bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection and transanal endoscopic microsurgery in the treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors ≤ 2 cm
Authors: Jin Rui , Bai Xiaoyin , Xu Tianming , Wu Xi , Wang Qipu , Li Jingnan
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Currently, complete tumor resection is considered the most effective treatment for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) are recommended for rectalNETs ≤2 cm, but it is not clear which method is better. Thus, we evaluated the efficacy of ESD and TEM in the treatment of rectal neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) ≤ 2 cm.

Methods

We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study between 2010 and 2021 of rectal NETs ≤ 2 cm in 114 patients with long-term follow-up data who were divided into ESD (n=55) and TEM groups (n=59). Our study assessed differences between groups in the complete resection rate of lesions, recurrence rate, surgical complications, procedure time, and length of hospital stay.

Results

The co-primary outcomes were the complete resection rate of lesions and the recurrence rate. Compared to that in the ESD group, the complete resection rate was significantly higher in the TEM group (91.5% vs. 70.9%, p=0.005). The median follow-up time was 22 months in our study, and the follow-up outcomes suggested that the rates of recurrence were 1.8% (1/55) and 6.8% (4/59) in the ESD and TEM groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups. The secondary outcomes of the evaluation were surgical complications, procedural time, and length of hospital stay. The rate of complications (gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation) was low in both the ESD (7.3%, 4/55) and TEM (5.1%, 3/59) groups. No difference in hospitalization duration was observed between the two groups in our study. However, the procedure time was significantly shorter in the ESD group than in the TEM group (27.5 min vs. 56 min, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Although the rate of complete resection in the TEM group was higher than that in the ESD group, there was no difference in recurrence rates between the two modalities during long-term follow-up. Depending on the qualities of the available hospital resources in the area, one of the two approaches can be adopted.
Screening for non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia in women: New insights using different immunoassays
Authors: Nakhleh Afif , Saiegh Leonard , Shehadeh Naim , Weintrob Naomi , Sheikh-Ahmad Mohammad , Supino-Rosin Lia , Alboim Sandra , Gendelman Raya , Zloczower Moshe
Published: January 2023

Context

The 250µg-cosyntropin stimulation test (CST) is used to diagnose non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCCAH). The current recommendation is to perform CST when follicular 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) is 6-30 nmol/L, a cutoff derived from radioimmunoassay (RIA). Recently, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has replaced RIA.

Objectives

We aimed to (1) determine the RIA and ELISA-based 17OHP cutoffs at which CST should be performed, (2) identify predictors of NCCAH.

Methods

A retrospective study at an Israeli Health Maintenance Organization. Data were retrieved from women with suspected NCCAH, referred for CST during 2001–2020. NCCAH was defined as a stimulated 17OHP >30 nmol/L. Serum 17OHP levels were assayed by RIA from 1/2000-3/2015, and by ELISA from 4/2015-12/2020. ROC curves were generated and optimal 17OHP thresholds were determined. Multivariate analysis was performed.

Results

CST was performed in 2409 women (1564 in RIA, 845 in ELISA). NCCAH was diagnosed in 4.7% of the RIA group and 7.5% of the ELISA group. The optimal basal 17OHP cutoff values predicting NCCAH were 6.1 nmol/L in RIA (sensitivity=93.2%, specificity=91.7%) and 8.2 nmol/L in ELISA (sensitivity=93.7%, specificity=92.3%). In multivariate analysis, higher basal 17OHP, lower LH: FSH ratio, and oligomenorrhea were predictors of NCCAH in RIA. Higher basal 17OHP, androstenedione, and total testosterone were predictors of NCCAH in ELISA. A lower LH: FSH ratio showed similar trend in ELISA.

Conclusions

Optimal RIA-based basal 17OHP cutoff was comparable with that recommended in guidelines. The results suggest adopting a higher 17OHP cutoff when using ELISA. LH : FSH ratio improves the negative predictive value of basal 17OHP.
Positive association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and growth hormone deficiency in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma
Authors: Hwang Yoon-a , Lee Hye Won , Ahn Sang Hoon , Lee Eun Jig , Ku Cheol Ryong , Kim Seung Up
Published: January 2023

Objective

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by growth hormone deficiency (GHd). We investigated the association between NAFLD and GHd in patients with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA).

Design and methods

We recruited patients with NFPA who underwent transsphenoidal adenectomy between January 2005 and December 2018. Pituitary function was determined by the insulin tolerance test, thyroid hormone assay, and gonadal hormone levels. NAFLD was defined as a hepatic steatosis index greater than 36.

Results

Among 278 patients (mean age, 44.2 years; 58.6% [n=163] female), 103 (37.0%) had GHd, 139 (50.0%) had hypogonadism, and 75 (27.0%) had NAFLD. The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly higher in patients with GHd than in those without (36.9% vs. 21.1%, p=0.01). Even after adjusting for age, total cholesterol level, gonadal function, and prolactin level, patients with GHd had approximately two-fold higher prevalence of NALFD than those without GHd (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.05–3.28, p=0.03). Among female patients, the prevalence of NALFD was significantly higher in those with GHd than in those without (adjusted OR=2.39, 95% CI=1.03–5.55, p=0.04); whereas, among male patients, the prevalence of NAFLD was statistically similar between those with and without GHd (p>0.05). In addition, gonadal function did not affect the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with NFPA (29.3% with eugonadism vs. 47.8% with hypogonadism, p=0.14).

Conclusion

Among patients with NFPA, the prevalence of NAFLD was two-fold higher in patients with GHd than that in those without GHd. Thus, screening for NAFLD might be required in NFPA patients with GHd.
Pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with gestational depressive phenotypes in a population of 12,099 women in Chongqing, China
Authors: Chen Yi , Gu Huayan , Zhou Niya , Zhou Wenzheng , Cao Jia , Chen Qing , Zhang Haiyan
Published: January 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational depressive phenotypes.

Methods

The pregnant women receiving the first prenatal examination (4th –13th week of gestation) in Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children were recruited between February 2020 and September 2021. Depressive phenotypes was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) scale at recruitment. Pre-pregnancy weight and height were self-reported by the participants. Demographic and obstetric characteristics were obtained from the hospital information system. The association between pre-pregnancy BMI and the scores of PHQ-9 or SCL-90 scale was investigated by uni-variate analysis with Kruskal-Wallis test and by multi-variate analysis with linear regression model with adjustment of age, parity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and assisted reproduction. The association between pre-pregnancy BMI and PHQ-9 or SCL-90 diagnosed depressive phenotypes was analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic regression respectively.

Results

A total of 12,099 pregnant women were included, where 100% of them filled out the PHQ-9 scale and 99.6% filled out the SCL-90 scale, and 47.26% and 4.62% of the pregnant women had depressive phenotypes, respectively. Women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI had lower depressive phenotypes scores during pregnancy. Multivariable analysis of the PHQ-9 scale showed that overweight/obese subjects had a higher incidence of depressive phenotypes compared with subjects with normal BMI (OR=0.803, 95% CI [0.723, 0.892]). In a stratified analysis assessed by the PHQ-9, women who were overweight/obese prior to pregnancy were less likely to develop depressive phenotypes during pregnancy than women who were normal weight prior to pregnancy, regardless of whether they were nulliparous (OR=0.795, 95%CI[0.696,0.908]) or multiparous (OR=0.809, 95%CI[0.0.681,0.962]), while in the three age groups of 25-29 years, 30-34 years and ≥35 years, pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity were associated with lower risk of gestational depressive phenotypes. However, analysis of the SCL-90 scale showed no statistical association between depressive symptom and BMI. No substantial interaction was observed between BMI and parity or age.

Conclusions

Increased pre-pregnancy BMI may be associated with reduced risk of gestational depressive phenotypes in Chinese women. Independent studies are warranted to validate the findings of the present study.
Genetic variation reveals the influence of steroid hormones on the risk of retinal neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Liu Kangcheng , Fan Huimin , Hu Hanying , Cheng Yanhua , Liu Jingying , You Zhipeng
Published: January 2023

It is difficult to get evidence from randomized trials of a causal relationship between steroid hormones produced by the adrenal gland and gonad and retinal neurodegenerative disorders (RND). In this study, genetic variations of aldosterone (Aldo), androstenedione (A4), progesterone (P4), hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), and testosterone/17β-estradiol (T/E2) were obtained from genome-wide association studies as instrumental variables. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was used to assess the impact on the risk of RND, including glaucoma (8,591 cases and 210,201 controls), diabetic retinopathy (DR, 14,584 cases and 202,082 controls) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD, 14,034 cases and 91,214 controls). As the main method, inverse variance weighted results suggest that the increased glaucoma risk was affected by T/E2 (OR = 1.11, 95% CI, 1.01–1.22, P = 0.03), which was further validated by other methods (PWM= 0.03, PMLE= 0.03, PMR-RAPS= 0.03). In the replicated stage, the causal relationship between T/E2 and glaucoma was verified based on the MRC-IEU consortium (P = 0.04). No impact of Aldo, A4, P4, 17-OHP, and T/E2 was observed for the risk of DR (P > 0.05) and AMD (P > 0.05). The heterogeneity test (P > 0.05) and pleiotropy test (P > 0.05) verified the robustness of the results. Our results suggest that T/E2 has a suggestive effect on the glaucoma risk. However, the genetic evidence based on a large sample does not support the effect of steroid hormones on DR and AMD risk. Further studies are vital to assess the possibility of steroid hormones as targets for prevention and treatment.
Stratified glucose-lowering response to vildagliptin and pioglitazone by obesity and hypertriglyceridemia in a randomized crossover trial
Authors: Brandon Rebecca , Jiang Yannan , Yeu Rui Qian , Tweedie-Cullen Ry , Smallman Kate , Doherty Glenn , Macaskill-Smith Kerry A. , Doran Rebekah J. , Clark Penny , Moffitt Allan , Merry Troy , Nehren Norma , King Frances , Hindmarsh Jennie Harré , Leask Megan Patricia , Merriman Tony R. , Orr-Walker Brandon , Shepherd Peter R. , Paul Ryan , Murphy Rinki
Published: January 2023

Background

Understanding which group of patients with type 2 diabetes will have the most glucose lowering response to certain medications (which target different aspects of glucose metabolism) is the first step in precision medicine.

Aims

We hypothesized that people with type 2 diabetes who generally have high insulin resistance, such as people of Māori/Pacific ethnicity, and those with obesity and/or hypertriglyceridemia (OHTG), would have greater glucose-lowering by pioglitazone (an insulin sensitizer) versus vildagliptin (an insulin secretagogue).

Methods

A randomised, open-label, two-period crossover trial was conducted in New Zealand. Adults with type 2 diabetes, HbA1c>58mmol/mol (>7.5%), received 16 weeks of either pioglitazone (30mg) or vildagliptin (50mg) daily, then switched to the other medication over for another 16 weeks of treatment. Differences in HbA1c were tested for interaction with ethnicity or OHTG, controlling for baseline HbA1c using linear mixed models. Secondary outcomes included weight, blood pressure, side-effects and diabetes treatment satisfaction.

Results

346 participants were randomised (55% Māori/Pacific) between February 2019 to March 2020. HbA1c after pioglitazone was lower than after vildagliptin (mean difference -4.9mmol/mol [0.5%]; 95% CI -6.3, -3.5; p<0.0001). Primary intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant interaction effect by Māori/Pacific vs other ethnicity (1.5mmol/mol [0.1%], 95% CI -0.8, 3.7), and per-protocol analysis (-1.2mmol/mol [0.1%], 95% CI -4.1, 1.7). An interaction effect (-4.7mmol/mol [0.5%], 95% CI -8.1, -1.4) was found by OHTG status. Both treatments generated similar treatment satisfaction scores, although there was greater weight gain and greater improvement in lipids and liver enzymes after pioglitazone than vildagliptin.

Conclusions

Comparative glucose-lowering by pioglitazone and vildagliptin is not different between Māori/Pacific people compared with other New Zealand ethnic groups. Presence of OHTG predicts greater glucose lowering by pioglitazone than vildagliptin.

Clinical trial registration

www.anzctr.org.au, identifier (ACTRN12618001907235).
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 deletion in mice attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity
Authors: Brustolin Benjamin , Touly Nina , Maillefer Marine , Parisot Lola , Di Pillo Elisa , Derive Marc , Gibot Sébastien
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The low-grade inflammatory state present in obesity leads to the development and perpetuation of comorbidities associated with obesity. Our laboratory has been working for several years on an amplification loop of the inflammatory response mediated by TREM-1 (Triggering Receptor of Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1). It is implicated in many acute (septic shock) and chronic (IBD) inflammatory diseases. Previously, TREM-1 has been shown to be overexpressed in adipose and liver tissue in obese and diabetic patients, but its impact has never been characterized in these pathologies.

Methods

Our hypothesis is that TREM-1 plays a major role in the generation and perpetuation of inflammation during obesity and its associated complication (Insulin resistance and cardiac dysfunction). We assessed TREM-1 protein expression by western blot and immunofluorescence in omental and subcutaneous (pre-)adipocyte. Moreover, we submitted mice to a high-fat diet and investigated the effects of the genetic Trem1 deletion (trem1 KO mice).

Results

We showed, for the first time, that TREM-1 is expressed and is functional in subcutaneous and omental (pre-)adipocytes. In the mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity, we found that Trem1 suppression limited weight gain, insulin resistance and inflammation in white adipose tissue and liver.

Discussion/conclusion

Our results reveal the trem1 KO model can be viewed as a preventive model and that TREM-1 seems to play an important role in the development of obesity and its associated complication. It could therefore be a new therapeutic target in this context.
A complex grid investment decision method considering source-grid-load-storage integration
Authors: Zhang Zheliang , Xia Pei , Zhang Xiaoxing
Published: January 2023

With the widespread use of renewable energy worldwide, the impact of its randomness and volatility on the grid is increasing. To promote the consumption of renewable energy, the traditional grid is being transformed into a complex grid with integrated source–grid–load–storage. Since the complex grid has the characteristics of source–grid–load–storage interaction, the traditional grid investment decision method will no longer be applicable. First, this study proposes the unilateral indexes of source, grid, load, and storage in complex grids and the interactive indexes considering grid–source interaction, load–grid interaction, source–load interaction, source–storage interaction, load–storage interaction, and grid–storage interaction are proposed to establish the investment decision system. Then, a hesitance fuzzy linguistic term set combined with regret theory is used to calculate the specific values of the subjectivity index, taking into full consideration the regret avoidance and loss avoidance psychology of investors. In order to comprehensively consider the index preference of investors and the objectivity of weight assignment, a combined weighting method based on the analytic network process (ANP) and entropy weight method (EWM) is obtained according to the game theory method. Finally, using a grid in a region of southwest China as an example, the results demonstrate that the construction order obtained in this study can prioritize the projects with the largest comprehensive benefits while considering the subjective preferences of decision-makers and the objectivity of the indexes.
An optimal energy management strategy for a photovoltaic/li-ion battery power system for DC microgrid application
Authors: Yaqoob Salam J. , Arnoos Husam , Qasim Mohammed A. , Agyekum Ephraim B. , Alzahrani Ahmad , Kamel Salah
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this paper is to propose an energy management strategy (EMS) based on flatness control method for a standalone hybrid photovoltaic-battery system. The goal of the proposed method is to use non-linear flatness theory to develop an efficient EMS in order to provide a stable DC bus voltage and an optimal power sharing process between the solar array and the battery. The suggested EMS is responsible for balancing the power reference for the PV system and the battery while keeping the DC bus voltage steady and performing at its reference value. In order to maximize the PV’s power, a perturb and observe with a variable step size (VSSP and P&O) based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method with a DC/DC boost converter was used. In addition, a DC/DC bidirectional converter was developed to control the charging and discharging process of the battery. Moreover, the proposed EMS strategy was verified in a MATLAB®/Simulink-based simulation environment by subjecting it to a variety of scenarios, including those with varying degrees of irradiation and sudden changes in load. The obtained results show that the presented EMS method was able to keep the bus voltage stable despite changes in load or solar radiation. Furthermore, the EMS By minimizing bus voltage spikes, the technique also ensured excellent power quality which helped the battery’s operation in terms of lifetime and efficiency. Finally, the suggested strategy has a minimum overshoot rate in the bus voltage and higher tracking efficiency compared with the classical load following (LF) strategy under various load conditions.
Influence of structural and operating factors on mixing transfer of rotary energy recovery device through CFD simulation
Authors: Liu Kai , Liu Xuyu , Zhang Xingkai , Shi Baocheng , Wu Lijuan , Zheng Lixing
Published: January 2023

The rotary energy recovery device (RERD) is an essential component in seawater desalination for decreasing the energy consumption of reverse osmosis plants. To research the complex flow fields and mixing motion in ducts of a rotary energy recovery device, a 3D numerical simulation was studied in this work. Three-dimensional vortex structures were visualized and identified based on the Q criterion. The effects of the operating condition and the structure parameter on the flow fields and the mixing motion had been discussed. Simulation results indicated that the interaction between vortices in the mixing zone and vortices in the duct entrance led to a high level of turbulence intensity and mixing degree. The mixing process could be controlled by the operating condition and the structure parameter. This paper provides a new approach to researching structural and operating factors on the mixing process of the rotary energy recovery device.
Pricing and coordination in a green supply chain with a risk-averse manufacturer under the reference price effect
Authors: Chen Zhen , Shao Liangshan , Wang Yanbin
Published: January 2023

This paper considers a green supply chain using manufacturers and retailers as the research objects. The pricing and coordination strategy of the green supply chain, considering a risk-averse manufacturer, is investigated under the reference price effect. We establish centralized, decentralized, and cost-sharing contract decision-making models and then provide the optimal balancing strategy for each model. Further, we analyzed the optimal equilibrium strategy of different models. In the end, validate them through numerical simulation. We have found that the cost-sharing contract model is better than the decentralized decision model. Besides, manufacturers’ degree of risk avoidance affects the wholesale price, product greenness, retail prices, and profits of supply chain members. It is verified that the cost-sharing contract can coordinate the supply chain system to increase the profit of members of the supply chain.
Do pharmaceuticals affect microbial communities in aquatic environments? A review
Authors: Świacka Klaudia , Maculewicz Jakub , Kowalska Dorota , Grace Michael R.
Published: January 2023

Pharmaceuticals have been identified as a significant threat to the environment. Their constant flow into aquatic ecosystems means that organisms are chronically exposed. To date, there has been a large number of scientific papers assessing the impact of pharmaceuticals on individual organisms from different taxonomic groups. However, the effects of drugs on the environment can be much broader than what can be determined in toxicity tests on individual organisms. These compounds can disrupt entire communities. In this context, special attention should be paid to microbial communities, which regulate many essential processes underpinning aquatic food webs and ecosystem services. This paper reviews current developments related to the effects of pharmaceuticals on microorganisms with a particular focus on whole-community investigations, in both fresh and salt water. We also summarize the opportunities associated with both in situ and laboratory studies, and highlight important knowledge gaps.
Environmental protection tax and total factor productivity—Evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Sun Xiaoke , Zhang Cuiyan
Published: January 2023

By improving its total factor productivity, China may attain higher quality and more sustainable economic growth. As a key market-based incentive for environmental regulation, does environmental protection tax increase total factor productivity and provide a win-win situation for both economic and environmental performance? It is a debate-worthy topic. Based on data of Chinese listed companies, this paper uses the triple difference method to analyze China’s environmental protection tax reform as a natural experiment. The results show that the environmental protection tax can significantly boost the firm’s total factor productivity by encouraging technological innovation and enhancing resource allocation. Based on analysis of heterogeneity, it appears that state-owned enterprises, larger corporations, and regions with more strict environmental enforcement are more responsive to environmental protection tax policies. This report provides critical empirical evidence for upgrading China’s tax framework to protect the environment.
Heterogeneity and optimization of ecological security pattern on a mountain town: A case of Tianzhu County in the Hexi Corridor, China
Authors: Chen Zhijie , Chen Hong , Yang Minan , Wang Xi , Jiang Yuefeng , Zhang Wei
Published: January 2023

As a primary concern in the ecosystem, understanding the impact of spatial heterogeneity of ecological networks on the development of environmental sustainability has overarching significance. The Tibetan Plateau’s edge is a vital contribution to the study of the plateau’s ecological network. However, there are few studies and explorations on the county-level ecological network in the arid region. This study aimed to evaluate ecological network spatial patterns in Tianzhu County and establish an ecological security evaluation index system. We used the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and built an ecological resistance surface model from the exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) method. Then, by identifying ecological corridors and ecological nodes from the gravity model, we analyzed the ecological security pattern and proposed specific plans for optimizing the situation. The results showed that 1) county ecological security overall has been lower, and its values showed spatial heterogeneity in each direction, and 2) the Z-Score of the ecological security evaluation index was 70.1893, which shows ecological vulnerability in the arid region has significant spatial autocorrelation. The study identified 156 ecological corridors and 112 ecological nodes, which formed an ecological spatial pattern of “one belt and three zones.” Our analytical framework offers a valuable tool for constructing ecological security patterns in Tianzhu County and selecting “sources” at the regional scale, which can be applied to landscapes and geographical contexts for sustainable development in arid regions.
Research on water resource carrying capacity of capital water conservation functional zone
Authors: Qin Jing , Niu Jie , Niu Wenlong
Published: January 2023

Water resources are important for supporting regional economic development. A scientific and reasonable evaluation of the carrying capacity of water resources is of high significance to regional sustainable development. Zhangjiakou City is China’s first capital water conservation functional area, which plays a role in ensuring the safety of water resources and ecological environment in the capital. Considering Chicheng County, Zhangjiakou City, as a typical area, its water resource carrying capacity in the current year (2018) and the plan year (2025) is evaluated by constructing a water resource carrying capacity evaluation index system for the county, determining the threshold of the bearing capacity evaluation index, and using the single-factor evaluation method and cloud theory method. In addition, the main factors affecting the water resource carrying capacity of Chicheng County are analyzed. The results show that: Based on the single factor evaluation results, the critical state of water resources carrying capacity was evaluated comprehensively, and the factor carrying capacity of total water consumption in the predicted planning level year (38.0603 in normal water year and 41.3403 in dry water year) does not exceed the total water consumption index (51.14). Furthermore, The water resources carrying capacity level of the present level year (.45) and the planned level year (.46) belong to the third level of the evaluation index system. There is further scope for the carrying capacity of water resources in Chicheng County to satisfy its economic and social development. However, it is urgent to solve the problems affecting the water quality elements of rivers, such as heavy river water pollution, low sewage treatment capacity, and weak pollution monitoring and supervision. It is necessary to optimize the industrial economic structure of Chicheng County, accelerate the improvement of water resources management system and mechanism, and ensure the long-term safety of water resources and ecological environment in the capital.
Initial herbivory and exposure to herbivory-induced volatiles enhance arthropod species richness by diversifying community assemblages
Authors: Yoneya Kinuyo , Miki Takeshi , Takabayashi Junji
Published: January 2023

Plant ecological traits affect the species identity of plant-colonizing arthropods, which in turn induces species-specific trait changes in plants, forming feedback between plants and arthropods. Such feedback can amplify initial differences in species composition, leading to large variations (i.e., high β diversity). We hypothesized that the differences in plant initial conditions have sustained effects on arthropod community composition and species richness. To test this hypothesis, we monitored arthropod community assembly on a willow tree species, Salix eriocarpa, which was experimentally manipulated into three initial treatments: undamaged (in chamber 1); damaged by the specialist leaf beetle, Plagiodera versicolora (chamber 2); and “exposed” plants that were undamaged but were exposed to volatiles from damaged plants (in chamber 2). The arrival and population dynamics of the leaf beetle were affected by the plant’s initial condition (chamber 1 vs. 2), which could result from the microscale environmental heterogeneity between chambers (chamber effect) and/or from the herbivory-related impacts (direct herbivory and exposure to induced volatiles in chamber 2). The community composition on damaged and exposed plants became significantly different on day 32. In addition, the divergence in composition between plant individuals was significantly smaller in undamaged plants (chamber 1) than in damaged and exposed plants (chamber 2) on day 60. The compositional variations (β diversity) between chambers, between treatments, and between days, comprised a large proportion (two third) of the total species richness (γ diversity) in the whole community of arthropods. These results suggest that plant initial condition is a key driver of community assembly and the maintenance of species diversity.
Comprehensive evaluation of the Ruoergai Prairie ecosystem upstream of the Yellow River
Authors: Xu Xiangning , Yang Qingwen , Xiang Guoping , Liu Tao , Yang Mengjie , Xiong Xi , Jiang Tao
Published: January 2023

With complex and diverse ecosystem types and complete ecological elements such as mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, sand, and glaciers, the Ruoergai Prairie upstream of the Yellow River is an integral part of the Qinghai-Tibet Ecological barrier and a critical area for ensuring the ecological security of China. In the Ruoergai Prairie, climate change and human activities have led to grassland degradation, water and soil loss, and a shrinking forest area, which has highlighted the need for ecological restoration. Therefore, a comprehensive ecosystem evaluation is of great significance for ecosystem restoration. This study evaluated the ecosystem quality, ecosystem service function importance, ecological vulnerability, ecological protection importance, ecological resilience, and ecological landscape patterns of prairies, wetlands, and forests. The ecosystem quality of the study area was medium to good. The ecosystem service function of the study area with weak ecosystem resilience is important. However, the ecological landscape in the study area has been heavily degraded. Therefore, the protection and restoration of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, sand, and glaciers are needed.
Succession of the microbiota in the gut of reproductives of Macrotermes subhyalinus (Termitidae) at colony foundation gives insights into symbionts transmission
Authors: Diouf Michel , Hervé Vincent , Fréchault Sophie , Lambourdière Josie , Ndiaye Abdoulaye Baïla , Miambi Edouard , Bourceret Amélia , Jusselme My Dung , Selosse Marc-André , Rouland-Lefèvre Corinne
Published: January 2023

Termites have co-evolved with a complex gut microbiota consisting mostly of exclusive resident taxa, but key forces sustaining this exclusive partnership are still poorly understood. The potential for primary reproductives to vertically transmit their gut microbiota (mycobiome and bacteriome) to offspring was investigated using colony foundations from field-derived swarming alates of Macrotermes subhyalinus. Metabarcoding based on the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the bacterial 16S rRNA gene was used to characterize the reproductives mycobiome and bacteriome over the colony foundation time. The mycobiome of swarming alates differed from that of workers of Macrotermitinae and changed randomly within and between sampling time points, highlighting no close link with the gut habitat. The fungal ectosymbiont Termitomyces was lost early from the gut of reproductives, confirming the absence of vertical transmission to offspring. Unlike fungi, the bacteriome of alates mirrored that of workers of Macroterminae. Key genera and core OTUs inherited from the mother colony mostly persisted in the gut of reproductive until the emergence of workers, enabling their vertical transmission and explaining why they were found in offspring workers. These findings demonstrate that the parental transmission may greatly contribute to the maintenance of the bacteriome and its co-evolution with termite hosts at short time scales.
Assessing the contribution of vegetation variation to streamflow variation in the Lancang River Basin, China
Authors: Liu Yuan , Chen Weiqiang , Li Ling , Huang Junchang , Wang Xianglong , Guo Yulong , Ji Guangxing
Published: January 2023

The Lancang River Basin (LCRB) is the largest international river in Southeast Asia, and any change in its streamflow, i.e., due to the ecological environment and runoff, may lead to disputes between countries to a certain extent. However, the impact of vegetation change on streamflow in the LCRB needs to be clarified. To assess the impact of vegetation change on streamflow in the LCRB, the functional relationship between Budyko parameter (ω) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was first computed for constructing a modified Budyko formula. Finally, we quantitatively estimated the influence of different factors on streamflow variation in the LCRB using the modified Budyko formula and the elastic coefficient method. The conclusions were as follows: (1) A sudden change in streamflow at the Yunjinghong hydrological station appeared in 2005; (2) Budyko parameter (ω) has a good linear functional relationship with NDVI in the LCRB (p < 0.01); ND (3) vegetation variation played the largest driving force behind streamflow variation in the LCRB, accounting for 34.47%. The contribution rates of precipitation, potential evaporation, and anthropogenic activities on streamflow variation from 1982 to 2015 were 16.83, 17.61, and 31.09%, respectively.
Application of artificial spawning substrates to support lacustrine fish recruitment and fisheries enhancement in a Chinese lake
Authors: Feng Kai , Yuan Jing , Zhang Yinzhe , Qian Jing , Liu Jiashou , Li Zhongjie , Lek Sovan , Wang Qidong
Published: January 2023

Lake littoral zones with abundant submerged vegetation are considered to harbor diverse biotic communities and additionally serve as spawning grounds for important fishery resources. In recent decades, due to various human activities submerged vegetation in lakes have declined dramatically resulting in the function loss of spawning grounds. In order to enhance the recruitment of lacustrine fish (mainly Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio) and the proliferation of fishery resources, we explored a method of constructing artificial spawning ground based on artificial spawning substrate in lake. The results of present study indicate that the artificial substrates with complex and dense three-dimensional structure which have enough space to enable material exchange and oxygen circulation could be efficient to enhance fish recruitment. The water temperature of spawning peaks of artificial substrates were within the range of 20 ~ 25°C, and the water temperature provides a basis for the deployment period of artificial spawning grounds. The spawning substrate in the upper layer of water column was more attractive for fish to spawn. The above results provide guidance for the deployment of artificial spawning grounds from both temporal and spatial scales. Observations on the behavior of aggregations found that spawning activities mainly occurred at night and in the early morning. The abundance of larger individuals (>20 cm), as potential spawning groups, increased during this period. The above findings are informative to the construction and management of artificial spawning ground in lakes.
Using long-term experimental restoration of agroecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand to improve implementation of Nature-based Solutions for climate change mitigation
Authors: Buckley Hannah L. , Hall David , Jarvis Rebecca M. , Smith Valance , Walker Leilani A. , Silby Jeff , Hinchliffe Graham , Stanley Margaret C. , Sweeney Aileen P. , Case Bradley S.
Published: January 2023

Tree planting has long played a major role in the New Zealand Government’s approach to climate mitigation and is increasingly understood as important for climate adaptation. However, large-scale tree planting in Aotearoa New Zealand has been dominated by exotic species. Although there is growing public and expert support for using native species for forest revegetation in farm landscapes, there are two key barriers. First, the lack of ecological and economic data on native species performance in different environmental conditions. Second, policy and market-related mechanisms associated with carbon sequestration, such as the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, favor the continuing use of exotic tree species, especially Pinus radiata, over native species. Consequently, there are strong incentives for exotic forests and insufficient financial support for natives, even when native forest re-establishment is often the preference of landowners, Indigenous peoples, and local communities. The AUT Living Laboratories Program is a long-term, transdisciplinary, experimental restoration research program aimed at addressing scientific, social, and economic knowledge gaps for native revegetation as a Nature-based Solution (NbS) on farmland soils. Here, we present the project design and establishment information from the three experimental restoration sites, which vary in native species composition, planting configuration, and environmental and socio-cultural context. Each site involves partnerships with Indigenous communities, specifically Ngāti Whātua  Ōrākei, Ngāti Manuhiri, and Ngāti Pāoa, to value and embed mātauranga Māori as Indigenous knowledge. Monitoring carbon sequestration along with changes in ecological functions and outcomes, including native biodiversity, will be critical to ensure that large-scale tree-planting aligns with the government’s strategies for climate change, native biodiversity, and economic prosperity.
Hesperomyces (Fungi, Ascomycota) associated with Hyperaspis ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae): Rethinking host specificity
Authors: Van Caenegem Warre , Ceryngier Piotr , Romanowski Jerzy , Pfister Donald H. , Haelewaters Danny
Published: January 2023

Laboulbeniales (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes) are biotrophic microfungi always attached to the exoskeleton of their arthropod hosts. They do not form hyphae or a mycelium; instead, they undergo determinate growth, developing from a two-celled ascospore to form a multicellular thallus. Hesperomyces virescens has been reported on over 30 species of ladybirds (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae); in reality, it represents a complex of species, presumably segregated by host genus association. In this study, we report on Hesperomyces thalli on Hyperaspis vinciguerrae from the Canary Islands and compare them with the Hesperomyces hyperaspidis described on Hyperaspis sp. from Trinidad. We generated the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit (LSU) nuclear ribosomal RNA gene, and the minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) protein-coding gene. Our phylogenetic reconstruction of Hesperomyces based on a concatenated ITS–LSU–MCM7 dataset revealed Hesperomyces sp. ex Hy. vinciguerrae as a member of the He. virescens species complex distinct from He. virescens sensu stricto (s.s.). It also revealed that the Hesperomyces sp. ex Chilocorus bipustulatus from Algeria is different from He. virescens s.s., which is associated with Chilocorus stigma from the USA. This suggests that the species of Hesperomyces are not solely segregated by host association, but that there is also a biogeographical component involved. Based on these data, we refrained from referring our material from Hy. vinciguerrae to He. hyperaspidis. Finally, we discuss the usefulness of MCM7 as a useful marker for species delimitation in Hesperomyces.
Cleavage of α-1,4-glycosidic linkages by the glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored α-amylase AgtA decreases the molecular weight of cell wall α-1,3-glucan in Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Koizumi Ami , Miyazawa Ken , Ogata Makoto , Takahashi Yuzuru , Yano Shigekazu , Yoshimi Akira , Sano Motoaki , Hidaka Masafumi , Nihira Takanori , Nakai Hiroyuki , Kimura Satoshi , Iwata Tadahisa , Abe Keietsu
Published: January 2023

Aspergillus fungi contain α-1,3-glucan with a low proportion of α-1,4-glucan as a major cell wall polysaccharide. Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored α-amylases are conserved in Aspergillus fungi. The GPI-anchored α-amylase AmyD in Aspergillus nidulans has been reported to directly suppress the biosynthesis of cell wall α-1,3-glucan but not to degrade it in vivo. However, the detailed mechanism of cell wall α-1,3-glucan biosynthesis regulation by AmyD remains unclear. Here we focused on AoAgtA, which is encoded by the Aspergillus oryzae agtA gene, an ortholog of the A. nidulans amyD gene. Similar to findings in A. nidulans, agtA overexpression in A. oryzae grown in submerged culture decreased the amount of cell wall α-1,3-glucan and led to the formation of smaller hyphal pellets in comparison with the wild-type strain. We analyzed the enzymatic properties of recombinant (r)AoAgtA produced in Pichia pastoris and found that it degraded soluble starch, but not linear bacterial α-1,3-glucan. Furthermore, rAoAgtA cleaved 3-α-maltotetraosylglucose with a structure similar to the predicted boundary structure between the α-1,3-glucan main chain and a short spacer composed of α-1,4-linked glucose residues in cell wall α-1,3-glucan. Interestingly, rAoAgtA randomly cleaved only the α-1,4-glycosidic bonds of 3-α-maltotetraosylglucose, indicating that AoAgtA may cleave the spacer in cell wall α-1,3-glucan. Consistent with this hypothesis, heterologous overexpression of agtA in A. nidulans decreased the molecular weight of cell wall α-1,3-glucan. These in vitro and in vivo properties of AoAgtA suggest that GPI-anchored α-amylases can degrade the spacer α-1,4-glycosidic linkages in cell wall α-1,3-glucan before its insolubilization, and this spacer cleavage decreases the molecular weight of cell wall α-1,3-glucan in vivo.
Are null segregants new combinations of heritable material and should they be regulated?
Authors: Heinemann Jack A. , Clark Katrin , Hiscox Tessa C. , McCabe Andrew W. , Agapito-Tenfen Sarah Z.
Published: January 2023

Through genome editing and other techniques of gene technology, it is possible to create a class of organism called null segregants. These genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are products of gene technology but are argued to have no lingering vestige of the technology after the segregation of chromosomes or deletion of insertions. From that viewpoint regulations are redundant because any unique potential for the use of gene technology to cause harm has also been removed. We tackle this question of international interest by reviewing the early history of the purpose of gene technology regulation. The active ingredients of techniques used for guided mutagenesis, e.g., site-directed nucleases, such as CRISPR/Cas, are promoted for having a lower potential per reaction to create a hazard. However, others see this as a desirable industrial property of the reagents that will lead to genome editing being used more and nullifying the promised hazard mitigation. The contest between views revolves around whether regulations could alter the risks in the responsible use of gene technology. We conclude that gene technology, even when used to make null segregants, has characteristics that make regulation a reasonable option for mitigating potential harm. Those characteristics are that it allows people to create more harm faster, even if it creates benefits as well; the potential for harm increases with increased use of the technique, but safety does not; and regulations can control harm scaling.
Democratizing clinical-genomic data: How federated platforms can promote benefits sharing in genomics
Authors: Alvarellos Maria , Sheppard Hadley E. , Knarston Ingrid , Davison Craig , Raine Nathaniel , Seeger Thorben , Prieto Barja Pablo , Chatzou Dunford Maria
Published: January 2023

Since the first sequencing of the human genome, associated sequencing costs have dramatically lowered, leading to an explosion of genomic data. This valuable data should in theory be of huge benefit to the global community, although unfortunately the benefits of these advances have not been widely distributed. Much of today’s clinical-genomic data is siloed and inaccessible in adherence with strict governance and privacy policies, with more than 97% of hospital data going unused, according to one reference. Despite these challenges, there are promising efforts to make clinical-genomic data accessible and useful without compromising security. Specifically, federated data platforms are emerging as key resources to facilitate secure data sharing without having to physically move the data from outside of its organizational or jurisdictional boundaries. In this perspective, we summarize the overarching progress in establishing federated data platforms, and highlight critical considerations on how they should be managed to ensure patient and public trust. These platforms are enabling global collaboration and improving representation of underrepresented groups, since sequencing efforts have not prioritized diverse population representation until recently. Federated data platforms, when combined with advances in no-code technology, can be accessible to the diverse end-users that make up the genomics workforce, and we discuss potential strategies to develop sustainable business models so that the platforms can continue to enable research long term. Although these platforms must be carefully managed to ensure appropriate and ethical use, they are democratizing access and insights to clinical-genomic data that will progress research and enable impactful therapeutic findings.
Genome-wide identification of acyl-CoA binding proteins and possible functional prediction in legumes
Authors: Ling Juan , Li Lingyu , Lin Lifeng , Xie Hui , Zheng Yixiong , Wan Xiaorong
Published: January 2023

Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs), members of a vital housekeeping protein family, are present in various animal and plant species. They are divided into four classes: small ACBPs (class I), ankyrin-repeat ACBPs (class II), large ACBPs (class III), and kelch-ACBPs (class IV). Plant ACBPs play a pivotal role in intracellular transport, protection, and pool formation of acyl-CoA esters, promoting plant development and stress response. Even though legume crops are important for vegetable oils, proteins, vegetables and green manure, legume ACBPs are not well investigated. To comprehensively explore the functions of ACBPs in nine legumes (Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula, Glycine max, Vigna angularis, Vigna radiata, Phaseolus vulgaris, Arachis hypogaea, Arachis duranensis, and Arachis ipaensis), we conducted genome-wide identification of the ACBP gene family. Our evolutionary analyses included phylogenetics, gene structure, the conserved motif, chromosomal distribution and homology, subcellular localization, cis-elements, and interacting proteins. The results revealed that ACBP Orthologs of nine legumes had a high identity in gene structure and conserved motif. However, subcellular localization, cis-acting elements, and interaction protein analyses revealed potentially different functions from previously reported. The predicted results were also partially verified in Arachis hypogaea. We believe that our findings will help researchers understand the roles of ACBPs in legumes and encourage them to conduct additional research.