bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On-Farm Evaluations of Nonfumigant Nematicides on Nematode Communities of Peach
Authors: Khanal Churamani , Harshman David , Giles Celeste
Published: May 2022

Experiments were established to evaluate the efficacy of currently available nonfumigant chemical and biological nematicides against nematode communities in peach orchards in two different geographic regions of South Carolina: the Upstate and Ridge. The treatments included sole or mixed application of two chemical nematicides (oxamyl and fluopyram) and a biological nematicide (Majestene) plus an untreated control. Ring nematode and lesion nematode were predominant in Upstate and Ridge orchards, respectively. Fluopyram was the most effective nematicide in the Upstate orchard, and it reduced plant-parasitic nematodes by 69% relative to the untreated control at 3 months postapplication. Similarly, fluopyram and oxamyl suppressed 74 to 87% of plant-parasitic nematodes in the Ridge orchard at 2 months postapplication. Significant effects of Majestene on plant-parasitic nematodes was not observed. Mixed applications of nematicides were also effective in suppressing plant-parasitic nematodes although the suppressions were not always significant from sole applications or the control. The chemical nematicides significantly reduced free-living nematodes in the first 2 months following their applications in the Ridge orchard, the reductions ranging from 60 to 79% relative to the control. However, free-living nematode populations quickly rebounded to the highest level in 3 months following the nematicide applications. Free-living nematode communities in the Upstate orchard did not experience any significant effects of nematicides until 4 months following nematicide application; at that time there was a 60 to 68% decline in populations. Results from this study suggest that the nonfumigant nematicides can only provide a short-term management of plant-parasitic nematodes in peach.
Clade-Specific Monitoring of Airborne Pseudoperonospora spp. Sporangia Using Mitochondrial DNA Markers for Disease Management of Cucurbit Downy Mildew
Authors: Bello Julian C. , Higgins Douglas S. , Sakalidis Monique L. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M. , Martin Frank , Hausbeck Mary K.
Published: May 2022

Management of cucurbit downy mildew (CDM) caused by Pseudoperonospora cubensis, relies on an intensive fungicide program. In Michigan, CDM occurs annually due to an influx of airborne sporangia and timely alerts of airborne inoculum can assist growers in assessing the need to initiate fungicide sprays. This research aimed to improve the specific detection of airborne P. cubensis sporangia by adapting quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays to distinguish among P. cubensis clades I and II and P. humuli in spore trap samples from commercial production sites and research plots. We also evaluated the suitability of impaction spore traps compared with Burkard traps for detection of airborne sporangia. A multiplex qPCR assay improved the specificity of P. cubensis clade II detection accelerating the assessment of field spore trap samples. After 2 years of monitoring, P. cubensis clade II DNA was detected in spore trap samples before CDM symptoms were first observed in cucumber fields (July and August), while P. cubensis clade I DNA was not detected in air samples before or after the disease onset. In some commercial cucumber fields, P. humuli DNA was detected throughout the growing season. The Burkard spore trap appeared to be better suited for recovery of sporangia at low concentrations than the impaction spore trap. This improved methodology for the monitoring of airborne Pseudoperonospora spp. sporangia could be used as part of a CDM risk advisory system to time fungicide applications that protect cucurbit crops in Michigan.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Crisis and the Life Expectancy Gap for Native Americans, 2010–2019
Authors: Yellow Horse Aggie J. , Acciai Francesco , Huyser Kimberly R.
Published: May 2022

Background:

We assessed the role of missing and murdered indigenous relatives (MMIR) relevant causes of death in the life expectancy gap between the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) and non-Hispanic White populations.

Methods:

Using 2010–2019 National Center for Health Statistics Detailed Mortality files, we created multidecrement life tables and used the age–incidence decomposition method to identify (1) the causes of death that contribute to the gap in life expectancy between White and AIAN, and (2) the mechanisms through which these causes operate.

Results:

Causes of death relevant to MMIR constituted 4.0% of all AIAN deaths, but accounted for almost one-tenth (9.6%; 0.74 of 8.21 years) of the overall AIAN–White life expectancy gap. MMIR-relevant causes accounted for 6.6% of the AIAN–White life expectancy gap for women and 11.9% of the for men.

Conclusions:

This study suggests a critical agenda for research on racial inequities in mortality, with a focus on MMIR.
Analysis on the medication rule of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Tan Xiaoyu , Yang Qingqing , Cai Xianming , Tao Yiming , Gao Suyu , He Lixia , Zhao Yubin , Zhan Siyan , Cheng Hong , Song Haibo , Sun Feng
Published: May 2022

Objective:

To describe patterns of utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods:

Adult patients with COVID-19 who received TCM treatment were divided into a non-serious group (mild and moderate types) and a serious group (severe and critical types) according to their admission conditions. The medical records and prescriptions of these patients were investigated to determine their TCM utilization patterns.

Results:

In all, 3,872 COVID-19 patients were included. Oral Chinese traditional patent medicine (CPM) was the most commonly used type of TCM, followed by decoction. The proportion of multi-drug combinations was higher than single drug use (55.0% vs. 45.0%). Decoction combined with oral CPM was the most common combination (39.1%, 1,514/3,872). Orally administered, injected, and externally applied CPM were significantly more common in the serious group than in the non-serious, while decoction and non-drug TCM treatments were more common in the non-serious than in the serious group. Multi-drug combinations were used for the majority of patients in both groups, mainly in the form of decoctions combined with oral CPM. Among the serious patients, injected CPM was more often used in patients who died during treatment (35.0%, 36/103). The two most common medication patterns were decoction combined with oral CPM and oral CPM alone in the two finally discharged groups. Oral CPM alone or used in combination with injected CPM were seen most commonly in the death group. Significant differences were established in TCM utilization and medication patterns among patients in three groups who had different prognoses and outcomes.

Conclusions:

The treatment measures and medication patterns of TCM commonly used in COVID-19 patients with the range of conditions found in this study should be further explored in the future to provide a more complete reference for COVID-19 treatment.
Microbial Keratitis in Patients With Stevens–Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Experience From a Tertiary Centre in Taiwan
Authors: Tsai Tsung-Ying , Adiyabazar Doyodmaa , Hsiao Ching-Hsi , Pan Li-Yen , Chen Shin-Yi , Tsai Yueh-Ju , Chen Chun-Bing , Chung Wen-Hung , Ma David Hui-Kang
Published: May 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical features, causative microorganisms, antibiotic susceptibility, and treatment outcomes in culture-proven microbial keratitis (MK) in patients with Stevens–Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and to analyze the potential risk factors.

Methods:

We reviewed the medical records of all patients with SJS/TEN who attended our department between 2009 and 2018. Patients with a diagnosis of MK who underwent corneal cultures were enrolled. Demographics; clinical characteristics including ocular findings, treatment, time between onset of SJS/TEN and keratitis; changes in visual acuity; culture results; and antibiotic susceptibility were analyzed. Culture results from prior conjunctival swabs and keratitis were also compared.

Results:

Sixteen eyes from 12 patients (mean age 40.1 ± 27.7 years) with MK were identified. These patients had the most severe ocular involvement in the acute stage and had more severe ocular complications (SOCs) in the chronic stage compared with patients with SJS/TEN without MK. There were 26 infection episodes during 4.4 ± 6.9 (1.0–25.8) years of follow-up. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs accounted for half of the causative drugs. Severe dry eye was the most common predisposing factor, followed by topical steroid use, trichiasis, and lid margin keratinization. Staphylococcus was the most common pathogen, and over half of the gram-positive bacteria were resistant to oxacillin/methicillin. Fungal infections (notably Candida) accounted for nearly one-third of the causative microorganisms. Culture reports from periodic conjunctival swabs were not consistent with those from corneal scrapings. Recurrence of infection was associated with inferior visual outcome.

Conclusions:

Patients with SJS/TEN with SOCs are subject to recurrent corneal infections, which are responsible for deterioration of vision. Identifying the risk factors and aggressive treatment as early as possible is pivotal for infection control.
The influence of foreign textile bodies from military clothes on the healing process of experimental injuries of soft tissues
Authors: Mikhaylusov Rostislav , Negoduyko Vladimir , Pavlov Sergey , Litvinova Olga , Babenko Nataliia , Kumetchko Marina
Published: May 2022

Background:

The healing of combat wounds can be complicated by the presence of foreign bodies, including fragments of military clothing. The present work aims to study the morphological features of soft tissue injuries with textile fibers implanted into wounds, personnel military forms during wound healing, in the experiment.

Methods:

By randomization, 54 rats were divided into 3 groups. Control group animals performed a layer-by-layer incision of soft tissues without implantation of foreign bodies. Animals of the experimental group 1 were made implantation of fibers of a fabric consisting of 100% cotton, and of the experimental group 2–of fibers of a fabric consisting of 65% cotton and 35% polyester. Removal of laboratory animals from the experiment was carried out on the 15th, 30th, and 60th day. Soft tissue samples were histologically examined.

Results:

The least pronounced inflammation was observed in rats of the control group. Wound healing in the experimental groups was slowed down due to the presence of inflammatory foci. A more pronounced inflammatory reaction was characterized by a group of animals with implanted tissue fibers consisting of 100% cotton. In the group with implanted tissue fibers consisting of 65% cotton and 35% polyester, the inflammatory reactions were less pronounced.

Conclusions:

The presence of textile foreign bodies hampers the healing process of wounds of soft tissues due to the developing processes of inflammation around foreign bodies. The uniform of servicemen (35% synthetic and 65% natural fiber) is less reactive, leaving a wound as a textile foreign body, and has a less pronounced inflammatory effect, apparently due to the presence of synthetic threads that are more inert compared to fabric containing 100% natural fiber. This confirms the need for thorough debridement of combat wounds during the primary surgical treatment.
Nonemergent craniotomy surgical site infection: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ribeiro Bruno Barbosa , Pereira Raquel Duro , Vaz Rui , Carvalho Bruno , Pereira Nuno Rocha
Published: May 2022

Background:

The incidence of surgical site infection after craniotomy (SSI-CRAN) varies widely and is associated with major consequences. The aim of this study is to estimate the SSI-CRAN rate at the neurosurgery department of a tertiary center and to establish its risk factors.

Methods:

All consecutive adult patients who underwent elective craniotomy for tumor resection at a tertiary center from January 2018 to October 2019 were retrospectively assessed. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected. The main outcome of our study was the development of SSI within 30days postsurgery, as defined by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control guidelines. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to establish risk factors for SSI-CRAN.

Results:

From the 271 patients enrolled in this study, 15 (5.5%) developed SSI-CRAN within 30days postsurgery, 11 (73.3%) of which were organ-space. The most common causative microorganisms isolated were gram-positive cocci, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 4, 66.7%). In the univariate analysis, absence of normothermia and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak were associated with SSI-CRAN. In the multivariate analysis, normothermia was the only protective factor and CSF leak was the only independent risk factor for SSI-CRAN.

Conclusion:

The cumulative incidence of SSI-CRAN within 30days postsurgery was 5.5%. CSF leak and the absence of normothermia were the only independent risk factors for SSI-CRAN. The data provided in this study should be considered in the design of preventive strategies aimed to reduce the incidence of SSI.
Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) correlates with eosinophil cell counts in the induced sputum of elite swimmers
Authors: Paciência Inês , Rocha Ana Rita , Farraia Mariana , Sokhatska Oksana , Delgado Luís , Couto Mariana , Moreira Andre
Published: May 2022

Introduction:

Swimming practice has been associated with eosinophilic inflammation, however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in induced sputum may be used as a potential biomarker to assess airway eosinophilic inflammation among elite swimmers. The objective of this study is to characterize ECP levels in sputum supernatant in elite swimmers and evaluate ECP as an eosinophilic inflammatory marker.

Material and methods:

Elite swimmers annually screened in our department (n = 27) were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Swimmers who agreed to participate (n = 24, 46% girls) performed lung function and skin-prick tests. Induced sputum was also collected and analyzed for differential cell counts and ECP measurements in sputum supernatant (ImmunoCAPTM 100, ECP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden).

Results:

The median ECP level was 15.60 μg/L (6.02–38.75 μg/L) and higher levels were found among boys (27.90 (11.20–46.30) μg/L vs 6.65 (2.82–22.80) μg/L, P 
= .02). In addition, ECP levels in the sputum supernatant were positively correlated with eosinophil cell counts in the induced sputum (r = 0.583, P 
= .08).

Conclusions:

ECP levels correlated positively with eosinophil counts in the induced sputum in elite swimmers. The measurement of ECP in sputum supernatant may be a useful marker to assess and manage eosinophilic inflammatory changes in the airways of elite swimmers.
Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy in myocardial infarction — impact of ST-segment elevation and of Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Barbosa João P. , Ferreira Luciana , Pinto Ricardo , Barbosa Emilia , Pereira Jorge G. , Nunes José P.
Published: May 2022

Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) is frequently used in the evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease, either stable or with the prior remote acute coronary syndrome. The goal of the present work was to evaluate changes in MPS according to the nature of the infarction (ST-elevation vs non-ST elevation status) as well as according to the presence or absence of Diabetes mellitus.

A prospective study of 124 consecutive patients with myocardial infarction (MI) was carried out using MPS.

Patients with ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) had significantly larger values both for percentage and absolute areas of perfusion defects, both at rest and in a stress situation, when compared to patients without ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI). These patients had significantly lower values for left ventricular ejection fractions (EF), in a similar comparison. The values for perfusion defects at rest for STEMI patients were more than double the values for NSTEMI patients (17.1 ± 14.6% vs 6.5 ± 7.8%, P 
< .001). Concerning resting left ventricular EF, STEMI patients had a mean value of 47.6 ± 13.6% and NSTEMI patients had a mean value of 53.2 ± 12.4% (P.026).

Regarding the comparison between patients with and without Diabetes mellitus, none of the parameters under study showed significant differences.

Linear regression analysis, taking the percentage of perfusion defect, as the dependent variable, yielded an overall significant result, however, only ST-segment elevation was shown to have an individually significant result.

We conclude that the presence of ST-segment elevation but not the presence of Diabetes mellitus is associated with different patterns of MPS in patients with MI.
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Adult Prostate: Two Cases With Molecular and Cytogenetic Analyses
Authors: Samarska Iryna V. , van den Hout Mari F. C. M. , Li Xiaofei , van Roermund Joep G. H. , Marcelissen Tom A. T. , Vanden Bempt Isabelle , Sciot Raf , Hausen Axel zur
Published: May 2022

Primary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the adult prostate is a very rare tumor with only 45 cases published to date. The clinical course of RMS of the prostate is very aggressive, and prognosis is very poor. Here we describe two cases of primary RMS of the prostate of adult patients and discuss the differential diagnosis of RMS with other mesenchymal tumors of prostate. The first patient was a 50-year-old man who clinically presented with urinary retention and hematuria, low serum prostate-specific antigen, moderate prostatomegaly, and multiple metastases as shown by computed tomography. Histological examination revealed a diffuse “small round blue cell” proliferation with an intermingled population of larger cells with rhabdomyoblastic differentiation that showed immunoreactivity for desmin and MYF4 (myogenin). Molecular and cytogenetic studies did not reveal recurrent chromosomal translocations associated with RMSs and other sarcomas. The patient underwent doxorubicin (adriamycin) treatment without disease progression during the whole follow-up period of 7 months. The second patient was a 39-year-old man who presented with urinary retention, an increased serum prostate-specific antigen level, extensive prostatomegaly, enlarged abdominal and inguinal lymph nodes, and skeletal metastases. Histological examination revealed a tumoral proliferation with a small round blue aspect and diffuse immunoreactivity for desmin and MYF4 (myogenin). Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed a FOXO1 translocation, consistent with a diagnosis of alveolar-type RMS. The patient followed a multimodal treatment and died of the disease after its progression.
Immunohistochemical Pitfalls in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Case Report and Review for the General Pathologist
Authors: Stashek Kristen M. , Fanaroff Rachel , Burke Allen P.
Published: May 2022

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy that often mimics carcinomatosis both clinically and histologically, making definitive diagnosis challenging for the general pathologist. Many of the common immunohistochemical stains used to narrow the differential diagnosis show a lack of specificity, requiring a panel approach to ensure correct categorization. We report a case of epithelioid malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with diffuse and strong Ber-EP4 positivity and review some of the most commonly encountered pitfalls associated with immunohistochemical staining.
Nivolumab-Induced Peritonitis With Mesothelial Hyperplasia Mimicking Metastatic Mesothelioma
Authors: Burke Allen , Legesse Teklu
Published: May 2022

A 57-year-old man developed a mesothelial proliferation in the peritoneum, several months after he was diagnosed with biopsy-proven epithelioid mesothelioma of the pleura and having undergone several treatments with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. The differential diagnosis was metastatic mesothelioma from the lung primary, versus a reactive process. A diagnosis of atypical mesothelial proliferation was made. Follow-up computed tomography showed no evidence of abdominal disease 5 months later. The complication of serositis following checkpoint inhibitor therapy is reviewed, as well as the differential diagnosis between reactive mesothelial hyperplasia and epithelioid mesothelioma.
Flow Cytometry: a Helpful Ancillary Tool in the Hematopathologist World But Can Be Misleading Without Morphology
Authors: Aqil Barina , Ramos Josean
Published: May 2022

Flow cytometry (FC) is a powerful tool for characterizing hematopoietic cells and plays a critical role in the diagnosis and classification of hematopoietic neoplasms. However, its accuracy rate alone without morphology is questionable. It is imperative to always have clinical and morphologic correlation. Herein, we describe a case of nasal mass, which could have been misdiagnosed as a hematologic malignancy based on FC alone without morphologic examination.
Leukemic Presentation of Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: A Diagnostic Challenge Mimicking T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Vadasz Brian , Wolniak Kristy , Sukhanova Madina , Chen Yi-Hua , Behdad Amir
Published: May 2022

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare systemic T-cell neoplasm that typically involves nodal and extranodal sites and is further classified into 2 subgroups: anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK-) positive (ALK+) and ALK-negative. Leukemic presentation of ALCL is extremely rare. Most cases with leukemic presentation are the small-cell variant of ALK+ ALCL, are positive for the t(2;5)(p23;q35) translocation, and are associated with a poor prognosis. We report a case of ALK+ ALCL that presented with a high white blood cell count and morphologic and phenotypic features resembling T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia.
Glabellar Botulinum Toxin Injection Improves Depression Scores: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Crowley Jiwon S. , Silverstein Max L. , Reghunathan Meera , Gosman Amanda A.
Published: May 2022

Background:

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Preliminary evidence suggests that glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections improve depression scores with few side effects compared to current first-line antidepressant medications. The authors’ review reports on these studies, hypothesizing that glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections can be an alternative safe and effective treatment for depression.

Methods:

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relevant literature was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched in August of 2020 using the keywords [“botox” OR “botulinum”] AND [“mood” OR “depression”] for articles published between 1980 and 2020. Prospective studies and randomized controlled trials on the use of glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections for the primary purpose of treating depression were considered. The primary endpoint for the meta-analysis was the mean difference in primary depression scores after treatment, along with a second endpoint of the standardized mean difference in depression scores among treated patients including all nine studies.

Results:

Of the 499 reviewed articles, nine studies were included that reported improvement in mean depression scores from baseline. All five randomized controlled trials reported an improvement in mean depression scores at 6 weeks after treatment, with a weighted average change of −8.39 points (p < 0.0001). The aggregate standardized mean difference from baseline to the primary endpoint across all nine prospective studies was −1.61 SD (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Meta-analysis and systematic review of the included studies provide support for an antidepressant effect of glabellar onabotulinumtoxinA injections.
Awareness of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters Among Nurses, Physicians, and Students
Authors: Marsh Nicole , Ray-Barruel Gillian , Adzemovic Tessa , Larsen Emily N. , Rickard Claire M. , Pelecanos Anita , Hadikusumo Stephanie , Chopra Vineet
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are frequently used to meet patients’ short-term health care needs. However, many PIVCs are not promptly removed at the completion of treatment, placing patients at risk of avoidable harm from serious complications including local and systemic infection. This study aims to report the proportion and accuracy of health care staff/students awareness of the presence of their patient’s PIVC.

Methods

We asked staff/students to recall the presence or absence of a PIVC in a patient under their care, as well as details of the date of insertion and PIVC location. We recorded concordance of responses with direct observations. To achieve this, face-to-face interviews were conducted with clinical staff/students at 2 adult hospitals.

Results

Overall, 90% (n = 216) of staff responses (94% of nurses, 100% of nursing students, 76% of medical staff) correctly identified the presence/absence of a PIVC. Clinicians correctly identified the PIVC location 55% (n = 71) of the time.

Conclusions

Health care services must recognize the implications of this lack of awareness and implement and evaluate tailored quality improvement efforts to address this.
Unhealthy diet in schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Authors: van Zonneveld Sophie M. , Haarman Bartholomeus C.M. , van den Oever Ellen J. , Nuninga Jasper O. , Sommer Iris E.C.
Published: May 2022

Purpose of review

The high mortality and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) is maintained by poor diet. This narrative review summarizes recent literature to provide a reflection of current eating habits, dietary preferences, and nutritional status of SSD patients. Elucidating these factors provides new insights for potential lifestyle treatment strategies for SSD.

Recent findings

Only 10.7% of the SSD patients had a healthy dietary pattern, against 23% of the general population. The dietic component of the Keeping the Body in Mind Xtend lifestyle program increased diet quality with 10% for young people with first-episode psychosis, compared to baseline, which was predominantly driven by increased vegetable variety and amounts.

Recent findings render poor dietary habits as potential targets for treatment of SSD patients. Further studies into anti-inflammatory diets and associations with gut–brain biomarkers are warranted. When proven, structured and supervised diet interventions may help SSD patients escape from this entrapment, as only supplementing nutrients or providing dietary advice lacks the impact to significantly reduce the risk of chronic physical illnesses.
Use of whole-genome sequencing to detect transmission of group A Streptococcus in Houston, TX
Authors: Alamarat Zain I. , Sanson Misu A. , McNeil J. Chase , Baker Carol J. , Flores Anthony R.
Published: May 2022

We used a combination of local, comprehensive strain surveillance and bacterial whole-genome sequencing to identify potential transmission events of group A streptococcus (GAS) in Houston, TX, USA. We identified pharyngeal and skin and soft tissue sources of infection as having important roles in community GAS transmission, including invasive diseases.
Drosophila immunity: The Drosocin gene encodes two host defence peptides with pathogen-specific roles
Authors: Hanson M.A. , Kondo S. , Lemaitre B.
Published: May 2022

1.1

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are key players in innate defence against infection in plants and animals. In Drosophila, many host defence peptides are produced downstream of the Toll and Imd NF-κB pathways. Use of single and compound AMP mutations in Drosophila has revealed that AMPs can additively or synergistically contribute to combat pathogens in vivo. However, these studies also revealed a high degree of specificity, wherein just one AMP can play a major role in combatting a specific pathogen. We recently uncovered a specific importance of the antibacterial peptide Drosocin for defence against Enterobacter cloacae. Here, we show that the Drosocin locus (CG10816) is more complex than previously described. In addition to its namesake peptide “Drosocin”, it encodes a second peptide generated from a precursor via furin cleavage. We name this peptide “Buletin”, and show that it corresponds to the uncharacterized “Immune-induced Molecule 7” previously identified by MALDI-TOF. The existence of a naturally occurring polymorphism (Thr52Ala) in the CG10816 precursor protein masked the identification of this peptide previously. Using mutations differently affecting the production of these two CG10816 gene products, we show that Drosocin, but not Buletin, contributes to the CG10816-mediated defence against E. cloacae. Strikingly, we observed that Buletin, but not Drosocin, contributes to the CG10816-mediated defence against Providencia burhodogranariea. Moreover, the Thr52Ala polymorphism in Buletin affects survival to P. burhodogranariea, wherein the Alanine allele confers better defence than the Threonine allele. However, we found no activity of Buletin against either P. burhodogranariea or E. coli in vitro. Collectively, our study reveals that CG10816 encodes not one but two prominent host defence peptides with different specificity against different pathogens. This finding emphasizes the complexity of the Drosophila humoral response consisting of multiple host defence peptides with specific activities, and demonstrates how natural polymorphisms found in Drosophila populations can affect host susceptibility.
Rare CNVs and phenome-wide profiling: a tale of brain-structural divergence and phenotypical convergence
Authors: Kopal J. , Kumar K. , Saltoun K. , Modenato C. , Moreau C. A. , Martin-Brevet S. , Huguet G. , Jean-Louis M. , Martin C.O. , Saci Z. , Younis N. , Tamer P. , Douard E. , Maillard A. M. , Rodriguez-Herreros B. , Pain A. , Richetin S. ,   16p11.2 European Consortium,   Simons Searchlight Consortium, Kushan L. , Silva A. I. , van den Bree M. B. M. , Linden D. E. J. , Owen M. J. , Hall J. , Lippé S. , Draganski B. , Sønderby I. E. , Andreassen O. A. , Glahn D. C. , Thompson P. M. , Bearden C. E. , Jacquemont S. , Bzdok D.
Published: May 2022

Copy number variations (CNVs) are rare genomic deletions and duplications that can exert profound effects on brain and behavior. Previous reports of pleiotropy in CNVs imply that they converge on shared mechanisms at some level of pathway cascades, from genes to large-scale neural circuits to the phenome. However, studies to date have primarily examined single CNV loci in small clinical cohorts. It remains unknown how distinct CNVs escalate the risk for the same developmental and psychiatric disorders. Here, we quantitatively dissect the impact on brain organization and behavioral differentiation across eight key CNVs. In 534 clinical CNV carriers from multiple sites, we explored CNV-specific brain morphology patterns. We extensively annotated these CNV-associated patterns with deep phenotyping assays through the UK Biobank resource. Although the eight CNVs cause disparate brain changes, they are tied to similar phenotypic profiles across ∼1000 lifestyle indicators. Our population-level investigation established brain structural divergences and phenotypical convergences of CNVs, with direct relevance to major brain disorders.
From the outer ear to the nerve: A complete computer model of the peripheral auditory system
Authors: Tichacek Ondrej , Mistrík Pavel , Jungwirth Pavel
Published: May 2022

Computer models of the individual components of the peripheral auditory system – the outer, middle, and inner ears and the auditory nerve – have been developed in the past, with varying level of detail, breadth, and faithfulness of the underlying parameters. Building on previous work, we advance the modeling of the ear by presenting a complete, physiologically justified, bottom-up computer model based on up-to-date experimental data that integrates all of these parts together seamlessly. The detailed bottom-up design of the present model allows for the investigation of partial hearing mechanisms and their defects, including genetic, molecular, and microscopic factors. Also, thanks to the completeness of the model, one can study microscopic effects in the context of their implications on hearing as a whole, enabling the correlation with neural recordings and non-invasive psychoacoustic methods. Such a model is instrumental for advancing quantitative understanding of the mechanism of hearing, for investigating various forms of deafness, as well as for devising next generation hearing aids and cochlear implants.
EggVio: a user friendly and versatile pipeline for assembly and functional annotation of shallow depth sequenced samples
Authors: Bergk Pinto Benoit Marc , Vogel Timothy M , Larose Catherine
Published: May 2022

1

We introduce a homemade pipeline allowing to improve the quality of the metagenomic annotations carried out when using shallow depth metagenomic datasets. The main motivation being to be able to quantify more precisely, with greater certainty, the genes involved in bacterial interactions. The limitation in our experimental design is that we use a sequencing technique with a low throughput (miSeq) compared to the metagenomic standard (hiSeq) because we carry out a fairly large sampling (almost a hundred samples) in time series. This methodological constraint from our study means that the assembly of the sequences is not very exhaustive (less than 50% of the sequences manage to be assembled). In this chapter, we will therefore present a new pipeline designed to specifically deal with such kind of data. We used co-assembly and a sequence annotation strategy in order to recover the sequences that could not be mapped on the assembled contigs. In addition, in order to avoid adding too much noise, when rescuing reads, we have built an algorithm to define a threshold of e-value based on the noise of the sequence annotation learned from sequences mapped in the assembly.

We have selected several recent tools known to be effective for assembling, mapping and annotating these data. In addition, this pipeline was also built in order to be very user-friendly in terms of installation. In this idea of reproducibility, accessibility and transparency, we have designed an installation script to allow each user to install each tool required for the pipeline in a simple and reproducible way. Regarding the performances of this pipeline, we were able to show that the expected error rate (False discovery rate) for the annotation was close to 5%. Finally, we also used an actual dataset from a bioremediation site and showed that the representability of the samples seemed much better when we used our pipeline than when we used a classic metagenome assembly strategy.
Molecular and functional characterization of theDrosophila melanogasterconserved smORFome
Authors: Bosch Justin A. , Keith Nathan , Escobedo Felipe , Fisher William W. , LaGraff James Thai , Rabasco Jorden , Wan Kenneth H. , Weiszmann Richard , Hu Yanhui , Kondo Shu , Brown James B. , Perrimon Norbert , Celniker Susan E.
Published: May 2022

Short polypeptides encoded by small open reading frames (smORFs) are ubiquitously found in eukaryotic genomes and are important regulators of physiology, development, and mitochondrial processes. Here, we focus on a subset of 298 smORFs that are evolutionarily conserved betweenDrosophila melanogasterand humans. Many of these smORFs are conserved broadly in the bilaterian lineage, with ∼182 conserved in plants. Within these conserved smORFs, we observed remarkably heterogenous spatial and temporal expression patterns – indicating wide-spread tissue-specific and stage-specific mitochondrial architectures. In addition, an analysis of annotated functional domains revealed a predicted enrichment of smORF polypeptides localizing to mitochondria. We conducted an embryonic ribosome profiling experiment finding support for translation of 137 of these smORFs during embryogenesis. We further embarked on functional characterization using CRISPR knockout/activation, RNAi knockdown, and cDNA overexpression, revealing diverse phenotypes. This study underscores the importance of identifying smORF function in disease and phenotypic diversity.
The salivary protein Saglin facilitates efficient midgut colonization of Anopheles mosquitoes by malaria parasites
Authors: Klug Dennis , Gautier Amandine , Calvo Eric , Marois Eric , Blandin Stéphanie A
Published: May 2022

Malaria is caused by the unicelullar parasite Plasmodium which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. To initiate sexual reproduction and to infect the midgut of the mosquito, Plasmodium gametocytes are able to recognize the intestinal environment after being ingested during blood feeding. A shift in temperature, pH change and the presence of the insect-specific compound xanthurenic acid have been shown to be important stimuli perceived by gametocytes to become activated and proceed to sexual reproduction. Here we report that the salivary protein Saglin, previously proposed to be a receptor for the recognition of salivary glands by sporozoites, facilitates Plasmodium colonization of the mosquito midgut, but does not contribute to salivary gland invasion. In mosquito mutants lacking Saglin, Plasmodium infection of Anopheles females is greatly reduced, resulting in impaired transmission of sporozoites at low infection densities. Interestingly, our results suggest that Saglin, present in mosquito saliva, must be ingested with the blood meal to affect Plasmodium development, indicating a previously unknown host-pathogen interaction. Furthermore, we were able to show that saglin deletion has no fitness cost in laboratory conditions, suggesting this gene would be an interesting target for gene drive approaches.
Sensor NLR immune proteins activate oligomerization of their NRC helper
Authors: Contreras Mauricio P. , Pai Hsuan , Tumtas Yasin , Duggan Cian , Him Yuen Enoch Lok , Cruces Angel Vergara , Kourelis Jiorgos , Ahn Hee-Kyung , Wu Chih-Hang , Bozkurt Tolga O. , Derevnina Lida , Kamoun Sophien
Published: May 2022

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors are important components of plant and metazoan innate immunity that can function as individual units or as pairs or networks. Upon activation, NLRs form multiprotein complexes termed resistosomes or inflammasomes. Whereas metazoan paired NLRs, such as NAIP/NLRC4, activate into hetero-complexes, the molecular mechanisms underpinning activation of plant paired NLRs, especially whether they associate in resistosome hetero-complexes is unknown. In asterid plant species, the NLR required for cell death (NRC) immune receptor network is composed of multiple resistance protein sensors and downstream helpers that confer immunity against diverse plant pathogens. Here, we show that pathogen effector-activation of the NLR proteins Rx (confers virus resistance) and Bs2 (confers bacterial resistance) leads to oligomerization of the helper NLR NRC2. Activated Rx does not oligomerize or enter into a stable complex with the NRC2 oligomer and remains cytoplasmic. In contrast, activated NRC2 oligomers accumulate in membrane-associated puncta. We propose an activation-and-release model for NLRs in the NRC immune receptor network. This points to a distinct activation model compared to mammalian paired NLRs.
Effector-dependent activation and oligomerization of NRC helper NLRs by Rpi-amr3 and Rpi-amr1
Authors: Ahn Hee-Kyung , Lin Xiao , Olave-Achury Andrea Carolina , Derevnina Lida , Contreras Mauricio P , Kourelis Jiorgos , Kamoun Sophien , Jones Jonathan D G
Published: May 2022

Plant pathogens compromise crop yields. Plants have evolved robust innate immunity that depends in part on intracellular Nucleotide-binding, Leucine Rich-Repeat (NLR) immune receptors that activate defense responses upon detection of pathogen-derived effectors. Most “sensor” NLRs that detect effectors require the activity of “helper” NLRs, but how helper NLRs support sensor NLR function is poorly understood. Many Solanaceae NLRs require the NRC (NLR-Required for Cell death) class of helper NLRs. We show here that Rpi-amr3, a sensor NLR fromSolanum americanum, detects AVRamr3 from the potato late blight pathogen,Phytophthora infestans, and activates oligomerization of the helper NLR NRC2 into a high-molecular weight resistosome. The NRC2 resistosome also forms upon recognition ofP. infestanseffector AVRamr1 by another sensor NLR, Rpi-amr1. The ATP-binding motif of Rpi-amr3 is required for NRC2 resistosome formation, but not for interaction with the cognate effector. The NRC2 resistosome can be activated by AVRamr3 homologs from otherPhytophthoraspecies. Mechanistic understanding of NRC resistosome formation will underpin engineering crops with durable disease resistance.
Fear engrams and NPYergic circuit in the dorsal dentate gyrus determine remote fear memory generalization
Authors: Raza Syed Ahsan , Klinger Katharina , del Ángel Miguel , Demiray Yunus Emre , Çalışkan Gürsel , Kreutz Michael R. , Stork Oliver
Published: May 2022

Generalization is a critical feature of aversive memories and significantly contributes to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) pathogenesis. While fear memories over time tend to generalize across differences in the contextual background and even to novel contextual settings, this effect can be counteracted by exposure to controlled reminder sessions even at remote time points. Using Pavlovian fear conditioning in mice, we show that generalization to a novel context of remote memory is associated with a loss of cellular engram activation in the dorsal dentate gyrus (dDG) and can be effectively counteracted by a preceding contextual reminder session. In addition to engram cells activation in response to a novel context, the reminder session also leads to a recovery of neuropeptide Y (NPY) function in the dDG and dDG-CA3 neurotransmission. In line with a proposed role of NPY as a resilience factor, we found that chronic viral knockdown of NPY in the dDG and blockage of its activity-dependent expression in NPYergic dDG interneurons with dominant-negative CREBS133A both increase remote memory generalization. With chemogenetic silencing of these interneurons, we could localize their critical involvement to a time window during and immediately following the fear memory acquisition. Together, these findings suggest that NPYergic interneurons of the dDG, shaping the memory engram during fear learning and early consolidation, determine fear generalization.
Imitation performance in primary school children
Authors: Ottoboni Giovanni , Toraldo Alessio , Proietti Riccardo , Cangelosi Angelo , Tessari Alessia
Published: May 2022

Abstract

We studied the development of imitation ability in a cohort of 6-11-year-old children (N=174) with specific attention to error types and their cognitive interpretation. Participants imitated meaningless actions as if they were in front of a mirror (specularly). Actions varied across three levels of complexity (movements of a single limb, arm and leg of the same body side, or arm and leg of opposite sides). Overall performance improved with age. Among the most frequent error categories, ‘side’ errors (movement imitated with the left instead of the right limb or vice-versa) paradoxically increased with age (from 9 years). Still, their sensitivity to complexity decreased with age. Thus, encoding two opposite body sides has high cognitive costs in younger children and smaller or null costs in older children. We interpreted these results in terms of the enhancement of Working Memory (WM) and body knowledge with age. When WM increases, it paradoxically drives older children to apply their superior body knowledge and imitate ‘anatomically’, producing side errors. Younger children are free from such interference because they still lack the necessary body knowledge and WM capacity. In conclusion, this study suggests that anatomical imitation becomes available in children’s cognitive repertoire from age nine due to increased body knowledge and WM capacity.

Research Highlights

The analysis of error types uncovers/illustrates the role of working memory and body knowledge in imitation.

As an effect of little working memory capacity, younger children pay a cognitive cost to encode opposite body sides and make “side errors”.

Imitation performance improves with age, but side errors paradoxically increase in frequency due to greater ability to master body knowledge bringing to anatomical imitation.

Anatomical imitation is available in childrens’ cognitive repertoire from age 9, as an effect of the development of body knowledge and working memory capacity.
Estimation of the reference lead (Pb) concentration levels affecting immune cells in the blood of Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus, Laridae)
Authors: Ushine Nana , Kurata Osamu , Tanaka Yoshikazu , Nakayama Shouta M M , Ishizuka Mayumi , Kato Takuya , Hayama Shin-ichi
Published: May 2022

The biological effects of lead (Pb) contamination have been reported in various species. There are no restrictions on the use of Pb products, including bullets, in the areas south of Hokkaido, Japan. Local governments have announced the presence of some Pb in the soil sediments of water bodies. Previous studies have confirmed the relationship between blood Pb level (BLL) and immune cells. This study was performed with the aim of clarifying the effect of Pb contamination on immune cells. In total, 170 Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) were captured, including a population in Tokyo Bay between November 2018 and April 2021 and a population in Mikawa Bay between January 2019 and April 2021. Linear regression analysis was performed with the white blood cell count (WBC), proportion of heterophils (Het), proportion of lymphocytes (Lym), ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L ratio), copy number of CD4 messenger RNA, and copy number of CD8α messenger RNA as the objective variables, and the BLL as the explanatory variable. The group with BLL < 1.0 μg/dL had a significantly lower Het and higher Lym than that with BLL > 3.5 μg/dL (P < 0.05). In addition, the group with BLL < 1.0 μg/dL had a significantly lower H/L ratio than that with BLL > 3.5 μg/dL. CD8α and WBC were higher in the group with the group with BLL range, from 1.0 to 3.5 μg/dL than those in the group with BLL < 1.0 μg/dL. This study suggests that the effect of Pb pollution on the immune cells of Black-headed Gulls is lower than some previous criteria values.