bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alpha-amylase as the culprit in an occupational mealworm allergy case
Authors: Ganseman Eva , Ieven Toon , Frans Glynis , Coorevits Lieve , Pörtner Noëmie , Martens Erik , Bullens Dominique MA , Schrijvers Rik , Breynaert Christine , Proost Paul
Published: August 2022

Background

Occupational allergy has been described in employees working in contact with mealworms in pet stores, live fish bait or infested stored grains and recently, in mealworm farming for animal feed and human consumption. Mealworm allergens linked to occupational allergy are troponin C, cockroach-like allergen, tropomyosin, arginine kinase, early-staged encapsulation inducing- and larval cuticle proteins.

Objective

We report a case of occupational mealworm allergy and studied the culprit component.

Methods

Diagnosis was done by skin prick, specific IgE, basophil activation and lung function testing. Allergen purification was performed by anion-exchange chromatography and immunoblotting with patient IgE. Allergens were identified by in-gel trypsin digest and tandem mass spectrometry. Allergenicity and specificity further confirmed by IgE inhibition and passive basophil activation experiments.

Results

We describe a new case of occupational mealworm allergy in a laboratory worker, with sensitization to different developmental stages and derivates of the mealworm. In basophil activation tests, the majority of patient's basophils (69%–91%) degranulated upon stimulation with the lowest concentration of mealworm extracts (0.16 µg/ml). Despite strong sensitization to mites, the patient did not show cross-reactivity to other insects. We were able to identify alpha-amylase as the main allergen and through inhibition experiments, we demonstrated that low amounts (0.1 µg/ml) of this allergen could strongly inhibit mealworm specific IgE by 79.1%. Moreover, passive BAT experiments demonstrated the IgE-alpha-amylase interaction to be functional, inducing up to 25.5% degranulation in healthy donor basophils.

Conclusion

Alpha-amylase can be identified as the responsible allergen in this specific case of occupational mealworm allergy.
A novel dual MoS2/FeGA quantum dots endowed injectable hydrogel for efficient photothermal and boosting chemodynamic therapy
Authors: Liu Zeming , Zeng Ning , Yu Jing , Huang Chunyu , Huang Qinqin
Published: August 2022

Due to its responsiveness to the tumour microenvironment (TME), chemodynamic therapy (CDT) based on the Fenton reaction to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) to destroy tumor has drawn more interest. However, the Fenton’s reaction potential for therapeutic use is constrained by its modest efficacy. Here, we develop a novel injectable hydrogel system (FMH) on the basis of FeGA/MoS2 dual quantum dots (QDs), which uses near-infrared (NIR) laser in order to trigger the synergistic catalysis and photothermal effect of FeGA/MoS2 for improving the efficiency of the Fenton reaction. Mo4+ in MoS2 QDs can accelerate the conversion of Fe3+ to Fe2+, thereby promoting the efficiency of Fenton reaction, and benefiting from the synergistically enhanced CDT/PTT, FMH combined with NIR has achieved good anti-tumour effects in vitro and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, the quantum dots are easily metabolized after treatment because of their ultrasmall size, without causing any side effects. This is the first report to study the co-catalytic effect of MoS2 and Fe3+ at the quantum dot level, as well as obtain a good PTT/CDT synergy, which have implications for future anticancer research.
A method to map the interaction network of the nuclear lamina with genetically encoded photo-crosslinkers in vivo
Authors: Neumann-Staubitz Petra , Kitsberg Daniel , Buxboim Amnon , Neumann Heinz
Published: August 2022

Lamins are intermediate filaments that assemble in a meshwork at the inner nuclear periphery of metazoan cells. The nuclear periphery fulfils important functions by providing stability to the nuclear membrane, connecting the cytoskeleton with chromatin, and participating in signal transduction. Mutations in lamins interfere with these functions and cause severe, phenotypically diverse diseases collectively referred to as laminopathies. The molecular consequences of these mutations are largely unclear but likely include alterations in lamin-protein and lamin-chromatin interactions. These interactions are challenging to study biochemically mainly because the lamina is resistant to high salt and detergent concentrations and co-immunoprecipitation are susceptible to artefacts. Here, we used genetic code expansion to install photo-activated crosslinkers to capture direct lamin-protein interactions in vivo. Mapping the Ig-fold of laminC for interactions, we identified laminC-crosslink products with laminB1, LAP2, and TRIM28. We observed significant changes in the crosslink intensities between laminC mutants mimicking different phosphorylation states. Similarly, we found variations in laminC crosslink product intensities comparing asynchronous cells and cells synchronized in prophase. This method can be extended to other laminC domains or other lamins to reveal changes in their interactome as a result of mutations or cell cycle stages.
Electrochemical valorization of waste activated sludge for short-chain fatty acids production
Authors: Jafari Maasoomeh , Botte Gerardine G.
Published: August 2022

A tremendous amount of waste activated sludge (WAS) ends up in landfilling even after a substantial retention time during anaerobic digestion. This leftover activated sludge is an organic-rich material with the high potential to produce value-added chemicals such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In the present study, a novel electrochemical conversion of activated sludge (E-WAS) was carried out on the surface of non-precious electrodes (nickel, stainless-steel and copper) in alkaline media at low applied potential and temperature. Cyclic voltammetry showed that Cu (II)/Cu (III) and Ni (II)/Ni(III) redox couple catalyzed the WAS oxidation reaction to produce SCFAs and hydrogen. The results revealed that Cu(II)/Cu(III) has higher catalytic oxidation capability towards SCFAs. Yields of 48.7, 21.4, and 14.6 mg SCFAs per g of volatile solids were achieved by using copper, nickel and stainless-steel as working electrodes, respectively. Post analysis characterization techniques indicate that copper oxide films lead to WAS oxidation. Total volatile solid removal of 30% was obtained at 35°C and 1.65 V in 0.2 M NaOH after 2 h of operation in an electrochemical digestor with copper electrodes which is more efficient than a conventional alkaline treatment (24 h, 55%, 1M NaOH). Ammonia was produced as the by-product of E-WAS oxidation. The highest amount of ammonia (250 mg L−1) was obtained by using nickel as the working electrode after 2 h operation at 35°C and 1.35 V applied potential. The change in WAS morphology revealed that the copper oxide film is an effective electrocatalyst for WAS disinfection.
Association of remnant cholesterol and lipid parameters with new-onset carotid plaque in Chinese population
Authors: Liu Bo , Fan Fangfang , Zheng Bo , Yang Ying , Jia Jia , Sun Pengfei , Jiang Yimeng , Li Kaiyin , Liu Jiahui , Chen Chuyun , Li Jianping , Zhang Yan , Huo Yong
Published: August 2022

Background

Remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the relationships of remnant cholesterol and other conventional lipid parameters with new-onset carotid plaque are not fully understood in the Chinese community-based population.

Materials and methods

A total of 872 plaque-free participants (51.39 ± 4.96 years old) with no history of CVD were included in this study. The plasma concentrations of RC were calculated by subtracting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) from total cholesterol (TC). Multivariate regression models were used to evaluate and compare the associations between RC and other lipid parameters and new-onset carotid plaque.

Results

After a mean 6.77-year follow-up, the incidence of new-onset carotid plaque was 188 (21.56%). RC was significantly associated with new-onset carotid plaque [Odd ratio (OR) = 1.57 per 1 mmol/L increase, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.41, p = 0.038]. The highest tertile of RC (T3 group) had the highest risk of new-onset carotid plaque (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.63–3.95). Similar results were seen for increased other lipid parameters, but decreased HDL-C levels. When adding another lipid parameter into the adjusted model with RC simultaneously, only RC remained significantly associated with new-onset carotid plaque after adjusting for other lipid parameters (all p value < 0.005). Furthermore, RC was strongly associated with new-onset carotid plaque in participants with lower baseline LDL-C levels.

Conclusion

Increased RC levels were superior to other conventional lipid parameters to be associated with new-onset carotid plaque in the Chinese community-based population. Furthermore, RC should be considered in participants with lower LDL-C levels for the purpose of early atherosclerosis prevention.
Depression increased risk of coronary heart disease: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Cao Hongfu , Zhao Hui , Shen Li
Published: August 2022

Background

Depression, as an independent risk factor, can lead to a substantially increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The overall body of evidence involving depression and CHD is not consistent. Therefore, we performed an update meta-analysis to evaluate the association between depression and the risk of patients with CHD.

Methods

Studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library database from its inception to 28 September 2021 for titles/abstracts with restricted to English language articles. The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Along with data extraction, we evaluated the quality of eligible studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The primary outcome was fatal or non-fatal CHD. We calculated relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects models. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO registration (registration number CRD42021271259).

Results

From 9,151 records, we included 26 prospective cohort studies published from 1998 to 2018, consisting of 402,597 patients. Either in depression-exposured group or non-depression-exposured group, the mean age of all participants ranged from 18 to 99 years. Moreover, the NOS scores of these studies are eventually indicated that the quality of these eligible studies was reliable. In general, the pooled results showed that patients with depression had a higher risk of CHD compared to patients without depression (RR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.14–1.29). Additionally, the funnel plot appeared to be asymmetry, indicating there existing publication bias for the pooled results between depression and CHD. A sensitivity analysis was used to assess the stability of the relationship between depression and CHD that indicating the results robust (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09–1.21).

Conclusion

Depression may increase risk of CHD. Future studies on the share pathogenic mechanisms of both depression and CHD may develop novel therapies.
Robot-assisted vs. conventional MIDCAB: A propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Gofus Jan , Cerny Stepan , Shahin Youssef , Sorm Zdenek , Vobornik Martin , Smolak Petr , Sethi Ananya , Marcinov Samuel , Karalko Mikita , Chek James , Harrer Jan , Vojacek Jan , Pojar Marek
Published: August 2022

Background

Robotic assistance (RA) in the harvesting of internal thoracic artery during minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCAB) provides several potential benefits for surgeon and patient in comparison with conventional MIDCAB. The two technical options have not been thoroughly compared in the literature yet. We aimed to perform this in our cohort with the use of propensity-score matching (PSM).

Methods

This was a retrospective comparison of all consecutive patients undergoing conventional MIDCAB (2005–2021) and RA-MIDCAB (2018–2021) at our institution with the use of PSM with 27 preoperative covariates.

Results

Throughout the study period 603 patients underwent conventional and 132 patients underwent RA-MIDCAB. One hundred and thirty matched pairs were selected for further comparison. PSM successfully eliminated all preoperative differences. Patients after RA-MIDCAB had lower 24 h blood loss post-operatively (300 vs. 450 ml, p = 0.002). They had shorter artificial ventilation time (6 vs. 7 h, p = 0.018) and hospital stay (6 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the risk of perioperative complications, short-term and mid-term mortality between the groups.

Conclusions

RA-MIDCAB is an attractive alternative to conventional MIDCAB. It is associated with lower post-operative blood loss and potentially faster rehabilitation after surgery. The mortality and the risk of perioperative complications are comparable among the groups.
Hemodynamic numerical simulation of aortic arch modular inner branched stent-graft in eight early patients from the first-in-human case series
Authors: Zhu Yating , Li Fen , Zhang Hongpeng , Song Hui , Ma Xiaodan , Cao Long , Zhang Wenjun , Guo Wei
Published: August 2022

Background

The modular inner branched stent-graft (MIBSG) (WeFlow-Arch™) is an emerging device for challenging aortic arch pathologies. Hemodynamic numerical simulation is conducive to predicting long-term outcomes as well as optimizing the stent-graft design.

Objective

This study aims to analyze the hemodynamic characteristics of the MIBSG devices based on numerical simulation analyses.

Methods

From June 2019 to June 2021, MIBSGs were utilized in eight cases. Numerical simulation analyses of branch perfusion and indicators including the time-averaged wall shear stress, oscillatory shear index, and relative residence time were performed.

Results

Lesions involved Zone 1 (n = 2), Zone 2 (n = 4), and Zone 3 (n = 2). Branched stent-grafts were deployed in the innominate artery and left common carotid artery (n = 5) or in the innominate artery and left subclavian artery (n = 3). The hemodynamic change in common was increased perfusion in the descending aorta and left common carotid artery. Half of the patients had increased cerebral perfusion of 8.7% at most, and the other half of the patients showed a reduction of 5.3% or less. Case 3 was considered to have acquired the greatest improvement in hemodynamic features.

Conclusion

The MIBSG showed improved hemodynamic features in most cases. The design of the MIBSG could be partly modified to acquire better hemodynamic performance.
Systematic shift in plume bending direction at Grotto Vent, Main Endeavour Field, Juan de Fuca Ridge implies changes in venting output along the Endeavour Segment
Authors: Bemis Karen G. , Zhao Michael , Sacker Joshua , Soule Dax C.
Published: August 2022

Analysis of the time-dependent behavior of the buoyant plume rising above Grotto Vent (Main Endeavour Field, Juan de Fuca Ridge) as imaged by the Cabled Observatory Vent Imaging Sonar (COVIS) between September 2010 and October of 2015 captures long term time-dependent changes in the direction of background bottom currents independent of broader oceanographic processes, indicating a systematic evolution in vent output along the Endeavour Segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The behavior of buoyant plumes can be quantified by describing the volume, velocity, and orientation of the effluent relative to the seafloor, which are a convolved expression of hydrothermal flux from the seafloor and ocean bottom currents in the vicinity of the hydrothermal vent. We looked at the azimuth and inclination of the Grotto plume, which was captured in three-dimensional acoustic images by the COVIS system, at 3-h intervals during October 2010 and between October 2011 and December 2014. The distribution of plume azimuths shifts from bimodal NW and SW to SE in 2010, 2011, and 2012 to single mode NW in 2013 and 2014. Modeling of the distribution of azimuths for each year with a bimodal Gaussian indicates that the prominence of southward bottom currents decreased systematically between 2010 and 2014. Spectral analysis of the azimuthal data showed a strong semi-diurnal peak, a weak or missing diurnal peak, and some energy in the sub-inertial and weather bands. This suggests the dominant current generating processes are either not periodic (such as the entrainment fields generated by the hydrothermal plumes themselves) or are related to tidal processes. This prompted an investigation into the broader oceanographic current patterns. The surface wind patterns in buoy data at two sites in the Northeast Pacific and the incidence of sea-surface height changes related to mesoscale eddies show little systematic change over this time-period. The limited bottom current data for the Main Endeavour Field and other parts of the Endeavour Segment neither confirm nor refute our observation of a change in the bottom currents. We hypothesize that changes in venting either within the Main Endeavour Field or along the Endeavour Segment have resulted in the changes in background currents. Previous numerical simulations (Thomson et al., J. Geophys. Res., 2009, 114 (C9), C09020) showed that background bottom currents were more likely to be controlled by the local (segment-scale) venting than by outside ocean circulation or atmospheric patterns.
The impacts of natural and anthropogenic factors on vegetation change in the Yellow-Huai-Hai River Basin
Authors: Wu Houfa , Zhang Jianyun , Bao Zhenxin , Wang Guoqing , Wang Wensheng , Yang Yanqing , Wang Jie , Kan Guangyuan
Published: August 2022

The Yellow-Huai-Hai River Basin (YHHRB) is an important ecological barrier in China. There are obvious spatiotemporal differences and intrinsic drivers of vegetation coverage in this region. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and meteorological data, the spatiotemporal characteristics of vegetation change in the YHHRB from 1982 to 2015 and its related driving factors were analyzed. Combined with CAM5.1-1 degree model data, the impacts of natural and anthropogenic forcings on climate change were separated, and the relative roles of other driving factors, natural and anthropogenic forcings, in vegetation change were further distinguished by using a residual trend method. Results showed that the vegetation coverage increased during the study period, the NDVI increased with a slope of 0.014/10a, and the areas with NDVI significant increased accounted for 75.78%. NDVI was positively correlated with precipitation and temperature in the YHHRB, and the correlation between NDVI and temperature was higher than that of precipitation, indicating that vegetation growth was more sensitive to temperature. Residual analysis indicated that other driving factors, natural and anthropogenic forcings, were responsible for 48.52%, 26.36%, and 25.12% of NDVI variation, respectively. Natural forcing contributed most to vegetation change in the Huai River Basin, whereas anthropogenic forcing and other driving factors had large effects on vegetation coverage in the Hai River Basin. In addition, obvious spatial differences were observed in the relative roles of different driving forces on vegetation conditions. The areas where natural forcing contributed most were mainly distributed in the upper Yellow River Basin, while the areas where other driving factors played a significant role in vegetation restoration were mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi Province, and northern Hebei Province. Climate change and active human activities both made positive impacts on vegetation restoration, and the change in land use was the main factor causing vegetation degradation. The results are meaningful for the ongoing ecological civilization construction project in the YHHRB.
Electrical conductivity of siderite and its implication for high conductivity anomaly in the slab-mantle wedge interface
Authors: Hu Haiying , Jing Chenxin , Dai Lidong , Yin Chuanyu , Chen Dongmei
Published: August 2022

Carbonate minerals as a dominant carbon host can be transported to the Earth’s deep interior via subduction of the oceanic lithosphere, and their physicochemical behavior potentially has a significant influence on the compositional heterogeneity and physical properties in the deep mantle. In this study, we measured the electrical conductivity of natural siderite at 1–3 GPa and 100–700°C using a complex impedance analyzer in a large volume multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus. A sharp increase in conductivity was observed at ∼400°C under various pressures, and subsequently, the electrical conductivity keeps anomalously high values in the whole temperature range owing to a small quantity of interconnected highly conductive phases (graphite and magnetite) produced from the low degree decarbonation of siderite. The change in electrical conductivity and activation enthalpy suggest that the conduction mechanisms before and after low degree decarbonation of siderite are the small polaron (electron hopping in Fe2+–Fe3+) and highly conductive phases, respectively. Our results indicate the incipient decarbonation temperatures at 1–3 GPa are considerably lower than the decomposition boundary of siderite determined by phase equilibrium experiments, implying the initial decarbonation reaction of Fe-bearing carbonates in the subducting oceanic crust occurs at a shallower depth. The 30 vol.% of siderite is required to enhance the electrical conductivity of (Mg, Fe)CO3 solid solutions. Magnetite and graphite generated from the decarbonation reaction of the siderite component of Fe-bearing carbonate make a significant contribution to the high conductivity anomaly observed in the slab-mantle wedge interface.
Nomogram models for stratified prediction of axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients (cN0)
Authors: Gao Xin , Luo Wenpei , He Lingyun , Yang Lu
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To determine the predictors of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM), two nomogram models were constructed to accurately predict the status of axillary lymph nodes (ALNs), mainly high nodal tumour burden (HNTB, > 2 positive lymph nodes), low nodal tumour burden (LNTB, 1-2 positive lymph nodes) and negative ALNM (N0). Accordingly, more appropriate treatment strategies for breast cancer patients without clinical ALNM (cN0) could be selected.

Methods

From 2010 to 2015, a total of 6314 patients with invasive breast cancer (cN0) were diagnosed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and randomly assigned to the training and internal validation groups at a ratio of 3:1. As the external validation group, data from 503 breast cancer patients (cN0) who underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between January 2011 and December 2020 were collected. The predictive factors determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to construct the nomograms. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration plots were used to assess the prediction models’ discrimination and calibration.

Results

Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that tumour size, primary site, molecular subtype and grade were independent predictors of both ALNM and HNTB. Moreover, histologic type and age were independent predictors of ALNM and HNTB, respectively. Integrating these independent predictors, two nomograms were successfully developed to accurately predict the status of ALN. For nomogram 1 (prediction of ALNM), the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the training, internal validation and external validation groups were 0.715, 0.688 and 0.876, respectively. For nomogram 2 (prediction of HNTB), the areas under the ROC curve in the training, internal validation and external validation groups were 0.842, 0.823 and 0.862. The above results showed a satisfactory performance.

Conclusion

We established two nomogram models to predict the status of ALNs (N0, 1-2 positive ALNs or >2 positive ALNs) for breast cancer patients (cN0). They were well verified in further internal and external groups. The nomograms can help doctors make more accurate treatment plans, and avoid unnecessary surgical trauma.
Risk control simulation of the closed-loop supply chain of waste electrical and electronic equipment based on system dynamics
Authors: Zheng Rong , Huang Zuqing , Wu Zhen
Published: August 2022

Recycling and remanufacturing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) can promote the comprehensive utilization of resources and promote the development of the circular economy. However, there are associated risks involved. This study explored the effectiveness of risk control in the WEEE closed-loop supply chain to provide decision support in the sustainable development of WEEE. The catastrophe progression method was used for risk evaluation, and the WEEE risk control model was constructed using system dynamics to analyze the influence of risk control strategies. The results show that adopting risk control strategies positively promotes risk control. Risk mitigation is most pronounced when both the fund subsidy and the green and low-carbon strategies are adopted. When only one approach is implemented, the green and low-carbon strategy has a more considerable effect. When the intensities of the mitigation measures are improved to the same extent, the risk control effect generated by the fund subsidy strategy was found to have a greater impact. The findings provide a useful reference for formulating subsequent risk control strategies in the WEEE closed-loop supply chain.
Green corridor: A critical perspective and development of research agenda
Authors: Aman Aini , Rafiq Muhammad , Dastane Omkar , Sabir Asrar Ahmed
Published: August 2022

The rapid development of industrialization, transportation, and urbanization has a negative impact on nature such as increased pollution, decreased pervious surface area, and increased temperatures. Researchers are consistently trying to find out ways that can facilitate the reduction of naturally unfriendly impacts. In this context, “green corridors” play a critical role. The main goal of the “green corridors” is to help build sustainable industrial, urban, and transportation networks by meeting requirements for environmental, technical, economic, social, and space planning issues. This paper provides a critical perspective on extant “green corridor” research by analyzing its performance and unwinding the intellectual structure. The perspective also sheds light on gaps in current literature and, therefore, possible future research avenues and calls for research in the field of “green corridor.”
Why the “journey” of carbon neutrality is a long one—a mixed method research based on carbon emission trading in hubei province
Authors: Jiang Yihan , Yao Jiayi , Gao Ruosu , Chen Jiaying
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to explore the effectiveness of carbon emissions trading system by using mixed method research. In the past 5 years, the development level of carbon finance in Hubei Province is in the first tier. Hubei carbon emission trading center was established in September 2012, and now ranks top in the trading volume and total transaction amount of China’s seven pilot exchanges. Therefore, choosing Hubei Province as a sample to study the carbon emissions trading system has good externalities, that is, the research conclusions are highly representative. In order to make an in-depth analysis of the system construction and operation effect of the environmental equity trading market of carbon emission rights, this paper uses the closure of Hubei Province as an instrumental variable to alleviate the endogeneity in previous studies, and makes an empirical study on the effectiveness of the carbon emission trading system. The study finds that: after alleviating endogeneity, the current carbon emissions trading has reduced air quality. At the same time, this paper theoretically and statistically verifies the correlation and exogenous of the instrumental variable of city closure to ensure the credibility of the results. This paper further analyzes and finds that the lower the degree of industrialization and the worse the air quality, the higher the degree of air quality reduction. In addition, this paper conducted a series of robustness tests, such as adding new traffic related control variable, replacing variable indicators of air quality, conducting placebo test, and conducting lag regression, which verifies that the benchmark regression results are still valid. In the mechanism part, this paper uses the methods of interview and case analysis to analyze the causal mechanism of this phenomenon from the perspective of the system itself and the challenges in the implementation process. As far as the system itself is concerned, this paper believes that the current carbon emissions trading system does not cover a comprehensive range, there are defects in the way of carbon quota allocation, and the accuracy of the current verification method needs to be tested; In the process of implementation, there are “local protectionism” and information asymmetry.
Research on temporal and spatial evolution of land use and landscape pattern in Anshan City based on GEE
Authors: Fu Yanhua , Zhang Yalin
Published: August 2022

Frequent mining activities can bring about problems such as soil erosion and environmental pollution, which are detrimental to the efficient use of land and the sustainable development of cities. Existing studies have paid little attention to mining areas and lack comparative analysis of landscape changes in multiple mining pits. In this paper, the main urban area of Anshan City, where the mining areas are concentrated, was used as the research area, and the Landsat TM/OLI surface reflectance (SR) data of the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform and the random forest algorithm were used to map the land use in 2008, 2014, and 2020. On this basis, land use dynamics and landscape pattern indices were used to analyze the changes in land use and landscape patterns in the Anshan City area. In addition, a moving window method was combined to further analyze and compare the landscape changes between different pits. The results show that:1. From 2008 to 2020, the construction land in Anshan urban area continued to decline, the forest land continued to expand, and the construction land was shifted to the forest land and cultivated land. Mining land increased before 2014 and remained almost unchanged after 2014, which is in line with the actual situation. 2. During the study period, the landscape fragmentation degree and landscape heterogeneity in the urban area of Anshan kept increasing. The high value areas of landscape fragmentation were the urban-rural combination areas and the mining areas. Among them, the reclamation of Dagushan and Donganshan is better, while the reclamation of Anqian, Yanqianshan and Xiaolingzi mines needs to be strengthened. 3. The random forest algorithm based on GEE shows a high degree of accuracy for land use classification. The overall classification accuracy in 3 years exceeds 90% and the kappa coefficient exceeds 0.85. The study results can be used as an essential reference for optimizing the urban ecological environment and provide technical backing for the urbanization construction and rational use of land in Anshan City.
Modern approaches for leveraging biodiversity collections to understand change in plant-insect interactions
Authors: Balmaki Behnaz , Rostami Masoud A. , Christensen Tara , Leger Elizabeth A. , Allen Julie M. , Feldman Chris R. , Forister Matthew L. , Dyer Lee A.
Published: August 2022

Research on plant-pollinator interactions requires a diversity of perspectives and approaches, and documenting changing pollinator-plant interactions due to declining insect diversity and climate change is especially challenging. Natural history collections are increasingly important for such research and can provide ecological information across broad spatial and temporal scales. Here, we describe novel approaches that integrate museum specimens from insect and plant collections with field observations to quantify pollen networks over large spatial and temporal gradients. We present methodological strategies for evaluating insect-pollen network parameters based on pollen collected from museum insect specimens. These methods provide insight into spatial and temporal variation in pollen-insect interactions and complement other approaches to studying pollination, such as pollinator observation networks and flower enclosure experiments. We present example data from butterfly pollen networks over the past century in the Great Basin Desert and Sierra Nevada Mountains, United States. Complementary to these approaches, we describe rapid pollen identification methods that can increase speed and accuracy of taxonomic determinations, using pollen grains collected from herbarium specimens. As an example, we describe a convolutional neural network (CNN) to automate identification of pollen. We extracted images of pollen grains from 21 common species from herbarium specimens at the University of Nevada Reno (RENO). The CNN model achieved exceptional accuracy of identification, with a correct classification rate of 98.8%. These and similar approaches can transform the way we estimate pollination network parameters and greatly change inferences from existing networks, which have exploded over the past few decades. These techniques also allow us to address critical ecological questions related to mutualistic networks, community ecology, and conservation biology. Museum collections remain a bountiful source of data for biodiversity science and understanding global change.
Novel Genomic Variants, Atypical Phenotypes and Evidence of a Digenic/Oligogenic Contribution to Disorders/Differences of Sex Development in a Large North African Cohort
Authors: Zidoune Housna , Ladjouze Asmahane , Chellat-Rezgoune Djalila , Boukri Asma , Dib Scheher Aman , Nouri Nassim , Tebibel Meryem , Sifi Karima , Abadi Noureddine , Satta Dalila , Benelmadani Yasmina , Bignon-Topalovic Joelle , El-Zaiat-Munsch Maeva , Bashamboo Anu , McElreavey Ken
Published: August 2022

In a majority of individuals with disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) a genetic etiology is often elusive. However, new genes causing DSD are routinely reported and using the unbiased genomic approaches, such as whole exome sequencing (WES) should result in an increased diagnostic yield. Here, we performed WES on a large cohort of 125 individuals all of Algerian origin, who presented with a wide range of DSD phenotypes. The study excluded individuals with congenital adrenal hypoplasia (CAH) or chromosomal DSD. Parental consanguinity was reported in 36% of individuals. The genetic etiology was established in 49.6% (62/125) individuals of the total cohort, which includes 42.2% (35/83) of 46, XY non-syndromic DSD and 69.2% (27/39) of 46, XY syndromic DSD. No pathogenic variants were identified in the 46, XX DSD cases (0/3). Variants in the AR, HSD17B3, NR5A1 and SRD5A2 genes were the most common causes of DSD. Other variants were identified in genes associated with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), including the CHD7 and PROKR2. Previously unreported pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (n = 30) involving 25 different genes were identified in 22.4% of the cohort. Remarkably 11.5% of the 46, XY DSD group carried variants classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant in more than one gene known to cause DSD. The data indicates that variants in PLXNA3, a candidate CHH gene, is unlikely to be involved in CHH. The data also suggest that NR2F2 variants may cause 46, XY DSD.
Construction and validation of a necroptosis-related lncRNAs prognosis signature of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Peng YunZhen , Wu GuoJing , Qiu Xin , Luo Yue , Zou YiShu , Wei XueYan , Li Aimin
Published: August 2022

Background: Immunotherapy has achieved remarkable success in treating advanced liver cancer. Current evidence shows that most of the available immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICB) treatments are suboptimal, and specific markers are needed for patients regarded as good candidates for immunotherapy. Necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, plays an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and outcome. However, studies on the necroptosis-related lncRNA in HCC are scarce. In this view, the present study investigates the link among necroptosis-related lncRNA, prognosis, immune microenvironment, and immunotherapy response.

Methods: Gene transcriptome and clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Pearson correlation analysis of necroptosis-related genes was performed to identify necroptosis-related lncRNAs. The Wilcoxon method was used to detect differentially expressed genes, and prognostic relevant lncRNAs were obtained by univariate Cox regression analysis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis were utilized to perform functional enrichment analysis. Lasso–Cox stepwise regression analysis was employed to calculate risk score, which was involved in analyzing immune cells infiltration, immune checkpoints expression, and predicting immunotherapeutic efficacy. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression pattern of lncRNA in cell lines.

Results: The 10 lncRNAs generated in this study were used to create a prognostic risk model for HCC and group patients into groups based on risk. High-risk patients with HCC have a significantly lower OS rate than low-risk patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that risk score is an independent risk factor for HCC with high accuracy. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited a weaker immune surveillance and higher expression level of immune checkpoint molecules. In terms of drug resistance, patients in the low-risk group were more sensitive to sorafenib. The OS-related nomogram was constructed to verify the accuracy of our model. Finally, quantitative RT-PCR experiments were used to verify the expression patterns of candidate genes.

Conclusion: The lncRNA signature established herein, encompassing 10 necroptosis-related lncRNAs, is valuable for survival prediction and holds promise as prognostic markers for HCC.
Identification of key genes with prognostic value in gastric cancer by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Wang Rongsheng , Chen Xiaohong , Huang Cuilan , Yang Xiaogang , He Huiwei , OuYang Chenghong , Li Hainan , Guo Jinghua , Yang Chunli , Lin Zhiying
Published: August 2022

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a digestive system tumor with high morbidity and mortality. It is urgently required to identify genes to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. The aim of this study is to identify the key genes which may affect the prognosis of GC patients and be a therapeutic strategy for GC patients by bioinformatic analysis.

Methods: The significant prognostic differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was established by STRING and screening key genes by MCODE and CytoNCA plug-ins in Cytoscape. Functional enrichment analysis, construction of a prognostic risk model, and nomograms verify key genes as potential therapeutic targets.

Results: In total, 997 genes and 805 genes were related to the prognosis of GC in the GSE84437 and TCGA datasets, respectively. We define the 128 genes shared by the two datasets as prognostic DEGs (P-DEGs). Then, the first four genes (MYLK, MYL9, LUM, and CAV1) with great node importance in the PPI network of P-DEGs were identified as key genes. Independent prognostic risk analysis found that patients with high key gene expression had a poor prognosis, excluding their age, gender, and TNM stage. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that key genes may exert influence through the PI3K-Akt pathway, in which extracellular matrix organization and focal adhesion may play important roles in key genes influencing the prognosis of GC patients.

Conclusion: We found that MYLK, MYL9, LUM, and CAV1 are potential and reliable prognostic key genes that affect the invasion and migration of gastric cancer.
Recent advances of the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Cai Huarui , Wang Zhongze , Tang Wenhan , Ke Xiaoxue , Zhao Erhu
Published: August 2022

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase involved in a variety of cellular functions, such as cell proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, survival and cytoskeletal organization. Furthermore, mTOR is made up of three multisubunit complexes, mTOR complex 1, mTOR complex 2, and putative mTOR complex 3. In recent years, increasing evidence has suggested that mTOR plays important roles in the differentiation and immune responses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In addition, mTOR is a vital regulator of pivotal cellular and physiological functions, such as cell metabolism, survival and ageing, where it has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for ageing-related diseases. Therefore, the mTOR signaling may develop a large impact on the treatment of ageing-related diseases with MSCs. In this review, we discuss prospects for future research in this field.
Temporal sampling and network analysis reveal rapid population turnover and dynamic migration pattern in overwintering regions of a cosmopolitan pest
Authors: Ke Fushi , Li Jianyu , Vasseur Liette , You Minsheng , You Shijun
Published: August 2022

Genetic makeup of insect pest is informative for source-sink dynamics, spreading of insecticide resistant genes, and effective management. However, collecting samples from field populations without considering temporal resolution and calculating parameters related to historical gene flow may not capture contemporary genetic pattern and metapopulation dynamics of highly dispersive pests. Plutella xylostella (L.), the most widely distributed Lepidopteran pest that developed resistance to almost all current insecticides, migrates heterogeneously across space and time. To investigate its real-time genetic pattern and dynamics, we executed four samplings over two consecutive years across Southern China and Southeast Asia, and constructed population network based on contemporary gene flow. Across 48 populations, genetic structure analysis identified two differentiated insect swarms, of which the one with higher genetic variation was replaced by the other over time. We further inferred gene flow by estimation of kinship relationship and constructed migration network in each sampling time. Interestingly, we found mean migration distance at around 1,000 km. Such distance might have contributed to the formation of step-stone migration and migration circuit over large geographical scale. Probing network clustering across sampling times, we found a dynamic P. xylostella metapopulation with more active migration in spring than in winter, and identified a consistent pattern that some regions are sources (e.g., Yunnan in China, Myanmar and Vietnam) while several others are sinks (e.g., Guangdong and Fujian in China) over 2 years. Rapid turnover of insect swarms and highly dynamic metapopulation highlight the importance of temporal sampling and network analysis in investigation of source-sink relationships and thus effective pest management of P. xylostella, and other highly dispersive insect pests.
The imbalance between Type 17 T-cells and regulatory immune cell subsets in psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Kim Jaehwan , Moreno Ariana , Krueger James G.
Published: August 2022

Psoriasis vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease affecting 7.5 million adults just in the US. Previously, psoriasis immunopathogenesis has been viewed as the imbalance between CD4+ T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and regulatory T-cells (Tregs). However, current paradigms are rapidly evolving as new technologies to study immune cell subsets in the skin have been advanced. For example, recently minted single-cell RNA sequencing technology has provided the opportunity to compare highly differing transcriptomes of Type 17 T-cell (T17 cell) subsets depending on IL-17A vs. IL-17F expression. The expression of regulatory cytokines in T17 cell subsets provided evidence of T-cell plasticity between T17 cells and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) in humans. In addition to Tregs, other types of regulatory cells in the skin have been elucidated, including type 1 regulatory T-cells (Tr1 cells) and regulatory dendritic cells. More recently, investigators are attempting to apply single-cell technologies to clinical trials of biologics to test if monoclonal blockade of pathogenic T-cells will induce expansion of regulatory immune cell subsets involved in skin homeostasis.
Examination of the role of necroptotic damage-associated molecular patterns in tissue fibrosis
Authors: Liu Xu , Lu Feng , Chen Xihang
Published: August 2022

Fibrosis is defined as the abnormal and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which leads to tissue or organ dysfunction and failure. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying fibrosis remain unclear. The inflammatory response induced by tissue injury is closely associated with tissue fibrosis. Recently, an increasing number of studies have linked necroptosis to inflammation and fibrosis. Necroptosis is a type of preprogrammed death caused by death receptors, interferons, Toll-like receptors, intracellular RNA and DNA sensors, and other mediators. These activate receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1, which recruits and phosphorylates RIPK3. RIPK3 then phosphorylates a mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein and causes its oligomerization, leading to rapid plasma membrane permeabilization, the release of cellular contents, and exposure of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs, as inflammatory mediators, are involved in the loss of balance between extensive inflammation and tissue regeneration, leading to remodeling, the hallmark of fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the role of necroptotic DAMPs in tissue fibrosis and highlight the inflammatory responses induced by DAMPs in tissue ECM remodeling. By summarizing the existing literature on this topic, we underscore the gaps in the current research, providing a framework for future investigations into the relationship among necroptosis, DAMPs, and fibrosis, as well as a reference for later transformation into clinical treatment.
Functional cure of a chronic virus infection by shifting the virus - host equilibrium state
Authors: Bocharov Gennady , Grebennikov Dmitry , Cebollada Rica Paula , Domenjo-Vila Eva , Casella Valentina , Meyerhans Andreas
Published: August 2022

The clinical handling of chronic virus infections remains a challenge. Here we describe recent progress in the understanding of virus - host interaction dynamics. Based on the systems biology concept of multi-stability and the prediction of multiplicative cooperativity between virus-specific cytotoxic T cells and neutralising antibodies, we argue for the requirements to engage multiple immune system components for functional cure strategies. Our arguments are derived from LCMV model system studies and are translated to HIV-1 infection.
Pharmacological modulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells to dampen inflammation
Authors: van Geffen Chiel , Heiss Constantin , Deißler Astrid , Kolahian Saeed
Published: August 2022

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous cell population with potent suppressive and regulative properties. MDSCs’ strong immunosuppressive potential creates new possibilities to treat chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases or induce tolerance towards transplantation. Here, we summarize and critically discuss different pharmacological approaches which modulate the generation, activation, and recruitment of MDSCs in vitro and in vivo, and their potential role in future immunosuppressive therapy.