bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of the Effects of Home-Based Exercise and Cognitive Training on Cognitive and Physical Functions in Cardiac Patients: The COVEPICARDIO Study Protocol of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Besnier Florent , Dupuy Emma Gabrielle , Gagnon Christine , Vincent Thomas , Grégoire Catherine-Alexandra , Blanchette Caroll-Ann , Saillant Kathia , Bouabdallaoui Nadia , Grau Josep Iglésies , Bérubé Béatrice , Olmand Miloudza , Marin Marie-France , Belleville Sylvie , Juneau Martin , Vitali Paolo , Gayda Mathieu , Nigam Anil , Bherer Louis
Published: December 2021

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, confinement measures are likely to produce collateral damage to health (stress, confusion, anxiety), especially in frail individuals and those living with cardiovascular disease (CVD). In cardiac patients in particular, these measures dramatically increase the level of physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle, which can decrease cardiorespiratory capacity and increase the risk of acute events, rehospitalization, and depressive syndromes. Maintaining a minimum level of physical activity and cognitive stimulation during the COVID-19 crisis is essential for cardiac patients. This study is designed to document the effects of 6 months of home-based physical exercise alone or combined with cognitive training on cognitive and physical functions in patients with CVD over 50 years old.

Methods and Analysis: 122 patients (>50 years old) with stable CVD and no contraindication to perform physical exercise training will be recruited and randomly assigned to one of the 2 following arms: (1) Home-based physical exercise alone, (2) Home-based physical exercise combined with cognitive training. The intervention lasts 6 months, with remote assessments performed prior to, mid and post-training. A follow-up 6 months after the end of the intervention (12 month) is also proposed. The primary outcome is cognition, including general functioning (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score), as well as performances on measures of executive functions, processing speed, and episodic memory. The secondary outcome is physical performance, including balance, gait and mobility, leg muscle strength and estimated cardiorespiratory fitness. Tertiary outcomes include mood, anxiety, and health-related quality of life as assessed by self-reported online questionnaires.

Discussion: With the COVID-19 crisis, there is a critical need for remote exercise and cognitive training, and to further investigate this topic, in particular for cardiac patients. The present context can be viewed as an opportunity to perform a major shift from center-based programs to home-based physical exercise. This is especially important to reach out to older adults living in remote areas, where access to such interventions is limited.

ClinicalTrials.gov: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04661189], NCT04661189.
The Deleterious Effects of Impaired Fibrinolysis on Skeletal Development Are Dependent on Fibrin(ogen), but Independent of Interlukin-6
Authors: Cole Heather A. , Moore-Lotridge Stephanie N. , Hawley Gregory D. , Jacobson Richard , Yuasa Masato , Gewin Leslie , Nyman Jeffry S. , Flick Matthew J. , Schoenecker Jonathan G.
Published: December 2021

Chronic diseases in growing children, such as autoimmune disorders, obesity, and cancer, are hallmarked by musculoskeletal growth disturbances and osteoporosis. Many of the skeletal changes in these children are thought to be secondary to chronic inflammation. Recent studies have likewise suggested that changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis may contribute to musculoskeletal growth disturbances. In prior work, we demonstrated that mice deficient in plasminogen, the principal protease of degrading and clearing fibrin matrices, suffer from inflammation-driven systemic osteoporosis and that elimination of fibrinogen resulted in normalization of IL-6 levels and complete rescue of the skeletal phenotype. Given the intimate link between coagulation, fibrinolysis, and inflammation, here we determined if persistent fibrin deposition, elevated IL-6, or both contribute to early skeletal aging and physeal disruption in chronic inflammatory conditions. Skeletal growth as well as bone quality, physeal development, and vascularity were analyzed in C57BL6/J mice with plasminogen deficiency with and without deficiencies of either fibrinogen or IL-6. Elimination of fibrinogen, but not IL-6, rescued the skeletal phenotype and growth disturbances in this model of chronic disease. Furthermore, the skeletal phenotypes directly correlated with both systemic and local vascular changes in the skeletal environment. In conclusion, these results suggest that fibrinolysis through plasmin is essential for skeletal growth and maintenance, and is multifactorial by limiting inflammation and preserving vasculature.
Predictive Effect of Renal Function on Clinical Outcomes in Older Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results From an Observational Cohort Study in China
Authors: Gao Hui , Peng Hui , Shen Aidong , Chen Hui , Li Hongwei
Published: December 2021

Background: The impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on the risk of death and cardiovascular events in individuals with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is less well established, particularly in the old Chinese population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of eGFR with clinical outcomes among older subjects with AMI. We further developed a nomogram for the prediction of 1- and 3-year survival in this population.

Methods: A cohort of 2,366 AMI subjects aged over 60 years in 2013–2020 were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital Database (CBD) Bank. Outcomes including cardiovascular (CV) death, all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal stroke, revascularization, and cardiac rehospitalization were collected overall and by eGFR category at baseline. eGFR was estimated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation (CKD-EPI). Subjects were categorized into four groups according to quartiles of eGFR: ≤ 63.02, 63.03–78.45, 78.46–91.50, >91.51 ml/min/1.73 m2. Hazard ratios (HRs), corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as well as the nomogram were assessed using Cox regression models. Validation of the nomogram was estimated by discrimination and calibration.

Results: Incidence rates and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios of CV and all-cause death decreased significantly across quartiles of eGFR over a median follow-up time of 36.7 months. In adjusted analysis, compared with eGFR ≤ 63.02 ml/min/1.73 m2, patients with eGFR of 63.03–78.45, 78.46–91.50, >91.51 ml/min/1.73 m2 experienced decreased risks of CV death [respective HRs of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.38–0.90), 0.61 (95% CI, 0.38–0.99), and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.25–0.90); all p < 0.05] and all-cause death [respective HRs of 0.64 (95% CI, 0.47–0.88), 0.61 (95% CI, 0.42–0.88), and 0.54 (95% CI, 0.35–0.84); all p < 0.05]. Age, eGFR quartiles, BMI, glycated hemoglobin, LVEF, LM/multi-vessel disease, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prescribed at discharge were associated with all-cause death. The developed model predicted 1- and 3-year probability of survival, which performed well in both discrimination and calibration.

Conclusion: In older patients with AMI, early identification of eGFR reduced and cardiovascular risks management may prevent poor clinical outcomes.
Modulation of Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on the Interdecadal Variation of South Asian High and Somali Jet in Summer
Authors: Shi Wenjing , Wang Qingzhe , Xiao Ziniu , Cheng Wei , Duan Wei
Published: December 2021

As two important components of the Asian summer monsoon system, the intensities of South Asian High (SAH) and Somali jet (SMJ) in summer exhibit both interannual and decadal variabilities. On the interdecadal timescale, the temporal evolution of the SAH intensity is in phase with that of the SMJ intensity. By comparison, we find that both of them evolve synchronously with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), with AMO cold/warm phases corresponding to the weakening/strengthening of SAH and SMJ. Further diagnoses indicate that the interdecadal variabilities of the SAH and SMJ intensities in summer may be modulated by the AMO phase. Mechanistically, this modulation appears to be achieved via an interdecadal Silk Road pattern (SRP)-like wave train along the Asian westerly jet and Matsuno–Gill tropical atmospheric response. The cold SST anomaly over extratropical North Atlantic related to the AMO firstly induces an anomalous high over Western Europe and produces a well-organized wave train between 30°N and 60°N. The anomalous Iranian Plateau low along with the wave train path leads to a weakened SAH. Besides, the AMO-related cold SST anomalies over tropical North Atlantic cool the tropical tropospheric atmosphere through the moist adjustment process and produce a Matsuno–Gill-like atmospheric response covering the tropical Indian Ocean. Due to the Matsuno–Gill response, subsidence motion anomalies over the central tropical Indian Ocean corresponding to a result in increased lower-level divergence and upper-level convergence are excited over the tropical Indian Ocean. Finally, the tropical Indian Ocean divergence in the lower troposphere leads to the weakened summer SMJ, and the tropical Indian Ocean convergence in the upper troposphere results in the decrease and northward displacement of SAH in summer.
Northward Growth of the West Kunlun Mountains: Insight From the Age–Elevation Relationship of New Apatite Fission Track Data
Authors: Liu Dongliang , Li Haibing , Ge Chenglong , Bai Mingkun , Wang Yadong , Pan Jiawei , Zheng Yong , Wang Ping , Liu Fucai , Wang Shiguang
Published: December 2021

The Cenozoic collision between India and Asia promoted the widespread uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, with significant deformation documented in the Pamir Plateau and West Kunlun Mountains. Low-temperature thermochronology and basin provenance analysis have revealed three episodes of rapid deformation and uplift in the Pamir–West Kunlun Mountains during the Cenozoic. However, there is very little low-temperature thermochronology age–elevation relationship (AER) data on fast exhumation events in this area—especially in the West Kunlun Mountains— leading to uncertainty surrounding how these events propagated within and around the mountain range. In this study, we produced an elevation profile across granite located south of Kudi, Xijiang Province, China, to reveal its exhumation history. Apatite fission track AER data show that a rapid exhumation event occurred at ∼26 Ma in the southern West Kunlun Mountains. When combined with published data, we interpret that the initial uplift events related to the India–Asia collision began in the central Pamir, southern West Kunlun, and northern West Kunlun regions during the Late Eocene, Oligocene, and Middle Miocene periods, respectively. Therefore, the Cenozoic northward growth process occurred from south to north around West Kunlun.
Study of Ground Movement in a Mining Area with Geological Faults Using FDM Analysis and a Stacking InSAR Method
Authors: Qin Zhengyuan , Agarwal Vivek , Gee David , Marsh Stuart , Grebby Stephen , Chen Yong , Meng Ningkang
Published: December 2021

Underground coal mining activities and ground movement are directly correlated, and coal mining-induced ground movement can cause damage to property and resources, thus its monitoring is essential for the safety and economics of a city. Fangezhuang coal mine is one of the largest coalfields in operation in Tangshan, China. The enormous amount of coal extraction has resulted in significant ground movement over the years. These phenomena have produced severe damages to the local infrastructure. This paper uses the finite difference method (FDM) 3D model and the stacking interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) method to monitor the ground movement in Fangezhuang coalfield during 2016. The FDM 3D model used calibrated Fangezhuang geological parameters and the satellite InSAR analysis involved the use of ascending C-band Sentinel-1A interferometric wide (IW) data for 2016. The results show that the most prominent subsidence signal occurs in mining panel 2553N and the area between panel 2553N and fault F0 with subsidence up to 57 cm. The subsidence observed for the FDM 3D model and stacking InSAR to monitor land deformation under the influence of fault are in close agreement and were verified using a two-sample t-test. It was observed that the maximum subsidence point shifted towards the fault location from the centre of the mining panel. The tectonic fault F0 was found to be reactivated by the coal mining and controls the spatial extent of the observed ground movement. The impact of dominant geological faults on local subsidence boundaries is investigated in details. It is concluded that ground movement in the study area was mainly induced by mining activities, with its spatial pattern being controlled by geological faults. These results highlight that the two methods are capable of measuring mining induced ground movement in fault dominated areas. The study will improve the understanding of subsidence control, and aid in developing preventive measures in Fangezhuang coalfield with fault reactivation.
Assessment of Vegetation Phenological Extractions Derived From Three Satellite-Derived Vegetation Indices Based on Different Extraction Algorithms Over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: An Chunchun , Dong Zhi , Li Hongli , Zhao Wentai , Chen Hailiang
Published: December 2021

Remote sensing phenology retrieval can remedy the deficiencies in field investigations and has the advantage of catching the continuous characteristics of phenology on a large scale. However, there are some discrepancies in the results of remote sensing phenological metrics derived from different vegetation indices based on different extraction algorithms, and there are few studies that evaluate the impact of different vegetation indices on phenological metrics extraction. In this study, three satellite-derived vegetation indices (enhanced vegetation index, EVI; normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI; and normalized difference phenology index, NDPI; calculated using surface reflectance data from MOD09A1) and two algorithms were used to detect the start and end of growing season (SOS and EOS, respectively) in the Tibetan Plateau (TP). Then, the retrieved SOS and EOS were evaluated from different aspects. Results showed that the missing rates of both SOS and EOS based on the Seasonal Trend Decomposition by LOESS (STL) trendline crossing method were higher than those based on the seasonal amplitude method (SA), and the missing rate varied using different vegetation indices among different vegetation types. Also, the temporal and spatial stabilities of phenological metrics based on SA using EVI or NDPI were more stable than those from others. The accuracy assessment based on ground observations showed that phenological metrics based on SA had better agreements with ground observations than those based on STL, and EVI or NDVI may be more appropriate for monitoring SOS than NDPI in the TP, while EOS from NDPI had better agreements with ground-observed EOS. Besides, the phenological metrics over the complex terrain also presented worse performances than those over the flat terrain. Our findings suggest that previous results of inter-annual variability of phenology from a single data or method should be treated with caution.
Characteristics of Regular Pulse Bursts Generated From Lightning Discharges
Authors: Yanhui Wang , Xiangpeng Fan , Tuo Wang , Yingchang Min , Yali Liu , Guo Zhao
Published: December 2021

In this work, we studied the waveforms of all lightning discharges from about 15 min. Eighty-three percent of all lightning discharges contain particular waveforms called regular pulse bursts (RPBs), which have regular microsecond-scale electric or magnetic field pulses. Maximum proportion of RPBs occur in middle or rear of lightning discharges. Prior to or after RPBs, there is always a chaotic pulse period. The analysis indicated that RPBs are caused by a secondary discharge in the fractured old breakdown channel, likeness to dart-stepped leader occuring in negative cloud-to-ground discharge (-CG). Four types of RPBs, namely, category of normal RPBs, category of back RPBs, category of symmetric RPBs, and category of reversal RPBs, were sorted in the light of the evolution of the pulse amplitude, interval between neighboring pulses and pulse polarity. In addition, the difference between normal RPBs and back RPBs was considered to be caused by the distance between neighboring charge pockets and the magnitude of the charge in every charge pocket. The symmetric RPBs were considered to be caused by a discharge channel with a large central charge area. Reversal RPBs were considered to be caused by a bending channel or superposition of two or more RPBs. We located some RPBs in a typical intra-cloud flash (IC) in three-dimensional. The analysis showed that the developing velocity of RPBs ranged from approximately 1.2 × 106 m/s to 3.0 × 106 m/s, which slower less than both of the dart leader or dart-stepped leader process from previous studies. And we found it is several meters to dozens of meters that the lengths range of discharge step which between two adjacent pulses.
A Mechanistic Framework for Understanding the Effects of Climate Change on the Link Between Flowering and Fruiting Phenology
Authors: Sandor Manette E. , Aslan Clare E. , Pejchar Liba , Bronstein Judith L.
Published: December 2021

Phenological shifts are a widely studied consequence of climate change. Little is known, however, about certain critical phenological events, nor about mechanistic links between shifts in different life-history stages of the same organism. Among angiosperms, flowering times have been observed to advance with climate change, but, whether fruiting times shift as a direct consequence of shifting flowering times, or respond differently or not at all to climate change, is poorly understood. Yet, shifts in fruiting could alter species interactions, including by disrupting seed dispersal mutualisms. In the absence of long-term data on fruiting phenology, but given extensive data on flowering, we argue that an understanding of whether flowering and fruiting are tightly linked or respond independently to environmental change can significantly advance our understanding of how fruiting phenologies will respond to warming climates. Through a case study of biotically and abiotically dispersed plants, we present evidence for a potential functional link between the timing of flowering and fruiting. We then propose general mechanisms for how flowering and fruiting life history stages could be functionally linked or independently driven by external factors, and we use our case study species and phenological responses to distinguish among proposed mechanisms in a real-world framework. Finally, we identify research directions that could elucidate which of these mechanisms drive the timing between subsequent life stages. Understanding how fruiting phenology is altered by climate change is essential for all plant species but is particularly critical to sustaining the large numbers of plant species that rely on animal-mediated dispersal, as well as the animals that rely on fruit for sustenance.
Analysis of Wheat Wax Regulation Mechanism by Liposome and Transcriptome
Authors: Wen Hongwei , Wang Ying , Wu Bangbang , Feng Yanru , Dang Yifei , Yang Bin , Ma Xiaofei , Qiao Ling
Published: December 2021

As a barrier for plants to contact with the outside world, epidermal wax plays an important role in resisting biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, we analyzed the effect of wax content on leaf permeability by measuring the wax loss rate in the leaf. To further clarify the wax composition of the wheat epidermis and its molecular regulation mechanism, we applied untargeted lipidomic and transcriptome analysis on the leaf epidermis wax of Jimai 22 low-wax mutant (waxless) and multi-wax mutant (waxy). Our research showed that the mutant waxy has a slow loss rate, which can maintain higher leaf water content. 31 lipid subclasses and 1,367 lipid molecules were identified. By analyzing the wax differences of the two mutants, we found that the main lipid components of leaf epidermis wax in Jimai 22 were WE (C19-C50), DG (C27-C53), MG (C31-C35), and OAHFA (C31-C52). Carbon chain length analysis showed that, in wheat epidermis wax, WE was dominated by C44 molecules, DG was mainly concentrated in C47, C45, C37, and C31 molecules, C48 played a leading role in OAHFA, and C35 and C31 played a major role in MG. Among them, DG, MG, and OAHFA were detected in wheat leaf wax for the first time, and they were closely related to stress resistance. Compared with the waxy, 6,840 DEGs were detected in the mutant waxless, 3,181 DEGs were upregulated, and 3,659 DEGs were downregulated. The metabolic pattern of main waxy components in the wheat epidermis was constructed according to KEGG metabolic pathway and 46 related genes were screened, including KSC, TER, FAR, WSD1, CER1, MAH1, ALDH7A1, CYP704B1, ACOT1_2_4, CYP86, MGLL, GPAT, ALDH, DPP1, dgkA, plsC, and E2.3.1.158 related genes. The screened wax-related genes were confirmed to be highly reliable by qRT-PCR. In addition, we found TER gene TraesCS6B03G1132900LC in wheat mutant waxless leaves for the first time, which inhibited the synthesis of long-chain acyl-CoA (n+2) by downregulating its expression. These results provide valuable reference information for further study of wheat epidermis wax heredity and molecular regulation.
Construction and Analysis of Immune Infiltration-Related ceRNA Network for Kidney Stones
Authors: Xia Yuqi , Zhou Xiangjun , Ye Zehua , Yu Weimin , Ning Jinzhuo , Ruan Yuan , Yuan Run , Lin Fangyou , Ye Peng , Zheng Di , Rao Ting , Cheng Fan
Published: December 2021

Purpose: Kidney stones is a common medical issue that mediates kidney injury and even kidney function loss. However, the exact pathogenesis still remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)-related pathogenesis of kidney stones and identify the corresponding immune infiltration signature.

Methods: One mRNA and one long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) microarray dataset was obtained from the GEO database. Subsequently, we compared differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs) and lncRNAs between Randall’s plaques in patients with calcium oxalate (CaOx) stones and controls with normal papillary tissues. lncRNA-targeted miRNAs and miRNA–mRNA pairs were predicted using the online databases. lncRNA-related DE-mRNAs were identified using the Venn method, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were subsequently performed. The immune-related lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA network was developed. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to estimate the rate of immune cell infiltration in Randall’s plaques. The ceRNA network and immune infiltration were validated in the glyoxylate-induced hyperoxaluric mouse model and oxalate-treated HK-2 cells.

Results: We identified 2,340 DE-mRNAs and 929 DE-lncRNAs between Randall’s plaques in patients with CaOx stones and controls with normal papillary tissues. lncRNA-related DE-mRNAs were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix organization and collagen-containing extracellular matrix, which were associated with kidney interstitial fibrosis. The immune-related ceRNA network included 10 lncRNAs, 23 miRNAs, and 20 mRNAs. Moreover, we found that M2 macrophages and resting mast cells were differentially expressed between Randall’s plaques and normal tissues. Throughout kidney stone development, kidney tubular injury, crystal deposition, collagen fiber deposition, TGF-β expression, infiltration of M1 macrophages, and activation of mast cells were more frequent in glyoxylate-induced hyperoxaluric mice compared with control mice. Nevertheless, M2 macrophage infiltration increased in early stages (day 6) and decreased as kidney stones progressed (day 12). Furthermore, treatment with 0.25 and 0.5 mM of oxalate for 48 h significantly upregulated NEAT1, PVT1, CCL7, and ROBO2 expression levels and downregulated hsa-miR-23b-3p, hsa-miR-429, and hsa-miR-139-5p expression levels in the HK-2 cell line in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion: We found that significant expressions of ceRNAs (NEAT1, PVT1, hsa-miR-23b-3p, hsa-miR-429, hsa-miR-139-5p, CCL7, and ROBO2) and infiltrating immune cells (macrophages and mast cells) may be involved in kidney stone pathogenesis. These findings provide novel potential therapeutic targets for kidney stones.
Transcriptome Sequencing Identifies PLAUR as an Important Player in Patients With Dermatomyositis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Chen Juan , Zhang Ruixian , Xie Min , Luan Chunyan , Li Xiaolan
Published: December 2021

Dermatomyositis (DM), an inflammatory disorder, is often associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Our study performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and integrative bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in patients with dermatomyositis-associated interstitial lung disease (DM-ILD) and healthy controls. A total of 2,018 DEGs were identified between DM-ILD and healthy blood samples. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly involved in immune- and inflammatory-related biological processes and pathways. Disease ontology (DO) enrichment analysis identified 35 candidate key genes involved in both skin and lung diseases. Meanwhile, a total of 886 differentially expressed alternative splicing (AS) events were found between DM-ILD and healthy blood samples. After overlapping DEGs with differential AS genes, the plasminogen activator and urokinase receptor (PLAUR) involved in immune-related biological processes and complement and coagulation cascades was screened and identified as the most important gene associated with DM-ILD. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network revealed that PLAUR had interactions with multiple candidate key genes. Moreover, we observed that there were significantly more neutrophils and less naive B cells in DM-ILD samples than in healthy samples. And the expression of PLAUR was significantly positively correlated with the abundance of neutrophils. Significant higher abundance of PLAUR in DM-ILD patients than healthy controls was validated by RT-qPCR. In conclusion, we identified PLAUR as an important player in regulating DM-ILD by neutrophil-associated immune response. These findings enrich our understanding, which may benefit DM-ILD patients.
A Direct MS-Based Approach to Profile Human Milk Secretory Immunoglobulin A (IgA1) Reveals Donor-Specific Clonal Repertoires With High Longitudinal Stability
Authors: Bondt Albert , Dingess Kelly A. , Hoek Max , van Rijswijck Danique M. H. , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: December 2021

Recently, a mass spectrometry-based approach was introduced to directly assess the IgG1 immunoglobulin clonal repertoires in plasma. Here we expanded upon this approach by describing a mass spectrometry-based technique to assess specifically the clonal repertoire of another important class of immunoglobulin molecules, IgA1, and show it is efficiently and robustly applicable to either milk or plasma samples. Focusing on two individual healthy donors, whose milk was sampled longitudinally during the first 16 weeks of lactation, we demonstrate that the total repertoire of milk sIgA1 is dominated by only 50-500 clones, even though the human body theoretically can generate several orders of magnitude more clones. We show that in each donor the sIgA1 repertoire only changes marginally and quite gradually over the monitored 16-week period of lactation. Furthermore, the observed overlap in clonal repertoires between the two individual donors is close to non-existent. Mothers provide protection to their newborn infants directly by the transfer of antibodies via breastfeeding. The approach introduced here, can be used to visualize the clonal repertoire transferred from mother to infant and to detect changes in-time in that repertoire adapting to changes in maternal physiology.
Insights Into the Environmental Impact on Genetic Structure and Larval Dispersal of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish in the South China Sea
Authors: Chen Biao , Yu Kefu , Yao Qiucui , Liao Zhiheng , Qin Zhenjun , Yu Xiaopeng , Wu Qian , He Biao
Published: December 2021

The coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS; Acanthaster spp.) play a major role in coral reef degradation in the Indo-Pacific region. However, the impacts of environmental factors on the phylogenetic and genetic characteristics of COTS in the northern Indo-Pacific convergence region remains unclear. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers to analyze the phylogenetic relationship, demographic history, genetic diversity and genetic structure of COTS in the South China Sea (SCS) and explored the impact of environmental factors on historical population expansion, genetic differentiation and larval dispersal. There was a clear signature of a population expansion in the SCS using the mtDNA marker. According to microsatellite loci analysis, COTS have high genetic diversity in the SCS. STRUCTURE analysis indicated that COTS in the Pacific Ocean can be divided into four subgroups: the SCS, Western Pacific, Pacific equatorial current affected zone, and Pacific insular atolls populations in the Pacific Ocean. Fst-statistical analysis revealed positive correlations between the Fst values and geographic isolation for all sampling sites. Additionally, there were no clear associations between the Fst values and chlorophyll a concentrations among coral reefs in the SCS; however, there were significant positive associations between the Fst values and particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations within small geographic distances. These results suggest that COTS underwent historical population expansion after the Last Glacial Maximum, possibly followed by coral population expansion. The genetic structure of COTS populations may have been shaped by distinct nutrient concentrations, particularly those of POC, over small geographic distances. Moreover, ocean currents provide a potential dispersal mechanism for COTS larvae in the SCS. This study demonstrates that environmental and oceanographic factors play important roles in shaping the genetic characteristics and larval dispersal of COTS populations in the northern Indo-Pacific convergence region.
Using Transcript Levels of Nitrate Transporter 2 as Molecular Indicators to Estimate the Potentials of Nitrate Transport in Symbiodinium, Cladocopium, and Durusdinium of the Fluted Giant Clam, Tridacna squamosa
Authors: Pang Caryn Z. , Ip Yuen K. , Chew Shit F.
Published: December 2021

Giant clams are important ecosystem engineers of coral reefs because they harbor large quantities of phototrophic Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates of mainly genera Symbiodinium, Cladocopium, and Durusdinium. The coccoid dinoflagellates donate photosynthate and amino acids to the clam host, which in return needs to supply inorganic carbon and nitrogen to them. The host can conduct light-enhanced absorption of nitrate (NO3–), which can only be metabolized by the symbionts. This study aimed to clone nitrate transporter 2 (NRT2) from the symbionts of the fluted giant clam, Tridacna squamosa. Here, we report three major sequences of NRT2 derived from Symbiodinium (Symb-NRT2), Cladocopium (Clad-NRT2) and Durusdinium (Duru-NRT2). Phenogramic analysis and molecular characterization confirmed that these three sequences were NRT2s derived from dinoflagellates. Immunofluorescence microscopy localized NRT2 at the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic vesicles of the symbiotic dinoflagellates, indicating that it could partake in the uptake and transport of NO3–. Therefore, the transcript levels of Symb-NRT2, Clad-NRT2, and Duru-NRT2 could be used as molecular indicators to estimate the potential of NO3– transport in five organs of 13 T. squamosa individuals. The transcript levels of form II ribulose-1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcII) of Symbiodinium (Symb-rbcII), Cladocopium (Clad-rbcII) and Durusdinium (Duru-rbcII) were also determined in order to calculate the transcript ratios of Symb-NRT2/Symb-rbcII, Clad-NRT2/Clad-rbcII, and Duru-NRT2/Duru-rbcII. These ratios expressed the potentials of NO3– transport with reference to the phototrophic potentials in a certain genus of coccoid dinoflagellate independent of its quantity. Results obtained indicate that Symbiodinium generally had a higher potential of NO3– transport than Cladocopium and Durusdinium at the genus level. Furthermore, some phylotypes (species) of Symbiodinium, particularly those in the colorful outer mantle, had very high Symb-NRT2/Symb-rbcII ratio (7–13), indicating that they specialized in NO3– uptake and nitrogen metabolism. Overall, our results indicate for the first time that different phylotypes of Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates could have dissimilar abilities to absorb and assimilate NO3–, alluding to their functional diversity at the genus and species levels.
Seismic Behavior of GFRP Tube Reactive Powder Concrete Composite Columns With Encased Steel
Authors: Ji Jing , He Lingjie , Jiang Liangqin , Ren Hongguo , Ni Shuai , Wang Zizhen , Li Yunhao , Yu Chenyu , Lin Yubo
Published: December 2021

To obtain the seismic behavior of glass fiber–reinforced polymer (GFRP) tube reactive powder concrete composite columns with encased steel (GRS), a total of 17 full-scale GRS columns were designed in this study. The parametric studies were conducted to explore the influence of factors such as the diameter of GFRP tube (D), thickness of GFRP tube (t), number of fiber winding layers (n), fiber winding angle (θ), axial compression ratio (λ), compressive strength of reactive powder concrete (fc), the area of encased steel (As), and strength of encased steel (fsy) on the seismic behavior of the composite columns. The finite element models of this kind of columns were established by ABAQUS finite element software, and the seismic behavior analysis for GRS composite columns was carried out. The results show that all the specimens exhibit good ductility and strong deformation ability. The stiffness degradation of specimens significantly slows down with the increase of D, fsy, and λ. The energy dissipation capacity of specimens can be improved by increasing D and λ, while the increase of As and fsy leads to the decrease of the energy dissipation capacity. By observing the failure mode of such composite columns, local bulging occurs in the foot area of the columns. Based on the statistical analysis of the calculated results, the restoring force models for GRS composite columns are proposed, which agree well with the simulated results. The restoring force models can provide reference for the elastic-plastic seismic response analysis of this kind of composite columns.
Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation for the Prevention of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Ou Liang , Chen Zehua , Li Jiamin , Shang Yan , Hu Guoheng
Published: December 2021

Background: No specific treatment is available for postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Recently, interest in the prevention of POCD during the perioperative period has increased. Although some studies suggest that transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) may be beneficial, the relevant evidence remains uncertain.

Objective: To evaluate the preventive effects of TEAS on POCD.

Methods: Seven databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) were electronically searched up to April 2021. Two reviewers independently selected the studies, collected data, and assessed the risks of bias and grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations certainty of the evidence. A meta-analysis of the incidence of POCD, cognitive function score, pain, adverse reactions, and length of hospital stay after surgery was also performed.

Results: Twenty-nine randomized controlled trials with 1,994 participants were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the TEAS group has a significantly lower incidence of POCD compared with the control group on postoperative days 1 [OR = 0.33 (95%CI: 0.23, 0.47); p < 0.001, I2 = 0%, moderate certainty], 3 [OR = 0.38 (95%CI: 0.29, 0.50); p < 0.001, I2 = 0%, low certainty], and 7 [OR = 0.51 (95%CI: 0.32, 0.81); p = 0.005, I2 = 0%, low certainty] but not on day 5 (p > 0.05, low certainty). Moreover, TEAS improved the Mini-Mental State Examination scores on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 [MD = 2.44 (95%CI: 1.61, 3.27); p < 0.001, I2 = 93%, low certainty]; [MD = 2.07 (95%CI: 1.53, 2.62); p < 0.001, I2 = 87%, low certainty]; and [MD = 0.49 (95%CI: 0.18, 0.79); p = 0.002, I2 = 21%, low certainty], respectively, but not on day 5 (p > 0.05, very low certainty). TEAS promoted a postoperative analgesic effect within 24 h after surgery. Furthermore, patients receiving TEAS showed a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and a shorter hospital stay.

Conclusions: Limited evidence suggests that the application of TEAS in the perioperative period is associated with a reduced POCD rate and a protected early postoperative cognitive function.
Mean Tear-Film Lipid Layer Thickness and Video Display Terminal Time as Risk Factors for Abnormal Blinking in Children
Authors: Zhao Hui , Wu Shi-Nan , Cheng Zhe , Xiao Dong , Shu Hui-Ye , Ge Qian-Min , Tian Tian , Shao Yi
Published: December 2021

Objective: To explore the risk factors for abnormal blinking in children and the role of the tear-film lipid layer thickness (LLT) as a function of duration of video display terminal (VDT) use in children.

Methods: Children attending the Optometry Clinic of Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University were recruited for the study between June 2019 and June 2020. Time spent viewing a VDT (VDTt) over the previous 6 months was recorded. Incomplete blinking (IB) and blinking rate were measured over a 10 s period using the Lipiview® interferometer (Tear Science, Morrisville, NC, USA), and participants were allocated into groups with normal blinking (NBG, blink rate < 20 blinks/min) and abnormal blinking (ABG, blink rate ≥ 20 blinks/min). T-test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the differences in tear film (TF) stability indexes and meibomian gland function indexes between the two groups. Binary logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for abnormal blinking and protective factors related to children's use of VDT, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also conducted.

Results: A total of 167 children were included, with no statistically significant differences in age or sex between the two groups. According to the t-test, VDTt was significantly higher in ABG than NBG, while TF stability indices including tear break up time, LLT and the height of the tear meniscus, were significantly higher in NBG than ABG (P < 0.001). The results also showed better meibomian gland function in NBG than ABG (P < 0.05). Binary logistic analysis showed that VDTt is an important risk factor for abnormal blinking, and the average of LLT (AVG) was found to be an important protective factor for children using a VDT for long periods, with a cut-off value of 1.5 h and 57.5 nm, respectively. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve value of VDTt and AVG was 0.833 and 0.969, respectively (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: In children, VDTt is an important risk factor for abnormal blinking, and the AVG is an important protective factor for children using VDT for long periods.
Differential Changes in Akt and AMPK Phosphorylation Regulating mTOR Activity in the Placentas of Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Growth Restriction and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus With Large-For-Gestational Age Infants
Authors: Hung Tai-Ho , Wu Chung-Pu , Chen Szu-Fu
Published: December 2021

Background: Dysregulation of placental mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity has been implicated in the pathophysiology of pregnancies complicated by idiopathic fetal growth restriction (FGR) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: We obtained placentas from women with normal pregnancies (n = 11) and pregnancies complicated by FGR (n = 12) or GDM with LGA infants (n = 12) to compare the levels of total and phosphorylated forms of Akt, AMPK, TSC2, and mTOR among the three groups and used primary cytotrophoblast cells isolated from 30 normal term placentas to study the effects of oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) and increasing glucose concentrations on the changes of these factors in vitro.

Results: Placentas from FGR pregnancies had lower phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) levels (P < 0.05), higher p-AMPKα levels (P < 0.01), and lower mTOR phosphorylation (P < 0.05) compared to that of normal pregnant women. Conversely, women with GDM and LGA infants had higher p-Akt (P < 0.001), lower p-AMPKα (P < 0.05), and higher p-mTOR levels (P < 0.05) in the placentas than normal pregnant women. Furthermore, primary cytotrophoblast cells subjected to OGD had lower p-Akt and p-mTOR (both P < 0.05) and higher p-AMPKα levels (P < 0.05) than those cultured under standard conditions, but increasing glucose concentrations had opposite effects on the respective levels. Administering compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, did not significantly affect Akt phosphorylation but partially reversed mTOR phosphorylation. Administering LY294002, an Akt inhibitor, decreased p-mTOR levels, but did not change the levels of total and phosphorylated AMPKα.

Conclusion: These results suggest that Akt and AMPK are involved in the regulation of trophoblast mTOR activity in the placentas of pregnancies complicated by FGR and GDM with LGA infants.
Amycolatopsis aidingensis sp. nov., a Halotolerant Actinobacterium, Produces New Secondary Metabolites
Authors: Li Rui , Wang Meng , Ren Zhen , Ji Yang , Yin Min , Zhou Hao , Tang Shu-Kun
Published: December 2021

A novel actinobacterium, strain YIM 96748T, was isolated from a saline soil sample collected from the south bank of Aiding Lake in Xinjiang Province, Northwest China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 96748T is closely related to Amycolatopsis cihanbeyliensis BNT52T (98.9%) and Amycolatopsis jiangsuensis KLBMP 1262T (97.2%). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain YIM 96748T and its closest type strain A. cihanbeyliensis BNT52T was 59.6%. The average nucleotide identity between strain YIM 96748T and its neighbor strain was 88.97%. Based on the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, it is concluded that strain YIM 96748T represents a novel species of the genus Amycolatopsis, whose name was proposed as Amycolatopsis aidingensis sp. nov. The type strain is YIM 96748T. To investigate the biosynthetic potential of producing secondary metabolites, the complete genome of YIM 96748T was sequenced and analyzed. The complete genome sequence of YIM 96748T consists of a 7,657,695-bp circular chromosome, comprising 7,162 predicted genes with a DNA G + C content of 70.21 mol%. Fifty-one putative biosynthetic gene clusters of secondary metabolites were found, including the antibacterial/antitumor agent TLN-05220, the antibacterial agent nocardicin A, the antifungal agent nystatin A1, and the osmolyte ectoine. The investigation of the secondary metabolites of A. aidingensis YIM96748T led to the discovery of two new phenylpropyl acetate enantiomers, amycoletates A (1) and B (2), and five known compounds: 4-hydroxy phenethyl acetate (3), 2-p-acetoxyphenylethanol (4), (S)-ethyl indole-3-lactate (5), (R)-ethyl indole-3-lactate (6), and p-hydroxybenzoic acid (7). One of the gene clusters 14, 36, and 43, which contain a single module of polyketide synthase, might be responsible for the biosynthesis of compounds 1 and 2 from compound 7 as a precursor. Further studies, including the one strain many compounds approach (OSMAC) and genetic modification, are needed to explore novel compounds from this talented halophilic Amycolatopsis strain.
Differentiation and Variability in the Rhizosphere and Endosphere Microbiomes of Healthy and Diseased Cotton (Gossypium sp.)
Authors: Shi Yingwu , Yang Hongmei , Chu Ming , Niu Xinxiang , Wang Ning , Lin Qing , Lou Kai , Zuo Changgeng , Wang Jingyi , Zou Qiang , Zhang Yumeng
Published: December 2021

The plant microbiome is a key determinant of health and productivity. However, it is still difficult to understand the structural composition of the bacterial and fungal microbiomes of diseased and healthy plants, especially the spatial dynamics and phylogenies of endophytic and rhizosphere microbial communities. We studied the differentiation and variability in the rhizosphere and endosphere microbiomes of healthy and diseased cotton from north and south of the Tianshan Mountains using the methods of PCR-based high-throughput sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR. The endophytic and rhizosphere bacterial abundances in the diseased plants were greater than those of healthy plants. The numbers of endophytic and rhizosphere fungi associated with diseased plants were greater than those associated healthy plants (p < 0.05). Endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria did not share common OTUs. The dominant rhizosphere bacteria were Proteobacteria (29.70%), Acidobacteria (23.14%), Gemmatimonadetes (15.17%), Actinobacteria (8.31%), Chloroflexi (7.99%), and Bacteroidetes (5.15%). The dominant rhizosphere fungi were Ascomycota (83.52%), Mortierellomycota (7.67%), Basidiomycota (2.13%), Chytridiomycota (0.39%), and Olpidiomycota (0.08%). The distribution of dominant bacteria in different cotton rhizosphere soils and roots differed, with the dominant bacteria Pseudomonas (15.54%) and Pantoea (9.19%), and the dominant fungi Alternaria (16.15%) and Cephalotrichum (9.10%) being present in the greatest numbers. At sampling points in different ecological regions, the total numbers of cotton endophytic and rhizosphere microbiome OTUs from southern to northern Xinjiang showed an increasing trend. There were significant differences in the composition and diversity of rhizosphere microbes and endophytes during the entire cotton growth period and in representative ecological regions (p < 0.01), whereas rhizosphere microbes and endophytes showed no significant differences among the four growth periods and in representative ecological regions. RB41, H16, Nitrospira, and Sphingomonas play important roles in the microbial ecology of cotton rhizosphere soil. Pseudomonas accounted for a large proportion of the microbes in the cotton rhizosphere soil. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the complex microbial composition and diversity associated with cotton north and south of the Tianshan Mountains.
Assessing Differential Binding of Aggregation-Induced Emission-Based Luminogens to Host Interacting Surface Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus–An in silico Approach
Authors: Tanneeru Karunakar , Bhatraju Naveen Kumar , Bhosale Rajesh S. , Kalangi Suresh K.
Published: December 2021

Graphical Abstract

Proposed design for AIE-based differential detection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.