bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the Gut Microbiota Composition and Metabolites Associated With Feeding Intolerance in VLBW Infants With a Gestational Age of ≤ 30 Weeks: A Pilot Study
Authors: Liu Xiao-Chen , Sun Qian , Ji Yan-Chun , Fu Li-Zhen , Wang Zheng-Li , He Yu , Li Lu-Quan
Published: February 2022

Objective

To explore the main variations in gut microbiota compositions, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations and autoinducer-2 (AI-2) levels in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants with feeding intolerance (FI).

Methods

Twenty-seven VLBW infants with gestational ages of ≤30 weeks were divided into the FI group (n=14) and feeding tolerance (FT) group (n=13). The gut microbiota composition and SCFAs concentrations and AI-2 levels in feces were detected at 2 and 4 weeks after birth.

Results

There was no difference in alpha diversity between the two groups at 2 and 4 weeks after birth (P>0.05). Although the Chao index decreased (P<0.05), there was no difference in the Shannon index from 2 weeks to 4 weeks in either the FI or FT group (P>0.05). Additionally, there was no difference in beta diversity between the FI and FT groups at 2 weeks (P>0.05), but there was a significant difference in beta diversity between the two groups at 4 weeks (P<0.05) and a large difference from 2 weeks to 4 weeks in both the FI and FT groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the composition of the microbiota at 4 weeks was significantly different from that at 2 weeks in the FI group (P<0.05). The Veillonella abundance was lower at 4 weeks in the FI group (P<0.05), but there were no differences in the compositions of the other main microbes between the two groups (P>0.05). Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were dominant in both the FI and FT groups. The concentrations of propanoic, valeric and hexanoic acids were lower in the FI group at 2 weeks, and the levels of isobutyric and valeric acids were lower at 4 weeks after birth (P<0.05). The areas under the curves (AUCs) of propanoic, butanoic and valeric acids in predicting FI were 0.878, 0.816 and 0.744, respectively. Compared with that in the FT group, the relative bioluminescence of AI-2 was lower in the FI group at 2 weeks (P<0.05), and the AUC was 0.736.

Conclusions

The main composition of the microbiota was not obviously different in infants with FI. Some SCFAs and AI-2 have moderate value in predicting FI.
A Novel Thioredoxin-Like Protein of Babesia microti Involved in Parasite Pathogenicity
Authors: Piao Xianyu , Ma Yu , Liu Shuai , Hou Nan , Chen Qijun
Published: February 2022

Babesiosis poses a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals and the major etiological species of Babesia for human babesiosis is Babesia microti. Merozoites are a critical stage in the life cycle of Babesia microti. Several merozoite proteins have been demonstrated to play important roles in this process; however, most of the merozoite proteins of B. microti remain unknown. In the present study, we identified a novel merozoite protein of B. microti with similar structure to the thioredoxin (Trx)-like domain of the Trx family, which was named as B. microti Trx-like protein (BmTLP). Western blot assays demonstrated that this protein was expressed by B. microti during the erythrocytic infection process, and its expression peaked on day 7 post-infection in vivo. Immunofluorescence assay further showed that this protein is mainly expressed in B. microti merozoites. BmTLP hold both heparin- and erythrocyte-binding properties, which are critical functions of invasion-related proteins. Immunization with recombinant BmTLP imparted significant protection against B. microti infection in mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the novel merozoite protein, BmTLP, is an important pathogenic molecule of B. microti and may be a possible target for the design of babesiosis control strategy.
Visual Detection of Duck Tembusu Virus With CRISPR/Cas13: A Sensitive and Specific Point-of-Care Detection
Authors: Yin Dongdong , Yin Lei , Wang Jieru , Shen Xuehuai , Pan Xiaocheng , Hou Hongyan , Zhao Ruihong , Hu Xiaomiao , Wang Guijun , Qi Kezong , Dai Yin
Published: February 2022

Duck tembusu virus (DTMUV), which causes huge economic losses for the poultry industries in Southeast Asia and China, was first identified in 2010. DTMUV disease has become an important disease that endangers the duck industry. A sensitive, accurate, and convenient DTMUV detection method is an important means to reduce the occurrence of the disease. In this study, a CRISPR/Cas13a system was combined with recombinase polymerase amplification to develop a convenient diagnostic method to detect DTMUV. The novel method was based on isothermal detection at 37°C, and the detection was used for visual readout or real-time analysis. The assay was highly sensitive and specific, with a detection limit of 1 copy/μL of the target gene and showed no cross-reactivity with other pathogens. The enhanced Cas13a detection worked well with clinical samples. Overall, a visual, sensitive, and specific nucleic acid detection method based on CRISPR/Cas13a proved to be a powerful tool for detecting DTMUV.
Gut Reaction: The Impact of a Film on Public Understanding of Gastrointestinal Conditions
Authors: Gomes Diogo , Loth Alina , Hockley James R. F. , Smith Ewan St. John
Published: February 2022

Chronic gastrointestinal (GI) tract conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common conditions associated with disordered bowel movements and significant pain. However, discussion of bowel habits is often regarded as taboo and public understanding of what exactly IBD, IBS and related conditions are, and how they impact the lives of those individuals with such conditions is poorly understood. To provide a platform for enhancing public engagement of chronic bowel conditions, a short film was made (Gut Reaction) examining the lives of four individuals with different bowel conditions and what scientists and clinicians are doing to help alleviate the pain experienced by such individuals. The study design involved screening the film at a science festival where a pre- and post-film survey was conducted alongside follow up semi-structured interviews with a small subset of those who had expressed willingness to engage in such an interview. Although films have been used for public engagement and health campaigns, there is a lack of a robust evaluation of such methods. As such, there is no knowledge of impacts and outcomes, jeopardising funding of such projects (Haenssgen, 2019). Overall, the pre- and post-film surveys demonstrated that the film had increased the attendees’ understanding of chronic bowel conditions, how they are treated, what research is on-going and the likelihood of discussing bowel conditions with friends and family. The follow-up interviews were analysed through the constant comparative coding process. The analysis revealed that participants have a strong belief that bowel conditions need to be part of normal conversations, and the understanding of such conditions, and the people who experience them, needs to be improved by society. Our participants hold that this is crucial for people who experience from such conditions, not least to be able to access help sooner and suffer less. Finally, our participants discussed two strategies to achieve this societal openness and tackle the sense of shame around these issues: one involving role models and the other the media. In summary, Gut Reaction appeared to have met its objectives of improving the viewers’ awareness and understanding of chronic bowel conditions, as well as removing some of the stigma and taboo that surround discussions about these conditions. Consequently, the implications of this study are that making short films around taboo topics are an appropriate method to improve awareness and societal understanding of such topics.
Promising Therapeutic Candidate for Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: What Are the Possible Mechanisms and Roles of Phytochemicals?
Authors: Chen Cong , Yu Lin-Tong , Cheng Bai-Ru , Xu Jiang-Lin , Cai Yun , Jin Jia-Lin , Feng Ru-Li , Xie Long , Qu Xin-Yan , Li Dong , Liu Jing , Li Yan , Cui Xiao-Yun , Lu Jin-Jin , Zhou Kun , Lin Qian , Wan Jie
Published: February 2022

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is one of the most effective reperfusion strategies for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) despite myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, causing one of the causes of most cardiomyocyte injuries and deaths. The pathological processes of myocardial I/R injury include apoptosis, autophagy, and irreversible cell death caused by calcium overload, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Eventually, myocardial I/R injury causes a spike of further cardiomyocyte injury that contributes to final infarct size (IS) and bound with hospitalization of heart failure as well as all-cause mortality within the following 12 months. Therefore, the addition of adjuvant intervention to improve myocardial salvage and cardiac function calls for further investigation. Phytochemicals are non-nutritive bioactive secondary compounds abundantly found in Chinese herbal medicine. Great effort has been put into phytochemicals because they are often in line with the expectations to improve myocardial I/R injury without compromising the clinical efficacy or to even produce synergy. We summarized the previous efforts, briefly outlined the mechanism of myocardial I/R injury, and focused on exploring the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of all phytochemical types that have been investigated under myocardial I/R injury. Phytochemicals deserve to be utilized as promising therapeutic candidates for further development and research on combating myocardial I/R injury. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the mechanism of myocardial I/R injury treatment using phytochemicals and possible side effects associated with this approach.
Progress of Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Technology in Myocardial Infarction Research
Authors: Li Lanfang , Wang Min , Ma Qiuxiao , Li Yunxiu , Ye Jingxue , Sun Xiaobo , Sun Guibo
Published: February 2022

After myocardial infarction, the heart enters a remodeling and repair phase that involves myocardial cell damage, inflammatory response, fibroblast activation, and, ultimately, angiogenesis. In this process, the proportions and functions of cardiomyocytes, immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and other cells change. Identification of the potential differences in gene expression among cell types and/or transcriptome heterogeneity among cells of the same type greatly contribute to understanding the cellular changes that occur in heart and disease conditions. Recent advent of the single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology has facilitated the exploration of single cell diversity as well as comprehensive elucidation of the natural history and molecular mechanisms of myocardial infarction. In this manner, novel putative therapeutic targets for myocardial infarction treatment may be detected and clinically applied.
Therapeutic Peptides to Treat Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Fernandez Rico Carlota , Konate Karidia , Josse Emilie , Nargeot Joël , Barrère-Lemaire Stéphanie , Boisguérin Prisca
Published: February 2022

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rank first in worldwide mortality and according to the World Health Organization (WHO), they will stay at this rank until 2030. Prompt revascularization of the occluded artery to reperfuse the myocardium is the only recommended treatment (by angioplasty or thrombolysis) to decrease infarct size (IS). However, despite beneficial effects on ischemic lesions, reperfusion leads to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury related mainly to apoptosis. Improvement of revascularization techniques and patient care has decreased myocardial infarction (MI) mortality however heart failure (HF) morbidity is increasing, contributing to the cost-intense worldwide HF epidemic. Currently, there is no treatment for reperfusion injury despite promising results in animal models. There is now an obvious need to develop new cardioprotective strategies to decrease morbidity/mortality of CVD, which is increasing due to the aging of the population and the rising prevalence rates of diabetes and obesity. In this review, we will summarize the different therapeutic peptides developed or used focused on the treatment of myocardial IR injury (MIRI). Therapeutic peptides will be presented depending on their interacting mechanisms (apoptosis, necroptosis, and inflammation) reported as playing an important role in reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia. The search and development of therapeutic peptides have become very active, with increasing numbers of candidates entering clinical trials. Their optimization and their potential application in the treatment of patients with AMI will be discussed.
Ideal Cardiovascular Health in Young Adults With Established Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Leopold Jane A. , Antman Elliott M.
Published: February 2022

There has been an increase in the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among young adults in the United States that has been attributed, in part, to a rise in overweight and obesity, use of combustible tobacco and unhealthy diet and exercise patterns. These factors are influenced further by socioeconomic status and other social determinants of health. In the My Research Legacy study, we examined ideal cardiovascular health in young adults aged 18– <50 years with cardiovascular disease using the Life's Simple 7 survey and data from digital health devices. Young adults with cardiovascular disease (n = 349) were older, had a lower socioeconomic status, a higher prevalence of risk factors, and lower Life's Simple 7 Health Scores (6.4 ± 1.5 vs. 7.1 ± 1.5, p < 0.01) compared to young adults without cardiovascular disease (n = 696). Analysis of digital health device data revealed that young adults with cardiovascular disease performed a similar number of weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous exercise as those without disease leading to similar ideal activity scores. Young adults with cardiovascular disease also shared similarities in modifiable risk factors with adults aged ≥50 years with cardiovascular disease (n = 217), including weight, dietary habits, and weekly minutes of exercise. Latent class analysis identified two phenogroups of young adults with cardiovascular disease: phenogroup 1 was characterized by more advantageous cardiovascular health factors and behaviors resulting in higher Life's Simple 7 Health Scores than phenogroup 2 (7.4 ± 1.2 vs. 5.5 ± 1.1, p < 0.01). These findings in young adults with cardiovascular disease may inform the design of behavioral and therapeutic interventions in the future to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
The Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor Associated Factors (TRAFs) in Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gissler Mark Colin , Stachon Peter , Wolf Dennis , Marchini Timoteo
Published: February 2022

TNF receptor associated factors (TRAFs) represent a family of cytoplasmic signaling adaptor proteins that regulate, bundle, and transduce inflammatory signals downstream of TNF- (TNF-Rs), interleukin (IL)-1-, Toll-like- (TLRs), and IL-17 receptors. TRAFs play a pivotal role in regulating cell survival and immune cell function and are fundamental regulators of acute and chronic inflammation. Lately, the inhibition of inflammation by anti-cytokine therapy has emerged as novel treatment strategy in patients with atherosclerosis. Likewise, growing evidence from preclinical experiments proposes TRAFs as potent modulators of inflammation in atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation. Yet, TRAFs show a highly complex interplay between different TRAF-family members with partially opposing and overlapping functions that are determined by the level of cellular expression, concomitant signaling events, and the context of the disease. Therefore, inhibition of specific TRAFs may be beneficial in one condition and harmful in others. Here, we carefully discuss the cellular expression and signaling events of TRAFs and evaluate their role in vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. We also highlight metabolic effects of TRAFs and discuss the development of TRAF-based therapeutics in the future.
Geometric Distribution and Earthquake Rupture Characteristics of the Northern Anqiu–Juxian Fault in the Tan–Lu Fault Zone, Eastern China
Authors: Ji Haomin , Li An , Zhang Shimin , Zhang Ji , Liu Qing
Published: February 2022

The Northern Anqiu–Juxian Fault (NAJF) is one of the most active faults in the Tan-Lu Fault Zone (TLFZ), which produced the Anqiu M 7 earthquake in 70 BC. However, there is no clear understanding of the surface rupture caused by this historical earthquake. In this study, we determined the earthquake rupture characteristics of the NAJF based on high-precision surveying, geophysical exploration and drilling profiles. Based on an analysis of 87 horizontal offsets of gullies, we estimated a characteristic offset of ∼ 5 m along the NAJF for a rupture length about 130 km. Geophysical exploration results revealed a shallow geometric distribution of stepovers in the NAJF. We concluded that the ∼ 5 m offset and the rupture length of about 130 km are both in agreement with an empirical relationship among the magnitude, offset, and rupture length and imply that the ∼ 1 km wide stepover could not have terminated ruptures in the Anqiu M 7 earthquake. The relationship among the coseismic offset, magnitude, and surface rupture length of a strike-slip fault show that the 70 BC Anqiu earthquake was more likely to have had a magnitude of M ∼ 7.5.
Anisotropic Elastic Properties of Montmorillonite With Different Layer Charge Densities and Layer Charge Distributions Through Molecular Dynamic Simulation
Authors: Wang Xueying , Han Tongcheng , Fu Li-Yun
Published: February 2022

The knowledge of the anisotropic elastic properties of clay minerals is of crucial importance for the exploration and development of shale oil and gas. Montmorillonite (MMT) is a common natural clay mineral with different layer charge densities and layer charge distributions due to different geological conditions. Therefore, it is important to understand the currently poorly known effect of layer charge density and layer charge distribution on the anisotropic elastic properties of MMTs. This work aims to obtain such knowledge by studying the anisotropic elastic properties of different MMTs under stratigraphic conditions through molecular dynamic simulations. We showed that the in-plane compressional coefficients C11, C22 and C12 decrease with the increasing layer charge density for MMTs with different layer charge distributions, and the MMTs with the layer charges distributed on the two tetrahedral (T) sheets were found to have the smallest C11, C22 and C12. We also showed that the out-of-plane compressional coefficients C33, C13 and C23 of the MMTs with the layer charges distributed in the two T sheets decrease, while those with the layer charges in the octahedral (O) sheet increase and those with layer charges distributed in both the O sheet and the T sheets do not vary much with the increasing layer charge density. The variations of the anisotropic compressional elastic coefficients with different layer charge densities and layer charge distributions were found to be a result of the impact of the density and distribution of layer charges on the molecular interactions within the MMT layer. We further demonstrated that the layer charge density and layer charge distribution do not influence significantly the shear coefficients C44, C55, and C66. The results revealed the mechanisms of how the density and distribution of layer charges affect the anisotropic elastic properties of MMTs and will contribute to the more successful exploration and development of unconventional resources in MMT bearing shale reservoirs.
Learning Through Play at School – A Framework for Policy and Practice
Authors: Parker Rachel , Thomsen Bo Stjerne , Berry Amy
Published: February 2022

Learning through play has emerged as an important strategy to promote student engagement, inclusion, and holistic skills development beyond the preschool years. Policy makers, researchers and educators have promoted the notion that learning though play is developmentally appropriate—as it leverages school-age children’s innate curiosity while easing the often difficult transition from preschool to school. However, there is a dearth of evidence and practical guidance on how learning through play can be employed effectively in the formal school context, and the conditions that support success. This paper addresses the disconnect between policy, research and practice by presenting a range of empirical studies across a number of well-known pedagogies. These studies describe how children can foster cognitive, social, emotional, creative and physical skills through active engagement in learning that is experienced as joyful, meaningful, socially interactive, actively engaging and iterative. The authors propose an expanded definition for learning through play at school based on the science of learning, and summarize key findings from international studies on the impact of children’s learning through play. They identify four key challenges that underpin the considerable gap between education policy and practice, and propose a useful framework that addresses these challengesviaa common language and structure to implement learning through play.
Central Compartment Lymph Nodes Have Distinct Metastatic Patterns in Different Age Groups
Authors: Yan Caigu , He Xianghui , Chen Zuoyu , Wang Yizeng
Published: February 2022

Background and Purpose

Central compartment lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is a manifestation of tumor aggressiveness and an indicator of tumor prognosis. The purpose of this study was to construct a nomogram for evaluating CLNM patterns in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in different age groups.

Method

A total of 907 patients diagnosed with PTC from August 2014 to December 2018 were enrolled. A nomogram illustrating CLNM was generated using the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

According to the best Youden index, we set the cut-off age at 45 years. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that in patients aged <45 years, large tumor size (P<0.05), extra-thyroid extension (P<0.05) and thyroglobulin level >40 ng/ml (OR=2.985, 95% CI 1.379-6.462; P<0.05) were independent risk factors; meanwhile, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (OR=0.532, 95% CI 0.324-0.874; P<0.05) was a protective factor of CLNM. In the subgroup with age ≥45 years, large tumor size (P<0.05), extra-thyroid extension (P<0.05), unclear margin (OR=1.604, 95% CI 1.065-2.416; P<0.05), male gender (OR=2.009, 95% CI 1.257-3.212; P<0.05) were independent risk factors for CLNM. In the subgroup with age <45 years, an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.729 (95% CI 0.680-0.777); P<0.05) was obtained. In the ≥45 years subgroup, the AUC was 0.668 (95% CI 0.619-0.716; P<0.05).

Conclusion

CLNM of PTC in different age groups may have distinct patterns. Based on the potential risk factors for CLNM in patients with different age stratification, a user-friendly predictive model was established.
Non-Assisted Hatching Trophectoderm Biopsy Does Not Increase The Risks of Most Adverse Maternal and Neonatal Outcome and May Be More Practical for Busy Clinics: Evidence From China
Authors: Li Shuo , Ma Shuiying , Zhao Jialin , Hu Jingmei , Li Hongchang , Zhu Yueting , Jiang Wenjie , Cui Linlin , Yan Junhao , Chen Zi-Jiang
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study was conducted in order to investigate whether non-assisted hatching trophectoderm (TE) biopsy increases the risks of adverse perinatal outcomes in livebirths following elective single cryopreserved-thawed blastocyst transfer.

Patients and Methods

A total of 5,412 cycles from 4,908 women who achieved singleton livebirths between 2013 and 2019 were included in this retrospective cohort study. All embryos in this study were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and cryopreserved through vitrification. The main intervention is to open the zona pellucida (ZP) of day 5/6 blastocyst immediately for biopsy without pre-assisted hatching. The main outcome measures are the common maternal and neonatal outcomes, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), abnormal placentation, abnormalities in umbilical cord and amniotic fluid, preterm birth, cesarean section, low birth weight, postpartum hemorrhage, and prolonged hospital stay (both mothers and infants). The generalized estimation equation (GEE) was used to control the effects of repeated measurements. The non-conditional logistic regression model was used to examine the associations between embryo biopsy status and each adverse perinatal event. Given that the selection bias and changes in learning curve might affect the results, we selected 1,086 similar (matching tolerance = 0.01) cycles from the ICSI group via propensity score matching (PSM) for second comparisons and adjustment (conditional logistic regression).

Results

After adjusting for confounders, we confirmed that the non-assisted hatching protocol did not increase the risks of most adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite this, there were increased risks of GDM (aOR: 1.522, 95% CI: 1.141–2.031) and umbilical cord abnormalities (aOR: 11.539, 95% CI: 1.199–111.067) in the biopsy group. In the second comparisons after PSM, GDM incidence in the biopsy group was still higher (7.26% vs. 5.16%, P = 0.042), yet all measurement outcomes were equally likely to occur in both groups after the second adjustment.

Conclusions

The non-assisted hatching TE biopsy does not increase the risks of most adverse perinatal outcomes. However, there is a higher GDM incidence in the biopsy group, and this association warrants further study. Considering its safety and simplicity, the non-assisted hatching protocol has the potential to become the preferred option for TE biopsy, especially in busy clinics and IVF laboratories.
Global Adipose Tissue Remodeling During the First Month of Postnatal Life in Mice
Authors: Bruder Johanna , Fromme Tobias
Published: February 2022

During the first month of postnatal life, adipose tissue depots of mice go through a drastic, but transient, remodeling process. Between postnatal days 10 and 20, several white fat depots display a strong and sudden surge in beige adipocyte emergence that reverts until day 30. At the same time, brown fat depots appear to undergo an opposite phenomenon. We comprehensively describe these events, their depot specificity and known environmental and genetic interactions, such as maternal diet, housing temperature and mouse strain. We further discuss potential mechanisms and plausible purposes, including the tempting hypothesis that postnatal transient remodeling creates a lasting adaptive capacity still detectable in adult animals. Finally, we propose postnatal adipose tissue remodeling as a model process to investigate mechanisms of beige adipocyte recruitment advantageous to cold exposure or adrenergic stimulation in its entirely endogenous sequence of events without external manipulation.
Combined Sugarcane Pretreatment for the Generation of Ethanol and Value-Added Products
Authors: Bordignon Sidnei Emilio , Ximenes Eduardo , Perrone Olavo Micali , Carreira Nunes Christiane da Costa , Kim Daehwan , Boscolo Maurício , Gomes Eleni , Filho Edivaldo Ximenes Ferreira , da Silva Roberto , Ladisch Michael R.
Published: February 2022

In this work, we have tested individual and combination of applications of ozonolysis and liquid hot water (LHW) to pretreat sugarcane bagasse (SCB) for the removal of enzyme and/or microbial inhibitors and generation of potential value-added chemicals. A solid content with 80% cellulose and a liquid phase (liquor) rich in phenolic derived compounds (3 g.L−1) from lignin, sugars (>20 g.L−1), and other compounds, such as furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), were generated. Maximal (59%) glucan conversion occurred in the presence of double-pretreated bagasse, which had 32–50% more glucan available than the samples that were individually LHW or ozone-pretreated, resulting in maximal ethanol production (92% after 42 h) from double-pretreated SCB enzyme hydrolyzate. In summary, this work showed that ozone reacts effectively with lignin without the use of any other chemical reagent, and LHW pretreatment, followed by a washing step, was effective in solubilizing and cleaning up the fiber enzyme and microbial inhibitory compounds with ozone being effective against phenolics. Moreover, the generated cellulose-rich substrate is readily fermentable. The acidic liquor fraction removed by sequential washings and containing mainly sugars and phenolic compounds may be evaluated for use in green chemistry bioconversions processes.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy can Predict Anatomical Abundance in Corn Stover
Authors: Cousins Dylan S. , Otto William G. , Rony Asif Hasan , Pedersen Kristian P. , Aston John E. , Hodge David B.
Published: February 2022

Feedstock heterogeneity is a key challenge impacting the deconstruction and conversion of herbaceous lignocellulosic biomass to biobased fuels, chemicals, and materials. Upstream processing to homogenize biomass feedstock streams into their anatomical components via air classification allows for a more tailored approach to subsequent mechanical and chemical processing. Here, we show that differing corn stover anatomical tissues respond differently to pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis and therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to chemical processing biomass is inappropriate. To inform on-line downstream processing, a robust and high-throughput analytical technique is needed to quantitatively characterize the separated biomass. Predictive correlation of near-infrared spectra to biomass chemical composition is such a technique. Here, we demonstrate the capability of models developed using an “off-the-shelf,” industrially relevant spectrometer with limited spectral range to make strong predictions of both cell wall chemical composition and the relative abundance of anatomical components of the corn stover, the latter for the first time ever. Gaussian process regression (GPR) yields stronger correlations (average R2v = 88% for chemical composition and 95% for anatomical relative abundance) than the more commonly used partial least squares (PLS) regression (average R2v = 84% for chemical composition and 92% for anatomical relative abundance). In nearly all cases, both GPR and PLS outperform models generated using neural networks. These results highlight the potential for coupling NIRS with predictive models based on GPR due to the potential to yield more robust correlations.
Evaluation of the Effects of Urbanization on Carbon Emissions: The Transformative Role of Government Effectiveness
Authors: Chen Fuzhong , Liu Aiwen , Lu Xiuli , Zhe Ru , Tong Jiachen , Akram Rabia
Published: February 2022

With the rapid economic growth and urbanization, the environment is continuously degrading, and the problem of global warming caused by increasing carbon emissions has been highly highlighted. Utilizing panel data of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries from 1996 to 2018, this study aims to evaluate the effects of urbanization on carbon emissions and explore the transformative role of government effectiveness. To produce more accurate estimates, the approach of the feasible generalized least squares is employed, and the heteroskedastic and correlated errors are considered due to the significant differences among the OECD countries. The results suggest an inverted U-shaped nexus between urbanization and carbon emissions, and for most OECD countries, the enhancement of urbanization is positive to increase carbon emissions. Besides, urbanization positively contributes to government effectiveness. As a transformator, government effectiveness negatively contributes to the effects of urbanization on increasing carbon emissions. That is, with the advancement of government effectiveness, the positive role of urbanization in emitting more carbon dioxide will be transformed to help the OECD countries mitigate carbon emissions. Hence, the findings are informative for policymakers to take effective measures to accelerate the process of urbanization and formulate active measures to improve government effectiveness, thereby decreasing carbon emissions and further mitigating global warming.
Habitat Heterogeneity and Geographic Location as Major Drivers of Cerrado Small Mammal Diversity Across Multiple Spatial Scales
Authors: Carmignotto Ana Paula , Pardini Renata , de Vivo Mario
Published: February 2022

The Cerrado biome is one of the global hotspots of biodiversity, and non-volant small mammals represent a significant portion of Cerrado species richness (45%) and endemism (86%). Nevertheless, we still lack a comprehensive picture of small mammal diversity patterns and drivers throughout the Cerrado. Here we surveyed small mammals across 45 sites to address species richness, abundance, and composition patterns and their drivers within and across sites, habitats, and localities at the world’s most diverse tropical savanna. As hypothesized, we found: (1) rich assemblages (12–21 species) characterized by few abundant and several intermediate-level and rare species; dominated by oryzomyine and akodontine cricetid rodents, and thylamyine and marmosine within marsupials, each tribe showing distinct habitat requirements; (2) strong habitat selectivity, with assemblages composed of forest dwellers, savanna specialists, and grassland inhabitants; and (3) similar species richness (α-diversity) but high species turnover (β-diversity) across sites, habitats, and localities, suggesting that horizontal stratification (within localities) and geographic location (across the Cerrado) are key drivers of small mammal diversity in tropical savannas. Thus, habitat heterogeneity and geographic location can be inferred as the main factors shaping species richness, abundance, and composition across the analyzed multiple spatial scales. Moreover, we found that geographical distance as well as the distance to neighbor biomes better explained species turnover, indicating landscape history and phylogenetic constraints as the major determinants of Cerrado small mammal diversity, as also evidenced for plants and other animal groups. These data highlight the need to preserve the mosaic of habitats across the different regions of the biome to conserve most of the Cerrado biodiversity.
Unravelling the Stability of Nightingale Song Over Time and Space Using Open, Citizen Science and Shared Data
Authors: Jäckel Denise , Mortega Kim G. , Brockmeyer Ulrich , Lehmann Gerlind U. C. , Voigt-Heucke Silke L.
Published: February 2022

Open science approaches enable and facilitate the investigation of many scientific questions in bioacoustics, such as studies on the temporal and spatial evolution of song, as in vocal dialects. In contrast to previous dialect studies, which mostly focused on songbird species with a small repertoire, here we studied the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos), a bird species with a complex and large repertoire. To study dialects on the population level in this species, we used recordings from four datasets: an open museum archive, a citizen science platform, a citizen science project, and shared recordings from academic researchers. We conducted the to date largest temporal and geographic dialect study of birdsong including recordings from 1930 to 2019 and from 13 European countries, with a geographical coverage of 2,652 km of linear distance. To examine temporal stability and spatial dialects, a catalog of 1,868 song types of common nightingales was created. Instead of dialects, we found a high degree of stability over time and space in both, the sub-categories of song and in the occurrence of song types. For example, the second most common song type in our datasets occurred over nine decades and across Europe. In our case study, open and citizen science data proved to be equivalent, and in some cases even better, than data shared by an academic research group. Based on our results, we conclude that the combination of diverse and open datasets was particularly useful to study the evolution of song in a bird species with a large repertoire.
Drivers of Taxonomic, Phylogenetic, and Functional Beta Diversity of Himalayan Riverine Birds
Authors: Sinha Ankita , Menzies Rohan K. , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Rao Megha , Naniwadekar Rohit
Published: February 2022

Abiotic and biotic factors drive compositional differences among local species assemblages. Determining the influence of different drivers on beta diversity patterns can provide insights into processes governing community organization. Examining beta diversity patterns along taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional dimensions enables a nuanced understanding of underlying processes that govern community assembly and dynamics. The dynamic and complex riparian habitats in the Himalaya, and the hyper-diverse riverine bird community offer a fascinating setup to examine the role of environmental factors in influencing community structuring. Using a large dataset on river bird communities from field census across multiple drainages in the Indian Himalaya, we aimed at discerning processes that structure these communities through an understanding of pair-wise dissimilarities in species composition across sites. We determined the relative contributions of turnover and nestedness in taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional beta diversity patterns in the Eastern and Western Himalaya that differ in species richness. Generalized Dissimilarity Modeling was used to examine the relative contributions of climatic, geographic, and anthropogenic factors toward explaining different metrics of beta diversity. The riverine bird communities in the drier and seasonal Western Himalaya were poorer in species richness, more phylogenetically and functionally clustered than that in the Eastern Himalaya. The contribution of the turnover component to the overall beta diversity was higher than the nestedness component in river bird communities, particularly in the Eastern Himalaya. Habitat and climatic factors differentially influenced the beta diversity patterns in both Eastern and Western Himalaya, with river width consistently explaining a large variation in beta diversity in the east and the west. The results show that environmental filtering plays a crucial role in structuring riverine bird communities in the Himalayan headwaters, highlighting the need to ameliorate the threats posed by the slew of hydroelectric projects and forest loss in the region.
It takes Two: Discovery of Spider Pax2 Duplicates Indicates Prominent Role in Chelicerate Central Nervous System, Eye, as Well as External Sense Organ Precursor Formation and Diversification After Neo- and Subfunctionalization
Authors: Janeschik Matthias , Schacht Magdalena Ines , Platten Fabian , Turetzek Natascha
Published: February 2022

Paired box genes are conserved across animals and encode transcription factors playing key roles in development, especially neurogenesis.Pax6is a chief example for functional conservation required for eye development in most bilaterian lineages except chelicerates.Pax6is ancestrally linked and was shown to have interchangeable functions withPax2.Drosophila melanogaster Pax2plays an important role in the development of sensory hairs across the whole body. In addition, it is required for the differentiation of compound eyes, making it a prime candidate to study the genetic basis of arthropod sense organ development and diversification, as well as the role of Pax genes in eye development. Interestingly, in previous studies identification of cheliceratePax2was either neglected or failed. Here we report the expression of twoPax2orthologs in the common house spiderParasteatoda tepidariorum, a model organism for chelicerate development. The twoPax2orthologs most likely arose as a consequence of a whole genome duplication in the last common ancestor of spiders and scorpions.Pax2.1is expressed in the peripheral nervous system, including developing lateral eyes and external sensilla, as well as the ventral neuroectoderm ofP. tepidariorumembryos. This not only hints at a conserved dual role ofPax2/5/8orthologs in arthropod sense organ development but suggests that in chelicerates,Pax2could have acquired the role usually played byPax6. For the other paralog,Pt-Pax2.2, expression was detected in the brain, but not in the lateral eyes and the expression pattern associated with sensory hairs differs in timing, pattern, and strength. To achieve a broader phylogenetic sampling, we also studied the expression of bothPax2genes in the haplogyne cellar spiderPholcus phalangioides. We found that the expression difference between paralogs is even more extreme in this species, sincePp-Pax2.2shows an interesting expression pattern in the ventral neuroectoderm while the expression in the prosomal appendages is strictly mesodermal. This expression divergence indicates both sub- and neofunctionalization afterPax2duplication in spiders and thus presents an opportunity to study the evolution of functional divergence after gene duplication and its impact on sense organ diversification.
Fine-Scale Population Admixture Landscape of Tai–Kadai-Speaking Maonan in Southwest China Inferred From Genome-Wide SNP Data
Authors: Chen Jing , He Guanglin , Ren Zheng , Wang Qiyan , Liu Yubo , Zhang Hongling , Yang Meiqing , Zhang Han , Ji Jingyan , Zhao Jing , Guo Jianxin , Chen Jinwen , Zhu Kongyang , Yang Xiaomin , Wang Rui , Ma Hao , Tao Le , Liu Yilan , Shen Qu , Yang Wenjiao , Wang Chuan-Chao , Huang Jiang
Published: February 2022

Guizhou Province harbors extensive ethnolinguistic and cultural diversity with Sino-Tibetan-, Hmong–Mien-, and Tai–Kadai-speaking populations. However, previous genetic analyses mainly focused on the genetic admixture history of the former two linguistic groups. The admixture history of Tai–Kadai-speaking populations in Guizhou needed to be characterized further. Thus, we genotyped genome-wide SNP data from 41 Tai–Kadai-speaking Maonan people and made a comprehensive population genetic analysis to explore their genetic origin and admixture history based on the pattern of the sharing alleles and haplotypes. We found a genetic affinity among geographically different Tai–Kadai-speaking populations, especially for Guizhou Maonan people and reference Maonan from Guangxi. Furthermore, formal tests based on the f3/f4-statistics further identified an adjacent connection between Maonan and geographically adjacent Hmong–Mien and Sino-Tibetan people, which was consistent with their historically documented shared material culture (Zhang et al., iScience, 2020, 23, 101032). Fitted qpAdm-based two-way admixture models with ancestral sources from northern and southern East Asians demonstrated that Maonan people were an admixed population with primary ancestry related to Guangxi historical people and a minor proportion of ancestry from Northeast Asians, consistent with their linguistically supported southern China origin. Here, we presented the landscape of genetic structure and diversity of Maonan people and a simple demographic model for their evolutionary process. Further whole-genome-sequence–based projects can be presented with more detailed information about the population history and adaptative history of the Guizhou Maonan people.
Identification of the Powdery Mildew Resistance in Chinese Wheat Cultivar Heng 4568 and its Evaluation in Marker-Assisted Selection
Authors: Gao Huiming , Xu Xiaozhe , Ai Pengfei , Luo Fuyi , Guo Peng , Ma Pengtao
Published: February 2022

Powdery mildew induced by Blumeria graminis f. sp. Tritici (Bgt) has a devastating impact on global wheat yield and quality. Host resistance is the most effective and economical means to control this disease. In this study, Heng 4568, an elite wheat cultivar, shows high resistance to 12 Bgt isolates from different regions in China at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis demonstrates that the powdery mildew resistance in Heng 4568 is conferred by a single dominant locus, temporarily designated PmH4568. Furthermore, PmH4568 is mapped to the reported Pm2 interval on chromosome 5DS with five Pm2 linked markers and flanked by the markers Bwm20 and Bwm21 with a genetic distance of 0.3 and 0.6 cM, respectively. To further investigate the relationship between PmH4568 and Pm2, the diagnostic marker Pm2b-map-3 of Pm2 is used to genotype the F2:3 population derived from the cross Heng 4568 × Daimai 2173. Notably, there is no recombination found, indicating that PmH4568 is also probably a Pm2 allele. In addition, five closely linked markers as well as one diagnostic marker are successfully developed and tested in 16 wheat cultivars from different agro-ecological areas in China, which have potential applications in molecular breeding by marker-assisted selection.
Involvement of CircRNA Expression Profile in Diabetic Retinopathy and Its Potential Diagnostic Value
Authors: He Hengqian , Zhang Juntao , Gong Weikun , Liu Mengyun , Liu Hao , Li Xiaoyong , Wu Yufei , Lu Qinkang
Published: February 2022

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding and undegradable RNAs, play many pathological functions by acting as miRNA sponges, interacting with RNA-binding proteins, and others. The recent literature indicates that circRNAs possess the advanced superiority for the early screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: CircRNA sources of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy controls (n = 4), diabetes mellitus patients (DM) (n = 4), and DR patients (n = 4) were extracted for circular RNA microarray analysis. Enriched biological modules and signaling pathways were analyzed by Gene Ontology Enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, respectively. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was performed to validate differentiated levels of several circRNAs (fold change ≥2, p < .05) in different groups of healthy control subjects (n = 20), DM patients (n = 60), and DR patients (n = 42). Based on our clinical data from DR, the diagnostic performance of candidate circRNAs was measured by operating characteristic curves (ROCs). Subsequently, their circRNA–miRNA networks were constructed by bioinformatics analysis.

Results: Circular RNA microarray analysis was performed, and 2,452 and 289 circRNAs were screened with differential expression in DR patients compared to healthy controls and DM patients, respectively. Enrichment analyses showed that circRNAs in DR patients were enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM)–receptor interaction and focal adhesion pathways. The top 5 differential circRNAs in circRNA microarray analysis were subsequently quantified and verified by RT-qPCR. Consistently, a significant 2.2-fold reduction of hsa_circ_0095008 and 1.7-fold increase in hsa_circ_0001883 were identified in DR patients compared to DM patients. Meanwhile, the area under curves of hsa_circ_0095008 and hsa_circ_0001883 were 0.6710 (95% CI, 0.5646–0.7775) (p = 0.003399) and 0.6071 (95% CI, 0.4953–0.7189) (p = 0.06644), respectively, indicating a good diagnostic value.

Conclusion: Our study provided a new sight for the pathological mechanism of DR and revealed the potential value of hsa_circ_0095008 and hsa_circ_0001883 as diagnostic biomarkers for the early diagnosis of DR patients.