution in 1991; however, several socio-economic, environmental, and transboundary aspects hinder establishing a common understanding. In this study, we have attempted to synopsize the concept of water security in CA as perceived by the views of water professionals with experience and expertise in the region. We applied a Delphi method and analyzed its outcome with clustering and regression analysis to better comprehend the agreement rate among water professionals on critical aspects of water security in the CA region. Our devised methodology can quantify the general agreement rate among professionals and assess the behavioural trends for iterative Delphi rounds. The findings suggest that the economic dimension of water security in CA is the ultimate priority for nearly all water professionals, while the national priorities for each CA county are not identical. The study anticipates identifying the elements needed for a commonly agreed water security framework in CA and offering methodological insights for the assessment of socio-ecological challenges.
Impact of servant leadership on organization excellence through employees’ competence: Exploring a cross-cultural perspective
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Salameh Anas A. , Saleem Hina , Tahir Naveed Rana , Dalain Ali F. , Shahid Rao Muhammad
Published: October 2022

The role of leadership in an organization’s parameters has been enhanced, especially in an uncertain environment. New environmental and sustainability laws and social responsibilities are emerging. Corporates are making continuous efforts to be sustainable and excellent in their performance. The purpose of this study is to measure the impact of servant leadership on organizational behavior when work capacity mediates this relationship from a cross-cultural perspective. We created a three-variable survey containing 31 items to collect statistics on 329 employees in the Pakistan, China, and Saudi Arabian corporate sectors. It was a structured, quantitative study. Cross-section procedures have been implemented to gain experience. The conclusions of the study show that employee competence is an intermediary between servant leadership and organizational performance. Servant leaders make a positive difference in an organization’s excellence. This study suggests the practical importance of servant leadership and employee competency in the cross-cultural corporate sector. This study influenced the concept of servant leadership in corporate philosophy. Future studies may be directed to finding the relationship through more complex and rigorous research designs.
Morphological and physiological response of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) to an extreme cold spell in subtropical, coastal forests of China
Authors: Xie Hongtao , Pile Knapp Lauren S. , Yu Mukui , Wang G. Geoff
Published: October 2022

Acute and extreme weather events can cause considerable damage to the tissues of trees, including stem death and branch or leaf distortion, which may limit their survival and reproduction. In January 2016, a rare cold spell impacted the coastal forests of subtropical China. Using post-hoc assessments, we evaluated the morphological and physiological response of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera L.) to the extreme cold spell in two distinct ecoregions, one (Xiangshan, China) representing the cold spell impacted zone and the other (Taizhou, China) representing the non-affected zone. To determine if the extreme cold events impacted the vigor of Chinese tallow, we assessed differences in growth rate, leaf characteristics, and leaf gas exchange. As age may affect tree morphological and physiological response to stress, we grouped subject trees into three distinct cohorts, namely, seedlings (1–2 years old), young-aged (5–6 years old), and middle-aged (10–12 years old). Our results suggest that although tree height and diameter did not differ, leaf area expansion and leaf mass were reduced in the impacted zone. In seedling and young-aged trees, the cold spell significantly reduced leaf net photosynthetic (An), transpiration rates (Tr), stomatal conductance (Gs) and water use efficiency (WUE) while leaf intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), vapor pressure deficit (Vpd), and intercellular CO2 pressure (Ci-Pa) increased. In contrast, the middle-aged group was less responsive to the cold spell. Across all cohorts, the event did not affect leaf temperature (Tleaf), but the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) decreased. We also detected increases of leaf malondialdehyde (MDA) and free proline (Pro) contents in young-aged and middle-aged groups. Hence, the extreme cold spell caused remarkable negative effects on the morphological and physiological traits of Chinese tallow. Redundancy analysis revealed that the cold spell also impacted the subsequent recovery process of damaged Chinese tallow by reducing the ability of leaf to utilize microenvironmental resources (radiation, air humidity, and CO2) for gas exchange. Results from this study are important to strengthen our understanding of Chinese tallow responding to extreme cold stress within its native range, also be helpful to predict the distributions of Chinese tallow in its invasive range where it has devastating impacts to coastal ecosystems in the southeast US.
Predictors of plant endemism in two west African forest hotspots
Authors: Marshall Cicely A. M. , Dabo Jonathan , Mensah Markfred , Ekpe Patrick , Kpadehyea James T. , Haba Ouo Ouo , Bilivogui David , Hawthorne William D.
Published: October 2022

Centres of endemism have been much studied by biogeographers, ecologists, and evolutionary theorists, and are considered conservation priorities. It is therefore important to understand the ecological traits of restricted range taxa, and the landscape-scale drivers of high endemism. Here, we investigate correlates of floristic endemism within two of west Africa’s forest biodiversity hotspots at local scale. We assembled distribution data for 1,042 vascular plant taxa from 114 sample locations within forest reserves of south west Ghana, and for 1,735 vascular plant taxa from 454 sample locations within the Nimba Mountains (Liberia and Guinea). A quantitative index of global endemism called the Genetic Heat Index was modelled linearly. We tested the significance of modern climate, altitude and disturbance as factors predicting endemism rates in these two forest reserves. Annual rainfall was significantly and positively related to endemism rates in both south west Ghana and the Nimba Mountains. Altitude was a significant predictor of endemism rates in the Nimba Mountains, with a quadratic relationship highlighting particularly high endemism over 1,000 m. Local topography rather than altitude was a significant predictor or endemism in SW Ghana, where altitude varies less. Areas of high rainfall and high altitude are geographically restricted across the western African forests, acting as edaphic islands driving spatial isolation. Disturbed vegetation samples had lower endemism rates than undisturbed samples in both Nimba and SW Ghana, and overall pioneer species had wider areas of occupancy than shade-bearing species. Endemism rates increased slightly with each year following clearance. Disturbance thus creates and maintains vegetation types which support a lower proportion of globally rare species in the two biodiversity hotspots surveyed. From the point of view of the conservation of globally rare plants, it is important to keep additional disturbance in the south west Ghana hotspot, particularly Ankasa, to a minimum, as is the current practice, and in the Nimba mountains to establish community forests which may be left relatively undisturbed amid farming and mining activities.
Hsa_circ_0040809 and hsa_circ_0000467 promote colorectal cancer cells progression and construction of a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network
Authors: Liu Jingfu , Chen Shan , Li Zhen , Teng Wenhao , Ye Xianren
Published: October 2022

Objective: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to be closely involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis and metastasis. More potential biomarkers are needed to be searched for colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this study is to seek differentially expressed circRNAs (DEcircRNAs), test their roles in CRC and construct a potential competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network.

Methods: CircRNA microarrays were obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus, and differential expression was analyzed by R software. The relative expressions of DEcircRNAs were confirmed in CRC tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. MTs and Transwell experiments were performed for detecting the roles of circRNAs on CRC cell proliferation and migration, respectively. Targeted miRNAs of circRNAs and targeted mRNAs of miRNAs were predicted and screened by bioinformatics methods. A ceRNA network of DEcircRNAs was constructed by Cytoscape. To further verify the potential ceRNA network, the expressions of miRNAs and mRNAs in knockdown of DEcircRNAs CRC cells were detected by qRT-PCR.

Results: Two DEcircRNAs (hsa_circ_0040809 and hsa_circ_0000467) were identified and validated in CRC tissues and cell lines. The results of MTs and Transwell experiments showed that hsa_circ_0040809 and hsa_circ_0000467 promoted CRC proliferation and migration. Bioinformatics analysis screened 3 miRNAs (miR-326, miR-330-5p, and miR-330-3p) and 2 mRNAs (FADS1 and RUNX1), and a ceRNA network was constructed. In knockdown of hsa_circ_0040809 HCT-116 cells, the expression of miR-330-3p was significantly upregulated, while RUNX1 was significantly downregulated. In knockdown of hsa_circ_0000467 HCT-116 cells, the expressions of miR-326 and miR-330-3p were upregulated, while FADS1was downregulated.

Conclusion: We found that hsa_circ_0040809 and hsa_circ_0000467 were upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines, and promoted CRC cell progression. A circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on hsa_circ_0040809 and hsa_circ_0000467 was constructed.
Human journeys in the digital age: Advances and challenges in Digital Historical Migration Studies
Authors: Arthur Paul Longley , Smith Isabel
Published: October 2022

Accelerations in migration, mobility, and processes of globalization in recent decades have intersected with parallel developments in information and communications technology (ICT). These advances have had profound influences on historical and cultural research. With reference to a diverse range of international projects, this paper outlines major directions and opportunities in the growing field of Digital Historical Migration Studies (DHMS). The “digital turn” brings opportunities for integrating data on macro and micro scales, and finding new ways to combine and explore tensions between quantitative and qualitative materials, and between external observations of migrants and migration and self-representations by migrants. The plural and fluid nature of digital content also lends itself to multifaceted representations of migration that illustrate the complexities of lived experiences, and individual and collective identities. At the same time, digitalization in historical migration studies underscores the tensions between technological advances and methodological shifts, the need for self-reflexive approaches, the politics and power structures underlying migration data, and the ethical concerns around protecting migrants' data, privacy, and agency.
The protective role of caffeic acid on bovine mammary epithelial cells and the inhibition of growth and biofilm formation of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical mastitis milk
Authors: Xu Tianle , Zhu Hao , Liu Run , Wu Xinyue , Chang Guangjun , Yang Yi , Yang Zhangping
Published: October 2022

As a first-line barrier against bacterial infection of mammary tissues, bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs) are generally believed to be involved in the immune response due to exogenous stress. Due to the escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance, there is an urgent need for new strategies to combat pathogenic bacteria-infected bovine mastitis. In this study, isolated bMECs and Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were used for Escherichia coli infection and caffeic acid (CA) pretreatment experiments in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of CA on bacterial growth and biofilm formation was also demonstrated with bacteria strains isolated from mastitis-infected milk. It was demonstrated that CA supplementation prohibits the growth of the predominant strains of bacteria isolated from clinical bovine mastitis milk samples. CA was found to disrupt the biofilm formation of E. coli B1 in a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (sub-MIC) and inhibited the adherence property of E. coli on bMECs by decreasing the staining of bacteria on cell surfaces in vitro. In addition, CA was found to attenuate proinflammatory and oxidative responses in cells infected with E. coli. The pretreatment of bMECs with CA also restored altered lipid homeostasis caused by E. coli stimulation. The protective role of CA was further confirmed via the administration of CA in mice followed by representative Gram-negative bacterial infection. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of CA to mediate Gram-negative infections and indicate that it has the potential to be developed as a novel antibacterial drug.
Negative regulator NLRC3: Its potential role and regulatory mechanism in immune response and immune-related diseases
Authors: Sun Deyi , Xu Jiqian , Zhang Wanying , Song Chaoying , Gao Chenggang , He Yajun , Shang You
Published: October 2022

NLRC3 is a member of the pattern recognition receptors nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) family, and plays a pivotal regulatory role in modulating the activation of immune cells. In macrophages, NLRC3 inhibits the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, the STING/TBK1 signaling pathway, and the formation of the inflammasome. In the context of T cells immune response, NLRC3 prevents the activation of T cells by regulating the function of dendritic cells and directly influencing the function of T cells. Different from other pattern recognition receptors, NLRC3 is more closely associated with regulatory activity than pathogens recognition, it influences the fates of cells, for example, prevents proliferation, promotes apoptosis and inhibits pyroptosis. These cellular functions regulated by NLRC3 are involved in the development processes of a variety of diseases, such as infectious disease, sterile inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, its characteristics, function and regulatory mechanism in immune response and immune-related diseases have not been addressed fully. In this review, we elaborate the potential roles of NLRC3 from several different levels, include molecular mechanism, cellular functions in the immune-related diseases.
Mycoplasma Bovis adhesins and their target proteins
Authors: Xu QY. , Pan Q. , Wu Q. , Xin JQ.
Published: October 2022

Bovine mycoplasmosis is an important infectious disease of cattle caused by Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) which poses a serious threat to the breeding industry. Adhesin is involved in the initial process of M. bovis colonization, which is closely related to the infection, cell invasion, immune escape and virulence of this pathogenic microorganism. For the reason that M. bovis lacks a cell wall, its adhesin is predominantly located on the surface of the cell membrane. The adhesins of M. bovis are usually identified by adhesion and adhesion inhibition analysis, and more than 10 adhesins have been identified so far. These adhesins primarily bind to plasminogen, fibronectin, heparin and amyloid precursor-like protein-2 of host cells. This review aims to concisely summarize the current knowledge regarding the adhesins of M. bovis and their target proteins of the host cell. Additionally, the biological characteristics of the adhesin will be briefly analyzed.
Tumor microenvironment-mediated immune tolerance in development and treatment of gastric cancer
Authors: Liu Yuanda , Li Changfeng , Lu Yaoping , Liu Chang , Yang Wei
Published: October 2022

Tumor microenvironment is the general term for all non-cancer components and their metabolites in tumor tissue. These components include the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, immune cells, and endothelial cells. In the early stages of tumors, the tumor microenvironment has a tumor suppressor function. As the tumor progresses, tumor immune tolerance is induced under the action of various factors, such that the tumor suppressor microenvironment is continuously transformed into a tumor-promoting microenvironment, which promotes tumor immune escape. Eventually, tumor cells manifest the characteristics of malignant proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. In recent years, stress effects of the extracellular matrix, metabolic and phenotypic changes of innate immune cells (such as neutrophils, mast cells), and adaptive immune cells in the tumor microenvironment have been revealed to mediate the emerging mechanisms of immune tolerance, providing us with a large number of emerging therapeutic targets to relieve tumor immune tolerance. Gastric cancer is one of the most common digestive tract malignancies worldwide, whose mortality rate remains high. According to latest guidelines, the first-line chemotherapy of advanced gastric cancer is the traditional platinum and fluorouracil therapy, while immunotherapy for gastric cancer is extremely limited, including only Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) targeted drugs, whose benefits are limited. Clinical experiments confirmed that cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and other targeted drugs alone or in combination with other drugs have limited efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer, far less than in lung cancer, colon cancer, and other tumors. The failure of immunotherapy is mainly related to the induction of immune tolerance in the tumor microenvironment of gastric cancer. Therefore, solving the immune tolerance of tumors is key to the success of gastric cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we summarize the latest mechanisms of various components of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer for inducing immune tolerance and promoting the formation of the malignant phenotype of gastric cancer, as well as the research progress of targeting the tumor microenvironment to overcome immune tolerance in the treatment of gastric cancer.
RNA-Sequencing approach for exploring the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cells on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Cui Enhai , Zhang Luwen , Pan Xin , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Ling , Wu Feifei , Chen Na , Lv Lu , Chen Wenyan , Chen Hong , Lin Aifu , Wang Feng , Liang Jinfeng , Pan Ruolang
Published: October 2022

Acute lung injury (ALI) is significantly associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with critical diseases. In recent years, studies have identified that mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) ameliorate ALI and pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanism underlying this outcome in ALI has not yet been investigated. In this study, RNA sequencing technology was used to analyze the gene expression profile of lung tissue in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI rats following treatment with human umbilical cord MSC (HUCMSC). Differential expression analyses, gene ontology annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment, protein–protein interaction network identification, and hub gene analysis were also performed. HUCMSC treatment decreased inflammatory factor production and alveolar exudates, and attenuated lung damage in LPS-induced ALI rats. The RNA-Seq data indicated that HUCMSC treatment activated the IL-17, JAK-STAT, NF-κB, and TNF-α signaling pathways, increased oxygen transport, and decreased extracellular matrix organization. HUCMSC exert beneficial effects on ALI via these signaling pathways by reducing inflammation, inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis, and improving lung ventilation. Moreover, our study further revealed the hub genes (Tbx2, Nkx2-1, and Atf5) and signaling pathways involved in HUCMSC treatment, thus providing novel perspectives for future research into the molecular mechanisms underlying cell treatment of ALI. HUCMSC can regulate multiple genes and signaling pathways, which can prevent LPS-induced lung damage in an ALI rat model.
Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) primary cells and stable cell lines as predictive models for intestinal health in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Porter D. , Peggs David , McGurk C. , Martin Samuel A. M.
Published: October 2022

The use of functional feeds for farmed fish is now regarded as a key factor in improving fish health and performance against infectious disease. However, the mechanisms by which these nutritional components modulate the immune response are not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to identify the suitability of both primary gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) leucocyte cells and established rainbow trout cell lines as potential alternative methods to test functional feed ingredients prior to full fish feeding trials that can take months to complete. In addition to the primary GALT culture cells, the two rainbow cell lines RTS11 and RTgutGC which are from macrophage and gut epithelial cells, respectively. The cells were stimulated with a variety of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) (PHA and Poly I:C) and recombinant rainbow trout IL-1β (rIL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, additionally two forms of β-glucan, a prebiotic commonly used aquafeeds were used as stimulants. From this, the suitability of cell models as a health screen for functional feeds was assessed. GALT leucocytes were deemed most effective to act as a health screen over the 4hr time point demonstrating responses to Poly I:C, PHA, and rIL-1β. RTS11 and RTgutGC also responded to the stimulants but did not give a strong T-cell response, most likely reflecting the nature of the cell type as opposed to the mixed cell populations from the primary GALT cell cultures. When stimulated with both forms of β-glucan, GALT leucocytes demonstrated a strong proinflammatory and T-cell response.