bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Light deprivation related changes of strategy selection in the radial arm maze
Authors: Salami M
Published: July 2021

During the early postnatal age environmental signals underlie the development of sensory systems. The visual system is considered as an appropriate system to evaluate role of sensory experience in postnatal development of sensory systems. This study was made to assess the effect of visual deprivation on strategy of arm selection in navigation of radial arm maze. Six-week-old light- (LR, control) and dark-reared (DR) rats were trained for correct choices and adjacent arms tasks. Our results showed that both the LR and DR animals equally selected correct arms. In the adjacent arms task, however, the control group significantly outperformed the DR animals. While the LR males and females displayed some differences in performing the tasks, no sex dependency was found in the performance of the DR group. These findings indicate that the lack of visual experience is likely to influence the strategy selection as well as sex differences. Thus the difference in the performance of LR and DR animals seems to be due to the male rather than female behavior.
Premature Deindustrialization & Thin Industrialization
Authors: Dutta Sourish
Published: July 2021

What happens when the most dynamic entrepreneurial businesses in a country are effectively born global, or when most advanced production facilities are owned and operated by foreign firms which turn out products invented elsewhere? Is thin industrialization the result of policy failure, or is it systemic and unavoidable? Can it be unwound by neo-nationalists? What impact does this have on working and middle classes and social development?
Is China "the man from the country"?
Authors: Hong Frank
Published: July 2021

This paper is a critique of "Anti Anti-Orientalism" written by Prof. Donald Clarke, which argues that the Chinese system is so fundamentally different from the Western rule of law that it is a category mistake to refer to "Chinese legal system". Using Kafka's parable "Before the Law" as the analytical framework, China appears to be "the man from the country" who will end up being denied entry to "the Law" by "the only door" that is meant to stop China from entering. This is a typical Orientalist fantasy albeit dressed up as anti anti-Orientalism. Prof. Clarke's thesis is built on facile understanding of Orientalism, flawed comparative methodology and nearly non-existent philosophical understanding of law. Citing Derrida, Niklas Luhmann and Stanley FIsh, this paper points to the right level of theorizing in the field of comparative legal studies.
Approach to Posture and Gait in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Talman Lauren S. , Hiller Amie L.
Published: July 2021

Disturbances of gait occur in all stages of Huntington’s disease (HD) including the premanifest and prodromal stages. Individuals with HD demonstrate the slower speed of gait, shorter stride length, and increased variability of gait parameters as compared to controls; cognitive disturbances in HD often compound these differences. Abnormalities of gait and recurrent falls lead to decreased quality of life for individuals with HD throughout the disease. This scoping review aims to outline the cross-disciplinary approach to gait evaluation in HD and will highlight the utility of objective measures in defining gait abnormalities in this patient population.
Mek1 and Mek2 Functional Redundancy in Erythropoiesis
Authors: Beuret Laurent , Fortier-Beaulieu Simon-Pierre , Rondeau Vincent , Roy Sophie , Houde Nicolas , Balabanian Karl , Espéli Marion , Charron Jean
Published: July 2021

Several studies have established the crucial role of the extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in hematopoietic cell proliferation and differentiation. MEK1 and MEK2 phosphorylate and activate ERK1 and ERK2. However, whether MEK1 and MEK2 differentially regulate these processes is unknown. To define the function of Mek genes in the activation of the ERK pathway during hematopoiesis, we generated a mutant mouse line carrying a hematopoietic-specific deletion of the Mek1 gene function in a Mek2 null background. Inactivation of both Mek1 and Mek2 genes resulted in death shortly after birth with a severe anemia revealing the essential role of the ERK pathway in erythropoiesis. Mek1 and Mek2 functional ablation also affected lymphopoiesis and myelopoiesis. In contrast, mice that retained one functional Mek1 (1Mek1) or Mek2 (1Mek2) allele in hematopoietic cells were viable and fertile. 1Mek1 and 1Mek2 mutants showed mild signs of anemia and splenomegaly, but the half-life of their red blood cells and the response to erythropoietic stress were not altered, suggesting a certain level of Mek redundancy for sustaining functional erythropoiesis. However, subtle differences in multipotent progenitor distribution in the bone marrow were observed in 1Mek1 mice, suggesting that the two Mek genes might differentially regulate early hematopoiesis.
ORF3a-Mediated Incomplete Autophagy Facilitates Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Replication
Authors: Qu Yafei , Wang Xin , Zhu Yunkai , Wang Weili , Wang Yuyan , Hu Gaowei , Liu Chengrong , Li Jingjiao , Ren Shanhui , Xiao Maggie Z. X. , Liu Zhenshan , Wang Chunxia , Fu Joyce , Zhang Yucai , Li Ping , Zhang Rong , Liang Qiming
Published: July 2021

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and there is an urgent need to understand the cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Beclin 1 is an essential scaffold autophagy protein that forms two distinct subcomplexes with modulators Atg14 and UVRAG, responsible for autophagosome formation and maturation, respectively. In the present study, we found that SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers an incomplete autophagy response, elevated autophagosome formation but impaired autophagosome maturation, and declined autophagy by genetic knockout of essential autophagic genes reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication efficiency. By screening 26 viral proteins of SARS-CoV-2, we demonstrated that expression of ORF3a alone is sufficient to induce incomplete autophagy. Mechanistically, SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a interacts with autophagy regulator UVRAG to facilitate PI3KC3-C1 (Beclin-1-Vps34-Atg14) but selectively inhibit PI3KC3-C2 (Beclin-1-Vps34-UVRAG). Interestingly, although SARS-CoV ORF3a shares 72.7% amino acid identity with the SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a, the former had no effect on cellular autophagy response. Thus, our findings provide the mechanistic evidence of possible takeover of host autophagy machinery by ORF3a to facilitate SARS-CoV-2 replication and raise the possibility of targeting the autophagic pathway for the treatment of COVID-19.
Metabolism and Innate Immunity Meet at the Mitochondria
Authors: Bahat Amir , MacVicar Thomas , Langer Thomas
Published: July 2021

Mitochondria are master regulators of metabolism and have emerged as key signalling organelles of the innate immune system. Each mitochondrion harbours potent agonists of inflammation, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which are normally shielded from the rest of the cell and extracellular environment and therefore do not elicit detrimental inflammatory cascades. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction can lead to the cytosolic and extracellular exposure of mtDNA, which triggers inflammation in a number of diseases including autoimmune neurodegenerative disorders. However, recent research has revealed that the extra-mitochondrial exposure of mtDNA is not solely a negative consequence of mitochondrial damage and pointed to an active role of mitochondria in innate immunity. Metabolic cues including nucleotide imbalance can stimulate the release of mtDNA from mitochondria in order to drive a type I interferon response. Moreover, important effectors of the innate immune response to pathogen infection, such as the mitochondrial antiviral signalling protein (MAVS), are located at the mitochondrial surface and modulated by the cellular metabolic status and mitochondrial dynamics. In this review, we explore how and why metabolism and innate immunity converge at the mitochondria and describe how mitochondria orchestrate innate immune signalling pathways in different metabolic scenarios. Understanding how cellular metabolism and metabolic programming of mitochondria are translated into innate immune responses bears relevance to a broad range of human diseases including cancer.
Determination of Phenolics and Flavonoids of Some Useful Medicinal Plants and Bioassay-Guided Fractionation Substances of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst Stem (Bark) Extract and Their Efficacy Against Salmonella typhi
Authors: Abdallah Muhammad Salihu , Mustafa Muskhazli , Nallappan Meenakshii A/P. , Choi Sangho , Paik Jin-Hyub , Rusea Go
Published: July 2021

Gallic acid and catechin are the most abundant phenolic and flavonoid contents found in all plant extracts. The contents and the bioassay-guided fractionating substances of the Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich) Hochst (Anacardiaceae) fraction played vital roles. The goals of the study were to determine the contents of some useful medicinal plants and the bioassay-guided fractionation substances of S. birrea fraction compounds capable of acting against Salmonella isolate using LC-MS/LC-HRMS (Dionex ultimate 3000 RS UPLC with Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Orbitrap Hybrid Tandem Mass Spectrometer). The Folin–Ciocalteu reagent procedure and flavonoid content determination were conducted spectrophotometrically. Bioassay-guided fractionation, chronological partitioning, and screening of the antibacterial action against Salmonella typhi were performed. The ethyl acetate fraction extracts of S. birrea stem (bark) extract were analyzed using LC-MS/LC-HRMS. The gallic acid content increased tremendously in Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H. Hurter and Mabb (Fabaceae) pod extracts with curve fitting (R2 = 0.9958). Catechin content increase was significantly increased in S. birrea stem (bark) extracts followed by that of V. nilotica pod extracts with curve fitting (R2 = 0.9993); they were all significantly different in the Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. and the Leptadenia lanceolata (Poir.) Goyder leaves extracts at p value <0.0001. Subsequently, 10 mg/ml of S. birrea stem (bark) ethyl acetate fraction extract was the MIC, where no MBC was recorded and susceptible to the positive control with the highest inhibition zone, followed by the ethyl acetate fraction extract at 10 mg/ml (9.7 ± 0.0) at Turkey’s p < 0.0001. Vidarabine is one of the novel compounds, specifically having antimicrobial actions, found in the S. birrea stem (bark). Reasonable amounts of phenolic and flavonoid contents determined the actions of the individual plant extract.
Effects of Different Delocalized π-Conjugated Systems Towards the TiO2-Based Hybrid Photocatalysts
Authors: Zhang Weibo , Chen Pinghua , Liu Jun , Huang NanNan , Feng Chenglian , Wu Daishe , Bai Yingchen
Published: July 2021

Modulating the structure of a photocatalyst at the molecular level can improve the photocatalytic efficiency and provides a guide for the synthesis of highly qualified photocatalysts. In this study, TiO2 was modified by various organic compounds to form different TiO2-based hybrid photocatalysts. 1,10-Phenanthroline (Phen) is an organic material with delocalized π-conjugated systems. It was used to modify TiO2 to form the hybrid photocatalyst Phen/TiO2. Furthermore, 1,10-phenanthrolin-5-amine (Phen-NH2) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5-nitro (Phen-NO2) were also used to modify TiO2 to form NH2-Phen/TiO2 and NO2-Phen/TiO2, respectively. The samples of TiO2, Phen/TiO2, NO2-Phen/TiO2, and NH2-Phen/TiO2 were carefully characterized, and their photocatalytic performance was compared. The results indicated that the photocatalytic efficiency followed the order of NH2-Phen/TiO2 > NO2-Phen/TiO2 > Phen/TiO2 > TiO2. It could be found that modifying TiO2 with different organic compounds containing delocalized π-conjugated systems could enhance the photocatalytic ability; furthermore, the level of this enhancement could be modulated by different delocalized π-conjugated systems.
Functionalized Silicon Electrodes Toward Electrostatic Catalysis
Authors: Zhang Long , Yang Xiaohua , Li Shun , Zhang JianMing
Published: July 2021

Oriented external electric fields are now emerging as “smart effectors” of chemical changes. The key challenges in experimentally studying electrostatic catalysis are (i) controlling the orientation of fields along the reaction axis and (ii) finely adjusting the magnitudes of electrostatic stimuli. Surface models provide a versatile platform for addressing the direction of electric fields with respect to reactants and balancing the trade-off between the solubility of charged species and the intensity of electric fields. In this mini-review, we present the recent advances that have been investigated of the electrostatic effect on the chemical reaction on the monolayer-functionalized silicon surfaces. We mainly focus on elucidating the mediator/catalysis role of static electric fields induced from either solid/liquid electric double layers at electrode/electrolyte interfaces or space charges in the semiconductors, indicating the electrostatic aspects is of great significance in the semiconductor electrochemistry, redox electroactivity, and chemical bonding. Herein, the functionalization of silicon surfaces allows scientists to explore electrostatic catalysis from nanoscale to mesoscale; most importantly, it provides glimpses of the wide-ranging potentials of oriented electric fields for switching on/off the macroscale synthetic organic electrochemistry and living radical polymerization.
An Improved Method for Rapid Detection of Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Based on Species-Specific Lipid Fingerprint by Routine MALDI-TOF
Authors: Jia Khor Min , Broda Agnieszka , Kostrzewa Markus , Drobniewski Francis , Larrouy-Maumus Gerald
Published: July 2021

Rapid diagnostics of bacterial infection is the key to successful recovery and eradication of the disease. Currently, identification of bacteria is based on the detection of highly abundant proteins, mainly ribosomal proteins, by routine MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. However, relying solely on proteins is limited in subspecies typing for some pathogens. This is the case for, for example, the mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) complex, which is classified into three subspecies, namely, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, M. abscessus subsp. bolletii, and M. abscessus subsp. massiliense. Being able to detect bacteria accurately and rapidly at the subspecies level could not only reliably identify the pathogen causing the disease but also enable better antibiotic stewardship. For instance, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii possess a functional erm41 (erythromycin ribosomal methylation gene 41) gene, whilst M. abscessus subsp. massiliense does not, resulting in differences in macrolide antibiotic (e.g., clarithromycin and azithromycin) susceptibilities. This presents a challenge for physicians when designing an appropriate treatment regimen. To address this challenge, in addition to proteins, species-specific lipids have now been considered as a game changer in clinical microbiology diagnostics. However, their extraction can be time-consuming, and analysis requires the use of apolar toxic organic solvents (e.g., chloroform). Here, we present a new method to accurately detect species and subspecies, allowing the discrimination of the mycobacteria within the MABS complex and relying on the use of ethanol. We found that a combination of the matrix named super-DHB with 25% ethanol with a bacterial suspension at McFarland 20 gave robust and reproducible data, allowing the discrimination of the bacteria within the MABS complex strains tested in this study (n = 9). Further investigations have to be conducted to validate the method on a larger panel of strains for its use in diagnostic laboratories.
Understanding Host-Pathogen Interactions in Acute Chorioamnionitis Through the Use of Animal Models
Authors: Brosius Lutz Amanda , Al-Nasiry Salwan , Kramer Boris W. , Mueller Martin
Published: July 2021

Inflammation of the chorion and/or amnion during pregnancy is called chorioamnionitis. Acute chorioamnionitis is implicated in approximately 40% of preterm births and has wide-ranging implications for the mother, fetus, and newborn. Large disease burden and lack of therapeutic approaches drive the discovery programs to define and test targets to tackle chorioamnionitis. Central to the advancement of these studies is the use of animal models. These models are necessary to deepen our understanding of basic mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions central to chorioamnionitis disease pathogenesis. Models of chorioamnionitis have been developed in numerous species, including mice, rabbits, sheep, and non-human primates. The various models present an array of strategies for initiating an inflammatory response and unique opportunities for studying its downstream consequences for mother, fetus, or newborn. In this review, we present a discussion of the key features of human chorioamnionitis followed by evaluation of currently available animal models in light of these features and consideration of how these models can be best applied to tackle outstanding questions in the field.
Feasibility and Safety of Left Bundle Branch Pacing for Advance Aged Patients: A Multicenter Comparative Study
Authors: Ren Zhongyuan , Cai Binni , Wang Songyun , Jia Peng , Chen Yang , Guo Rong , Li Hailing , Zhang Jun , Xiong Jing , Zhang Jingying , Yang Haotian , Li Xiang , Xu Yawei , Chen Xueying , Zhao Dongdong
Published: July 2021

Background: Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has been shown to be a safe and effective means to achieve physiological pacing. However, elderly patients have increased risks from invasive procedures and the risk of LBBP in elderly patients is not known. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of LBBP in elderly patients >80 years of age.

Methods: From December 2017 to June 2019, 346 consecutive patients with symptomatic bradycardia, 184 patients under 80 years of age and 162 over 80 years, were included and underwent LBBP. The safety and prognosis of LBBP were comparatively evaluated by measured pacing parameters, periprocedural complications, and follow-up clinical events.

Results: Compared with the younger, the elderly group had worse baseline cardiac and renal function. LBBP was achieved successfully in both groups with comparable fluoroscopic time and paced QRS duration (110.0 [102.0, 118.0] ms for the young vs. 110.0 [100.0, 120.0] ms for the elderly, P = 0.874). Through a follow-up of 20.0 ± 6.1 months, pacing parameters were stable while higher threshold and impedance were observed in the elderly group. In the evaluation of safety, overall procedure-related complication rates were comparable (4.4 vs. 3.8%, young vs. elderly). For prognosis, similar rates of major adverse cardiocerebrovascular events (7.1 vs. 11.9%, young vs. elderly) were observed.

Conclusions: Compared to younger patients, LBBP could achieve physiological pacing in patients over 80 with comparable midterm safety and prognosis. Long-term safety and benefits of LBBP, however, necessitate further evaluation.
Comparison of Prognosis Between Hybrid Debranching Surgery and Total Open Arch Replacement With Frozen Elephant Trunk for Type A Acute Aortic Syndrome Patients
Authors: Li Jinzhang , Li Lei , Wang Maozhou , Li Haiyang , Sun Lizhong , Liu Yongmin , Fan Ruixin , Zhang Zonggang , Zou Chengwei , Zhang Hongjia , Gong Ming
Published: July 2021

Background: It is unclear whether the total arch replacement (TAR) combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation and hybrid debranching surgery have a difference in the prognosis of patients with type A acute aortic syndrome (AAS). We attempted to compare the short-term and long-term prognosis of total arch replacement (TAR) combined with frozen elephant trunk (FET) implantation and hybrid debranching surgery in patients with type A acute aortic syndrome (AAS).

Methods: From January 2014 to September 2020, a total of 518 patients who underwent TAR with FET surgery and 31 patients who underwent hybrid surgery were included. We analyzed the post-operative mortality and morbidity of complications of the two surgical methods, and we determined 67 patients for subgroup analysis through a 1:2 propensity score match (PSM). We identified risk factors for patient mortality and post-operative neurological complications through multivariate regression analysis.

Results: Compared with the TAR with FET group, hybrid surgery could reduce aortic cross-clamp time, reduce intraoperative blood loss and prevent some patients from cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the TAR with FET group and the hybrid surgery group (10.6 vs. 9.7%). However, hybrid surgery had increased the incidence of permanent neurological complications in patients (95%CI: 4.7–35.7%, P = 0.001), especially post-operative cerebral infarction (P < 0.001). During the average follow-up period of 31.6 months, there was no significant difference in the 1-year survival rate and 3-year survival rate between the TAR with FET group and the hybrid surgery group (P = 0.811), but hybrid surgery increased the incidence of long-term neurological complications (P < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, surgical methods were not a risk factor for post-operative deaths, but hybrid surgery was a risk factor for post-operative neurological complications (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Hybrid surgery is an acceptable treatment for AAS, and its post-operative mortality is similar to FET. But hybrid surgery may increase the risk of permanent neurological complications after surgery, and this risk must be carefully considered when choosing hybrid surgery.
Undifferentiated Chordae Tendineae of the Mitral Valve: Large Cohort Study of a Rare Mitral Malformation
Authors: Pang Kunjing , Wang Jingjin , Zhang Tingting , Wu Jinlin , Gao Yiming , Liang Yu , Ma Kai , Mao Fengqun , Pan Xiangbin , Hu Shengshou , Li Shoujun
Published: July 2021

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the pathology, classification, diagnosis, and surgical prognosis of UCMV.

Methods and Results: Consecutive paediatric patients with ≥ moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and mitral stenosis (MS) were recruited between October 2016 and July 2020. UCMV was diagnosed and classified into three grades according to the involvement of chorda groups and MS presence or absence; other mitral lesions were included as controls. Of 207 eligible patients, 75 with UCMV (10.0 m [interquartile range (IQR): 6.0–21.5]) and 110 with other mitral lesions (16.0 m [IQR: 5.0–43.5]) were diagnosed using echocardiography and surgical exploration. The associated chorda groups of UCMV were confirmed to show high agreement between echocardiography and surgery (kappa = 0.857, p < 0.001). At baseline surgery assessment, the UCMV group exhibited worse New York Heart Association functional class, more severe MR and MS grades, and fewer associated complex anomalies (all, p < 0.05) than the control group. After a mean follow-up of 8.3 (IQR:2.7–14.4) months and adjustment for covariates, the UCMV group required longer cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamp times, but there were no differences in the incidence of adverse events (p = 0.584). Class III was associated with higher risk of adverse events than classes I and II (p = 0.002).

Conclusions: The UCMV spectrum constitutes a primary pathogenesis of paediatric MV dysfunction, which can be optimally diagnosed using echocardiography. Classification based on mitral anatomy and dysfunction can predict the risk of postoperative adverse events.
The Immune and Inflammatory Basis of Acquired Pediatric Cardiac Disease
Authors: Jui Elysa , Singampalli Kavya L. , Shani Kevin , Ning Yao , Connell Jennifer P. , Birla Ravi K. , Bollyky Paul L. , Caldarone Christopher A. , Keswani Sundeep G. , Grande-Allen K. Jane
Published: July 2021

Children with acquired heart disease face significant health challenges, including a lifetime of strict medical management, multiple cardiac surgeries, and a high mortality risk. Though the presentation of these conditions is diverse, a unifying factor is the role of immune and inflammatory responses in their development and/or progression. For example, infectious agents have been linked to pediatric cardiovascular disease, leading to a large health burden that disproportionately affects low-income areas. Other implicated mechanisms include antibody targeting of cardiac proteins, infection of cardiac cells, and inflammation-mediated damage to cardiac structures. These changes can alter blood flow patterns, change extracellular matrix composition, and induce cardiac remodeling. Therefore, understanding the relationship between the immune system and cardiovascular disease can inform targeted diagnostic and treatment approaches. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of pediatric immune-associated cardiac diseases, challenges in the field, and areas of research with potential for clinical benefit.
Aortic Valve Sclerosis in High-Risk Coronary Artery Disease Patients
Authors: Myasoedova Veronika A. , Genovese Stefano , Cavallotti Laura , Bonomi Alice , Chiesa Mattia , Campodonico Jeness , Rondinelli Maurizio , Cosentino Nicola , Baldassarre Damiano , Veglia Fabrizio , Pepi Mauro , Alamanni Francesco , Colombo Gualtiero I. , Marenzi Giancarlo , Poggio Paolo
Published: July 2021

Background: Current knowledge regarding the relationship between aortic valve sclerosis (AVSc), cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality in patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD) is still unclear. The present study aimed at investigating the prevalence of AVSc as well as its association with long-term all-cause mortality in high-risk CAD patients that has never been explored in large cohorts thus far.

Methods and Results: In this retrospective and observational cohort study we enrolled high-risk CAD patients, hospitalized at Centro Cardiologico Monzino (CCM), Milan, Italy, between January 2006 and December 2016. The morphology and function of the aortic valve were assessed from the recorded echocardiographic images to evaluate the presence of AVSc, defined as a non-uniform thickening of the aortic leaflets with no consequences on hemodynamics. Data on 5-year all-cause mortality was retrieved from a Regional database. Of the 5,489 patients initially screened, 4,938 (mean age 67 ± 11 years, 3,954 [80%] men) were enrolled in the study. In the overall population, AVSc was detected in 2,138 (43%) patients. Multivariable LASSO regression revealed that age, female gender, diabetes mellitus, previous MI, and left ventricular ejection fraction were independently associated with AVSc. All-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.05–1.58) was significantly higher in AVSc than in non-AVSc patients.

Conclusions: AVSc is frequently detected in high-risk CAD patients and is associated with long-term mortality. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that AVSc is an underestimated marker of systemic cardiovascular risk. Thus, AVSc detection may be used to improve long-term risk stratification of high-risk CAD patients.
On-Line Estimation Method of Lithium-Ion Battery Health Status Based on PSO-SVM
Authors: Li Ran , Li Wenrui , Zhang Haonian , Zhou Yongqin , Tian Weilong
Published: July 2021

Battery management system (BMS) refers to a critical electronic control unit in the power battery system of electric vehicles. It is capable of detecting and estimating battery status online, especially estimating state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) accurately. Safe driving and battery life optimization are of high significance. As indicated from recent literature reports, most relevant studies on battery health estimation are offline estimation, and several problems emerged (e.g., long time-consuming, considerable calculation and unable to estimate online). Given this, the present study proposes an online estimation method of lithium-ion health based on particle swarm support vector machine algorithm. By exploiting the data of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) battery samples, this study explores the changing law of battery state of charge under different battery health. In addition, particle swarm algorithm is adopted to optimize the kernel function of the support vector machine for the joint estimation of battery SOC and SOH. As indicated from the tests (e.g., Dynamic Stress Test), it exhibits good adaptability and feasibility. This study also provides a certain reference for the application of BMS system in electric vehicle battery online detection and state estimation.
Specialist Bee Species Are Larger and Less Phylogenetically Distinct Than Generalists in Tropical Plant–Bee Interaction Networks
Authors: Raiol Rafael Lobo , Gastauer Markus , Campbell Alistair John , Borges Rafael Cabral , Awade Marcelo , Giannini Tereza Cristina
Published: July 2021

Bee pollinators are key components of terrestrial ecosystems. Evidence is mounting that bees are globally in decline, and species with a higher degree of specialization are the most vulnerable to local extinction. However, ecological features that could explain bee specialization remain poorly tested, especially in tropical species. Here, we aim to determine the most specialized bee species and their associated ecological traits in tropical plant–bee interaction networks, answering three questions: (1) Which bees in the interaction networks are specialists? (2) Is body size related to their role as specialists in interaction networks? (3) Are there phylogenetic relationships between the bee species identified as specialists? We used fifteen quantitative plant–bee interaction networks from different Brazilian biomes covering 1,702 interactions (386 bee and 717 plant species). We used the normalized degree (standardized number of partners) as a metric to determine trophic specialization of bee species. Body size was estimated by measuring intertegular distance (ITD), i.e., the distance between the bases of the wings on the thorax. Evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) was used to quantify species uniqueness, i.e., the singularity of species in the phylogenetic tree. Relationships between dietary specialism, ITD and ED were assessed using generalized linear models. We detected 34 specialist bee species (9% of total species), distributed in 13 genera, and four families. ITD and ED were important variables explaining the specialization of tropical bee species. Specialists were larger and less phylogenetically distinct than expected by chance. Based on a large data set covering some of the main tropical biomes, our results suggest that loss of specialist bees from Brazilian plant–bee networks could have deleterious consequences for native plant species preferentially pollinated by large-bodied bees. Moreover, by affecting more evolutionarily distinct species, i.e., those with fewer extant relatives, the loss of specialist bees will likely affect few clades but can result on considerable loss of evolutionary history and phylogenetic diversity in the Brazilian bee communities. The results are important for decision-making concerning conservation measures for these species and may also encourage the development of sustainable management techniques for bees.
Some Memories Never Fade: Inferring Multi-Scale Memory Effects on Habitat Selection of a Migratory Ungulate Using Step-Selection Functions
Authors: Rheault Helena , Anderson Charles R. , Bonar Maegwin , Marrotte Robby R. , Ross Tyler R. , Wittemyer George , Northrup Joseph M.
Published: July 2021

Understanding how animals use information about their environment to make movement decisions underpins our ability to explain drivers of and predict animal movement. Memory is the cognitive process that allows species to store information about experienced landscapes, however, remains an understudied topic in movement ecology. By studying how species select for familiar locations, visited recently and in the past, we can gain insight to how they store and use local information in multiple memory types. In this study, we analyzed the movements of a migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) population in the Piceance Basin of Colorado, United States to investigate the influence of spatial experience over different time scales on seasonal range habitat selection. We inferred the influence of short and long-term memory from the contribution to habitat selection of previous space use within the same season and during the prior year, respectively. We fit step-selection functions to GPS collar data from 32 female deer and tested the predictive ability of covariates representing current environmental conditions and both metrics of previous space use on habitat selection, inferring the latter as the influence of memory within and between seasons (summer vs. winter). Across individuals, models incorporating covariates representing both recent and past experience and environmental covariates performed best. In the top model, locations that had been previously visited within the same season and locations from previous seasons were more strongly selected relative to environmental covariates, which we interpret as evidence for the strong influence of both short- and long-term memory in driving seasonal range habitat selection. Further, the influence of previous space uses was stronger in the summer relative to winter, which is when deer in this population demonstrated strongest philopatry to their range. Our results suggest that mule deer update their seasonal range cognitive map in real time and retain long-term information about seasonal ranges, which supports the existing theory that memory is a mechanism leading to emergent space-use patterns such as site fidelity. Lastly, these findings provide novel insight into how species store and use information over different time scales.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer in the Northern Chinese Han Population
Authors: Feng Yanan , Li Xiaoying , Ma Qi , Zhang Shuang , Zhu Manning , Li Songxue , Fang Lei , Tian Jiawei , Sun Litao
Published: July 2021

Many epidemiological studies have confirmed thatICAM-1gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with susceptibility of various cancers, but there are relatively few studies on the relationship betweenICAM-1gene polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, we aimed to explore the potential role ofICAM-1gene polymorphisms and the combined effect of SNPs in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer in Han women in northern China. This case–control group includes 488 cases of cervical cancer, 684 cases of cervical precancerous lesions, and 510 healthy females. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with the next-generation sequencing method was used for the determination of gene polymorphisms (rs5498, rs3093030, and rs281432). In our study, we divide cervical cancer into two subgroups: cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) group and cervical adenocarcinoma (CAC) group. We analyzed the alleles and genotypes of all research subjects using multivariate logistic regression analysis combined with 10,000 permutation tests. In addition, we also analyzed the distribution of haplotypes of the three SNPs in cervical cancer and cervical precancerous lesions. We found that the T allele and the dominant model of rs3093030 were associated with the susceptibility of cervical cancer (p= 0.042,p= 0.040, respectively). However, the significance disappeared after the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing (p> 0.05). For rs5498, its mutant gene G, the codominant model, and the dominant model could reduce the risk of CAC (p= 0.009,p= 0.028,p= 0.011, respectively). Significant differences remained after Bonferroni correction (p< 0.05, all). In addition, the frequency of haplotype “CTG” was significantly lower in the CAC group than in the controls. In conclusion, the study suggested thatICAM-1gene polymorphisms may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer in the northern Chinese Han population.
Predictive Biomarkers of Dicycloplatin Resistance or Susceptibility in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Liu Minglu , Zhou Xiaoyu , Liu Jun , Lu Chelong , Zhang Guoqing , Zhang Jing , Jiao Shunchang
Published: July 2021

Background

Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the leading causes of cancer mortality. Dicycloplatin is a newer generation platinum-based drug that has less side effects than cisplatin and carboplatin. However, its effects in PCa is mixed due to lack of appropriate stratifying biomarkers. Aiming to search for such biomarkers, here, we analyze a group of PCa patients with different responses to dicycloplatin.

Methods

We carried out whole-exome sequencing on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and matched leukocyte DNA from 16 PCa patients before treatment with dicycloplatin. We then compared the clinical characteristics, somatic mutations, copy number variants (CNVs), and mutational signatures between the dicycloplatin-sensitive (nine patients) and dicycloplatin-resistant (seven patients) groups and tested the identified mutations, CNV, and their combinations as marker of dicycloplatin response.

Results

The mutation frequency of seven genes (SP8, HNRNPCL1, FRG1, RBM25, MUC16, ASTE1, and TMBIM4) and CNV rate of four genes (CTAGE4, GAGE2E, GAGE2C, and HORMAD1) were higher in the resistant group than in the sensitive group, while the CNV rate in six genes (CDSN, DPCR1, MUC22, TMSB4Y, VARS, and HISTCH2AC) were lower in the resistant group than in the sensitive group. A combination of simultaneous mutation in two genes (SP8/HNRNPCL1 or SP8/FRG1) and deletion of GAGE2C together were found capable to predict dicycloplatin resistance with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity.

Conclusion

We successfully used cfDNA to monitor mutational profiles of PCa and designed an effective composite marker to select patients for dicycloplatin treatment based on their mutational profile.
mRBioM: An Algorithm for the Identification of Potential mRNA Biomarkers From Complete Transcriptomic Profiles of Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Dong Changlong , Rao Nini , Du Wenju , Gao Fenglin , Lv Xiaoqin , Wang Guangbin , Zhang Junpeng
Published: July 2021

Purpose

In this work, an algorithm named mRBioM was developed for the identification of potential mRNA biomarkers (PmBs) from complete transcriptomic RNA profiles of gastric adenocarcinoma (GA).

Methods

mRBioM initially extracts differentially expressed (DE) RNAs (mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs). Next, mRBioM calculates the total information amount of each DE mRNA based on the coexpression network, including three types of RNAs and the protein-protein interaction network encoded by DE mRNAs. Finally, PmBs were identified according to the variation trend of total information amount of all DE mRNAs. Four PmB-based classifiers without learning and with learning were designed to discriminate the sample types to confirm the reliability of PmBs identified by mRBioM. PmB-based survival analysis was performed. Finally, three other cancer datasets were used to confirm the generalization ability of mRBioM.

Results

mRBioM identified 55 PmBs (41 upregulated and 14 downregulated) related to GA. The list included thirteen PmBs that have been verified as biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets of gastric cancer, and some PmBs were newly identified. Most PmBs were primarily enriched in the pathways closely related to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. Cancer-related factors without learning achieved sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.90, 1, and 0.90, respectively, in the classification of the GA and control samples. Average accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the three classifiers with machine learning ranged within 0.94–0.98, 0.94–0.97, and 0.97–1, respectively. The prognostic risk score model constructed by 4 PmBs was able to correctly and significantly (∗∗∗p < 0.001) classify 269 GA patients into the high-risk (n = 134) and low-risk (n = 135) groups. GA equivalent classification performance was achieved using the complete transcriptomic RNA profiles of colon adenocarcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma using PmBs identified by mRBioM.

Conclusions

GA-related PmBs have high specificity and sensitivity and strong prognostic risk prediction. MRBioM has also good generalization. These PmBs may have good application prospects for early diagnosis of GA and may help to elucidate the mechanism governing the occurrence and development of GA. Additionally, mRBioM is expected to be applied for the identification of other cancer-related biomarkers.
Transcriptome Analysis of CCR9+ T Helper Cells From Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome Patients Identifies CCL5 as a Novel Effector Molecule
Authors: Hinrichs Anneline C. , Blokland Sofie L. M. , Lopes Ana P. , Wichers Catharina G. K. , Kruize Aike A. , Pandit Aridaman , Radstake Timothy R. D. J. , van Roon Joel A. G.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

CCR9+ Tfh-like pathogenic T helper (Th) cells are elevated in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) and indicated to play a role in pSS immunopathology. Here we delineate the CCR9+ Th cell-specific transcriptome to study the molecular dysregulation of these cells in pSS patients.

Methods

CCR9+, CXCR5+ and CCR9-CXCR5- Th cells from blood of 7 healthy controls (HC) and 7 pSS patients were FACS sorted and RNA sequencing was performed. Computational analysis was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), coherent gene expression networks and differentially regulated pathways. Target genes were replicated in additional cohorts.

Results

5131 genes were differentially expressed between CCR9+ and CXCR5+ Th cells; 6493 and 4783 between CCR9+ and CCR9-CXCR5- and between CXCR5+ and CCR9-CXCR5-, respectively. In the CCR9+ Th cell subset 2777 DEGs were identified between HC and pSS patients, 1416 and 1077 in the CXCR5+ and CCR9-CXCR5- subsets, respectively. One gene network was selected based on eigengene expression differences between the Th cell subsets and pathways enriched for genes involved in migration and adhesion, cytokine and chemokine production. Selected DEGs of interest (HOPX, SOX4, ITGAE, ITGA1, NCR3, ABCB1, C3AR1, NT5E, CCR5 and CCL5) from this module were validated and found upregulated in blood CCR9+ Th cells, but were similarly expressed in HC and pSS patients. Increased frequencies of CCR9+ Th cells were shown to express higher levels of CCL5 than CXCR5+ and CCR9-CXCR5- Th cells, with the highest expression confined to effector CCR9+ Th cells. Antigenic triggering and stimulation with IL-7 of the Th cell subsets co-cultured with monocytes strongly induced CCL5 secretion in CCR9+ Th cell cocultures. Additionally, effector CCR9+ Th cells rapidly released CCL5 and secreted the highest CCL5 levels upon stimulation.

Conclusion

Transcriptomic analysis of circulating CCR9+ Th cells reveals CCR9-specific pathways involved in effector T cell function equally expressed in pSS patients and HC. Given the increased numbers of CCR9+ Th cells in the blood and inflamed glands of pSS patients and presence of inflammatory stimuli to activate these cells this suggests that CCR9-specific functions, such as cell recruitment upon CCL5 secretion, could significantly contribute to immunopathology in pSS.
Reconstruction of Marine Commercial Landings for the Brazilian Industrial and Artisanal Fisheries From 1950 to 2015
Authors: Freire Kátia Meirelles Felizola , Almeida Zafira da Silva de , Amador José Raimundo Emanoel Trindade , Aragão José Augusto , Araújo Ana Rosa da Rocha , Ávila-da-Silva Antônio Olinto , Bentes Bianca , Carneiro Marcus Henrique , Chiquieri Julien , Fernandes Cezar Augusto Freire , Figueiredo Marina Bezerra , Hostim-Silva Maurício , Jimenez Érica Antunes , Keunecke Karina Annes , Lopes Priscila Fabiana Macedo , Mendonça Jocemar Tomasino , Musiello-Fernandes Joelson , Olavo George , Primitivo Camila , Rotundo Matheus Marcos , Santana Raynara Filho , Sant’Ana Rodrigo , Scheidt Guilherme , Silva Luis Maurício Abdon da , Trindade-Santos Isaac , Velasco Gonzalo , Vianna Marcelo
Published: July 2021

Landing data are the most basic information used to manage fisheries, although they are often unavailable or incomplete. The objective of this work was to reconstruct the national database of marine commercial landings for the Brazilian industrial and artisanal fisheries, from 1950 to 2015. Total landings increased strongly from 1950 to mid-1980s and suffered sharp decline in the early 1990s, mainly associated to the collapse of sardine fisheries. After that, another period of increasing landings was observed, but at a much lower rate. Industrial landings always surpassed artisanal landings in Brazilian waters, except for the beginning of the time series, when many industrial fleets had not started yet, and in the early 2000s, when a change in the methodology for collecting landing statistics was implemented in the state of Pará leading to an overestimation of artisanal landings. Artisanal fisheries have been declining since 2005, which is worrisome due to the social impact it may have on local income and food security. Regional differences were also observed, with industrial landings being always higher than artisanal landings in southeastern-southern Brazil, while the opposite was true for the northern-northeastern regions. Higher landings were observed in the southeastern-southern regions when both artisanal and industrial fleets were combined. Sardine and demersal fishes were the main resources landed by industrial fishers. Artisanal fishers caught more species than their industrial counterpart, featuringXiphopenaeus kroyeri,Cynoscion acoupa, andUcides cordatus. Although the fishing ofEpinephelus itajarawas banned in Brazil, it continues to be landed. Yet, catches of this species and others under some threat status are still not properly registered, including:Carcharhinus longimanus,Galeorhinus galeus,Sphyrna lewini,Sphyrna mokarran,Pristis pectinata, andPseudobatos horkelii. Fishing resources not identified in previous landing reconstruction efforts, such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers, have now been reported. The database presented here should be continuously updated and improved. It is of paramount importance to resume the collection of landing statistics, including information on fishing effort, to assess the relative impact of fisheries and environmental factors on the main Brazilian fishing stocks.