bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Terrigenous Sediment Addition on the Generation of Arc Silicic Magma: Constraints From the Comparative Partial Melting Experiment at 1.5 GPa
Authors: Zang Chunjuan , Wang Mingliang
Published: March 2022

To assess the effects of sediment addition on the partial melting of subducted oceanic crust and generation of arc silicic magma, a series of comparative partial melting experiments on a garnet plagioamphibolite and a 90 wt% garnet plagioamphibolite + 10 wt% plagioclase slate mixture at 850–1,000°C/1.5 GPa were conducted on a Piston-cylinder apparatus. In the experimental products, partial melt coexists with amphibole + plagioclase + garnet + clinopyroxene at 850–950°C and plagioclase + garnet + clinopyroxene at 1000°C. Compared with pure garnet plagioamphibolite, partial melting of mixture get a higher melting percentage and generates the silicic melt with geochemical characteristics of higher Na2O/K2O and lower Al2O3 in major element and high Rb content in trace element at over 950°C. This result indicates that silicic arc magma may generate from partial melting of metamorphic subducted oceanic crust with sediments thereon, sediment addition contributes to their chemical component and generation dynamic process.
A Review of High-Temperature and High-Pressure Experimental Apparatus Capable of Generating Differential Stress
Authors: Ren Dongsheng , Li Heping
Published: March 2022

It has been demonstrated that the matters in the earth’s interior are subjected to isotropic hydrostatic pressure and are also extensively superimposed by the differential stress. The differential stress contributes significantly to the free energy of matters and it is the determining factor controlling the composition, structure, configuration, properties, and interaction processes of the matter system. Hence, the differential stress is one of the most fundamental thermodynamic variables governing the earth’s interior system along with the temperature and the hydrostatic pressure. Nevertheless, due to the limitations of high-temperature and high-pressure (HT-HP) setup and in situ measurement techniques as well as limited understanding of the differential stress, previous HT-HP experiments of the earth’s interior didn’t cover the role of the differential stress except for some special stress-strain mechanics experiments and piezolysis and kinetic metamorphism experiments. This makes many of the knowledge about the earth’s interior obtained from HT-HP experiments generally questionable. Currently, HT-HP experimental apparatus that can be used to simulate the temperature, hydrostatic pressure, and differential stress in the earth’s interior includes the Griggs press, the Paterson rheometer, the D-DIA press, the RDA press, and the torsional diamond anvil cell. The maximum hydrostatic pressure that can be simulated in the Griggs press at high temperatures is only about 2 GPa and there is large uncertainty in the calibration of the differential stress. The Paterson rheometer provides too low confining pressure. The D-DIA press and RDA press can simulate a wide range of temperature and pressure but the D-DIA press can achieve very small strain variables and the RDA press has very heterogeneous sample stresses. The torsional diamond anvil cell can only accept a small sample size and it is difficult to calibrate the differential stress. Also, these existing HT-HP experimental apparatus with the differential stress are not easily interfaced with in situ measurement systems for investigating the physical properties such as electrical, ultrasonic, and thermophysical properties. Hence, scholars need to invest more efforts in the research and development of HT-HP apparatus with the differential stress in the future to properly understand the composition, structure, configuration, properties, and interactions of the matter in the earth’s interior.
Down-Regulation Ovulation-Induction Leads to Favorable Outcomes in a Single Frozen-Thawed Blastocyst Transfer RCT
Authors: Chao Shi-Bin , Wang Yan-Hong , Li Jian-Chun , Cao Wen-Ting , Zhou Yun , Sun Qing-Yuan
Published: March 2022

Objective

Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) has been increasingly advocated to achieve the goal of delivering a single healthy baby. A novel endometrial preparation approach down-regulation ovulation-induction (DROI) proposed by our team was demonstrated in an RCT that DROI could significantly improve the reproductive outcome compared with modified natural cycle. We aimed to evaluate whether DROI improved clinic pregnancy rate in this single frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer RCT compared with hormone replace treatment (HRT).

Method

Eligible participants were recruited and randomized into one of two endometrial preparation regimens: DROI or HRT between March 15, 2019 and March 12, 2021. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy rate (CPR). The secondary endpoints included ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR), biochemical miscarriage and first trimester pregnancy loss. This trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, number ChiCTR2000039804.

Result (s)

A total of 330 women were randomized in a 1:1 ratio between two groups and 289 women received embryo transfer and completed the study (142 DROI; 147HRT). Pregnancy outcomes were significantly different between the two groups. The CPR and OPR in the DROI group were significantly higher than those of the HRT group (64.08% versus 46.94%, P<0.01; 56.34% versus 38.78%,P<0.01). The biochemical miscarriage and first trimester pregnancy loss were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusion (s)

The findings of this RCT support the suggestion that the DROI might be a more efficient and promising alternative endometrial preparation approach for FET. Moreover, DROI could play a critical role in promoting uptake of single embryo transfer strategies in FET.
Analysis of HLA Variants and Graves’ Disease and Its Comorbidities Using a High Resolution Imputation System to Examine Electronic Medical Health Records
Authors: Liao Wen-Ling , Liu Ting-Yuan , Cheng Chi-Fung , Chou Yu-Pao , Wang Tzu-Yuan , Chang Ya-Wen , Chen Shih-Yin , Tsai Fuu-Jen
Published: March 2022

Hyperthyroidism is a prevalent endocrine disorder, and genetics play a major role in the development of thyroid-associated diseases. In particular, the inheritance of HLA has been demonstrated to induce the highest susceptibility to Graves’ disease (GD). However, thus far, no studies have reported the contribution of HLA to the development of GD and the complications that follow. Thus, in the present study, to the best of our knowledge, for the first time, a powerful imputation method, HIBAG, was used to predict the HLA subtypes among populations with available genome-wide SNP array data from the China Medical University Hospital (CMUH). The disease status was extracted from the CMUH electronic medical records; a total of 2,998 subjects with GD were identified as the cases to be tested and 29,083 subjects without any diagnosis of thyroid disorders were randomly selected as the controls. A total of 12 HLA class I genotypes (HLA-A*02:07-*11:01, HLA-B*40:01-*46:01 and *46:01-*46:01, and HLA-C*01:02-*01:02, *01:02-*03:04, and *01:02-*07:02) and 17 HLA class II genotypes (HLA-DPA1*02:02-*02:02, HLA-DPB1*02:01-*05:01, *02:02-*05:01, and *04:01-*05:01, HLA-DQA1*03:02, HLA-DRB1*09:01-*15:01, and *09:01-*09:01) were found to be associated with GD in the Taiwanese population. Moreover, the HLA subtypes HLA-A*11:01, HLA-B*46:01, HLA-DPA1*01:03, and HLA-DPB1*05:01 were found to be associated with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension among subjects with GD. Our data suggest that several HLA alleles are markedly associated with GD and its comorbidities, including heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
Risk of Second Malignant Neoplasm in Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer Patients
Authors: Capezzone Marco , Sagnella Alfonso , Cantara Silvia , Fralassi Noemi , Maino Fabio , Forleo Raffaella , Brilli Lucia , Pilli Tania , Cartocci Alessandra , Castagna Maria Grazia
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Survival rates in patients with non-medullary thyroid carcinoma (NMTC) are high, increasing the possibility to develop a second malignant neoplasm (SMN). Many studies investigated the relationship between increased risk of SMN in NMTC patients treated with radioiodine, but few data are available about the impact of family history (FH) of thyroid cancer on SMN risk.

Purpose

To assess the risk of SMN in a large cohort of sporadic and familial NMTC using the standardized incidence ratio (SIR).

Patients and methods

We studied 918 NMTC patients (73.9% female patients) followed for a median follow-up of 9 years. In 798/918 (86.9%) patients, NMTC was sporadic, while the remaining 120 (13.1%) were familial NMTC (FNMTC).

Results

We identified 119/918 (13%) patients with SMN in association with NMTC. NMTCs had an increased risk of SMN when compared to the general population (SIR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.5). The rate of SMN for all sites was significantly higher in familial compared to sporadic NMTC (20% versus 11.9%, p = 0.01), primarily driven by families with more than two affected members. The risk of SMN was remarkably higher for breast cancer, especially in familial cases (SIR 22.03, 95% CI 14.4–41.2) compared to sporadic cases (SIR:17, 95% CI 11.9–24.6).

Conclusions

NMTC patients have a higher risk of SMN compared to the general population and this risk is much higher in patients with FNMTC. This observation raises the hypothesis that genetic risk factors for a first cancer may predispose to SMN, especially among individuals with familial clustering of the same or other tumors.
Free Thyroxine Distinguishes Subclinical Hypothyroidism From Other Aging-Related Changes in Those With Isolated Elevated Thyrotropin
Authors: Abbey Enoch J. , McGready John , Sokoll Lori J. , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Mammen Jennifer S. R.
Published: March 2022

Background

Although a finding of isolated elevated thyrotropin (TSH) often leads to treatment with thyroid hormone, it is not specific to a diagnosis of subclinical hypothyroidism, particularly in older adults. We have previously used longitudinal assessment of TSH and free thyroxine (FT4) to distinguish primary and secondary changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, an approach which is impractical for clinical diagnosis.

Objective

Identify contemporaneous clinical tests and criteria that predict the longitudinally-derived HPT axis phenotype in those with isolated elevated TSH.

Methods

Using data from Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, participants with over three years of follow up not on thyroid hormone replacement, with a TSH above the reference range and an in-range FT4 at the current visit, and at least 1% per year increase in TSH (mean 6.9% annual increase; n=72), we examined correlations between various clinical factors and the change in FT4 across the phenotypic range from emerging hypothyroidism, with falling FT4, to adaptive stress-response, with rising FT4.

Results

Current FT4 level, but not TSH, Free T3, anti-TPO antibody status, age or sex, was significantly associated with phenotype, determined by the annual rate of change in FT4 in those with elevated and rising TSH, both as a continuous variable (β=0.07 per ng/dL increase in FT4; p<0.001) and in quartiles (p<0.001). We estimated a threshold for FT4 of less than 0.89 ng/dL (11.45 pmol/L; the 24th percentile of the reference range), as predictive of a phenotype in the first quartile, consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism, while a FT3:FT4 ratio below 2.77 predicted a phenotype in the fourth quartile, more consistent with adaptive stress-response.

Conclusions

In those with isolated elevated TSH, a FT4 in the lowest quartile of the reference range differentiates those with developing hypothyroidism from other HPT-axis aging changes.
Limited Physiological Compensation in Response to an Acute Microclimate Change in a Malagasy Bat
Authors: Reher Stephanie , Rabarison Hajatiana , Nowack Julia , Dausmann Kathrin H.
Published: March 2022

Rapid environmental changes are challenging for endothermic species because they have direct and immediate impacts on their physiology by affecting microclimate and fundamental resource availability. Physiological flexibility can compensate for certain ecological perturbations, but our basic understanding of how species function in a given habitat and the extent of their adaptive scope is limited. Here we studied the effect of acute, experimental microclimate change on the thermal physiology of two populations of the widespread Malagasy bat, Macronycteris commersoni. Populations of this species are found roosting under contrasting conditions, i.e., in a constant hot and humid cave or below foliage unprotected from fluctuations in ambient conditions. We exposed free-ranging individuals of each population to the respective opposite condition and thus to novel microclimate within an ecologically realistic scope while measuring metabolic rate and skin temperature. Cave bats in forest setting had a limited capacity to maintain euthermia to the point that two individuals became hypothermic when ambient temperature dropped below their commonly experienced cave temperature. Forest bats on the other hand, had difficulties to dissipate heat in the humid cave set-up. The response to heat, however, was surprisingly uniform and all bats entered torpor combined with hyperthermia at temperatures exceeding their thermoneutral zone. Thus, while we observed potential for flexible compensation of heat through “hot” torpor, both populations showed patterns suggestive of limited potential to cope with acute microclimate changes deviating from their typically occupied roosts. Our study emphasizes that intraspecific variation among populations could be misleading when assessing species’ adaptive scopes, as variation may arise from genetic adaptation, developmental plasticity or phenotypic flexibility, all of which allow for compensatory responses at differing time scales. Disentangling these mechanisms and identifying the basis of variation is vital to make accurate predictions of species’ chances for persisting in ever rapidly changing habitats and climates.
Distribution, Status, and Conservation of the Indian Peninsular Wolf
Authors: Jhala Yadvendradev , Saini Swati , Kumar Satish , Qureshi Qamar
Published: March 2022

An understanding of the distribution range and status of a species is paramount for its conservation. We used photo captures from 26,838 camera traps deployed over 121,337 km2 along with data from radio-telemetry, published, and authenticated wolf sightings to infer wolf locations. A total of 3,324 presence locations were obtained and after accounting for spatial redundancy 574 locations were used for modeling in maximum entropy framework (MaxEnt) with ecologically relevant covariates to infer potentially occupied habitats. Relationships of wolf occurrence with eco-geographical variables were interpreted based on response curves. Wolves avoided dense wet forests, human disturbances beyond a threshold, arid deserts, and areas with high top-carnivore density, but occurred in semi-arid scrub, grassland, open forests systems with moderate winter temperatures. The potential habitat that can support wolf occupancy was 364,425 km2 with the largest wolf habitat available in western India (Saurashtra-Kachchh-Thar landscape 102,837 km2). Wolf habitats across all landscapes were connected with no barriers to dispersal. Breeding packs likely occurred in ≈89,000 km2. Using an average territory size of 188 (SE 23) km2, India could potentially hold 423–540 wolf packs. With an average adult pack size of 3 (SE 0.24), and a wolf density < 1 per 100 km2 in occupied but non-breeding habitats, a wolf population of 3,170 (SE range 2,568–3,847) adults was estimated. The states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra were major strongholds for the species. Within forested landscapes, wolves tended to avoid top-carnivores but were more sympatric with leopards and dhole compared to tigers and lions. This ancient wolf lineage is threatened by habitat loss to development, hybridization with dogs, fast-traffic roads, diseases, and severe persecution by pastoralists. Their status is as precarious as that of the tiger, yet focused conservation efforts are lacking. Breeding habitat patches within each landscape identified in this study should be made safe from human persecution and free of feral dogs so as to permit packs to breed and successfully recruit individuals to ensure wolf persistence in the larger landscape for the long term.
Epigenetic and Transcriptional Control of Erythropoiesis
Authors: Wells Maeve , Steiner Laurie
Published: March 2022

Erythropoiesis is a process of enormous magnitude, with the average person generating two to three million red cells every second. Erythroid progenitors start as large cells with large nuclei, and over the course of three to four cell divisions they undergo a dramatic decrease in cell size accompanied by profound nuclear condensation, which culminates in enucleation. As maturing erythroblasts are undergoing these dramatic phenotypic changes, they accumulate hemoglobin and express high levels of other erythroid-specific genes, while silencing much of the non-erythroid transcriptome. These phenotypic and gene expression changes are associated with distinct changes in the chromatin landscape, and require close coordination between transcription factors and epigenetic regulators, as well as precise regulation of RNA polymerase II activity. Disruption of these processes are associated with inherited anemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. Here, we review the epigenetic mechanisms that govern terminal erythroid maturation, and their role in human disease.
Type 2 Diabetes, PNPLA3 rs738409 Polymorphism, and the Risk of Liver Cirrhosis: Analysis of Taiwan Biobank
Authors: Hsueh Kuan-Chun , Nfor Oswald Ndi , Hsu Shu-Yi , Yang Shun-Fa , Liaw Yung-Po
Published: March 2022

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and liver cirrhosis remain significant public health threats in Taiwan. These conditions are reported to be associated with the rs738409 polymorphism of the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein three gene (PNPLA3) in European populations. We assessed the effect of T2D and PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism on liver cirrhosis among Taiwan Biobank (TWB) participants. In total, 17,985 participants in TWB had their health records linked to the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). Participants included those who visited the assessment centers between 2008 and 2015, with an age range between 30 and 70 years of age. We performed logistic regression analysis to investigate the odds ratios (OR) for liver cirrhosis among participants based on the T2D status and rs738409 genotypes. Genotyping was performed using the Axiom Genome-Wide TWB Array Plate. In our analysis, 150 of the 17,619 eligible participants were identified as cirrhosis cases. Based on the univariate analysis, liver cirrhosis was positively associated with T2D (OR, 1.83; 95% CI 1.23–2.70) whereas, the variant rs738409 was not (regardless of the genetic model). The variant and T2D, however, showed significant interactions in the additive, genotype, and dominant models (p values of 0.0302, 0.0395, and 0.0455, respectively). We observed a statistically significant association between T2D and liver cirrhosis and variant rs738409 with an OR of 1.71 (95% CI, 1.03–2.84) for individuals carrying a G allele compared to those with a C allele and 2.92 (95% CI 1.07–7.99) for GG compared to CC individuals. According to our study, Taiwanese adults with T2D and the rs738409 GG genotype are more likely to develop liver cirrhosis.
Feeder-Cell-Free and Serum-Free Expansion of Natural Killer Cells Using Cloudz Microspheres, G-Rex6M, and Human Platelet Lysate
Authors: Johnson Christopher D. L. , Zale Nicole E. , Frary Eric D. , Lomakin Joseph A.
Published: March 2022

The versatility of natural killer cells has ignited growing interest in their therapeutic use for cancer and other immunotherapy treatments. However, NK cells compose a small portion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (5%–20% of PBMCs) and clinical doses require billions of cells. Manufacturing suitable doses of NK cells remains a major challenge for NK immunotherapy. The current standard for expanding NK cells relies on feeder cells and fetal bovine serum to achieve large expansion, but both encounter regulatory concerns. We developed NK Cloudz, a dissolvable polymer-based microsphere platform, as an alternative to a feeder cell approach to expand NK cells. We demonstrated that a combination of NK Cloudz, a G-Rex6M culture vessel, and GMP Human Platelet Lysate expanded NK cells 387 ± 100-fold in 10 days from a PBMC starting population. The NK purity, viability, and cytotoxicity were similar to both a feeder cell protocol and an FBS-based protocol. Additionally, we found no significant differences between FBS and GMP Human Platelet Lysate and concluded that platelet lysate is a good xeno-free alternative to FBS for NK expansion. Overall, we demonstrated a feeder-cell-free and FBS-free protocol that leverages NK Cloudz as a promising step toward a commercial GMP manufacturing method to expand NK cells for therapeutic use.
Comparison of Efficacy of Acupuncture-Related Therapy in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wan Renhong , Fan Yihua , Zhao Anlan , Xing Yuru , Huang Xiangyuan , Zhou Liang , Wang Ying
Published: March 2022

Background

The refractory, repetitive, and disabling characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has seriously influenced the patients’ quality of life, and makes it a major public health problem. As a classic complementary and alternative therapy, acupuncture is usually applied for RA combined with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). However, there are various types of acupuncture, and the curative effects are different in different acupuncture therapies. In this study, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of different acupuncture therapies combined with DMARDs in the treatment of RA.

Methods

The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture combined with DMARDs in the treatment of RA were searched in both English and Chinese database of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP database, Wanfang, and SinoMED, up to October 2021. Literature screening, data extraction, and evaluation of the risk of bias were carried out independently by two researchers, and the data were analyzed by Stata14.2 and GeMTC 0.14.3 software.

Results

A total of 32 RCTs were included, including 2,115 RA patients. The results of network meta-analysis were as follows: in terms of improving DAS28 score, Electro-acupuncture + DMARDs has the best efficacy. In terms of improving VAS score, Fire Needle + DMARDs showed the best efficacy. In terms of improving morning stiffness time, acupuncture-related therapies combined with DMARDs were not better than DMARDs alone in improving morning stiffness time in RA patients. In terms of reducing CRP and ESR, Fire Needle + DMARDs showed the best efficacy. In terms of reducing RF, Moxibustion + DMARDs has the best efficacy.

Conclusions

The comprehensive comparison of the outcome indicators in 8 different treatments indicates that electro-acupuncture combined with DMARDs is the best combined therapy in improving DAS28 score, while in terms of improving pain and serological markers, fire needle combined with DMARDs and moxibustion combined with DMARDs were the best combined therapies. However, it is impossible to find out which is better between fire needle and moxibustion due to the limited studies. Clinically, appropriate treatment should be selected according to the actual situation.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails, CRD42021278233.
Negative Regulation and Protective Function of Natural Killer Cells in HIV Infection: Two Sides of a Coin
Authors: Sun Yu , Zhou Jie , Jiang Yongjun
Published: March 2022

Natural killer (NK) cells play an important immunologic role, targeting tumors and virus-infected cells; however, NK cells do not impede the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In HIV infection, NK cells exhibit impaired functions and negatively regulate other immune cell responses, although NK cells can kill HIV-infected cells and thereby suppress HIV replication. Considerable recent research has emerged regarding NK cells in the areas of immune checkpoints, negative regulation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and HIV reservoirs during HIV infection; however, no overall summary of these factors is available. This review focuses on several important aspects of NK cells in relation to HIV infection, including changes in NK cell count, subpopulations, and immune checkpoints, as well as abnormalities in NK cell functions and NK cell negative regulation. The protective function of NK cells in inhibiting HIV replication to reduce the viral reservoir and approaches for enhancing NK cell functions are also summarized.
Aorta in Pathologies May Function as an Immune Organ by Upregulating Secretomes for Immune and Vascular Cell Activation, Differentiation and Trans-Differentiation—Early Secretomes may Serve as Drivers for Trained Immunity
Authors: Lu Yifan , Sun Yu , Xu Keman , Saaoud Fatma , Shao Ying , Drummer Charles , Wu Sheng , Hu Wenhui , Yu Jun , Kunapuli Satya P. , Bethea John R. , Vazquez-Padron Roberto I. , Sun Jianxin , Jiang Xiaohua , Wang Hong , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: March 2022

To determine whether aorta becomes immune organ in pathologies, we performed transcriptomic analyses of six types of secretomic genes (SGs) in aorta and vascular cells and made the following findings: 1) 53.7% out of 21,306 human protein genes are classified into six secretomes, namely, canonical, caspase 1, caspase 4, exosome, Weibel–Palade body, and autophagy; 2) Atherosclerosis (AS), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) modulate six secretomes in aortas; and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV, COVID-19 homologous) infected endothelial cells (ECs) and angiotensin-II (Ang-II) treated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) modulate six secretomes; 3) AS aortas upregulate T and B cell immune SGs; CKD aortas upregulate SGs for cardiac hypertrophy, and hepatic fibrosis; and AAA aorta upregulate SGs for neuromuscular signaling and protein catabolism; 4) Ang-II induced AAA, canonical, caspase 4, and exosome SGs have two expression peaks of high (day 7)-low (day 14)-high (day 28) patterns; 5) Elastase induced AAA aortas have more inflammatory/immune pathways than that of Ang-II induced AAA aortas; 6) Most disease-upregulated cytokines in aorta may be secreted via canonical and exosome secretomes; 7) Canonical and caspase 1 SGs play roles at early MERS-CoV infected ECs whereas caspase 4 and exosome SGs play roles in late/chronic phases; and the early upregulated canonical and caspase 1 SGs may function as drivers for trained immunity (innate immune memory); 8) Venous ECs from arteriovenous fistula (AVF) upregulate SGs in five secretomes; and 9) Increased some of 101 trained immunity genes and decreased trained tolerance regulator IRG1 participate in upregulations of SGs in atherosclerotic, Ang-II induced AAA and CKD aortas, and MERS-CoV infected ECs, but less in SGs upregulated in AVF ECs. IL-1 family cytokines, HIF1α, SET7 and mTOR, ROS regulators NRF2 and NOX2 partially regulate trained immunity genes; and NRF2 plays roles in downregulating SGs more than that of NOX2 in upregulating SGs. These results provide novel insights on the roles of aorta as immune organ in upregulating secretomes and driving immune and vascular cell differentiations in COVID-19, cardiovascular diseases, inflammations, transplantations, autoimmune diseases and cancers.
Epithelial Heat Shock Proteins Mediate the Protective Effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis
Authors: Liu Hao-Yu , Gu Fang , Zhu Cuipeng , Yuan Long , Zhu Chuyang , Zhu Miaonan , Yao Jiacheng , Hu Ping , Zhang Yunzeng , Dicksved Johan , Bao Wenbin , Cai Demin
Published: March 2022

Defects in gut barrier function are implicated in gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as in systemic inflammation. With the increasing incidence of IBD worldwide, more attention should be paid to dietary interventions and therapeutics with the potential to boost the natural defense mechanisms of gut epithelial cells. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 4659 in a colitis mouse model and delineate the mechanisms behind it. Wild-type mice were allocated to the control group; or given 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days to induce colitis; or administered L. reuteri for 7 days as pretreatment; or for 14 days starting 7 days before subjecting to the DSS. Peroral treatment with L. reuteri improved colitis severity clinically and morphologically and reduced the colonic levels of Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (Tnf), Interleukin 1-β (Il1β), and nterferon-γ (Ifng), the crucial pro-inflammatory cytokines in colitis onset. It also prevented the CD11b+Ly6G+ neutrophil recruitment and the skewed immune responses in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of CD11b+CD11c+ dendritic cell (DC) expansion and Foxp3+CD4+ T-cell reduction. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and RT-qPCR, we demonstrated a colitis-driven bacterial translocation to MLNs and gut microbiota dysbiosis that were in part counterbalanced by L. reuteri treatment. Moreover, the expression of barrier-preserving tight junction (TJ) proteins and cytoprotective heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and HSP25 was reduced by colitis but boosted by L. reuteri treatment. A shift in expression pattern was also observed with HSP70 in response to the pretreatment and with HSP25 in response to L. reuteri-DSS. In addition, the changes of HSPs were found to be correlated to bacterial load and epithelial cell proliferation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the human-derived L. reuteri strain 4659 confers protection in experimental colitis in young mice, while intestinal HSPs may mediate the probiotic effects by providing a supportive protein–protein network for the epithelium in health and colitis.
Physical Processes in Sea Fog Formation and Characteristics of Turbulent Air-Sea Fluxes at Socheongcho Ocean Research Station in the Yellow Sea
Authors: Yun Junghee , Ha Kyung-Ja
Published: March 2022

The Yellow Sea is the most fog-prone region of the East Asian marginal seas. Since sea fog is caused due to complex interactions between atmospheric and oceanic environments, direct observations can help understand the physical processes involved in fogging over the oceans. Completed in 2014, the Socheongcho Ocean Research Station (S-ORS) plays a critical role in monitoring air-sea interactions over the Yellow Sea. This study aimed to evaluate the conditions favorable for fog generation and the physical processes underlying it using a suite of observations and turbulent heat flux data from S-ORS. First, we used the visibility data from S-ORS to quantify the frequency of sea fog over the Yellow Sea. From April to June 2016, sea-fog occurred 61 times, with a maximum duration of 135 h (approximately 5.6 days). Next, to understand the origin and characteristics of air mass associated with fog events, we classified the primary airflow paths in the region using a Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model. Among the four clusters identified from the cluster analysis, the third and fourth had distinct physical properties characteristic of cold and warm fog, respectively. The third cluster was characterized by relatively weak or negative heat advection and weak vertical mixing, while the fourth one featured strong positive heat transport and moisture convergence over the Yellow Sea. Finally, based on cluster analysis, we choose the representative cases related to these two clusters observed at S-ORS and compared the characteristics of turbulent air-sea fluxes associated with fog formations.
Interannual Variability and Trends of Sea Surface Temperature Around Southern South America
Authors: Risaro Daniela B. , Chidichimo María Paz , Piola Alberto R.
Published: March 2022

The interannual variability and trends of sea surface temperature (SST) around southern South America are studied from 1982 to 2017 using monthly values of the Optimally Interpolation SST version 2 gridded database. Mid-latitude (30°–50°S) regions in the eastern South Pacific and western South Atlantic present moderate to intense warming (~0.4°C decade−1), while south of 50°S the region around southern South America presents moderate cooling (~ −0.3°C decade−1). Two areas of statistically significant trends of SST anomalies (SSTa) with opposite sign are found on the Patagonian Shelf over the southwest South Atlantic: a warming area delimited between 42 and 45°S (Northern Patagonian Shelf; NPS), and a cooling area between 49 and 52°S (Southern Patagonian Shelf; SPS). Between 1982 and 2017 the warming rate has been 0.15 ± 0.01°C decade−1 representing an increase of 0.52°C at NPS, and the cooling rate has been –0.12 ± 0.01°C decade−1 representing a decrease of 0.42°C at SPS. On both regions, the largest trends are observed during 2008–2017 (0.35 ± 0.02°C decade−1 at NPS and –0.27 ± 0.03°C decade−1 at SPS), while the trends in 1982–2007 are non-significant, indicating the record-length SSTa trends are mostly associated with the variability observed during the past 10 years of the record. The spectra of the records present significant variance at interannual time scales, centered at about 80 months (~6 years). The observed variability of SSTa is studied in connection with atmospheric forcing (zonal and meridional wind components, wind speed, wind stress curl and surface heat fluxes). During 1982–2007, the local meridional wind explains 25–30% of the total variance at NPS and SPS on interannual time scales. During 2008–2017, the SSTa at NPS is significantly anticorrelated with the local zonal wind (r = –0.85), while at SPS it is significantly anticorrelated with the meridional wind (r = –0.61). Our results show that a substantial fraction of the interannual variability of SSTa around southern South America can be described by the first three empirical orthogonal function (EOF) modes which explain 28, 16, and 12% of the variance, respectively. The variability of the three EOF principal components time series is associated with the combined variability of El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode.
A Longitudinal Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses Among People With HIV
Authors: Alcaide Maria L. , Nogueira Nicholas F. , Salazar Ana S. , Montgomerie Emily K. , Rodriguez Violeta J. , Raccamarich Patricia D. , Barreto Irma T. , McGaugh Angela , Sharkey Mark E. , Mantero Alejandro M. , Rodriguez Allan E. , Beauchamps Laura , Jones Deborah L.
Published: March 2022

Background

The concentration and duration of antibodies (Ab) to SARS-CoV-2 infection predicts the severity of the disease and the clinical outcomes. Older people and those with HIV have impaired immune responses, worse outcomes after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and lower antibody responses after viral infection and vaccination. This study evaluated an Ab response to SARS-CoV-2 in people with HIV (PWH) and without HIV (HIV-) and its association with age.

Methods

A total of 23 COVID+PWH and 21 COVID+HIV- participants were followed longitudinally for 6 months post-mild COVID-19. Immunoglobin G (IgG) and immunoglobin M (IgM) Ab responses were measured by an in-house developed ELISA. Time points and HIV status interaction were analyzed using Poisson generalized estimating equations, and correlations were analyzed using non-parametric tests.

Results

Median age in PWH was 55 years with 28.6% women, while in the HIV- group was 36 years with 60.9% women. The mean time from COVID-19 diagnosis to study enrollment was 16 days for PWH and 11 days for HIV-. The mean CD4+ T-cell count/μl for PWH was 772.10 (±365.21). SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG were detected at all time points and Ab response levels did not differ by HIV status (p > 0.05). At entry, age showed a weak direct association with IgG responses (ρ = 0.44, p < 0.05) in HIV- but did not show any association in PWH. Similar associations between age, IgG, and HIV status emerged at day 14 (T1; ρ = 0.50, p < 0.05), 3 months (T3; ρ = 0.50, p < 0.05), and 6 months visit (T4; ρ = 0.78, p < 0.05) in the HIV- group.

Conclusion

The Ab responses in the 6-month post-SARS-CoV-2 infection did not differ by HIV status, though a positive association was found between age and Ab response in older PWH. Results suggest that immune protection and vaccine responses are similar for PWH than for those without HIV infection.
Respiratory Outcomes After 6 Months of Hospital Discharge in Patients Affected by COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort
Authors: Prestes Gabriele da Silveira , Simon Carla Sasso , Walz Roger , Ritter Cristiane , Dal-Pizzol Felipe
Published: March 2022

Background

Considering millions of people affected by Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), long-lasting sequelae can significantly impact health worldwide. Data from prospective studies in lower-middle-income countries on persistent lung dysfunction secondary to COVID-19 are lacking. This work aims to determine risk factors and the impact of persistent lung dysfunctions in COVID-19 survivors.

Methods

Observational and prospective cohort of patients admitted to a tertiary hospital from June 2020 to November 2020. Persistence of chest CT scan alterations, desaturation in the six-minute walk test (6MWT), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), lung carbon monoxide diffusion (DLCO), and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) were measured 6 months after hospital discharge. Additionally, the Barthel index (BI) and the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale were used to determine the impact of lung dysfunction in activities of daily living (ADL).

Results

It was included 44 patients. Sixty percent had persistent lung CT scan abnormalities. From 18 to 43% of patients had at least one pulmonary function dysfunction, a decrease in FEV1 was the least prevalent (18%), and a reduction in DLCO and MIP was the most frequent (43%). In general, female gender, comorbidity index, and age were associated with worse lung function. Additionally, the presence of lung dysfunction could predict worse BI (r-square 0.28) and mMRC (r-square 0.32).

Conclusion

Long-term lung dysfunction is relatively common in survivors from severe COVID-19 and impacts negatively on ADL and the intensity of dyspnea, similar to studies in high-income countries.
In silico Designing of an Epitope-Based Vaccine Against Common E. coli Pathotypes
Authors: Soltan Mohamed A. , Behairy Mohammed Y. , Abdelkader Mennatallah S. , Albogami Sarah , Fayad Eman , Eid Refaat A. , Darwish Khaled M. , Elhady Sameh S. , Lotfy Ahmed M. , Alaa Eldeen Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a Gram-negative bacterium that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. While E. coli can stay as an innocuous resident in the digestive tract, it can cause a group of symptoms ranging from diarrhea to live threatening complications. Due to the increased rate of antibiotic resistance worldwide, the development of an effective vaccine against E. coli pathotypes is a major health priority. In this study, a reverse vaccinology approach along with immunoinformatics has been applied for the detection of potential antigens to develop an effective vaccine. Based on our screening of 5,155 proteins, we identified lipopolysaccharide assembly protein (LptD) and outer membrane protein assembly factor (BamA) as vaccine candidates for the current study. The conservancy of these proteins in the main E. coli pathotypes was assessed through BLASTp to make sure that the designed vaccine will be protective against major E. coli pathotypes. The multitope vaccine was constructed using cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), helper T lymphocyte (HTL), and B cell lymphocyte (BCL) epitopes with suitable linkers and adjuvant. Following that, it was analyzed computationally where it was found to be antigenic, soluble, stable, and non-allergen. Additionally, the adopted docking study, as well as all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, illustrated the promising predicted affinity and free binding energy of this constructed vaccine against the human Toll-like receptor-4 (hTLR-4) dimeric state. In this regard, wet lab studies are required to prove the efficacy of the potential vaccine construct that demonstrated promising results through computational validation.
Comparative Metagenomic Study of Rhizospheric and Bulk Mercury-Contaminated Soils in the Mining District of Almadén
Authors: González Daniel , Robas Marina , Fernández Vanesa , Bárcena Marta , Probanza Agustín , Jiménez Pedro A.
Published: March 2022

Soil contamination by heavy metals, particularly mercury (Hg), is a problem that can seriously affect the environment, animals, and human health. Hg has the capacity to biomagnify in the food chain. That fact can lead to pathologies, of those which affect the central nervous system being the most severe. It is convenient to know the biological environmental indicators that alert of the effects of Hg contamination as well as the biological mechanisms that can help in its remediation. To contribute to this knowledge, this study conducted comparative analysis by the use of Shotgun metagenomics of the microbial communities in rhizospheric soils and bulk soil of the mining region of Almadén (Ciudad Real, Spain), one of the most affected areas by Hg in the world The sequences obtained was analyzed with MetaPhlAn2 tool and SUPER-FOCUS. The most abundant taxa in the taxonomic analysis in bulk soil were those of Actinobateria and Alphaproteobacteria. On the contrary, in the rhizospheric soil microorganisms belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria were abundant, evidencing that roots have a selective effect on the rhizospheric communities. In order to analyze possible indicators of biological contamination, a functional potential analysis was performed. The results point to a co-selection of the mechanisms of resistance to Hg and the mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics or other toxic compounds in environments contaminated by Hg. Likewise, the finding of antibiotic resistance mechanisms typical of the human clinic, such as resistance to beta-lactams and glycopeptics (vancomycin), suggests that these environments can behave as reservoirs. The sequences involved in Hg resistance (operon mer and efflux pumps) have a similar abundance in both soil types. However, the response to abiotic stress (salinity, desiccation, and contaminants) is more prevalent in rhizospheric soil. Finally, sequences involved in nitrogen fixation and metabolism and plant growth promotion (PGP genes) were identified, with higher relative abundances in rhizospheric soils. These findings can be the starting point for the targeted search for microorganisms suitable for further use in bioremediation processes in Hg-contaminated environments.
Dissecting the Species-Specific Virome in Culicoides of Thrace
Authors: Konstantinidis Konstantinos , Bampali Maria , de Courcy Williams Michael , Dovrolis Nikolas , Gatzidou Elisavet , Papazilakis Pavlos , Nearchou Andreas , Veletza Stavroula , Karakasiliotis Ioannis
Published: March 2022

Biting midges (Culicoides) are vectors of arboviruses of both veterinary and medical importance. The surge of emerging and reemerging vector-borne diseases and their expansion in geographical areas affected by climate change has increased the importance of understanding their capacity to contribute to novel and emerging infectious diseases. The study of Culicoides virome is the first step in the assessment of this potential. In this study, we analyzed the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species within the geographical area of Thrace in the southeastern part of Europe, a crossing point between Asia and Europe and important path of various arboviruses, utilizing the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform and a custom bioinformatics pipeline based on TRINITY assembler and alignment algorithms. The analysis of the RNA virome of 10 Culicoides species resulted in the identification of the genomic signatures of 14 novel RNA viruses, including three fully assembled viruses and four segmented viruses with at least one segment fully assembled, most of which were significantly divergent from previously identified related viruses from the Solemoviridae, Phasmaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Reoviridae, Chuviridae, Partitiviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Flaviviridae families. Each Culicoides species carried a species-specific set of viruses, some of which are related to viruses from other insect vectors in the same area, contributing to the idea of a virus-carrier web within the ecosystem. The identified viruses not only expand our current knowledge on the virome of Culicoides but also set the basis of the genetic diversity of such viruses in the area of southeastern Europe. Furthermore, our study highlights that such metagenomic approaches should include as many species as possible of the local virus-carrier web that interact and share the virome of a geographical area.
Colonization by the Mycorrhizal Helper Bacillus pumilus HR10 Is Enhanced During the Establishment of Ectomycorrhizal Symbiosis Between Hymenochaete sp. Rl and Pinus thunbergii
Authors: Wang Ya-Hui , Kong Wei-Liang , Zhu Mei-Ling , Dai Yun , Wu Xiao-Qin
Published: March 2022

There are complex interactions between mycorrhizal helper bacteria (MHBs) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, with MHBs promoting mycorrhizal synthesis and ECM fungi regulating plant rhizobacterial colonization, diversity, and function. In this study, to investigate whether the ECM fungus Hymenochaete sp. Rl affects the survival and colonization of the MHB strain Bacillus pumilus HR10 in the rhizosphere, the biomass of B. pumilus HR10 was measured in the rhizosphere and mycorrhizosphere. In addition, extracts of Hymenochaete sp. Rl and Pinus thunbergii were evaluated for their effect on B. pumilus HR10 colonization (growth, sporulation, biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide and extracellular protein contents, flagellar motility, and expression of colonization-related genes). The results showed that inoculation of Hymenochaete sp. Rl significantly increased the biomass of B. pumilus HR10 in the rhizosphere; however, while extracts of Hymenochaete sp. Rl and P. thunbergii did not affect the biomass or spore formation of HR10, they did affect its biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide and extracellular protein production, and flagellar motility. Furthermore, the addition of symbiont extracts affected the expression of chemotaxis-related genes in HR10. When the extracts were added separately, the expression of srf genes in HR10 increased; when the extracts were added simultaneously, the expression of the flagellin gene fliG in HR10 increased, but there was no significant effect on the expression of srf genes, consistent with the results on biofilm production. Thus, Hymenochaete sp. Rl and P. thunbergii roots had a positive effect on colonization by B. pumilus HR10 at the rhizosphere level through their secretions.