bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Central Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Mechanisms of Thrombosis in COVID-19 Patients With Cancer and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Jing Haijiao , Zuo Nan , Novakovic Valerie A. , Shi Jialan
Published: January 2022

Cancer patients have increased SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and are prone to developing severe COVID-19 infections. The incidence of venous thrombosis is approximately 20% in COVID-19 patients with cancer. It has been suggested that thrombus formation has been suggested to correlate with severe clinical manifestations, mortality, and sequelae. In this review, we primarily elaborate on the pathophysiological mechanisms of thrombosis in COVID-19 patients with cancer, emphasize the role of microparticles (MPs) and phosphatidylserine (PS) in coagulation, and propose an antithrombotic strategy. The coagulation mechanisms of COVID-19 and cancer synergistically amplify the coagulation cascade, and collectively promotes pulmonary microvascular occlusion. During systemic coagulation, the virus activates immune cells to release abundant proinflammatory cytokines, referred to as cytokine storm, resulting in the apoptosis of tumor and blood cells and subsequent MPs release. Additionally, we highlight that tumor cells contribute to MPs and coagulation by apoptosis owing to insufficient blood supply. A positive feedback loop of cytokines storm and MPs storm promotes microvascular coagulation storm, leading to microthrombi formation and inadequate blood perfusion. Microthrombi-damaged endothelial cells (ECs), tumor, and blood cells further aggravate the apoptosis of the cells and facilitate MPs storm. PS, especially on MPs, plays a pivotal role in the blood coagulation process, contributing to clot initiation, amplification, and propagation. Since coagulation is a common pathway of COVID-19 and cancer, and associated with mortality, patients would benefit from antithrombotic therapy. The above results lead us to assert that early stage antithrombotic therapy is optimal. This strategy is likely to maintain blood flow patency contributing to viral clearance, attenuating the formation of cytokines and MPs storm, maintaining oxygen saturation, and avoiding the progress of the disease.
Laminin β2 Chain Regulates Cell Cycle Dynamics in the Developing Retina
Authors: Serjanov Dmitri , Bachay Galina , Hunter Dale D. , Brunken William J.
Published: January 2022

Vertebrate retinal development follows a highly stereotyped pattern, in which the retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) give rise to all retinal types in a conserved temporal sequence. Ensuring the proper control over RPC cell cycle exit and re-entry is, therefore, crucially important for the generation of properly functioning retina. In this study, we demonstrate that laminins, indispensible ECM components, at the retinal surface, regulate the mechanisms determining whether RPCs generate proliferative or post-mitotic progeny. In vivo deletion of laminin β2 in mice resulted in disturbing the RPC cell cycle dynamics, and premature cell cycle exit. Specifically, the RPC S-phase is shortened, with increased numbers of cells present in its late stages. This is followed by an accelerated G2-phase, leading to faster M-phase entry. Finally, the M-phase is extended, with RPCs dwelling longer in prophase. Addition of exogenous β2-containing laminins to laminin β2-deficient retinal explants restored the appropriate RPC cell cycle dynamics, as well as S and M-phase progression, leading to proper cell cycle re-entry. Moreover, we show that disruption of dystroglycan, a laminin receptor, phenocopies the laminin β2 deletion cell cycle phenotype. Together, our findings suggest that dystroglycan-mediated ECM signaling plays a critical role in regulating the RPC cell cycle dynamics, and the ensuing cell fate decisions.
HDAC6 Interacts With Poly (GA) and Modulates its Accumulation in c9FTD/ALS
Authors: del Rosso Giulia , Carlomagno Yari , Todd Tiffany W. , Jones Caroline Y. , Prudencio Mercedes , Daughrity Lillian M. , Yue Mei , Jansen-West Karen , Tong Jimei , Shao Wei , Wu Yanwei , Castanedes-Casey Monica , Tabassian Lilia , Oskarsson Björn , Ling Karen , Rigo Frank , Dickson Dennis W. , Yao Tso-Pang , Petrucelli Leonard , Cook Casey N. , Zhang Yong Jie
Published: January 2022

The aberrant translation of a repeat expansion in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72), the most common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), results in the accumulation of toxic dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins in the central nervous system We have found that, among the sense DPR proteins, HDAC6 specifically interacts with the poly (GA) and co-localizes with inclusions in both patient tissue and a mouse model of this disease (c9FTD/ALS). Overexpression of HDAC6 increased poly (GA) levels in cultured cells independently of HDAC6 deacetylase activity, suggesting that HDAC6 can modulate poly (GA) pathology through a mechanism that depends upon their physical interaction. Moreover, decreasing HDAC6 expression by stereotaxic injection of antisense oligonucleotides significantly reduced the number of poly (GA) inclusions in c9FTD/ALS mice. These findings suggest that pharmacologically reducing HDAC6 levels could be of therapeutic value in c9FTD/ALS.
Identification of Diagnostic Markers for Breast Cancer Based on Differential Gene Expression and Pathway Network
Authors: Zhang Shumei , Jiang Haoran , Gao Bo , Yang Wen , Wang Guohua
Published: January 2022

Background: Breast cancer is the second largest cancer in the world, the incidence of breast cancer continues to rise worldwide, and women’s health is seriously threatened. Therefore, it is very important to explore the characteristic changes of breast cancer from the gene level, including the screening of differentially expressed genes and the identification of diagnostic markers.

Methods: The gene expression profiles of breast cancer were obtained from the TCGA database. The edgeR R software package was used to screen the differentially expressed genes between breast cancer patients and normal samples. The function and pathway enrichment analysis of these genes revealed significant enrichment of functions and pathways. Next, download these pathways from KEGG website, extract the gene interaction relations, construct the KEGG pathway gene interaction network. The potential diagnostic markers of breast cancer were obtained by combining the differentially expressed genes with the key genes in the network. Finally, these markers were used to construct the diagnostic prediction model of breast cancer, and the predictive ability of the model and the diagnostic ability of the markers were verified by internal and external data.

Results: 1060 differentially expressed genes were identified between breast cancer patients and normal controls. Enrichment analysis revealed 28 significantly enriched pathways (p < 0.05). They were downloaded from KEGG website, and the gene interaction relations were extracted to construct the gene interaction network of KEGG pathway, which contained 1277 nodes and 7345 edges. The key nodes with a degree greater than 30 were extracted from the network, containing 154 genes. These 154 key genes shared 23 genes with differentially expressed genes, which serve as potential diagnostic markers for breast cancer. The 23 genes were used as features to construct the SVM classification model, and the model had good predictive ability in both the training dataset and the validation dataset (AUC = 0.960 and 0.907, respectively).

Conclusion: This study showed that the difference of gene expression level is important for the diagnosis of breast cancer, and identified 23 breast cancer diagnostic markers, which provides valuable information for clinical diagnosis and basic treatment experiments.
Synthesis and Characterization of NiMo Catalysts Supported on Fine Carbon Particles for Hydrotreating: Effects of Metal Loadings in Catalyst Formulation
Authors: Aryee Emma , Dalai Ajay Kumar , Adjaye John
Published: January 2022

The by-products collected during the synthesis of carbon nanohorns via the arc discharge synthesis method is comprised of other carbon particles (OCP). At a hydrotreating operating temperature of 370°C, preliminary investigations using a bimetallic catalyst with support originating from the fine fractions of other carbon particles (OCPf) and containing 13 wt% Mo and 2.5 wt% Ni resulted in an HDS and HDN conversion of 78 and 25%, respectively. Variation of metal compositions in catalyst formulation and its impact on hydrotreating activity was therefore considered in this study to enhance the hydrotreating activity of OCPf–supported catalyst, and to determine if the best NiMo/OCPf catalyst achieved from this study could be a viable catalyst for hydrotreating applications. The co-incipient wetness impregnation was used in preparing series of hydrotreating catalysts with Ni and Mo loadings within the range of (2.5–5.0 wt%) and (13–26 wt%) respectively. Overall, the catalyst samples with maximum Ni loading of 5.0 wt% and Mo loadings of either 13 or 19 wt% showed higher dispersion and the ability to form a Type II Ni-Mo-S phase with enhanced activity. The effects of metal compositions on both HDS and HDN activities were correlated with their physicochemical properties.
Photodetectors Based on Micro-nano Structure Material
Authors: Yu Yu , Wang Wuyue , Li Weihua , Wang Gong , Wang Yulei , Lu Zhiwei , Li Sensen , Zhao Wanli , Li Yuhai , Liu Tongyu , Yan Xiusheng
Published: January 2022

Photodetectors converting optical signals into electrical signals have been widely utilized and have received more and more attention in scientific research and industrial fields including optical interconnection, optical communication, and environmental monitoring. Herein, we summarize the latest development of photodetectors with different micro-nano structures and different materials and the performance indicators of photodetectors. Several photodetectors, such as flexible, ultraviolet two-dimensional (2D) microscale, and dual-band photodetectors, are listed in this minireview. Meanwhile, the current bottleneck and future development prospects of the photodetector are discussed.
The Application of Whole−Exome Sequencing in Patients With FUO
Authors: Guo Wanru , Feng Xuewen , Hu Ming , Shangguan Yanwan , Xia Jiafeng , Hu Wenjuan , Li Xiaomeng , Zhang Zunjing , Shi Yunzhen , Xu Kaijin
Published: January 2022

Background

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is still a challenge for clinicians. Next-generation sequencing technologies, such as whole exome sequencing (WES), can be used to identify genetic defects in patients and assist in diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the application of WES in individuals with FUO.

Methods

We performed whole-exome sequencing on 15 FUO patients. Clinical information was extracted from the hospital information system.

Results

In 7/15 samples, we found positive results, including potentially causative mutations across eight different genes: CFTR, CD209, IRF2BP2, ADGRV 1, TYK2, MEFV, THBD and GATA2.

Conclusions

Our results show that whole-exome sequencing can promote the genetic diagnosis and treatment of patients with FUO.
Prospective Comparison of Plasma Biomarker and Traditional Risk Factor Profiles for Incident Isolated Atherosclerotic Disease and Incident Isolated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Acosta Stefan , Fatemi Shahab , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Gottsäter Anders
Published: January 2022

Background: Traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic disease (AD) are well-known, of which some are relevant also for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The present study compares the importance of plasma biomarkers and traditional risk factor profiles for incident AD without concomitant AAA (isolated AD) and AAA without concomitant AD (isolated AAA) during long-term follow-up.

Methods: In the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study—cardiovascular cohort, 5,381 participants were free from atrial fibrillation or flutter, AD (coronary artery disease, atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease), and AAA underwent blood sampling under standardized fasting conditions between 1991 and 1994. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CIs.

Results: During a median follow-up of 23.1 years, 1,152 participants developed isolated AD, and 44 developed isolated AAA. Adjusted HR for lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (mass) (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.14–2.04 vs. HR 1.05, 95% CI.99–1.12) was higher for incident isolated AAA compared to incident isolated AD, respectively. Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) was associated with incident isolated AD (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.1–1.25) and incident isolated AAA (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.15–1.88). MR-proADM was correlated (r = 0.32; p < 0.001) to body mass index (BMI), and BMI was associated with increased risk of incident isolated AAA (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.02–2). No participant with diabetes mellitus (DM) at baseline developed isolated AAA (0/44), whereas DM was associated with an increased risk of isolated AD (HR 2.57, 95% CI 2.08–3.18). Adjusted HR for male sex (HR 4.8, 95% CI 2.42–9.48, vs. HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.56–1.98) and current smoking (HR 4.79, 95% CI 2.42–9.47 vs. HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.73–2.23) were higher in the incident isolated AAA group compared to the incident isolated AD group, respectively.

Conclusions: The data supports the view that components of vascular inflammation and cardiovascular stress drives AAA development, whereas glycated cross-links in abdominal aortic wall tissue may have a plausible role in reducing AAA risk in individuals with DM.
Depositional Setting and Enrichment Mechanism of Organic Matter of Lower Cretaceous Shale in Ri-Qing-Wei Basin in the Central Sulu Orogenic Belt
Authors: Zhou Tengfei , Zhou Yaoqi , Zhao Hanjie , Li Manjie , Mu Hongyu
Published: January 2022

A suite of source rock consists of mudstone and shale, with great thickness and continuous deposition was found in the well LK-1 in Lingshan island in Ri-Qing-Wei basin. In order to evaluate the hydrocarbon generation prospects of these source rock and find the mechanism of organic matter enrichment, shale samples were selected from the core for TOC (total organic carbon) and element geochemistry analysis. The results show that organic matter abundance of the source rocks are generally high with average TOC content of 1.26 wt%, suggesting they are good source rocks. The geochemical features show that the sedimentary environment is mostly anoxic brackish water to salt water environment with arid to semiarid climate condition. The enrichment mechanism of organic matter varied with the evolution of the basin, which was divided into three stages according to the sedimentary characteristics. In the initial-middle period of rifting evolution (stage 1 and early stage 2), paleoproductivity is the major factor of OM-enrichment reflecting by high positive correlation between the TOC contents and paleoproductivity proxies. While with the evolution of the rift basin, redox condition and terrigenous clastic input became more and more important until they became the major factor of OM enrichment in the middle stage of rift evolution (stage 2). In the later stage of rift evolution (latest stage 2 and stage 3), besides terrigenous clastic input, the effect of paleoclimate on OM-enrichment increased gradually from a minor factor to a major factor.
RETRACTED: Bi-Level Optimization Dispatch of Integrated-Energy Systems With P2G and Carbon Capture
Authors: Zhang Zongnan , Du Jun , Li Menghan , Guo Jing , Xu Zhenyang , Li Weikang
Published: January 2022

The power-to-gas (P2G) technology transforms the unidirectional coupling of power network and natural gas network into bidirectional coupling, and its operational characteristics provide an effective way for wind and solar energy accommodation. The paper proposes a bi-level optimal dispatch model for the integrated energy system with carbon capture system and P2G facility. The upper model is an optimal allocation model for coal-fired units, and the lower model is an economic dispatch model for the integrated energy system. Moreover, the upper model is solved by transforming the model into a mixed-integer linear programming problem and calling CPLEX, and the lower model is a multi-objective planning problem, which is solved by improving the small-habitat particle swarm algorithm. Finally, the simulation is validated by the MATLAB platform, and the results show that the simultaneous consideration of carbon capture system and P2G facility improves the economics of the integrated energy system and the capacity of wind and solar energy accommodation.
The Electricity Rebound Effect: Empirical Evidence From the Chinese Chemical Industry
Authors: Long Houyin , Zeng Hong , Lin Xinyi
Published: January 2022

The Chinese government has adopted many policies to save energy and electricity in the chemical industry by improving technology and reforming its electricity market. The improved electricity efficiency and the electricity reform may indirectly reduce expected energy and electricity savings by decreasing the effective electricity price and the marginal cost of electricity services. To analyze the above issues, this paper employs the Morishima Elasticity of Substitution of the electricity cost share equation which is estimated by the DOLS method. The results show that: 1) There exists a rebound effect in the Chinese chemical industry, but it is quite large because the electricity price is being controlled by the government; 2) the reform of the electricity market reduces the rebound effect to 73.85%, as electricity price begins to reflect cost information to some extent; 3) there is still a lot of space for the reform to improve, and the rebound effect could be reduced further once the electricity price is adjusted to transfer the market information more correctly. In order to succeed in saving electricity and decreasing the rebound effect in the chemical industry, the policy implications are provided from perspectives of the improved energy efficiency and electricity pricing mechanism.
Optimal Adaptive Inertial Droop Control–Based Power System Frequency Regulation via Wind Farms
Authors: Chen Yijun , Yang Bo , Han Yiming , He Tingyi , He Peng , Meng Xian , He Xin
Published: January 2022

Wind farm–based frequency regulation of the power system has progressively attracted more attention owing to its higher power generation capacity. Among which the step start-up and adaptive inertial droop control of wind turbines with a maximum power point efficiently regulate the system frequency via fully utilizing the rotational kinetic energy. Besides, the coefficients of adaptive droop control and virtual inertial control will facilitate a significant influence on the frequency support performance and operation status of wind turbines for the power grid. To obtain optimal control parameters, a parameter optimization framework of a step start-up adaptive inertial and droop controller combined with the CGO algorithm is proposed, whose effectiveness is verified by a three-area four-terminal VSC-MT-HVDC–based WFs and AC system in MATLAB/Simulink. As a result, a set of parameters with a satisfactory and comprehensive dynamic control performance can be acquired by the proposed method under both 200 MW and 300 WM load increases compared with the trial-and-error approach.
Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of a Graphene Cathode Catalyst Decorated With Pt by Prolysis
Authors: Wang Xi , Ren Ying , Suo Ni , Zhang Guifeng
Published: January 2022

For fuel cells, to produce high-quality and low-platinum catalyst is a pressing technical problem. In this study, graphene cathode catalysts with controllable platinum content were decorated by pyrolyzing chloroplatinic acid under various process parameters to obtain a high catalytic activity and durability. The results show that platinum particles generated by pyrolyzing chloroplatinic acid are uniformly loaded on graphene without agglomeration. The average particle size of platinum particles is about 2.12 nm. The oxygen reduction reaction catalytic activity of catalyst samples first increases, then decreases with increasing platinum loading in cyclic voltammetry and LSV. Compared with the commercial Pt/C (20 wt% Pt) catalyst, the initial potential and the current density retention rate of the catalyst decorated with 8% platinum are 55 mV and 23.7% higher, respectively. From i-t curves, it was found that the stability of the catalyst prepared in this paper was improved compared with the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The catalysts prepared in the present research exhibits superior catalytic activity and stability.
Monitoring Progress in Citywide Sanitation
Authors: Safi Farhad , Furlong Claire , Luthra Bhitush , Rohilla Suresh Kumar , Brdjanovic Damir
Published: January 2022

For over 10 years, citywide sanitation plans have been developed, and now, citywide inclusive sanitation is being piloted globally, yet no tools exist to monitor changes in sanitation at a citywide level. This paper explores the use of Shit Flow Diagram Graphics (SFDGs) and City Service Delivery Assessments (CSDAs) to monitor changes in sanitation at a citywide level. This was done by documenting the changes in sanitation from 2015 to 2019 in Tiruchirappalli, India, and developing SFDGs and CSDAs for those years. The changes in the SFDGs and CSDAs were then compared with the documented changes. The SFDGs captured all changes in service delivery that affected >1% of the population, and all of the interventions in the enabling environment change in terms of appropriateness, acknowledgment, or implementation were captured by the CSDAs. Therefore, units of both tools were assessed to be appropriate for monitoring purposes. Using these tools to monitor change was complex and tedious, and this was improved by the development of Trend Graphs and Citywide CSDAs. This paper highlights the potential of Trend Graphs and Citywide CSDAs to monitor sanitation at a citywide level. Additionally, this is the first paper to attempt to monitor changes in sanitation holistically at a citywide level.
Inclusive Multiple Model Using Hybrid Artificial Neural Networks for Predicting Evaporation
Authors: Ehteram Mohammad , Panahi Fatemeh , Ahmed Ali Najah , Mosavi Amir H. , El-Shafie Ahmed
Published: January 2022

Predicting evaporation is essential for managing water resources in basins. Improvement of the prediction accuracy is essential to identify adequate inputs on evaporation. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) is coupled with several evolutionary algorithms, i.e., capuchin search algorithm (CSA), firefly algorithm (FFA), sine cosine algorithm (SCA), and genetic algorithm (GA) for robust training to predict daily evaporation of seven synoptic stations with different climates. The inclusive multiple model (IMM) is then used to predict evaporation based on established hybrid ANN models. The adjusting model parameters of the current study is a major challenge. Also, another challenge is the selection of the best inputs to the models. The IMM model had significantly improved the root mean square error (RMSE) and Nash Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) values of all the proposed models. The results for all stations indicated that the IMM model and ANN-CSA could outperform other models. The RMSE of the IMM was 18, 21, 22, 30, and 43% lower than those of the ANN-CSA, ANN-SCA, ANN-FFA, ANN-GA, and ANN models in the Sharekord station. The MAE of the IMM was 0.112 mm/day, while it was 0.189 mm/day, 0.267 mm/day, 0.267 mm/day, 0.389 mm/day, 0.456 mm/day, and 0.512 mm/day for the ANN-CSA, ANN-SCA, and ANN-FFA, ANN-GA, and ANN models, respectively, in the Tehran station. The current study proved that the inclusive multiple models based on improved ANN models considering the fuzzy reasoning had the high ability to predict evaporation.
How Does Government Policy Improve Green Technology Innovation: An Empirical Study in China
Authors: Wu Guancen , Xu Qian , Niu Xing , Tao Li
Published: January 2022

This paper divides government policy according to policy quantity, policy effectiveness and policy executive force so that the government policy can be quantified in more detail. Green patent data is used to represent green technological innovation, and the fixed effect model and panel data analysis from 2010 to 2019 are employed. The empirical results show that government policy has a significant direct promoting effect on green technology innovation. And the positive impact of policy quantity and policy effectiveness on green technology innovation is greater than that of policy executive force. In addition, the government policy will weaken the positive effect of enterprise innovation vitality on green technology innovation. Research conclusions also show that the direct and indirect effects of government policies on green technology innovation are heterogeneous. The government still needs appropriately policies adapted to the local situation, coordinated in policy quantity, policy effectiveness, and executive force, and accelerate the establishment of market-oriented green technology innovation environment. Different regions also should find the right green technology innovation policy scheme for their own regions.
Paleoecological Investigation of Vegetation, Climate and Fire History in, and Adjacent to, Kootenay National Park, Southeastern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Rodengen Thomas J. , Pellatt Marlow G. , Kohfeld Karen E.
Published: January 2022

Paleoecological investigation of two montane lakes in the Kootenay region of southeast British Columbia, Canada, reveal changes in vegetation in response to climate and fire throughout the Holocene. Pollen, charcoal, and lake sediment carbon accumulation rate analyses show seven distinct zones at Marion Lake, presently in the subalpine Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir (ESSF) biogeoclimatic (BEC) zone of Kootenay Valley, British Columbia. Comparison of these records to nearby Dog Lake of Kootenay National Park of Canada in the Montane Spruce (MS) BEC zone of Kootenay Valley, British Columbia reveals unique responses of ecosystems in topographically complex regions. The two most dramatic shifts in vegetation at Marion Lake occur firstly in the early Holocene/late Pleistocene in ML Zone 3 (11,010–10,180 cal. yr. B.P.) possibly reflecting Younger Dryas Chronozone cooling followed by early Holocene xerothermic warming noted by the increased presence of the dry adapted conifer, Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and increasing fire frequency. The second most prominent change occurred at the transition from ML Zone 5 through 6a (∼2,500 cal. yr. B.P.). This zone transitions from a warmer to a cooler/wetter climate as indicated by the increase in western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and subsequent drop in fire frequency. The overall cooling trend and reduction in fire frequency appears to have occurred ∼700 years later than at Dog Lake (∼43 km to the south and 80 m lower in elevation), resulting in a closed montane spruce forest, whereas Marion Lake developed into a subalpine ecosystem. The temporal and ecological differences between the two study sites likely reflects the particular climate threshold needed to move these ecosystems from developed forests to subalpine conditions, as well as local site climate and fire conditions. These paleoecological records indicate future warming may result in the MS transitioning into an Interior Douglas Fir (IDF) dominated landscape, while the ESSF may become more forested, similar to the modern MS, or develop into a grassland-like landscape dependent on fire frequency. These results indicate that climate and disturbance over a regional area can dictate very different localized vegetative states. Local management implications of these dynamic landscapes will need to understand how ecosystems respond to climate and disturbance at the local or ecosystem/habitat scale.
Specific Turbulence- and Chaoborus-Induced Morphotypes Affect the Streamlining Properties of Daphnia cucullata
Authors: Horstmann Martin , Weiss Linda C. , Tollrian Ralph
Published: January 2022

Inducible defenses are a wide-spread defensive mechanism inDaphnia. For example,D. cucullatais known to form different adaptive morphologies under changing environmental conditions. In this species, predator presence elicits defensive helmets. Defended animals perform better and survive more frequently in predation attempts. Another peculiarity ofD. cucullatais that they develop these defenses also in response to turbulence. The mechanisms that underly this defensive effect are so far unclear. Therefore, we investigated the three-dimensional morphology of the typical, the turbulence- andChaoborus-exposed morph and analyzed their surface and volume alterations. We furthermore measured the swimming velocities of these morphs. With the determined shapes and the measured velocities, we simulated the drag force under different angles of attack and determined the energy necessary to move through the water. In the light of previous findings and hypotheses we here discuss biomechanical mechanisms that improveD. cucullata’s fitness in the investigated environments.
Ecosystem Services Assessment for the Conservation of Mangroves in French Guiana Using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
Authors: Scemama Pierre , Regnier Esther , Blanchard Fabian , Thébaud Olivier
Published: January 2022

In 2016, the French government adopted a law for biodiversity, setting an objective of protecting 55,000 hectares of mangroves. This objective is particularly important to French Guiana, which shelters almost 60% of French mangrove ecosystems, and where mangroves occupy three quarters of the coastline. The coast of French Guiana is also where issues associated with demographic and economic dynamics concentrate. There is thus a need to plan for an economic development that is compatible with the objective of protecting mangrove ecosystems. Ecosystem services (ES) assessment can support such decision-making, informing on the costs and benefits associated with alternative mangrove conservation strategies. While the many services provided by mangrove ecosystems are well documented worldwide, the extent to which these can be encountered in the specific case of French Guiana is currently only very partially known. Relying on the Fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) approach, we collected and compared the perception of multiple and heterogeneous groups of stakeholders, of the functioning of the mangrove social-ecological system at the scale of French Guiana. Results, allow to identify mangroves ES and threats particularly influenced by the high sedimentary dynamism of the shoreline. This generates two distinct components of the mangrove social-ecological system: mud banks where ecosystem services are spatially and temporally unstable, and associated with perceived constraints for key coastal activities, and estuarine mangroves where the ecosystem services usually described in the literature on mangroves can be found. Disservices associated with mangrove ecosystems were also identified as a key interaction. This can inform the research needs that should support sustainable development trajectories, fully accounting for the protection of French Guianese mangrove ecosystems.
Spectrum Analysis of Inherited Metabolic Disorders for Expanded Newborn Screening in a Central Chinese Population
Authors: Li Xia , He Jun , He Ling , Zeng Yudong , Huang Xuzhen , Luo Yechao , Li Yujiao
Published: January 2022

Neonatal inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) are closely associated with early neonatal death and abnormal growth and development. Increasing attention has been paid to IMDs because of their high incidence and diversity. However, there are no reports about the incidence of IMDs in Changsha, China. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the screening results of neonates to evaluate the characteristics of IMDs in the area. From January 2016 to December 2020, 300,849 neonates were enrolled for expanded newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry in the Neonatal Disease Screening Center of the Changsha Hospital for Maternal & Child Health Care. Newborns with mild initial results were recalled for repeated tests; if the second test was still positive, the patient was referred for confirmatory tests. A total of 71 confirmed cases were identified in our study, with an incidence rate of 1:4,237. There were 28 cases of amino acid metabolic disorders, representing 39.44% of the IMDs diagnosed, with an incidence rate of 1:10,745. Twelve newborns were diagnosed with organic acid metabolic disorders, accounting for 16.66% of IMDs, with an incidence rate of 1:25,071. There were 31 cases of fatty acid oxidation disorders, representing 43.05% of IMDs, with an incidence rate of 1:9,705. Overall, 14 types of IMDs were found in Changsha. The most common disorders in the region were primary carnitine deficiency, hyperphenylalaninemia and short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Their incidence rate is respectively 1:13,675, 1:16,714 and 1:42,978. The mutations in PAH, SLC22A5, and ACADS are the leading causes of IMDs in this area. This study demonstrates the importance of utilizing MS/MS in IMD screening for early diagnosis and treatment. This strategy may be used for prenatal genetic counseling to avoid irreversible growth and intellectual development disorders in children.
Chrysin Modulates Aberrant Epigenetic Variations and Hampers Migratory Behavior of Human Cervical (HeLa) Cells
Authors: Raina Ritu , Almutary Abdulmajeed G. , Bagabir Sali Abubaker , Afroze Nazia , Fagoonee Sharmila , Haque Shafiul , Hussain Arif
Published: January 2022

Purpose: Plant-derived phytochemicals have shown epigenetic modulatory effect in different types of cancer by reversing the pattern of DNA methylation and chromatin modulation, thereby restoring the function of silenced tumor-suppressor genes. In the present study, attempts have been made to explore chrysin-mediated epigenetic alterations in HeLa cells.

Methods: Colony formation and migration assays followed by methylation-specific PCR for examining the methylation status of CpG promoters of various tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) and the expression of these TSGs at the transcript and protein levels were performed. Furthermore, global DNA methylation; biochemical activities of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), histone methyl transferases (HMTs), histone deacetylases (HDACs), and histone acetyl transferases (HATs) along with the expression analysis of chromatin-modifying enzymes; and H3 and H4 histone modification marks analyses were performed after chrysin treatment.

Results: The experimental analyses revealed that chrysin treatment encourages cytostatic behavior as well as inhibits the migration capacity of HeLa cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Chrysin reduces the methylation of various tumor-suppressor genes, leading to their reactivation at mRNA and protein levels. The expression levels of various chromatin-modifying enzymes viz DNMTs, HMTs, HDACs, and HATS were found to be decreased, and H3 and H4 histone modification marks were modulated too. Also, reduced global DNA methylation was observed following the treatment of chrysin.

Conclusion: This study concludes that chrysin can be used as a potential epigenetic modifier for cancer treatment and warrants for further experimental validation.
MiR-654-3p Constrains Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via CREB1/PSEN1 Regulatory Axis
Authors: Cui Xiao , Yang Ying , Yan Aihui
Published: January 2022

Background: MiR-654-3p can repress malignant progression of cancer cells, whereas no relative reports were about its modulatory mechanism in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). This research committed to approaching modulatory effect of miR-654-3p on SNSCC cells.

Methods: Bioinformatics methods were utilized for analyzing interaction of miR-654-3p/cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1)/presenilin-1 (PSEN1). Expression levels of miR-654-3p, CREB1, and PSEN1 mRNA were assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot was completed for level assessment of CREB1, PSEN1, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition–related proteins. The targeted relationship between miR-654-3p and CREB1, or CREB1 and PSEN1 was authenticated via dual-luciferase assay and ChIP assay. A trail of experiments in vitro was used for detection of the effects of miR-654-3p/CREB1/PSEN1 axis on malignant progression of SNSCC cells.

Results: CREB1 as the downstream target mRNA of miR-654-3p could activate transcription of its downstream target gene PSEN1. Besides, miR-654-3p could target CREB1 to repress PSEN1 expression, thus restraining proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and hastening apoptosis of SNSCC cells.

Conclusion: MiR-654-3p as an antitumor gene targeted CREB1 to hamper malignant progression of SNSCC through miR-654-3p/CREB1/PSEN1 axis.
The Kynurenine/Tryptophan Ratio Is a Sensitive Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Tuberculosis Among Indian Children
Authors: Tornheim Jeffrey A. , Paradkar Mandar , Zhao Henry , Kulkarni Vandana , Pradhan Neeta , Kinikar Aarti , Kagal Anju , Gupte Nikhil , Mave Vidya , Gupta Amita , Karakousis Petros C.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Pediatric tuberculosis (TB) remains difficult to diagnose. The plasma kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (K/T ratio) is a potential biomarker for TB diagnosis and treatment response but has not been assessed in children.

Methods

We performed a targeted diagnostic accuracy analysis of four biomarkers: kynurenine abundance, tryptophan abundance, the K/T ratio, and IDO-1 gene expression. Data were obtained from transcriptome and metabolome profiling of children with confirmed tuberculosis and age- and sex-matched uninfected household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Each biomarker was assessed as a baseline diagnostic and in response to successful TB treatment.

Results

Despite non-significant between-group differences in unbiased analysis, the K/T ratio achieved an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.667 and 81.5% sensitivity for TB diagnosis. Kynurenine, tryptophan, and IDO-1 demonstrated diagnostic AUCs of 0.667, 0.602, and 0.463, respectively. None of these biomarkers demonstrated high AUCs for treatment response. The AUC of the K/T ratio was lower than biomarkers identified in unbiased analysis, but improved sensitivity over existing commercial assays for pediatric TB diagnosis.

Conclusions

Plasma kynurenine and the K/T ratio may be useful biomarkers for pediatric TB. Ongoing studies in geographically diverse populations will determine optimal use of these biomarkers worldwide.
Identification of Robust Biomarkers for Early Predicting Efficacy of Subcutaneous Immunotherapy in Children With House Dust Mite-Induced Allergic Rhinitis by Multiple Cytokine Profiling
Authors: Xie Shaobing , Fan Ruohao , Tang Qingping , Cai Xiao , Zhang Hua , Wang Fengjun , Xie Shumin , Gao Kelei , Zhang Junyi , Xie Zhihai , Jiang Weihong
Published: January 2022

Background

Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is an effective treatment for children with allergic rhinitis (AR), but its efficacy fluctuates among patients. There are no reliable candidate biomarkers for monitoring and predicting the response to SCIT. The present study aims to identify novel biomarkers for early predicting the efficacy of SCIT in pediatric AR patients based on multiple cytokine profiling.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 72 children with house dust mite (HDM)-induced AR who were assigned to receive SCIT. The serum samples were collected and multiple cytokine profiling was conducted by Luminex assay at baseline. All patients were followed-up for 1 year and then categorized into effective and ineffective group based on their efficacy, and levels of 48 selected cytokines were tested and compared between the two groups. The potential cytokines were further validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a cohort with 54 responders and 26 non-responders.

Results

Sixty-nine of 72 children completed one-year follow-up schedule with 46 included in effective group and 23 in ineffective group. The results of multiple cytokine profiling showed that 15 cytokines (eotaxin, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IL-12(p40), IL-13, IL-15, IL-16, IL-4, MIF, MIP-1α, RANTES, SCF, SDF-1α and VEGF) were dysregulated between effective and ineffective group (all P < 0.05). Unadjusted and adjusted multivariate analysis models highlighted that serum eotaxin, IFN-γ, IL-4 and MIF levels closely associated with the efficacy of SCIT in pediatric HDM-induced AR patients. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed potential values of these four biomarkers in predicting the response to SCIT. Further ELISA validation results in the cohort of 80 pediatric patients demonstrated that serum eotaxin and IL-4 levels were elevated in responders while IFN-γ levels decreased in responders (all P < 0.05). ROC curves demonstrated that serum IL-4 exhibited more reliable accuracy in predicting SCIT efficacy than eotaxin and IFN-γ.

Conclusion

Our discover–validation study suggested that cytokines including IL-4, eotaxin and IFN- γ may serve as robust biomarkers for early predicting response of SCIT in children with HDM-induced AR. These results strengthen the evidence that cytokines were associated with the response of SCIT and contributed to understand its underlying therapeutic mechanisms.
Distribution and Diversity of Sand Fly Species (Diptera: Psychodidae, Phlebotominae) in Two Geoclimatic Zones of Chad
Authors: Israël Demba Kodindo , Coulibaly Cheick Amadou , Sissoko Ibrahim Moussa , Traoré Bourama , Wilke André B. B. , Beier John C. , Muller Gunter C. , Doumbia Seydou
Published: January 2022

Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies is an important vector-borne disease. In Chad, information on sandflies is outdated, and so this study was designed to update the sandfly fauna. Sandflies were collected in five health districts representing two geoclimatic zones using sticky traps and pyrethrum sprays in indoor and peridomestic habitats between September 2019 and December 2020. All collected sandfly specimens were identified based on species-level morphological characters. A total of 2,015 specimens belonging to 13 species of sandflies (one Phlebotomus and twelve Sergentomyia) were collected and identified. The vector of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, Phlebotomus duboscqi, represents 0.65% of all collected sandflies and is the only representative of the Phlebotomus genus to be collected predominantly inside human dwellings. Phlebotomus orientalis, the vector of visceral leishmaniasis previously collected in Chad in 1976 was not found in this study. Sergentomyia clydei, Sergentomyia schwetzi, Sergentomyia antennata and Sergentomyia africana were the most abundant species collected with 44.71%; 22.73%; 16.03% and 11.17%, respectively. Sergentomyia schwetzi and Sergentomyia dubia, the two species involved in the transmission of canine leishmaniasis, were found in five and four study sites respectively. According to our results, the sandfly fauna of the two geoclimatic zones of Chad is comprised of 13 species. Our data showed that, unlike P. orientalis which was not found, P. duboscqi is present in four of the five sites surveyed. Therefore, these areas are at risk and remain potential foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis. However, the need for further studies such as vector species detection, their seasonal fluctuations and their vector competence.
Modeling Carbon Budgets and Acidification in the Mediterranean Sea Ecosystem Under Contemporary and Future Climate
Authors: Solidoro Cosimo , Cossarini Gianpiero , Lazzari Paolo , Galli Giovanni , Bolzon Giorgio , Somot Samuel , Salon Stefano
Published: January 2022

We simulate and analyze the effects of a high CO2 emission scenario on the Mediterranean Sea biogeochemical state at the end of the XXI century, with a focus on carbon cycling, budgets and fluxes, within and between the Mediterranean sub-basins, and on ocean acidification. As a result of the overall warming of surface water and exchanges at the boundaries, the model results project an increment in both the plankton primary production and the system total respiration. However, productivity increases less than respiration, so these changes yield to a decreament in the concentrations of total living carbon, chlorophyll, particulate organic carbon and oxygen in the epipelagic layer, and to an increment in the DIC pool all over the basin. In terms of mass budgets, the large increment in the dissolution of atmospheric CO2 results in an increment of most carbon fluxes, including the horizontal exchanges between eastern and western sub-basins, in a reduction of the organic carbon component, and in an increament of the inorganic one. The eastern sub-basin accumulates more than 85% of the absorbed atmospheric CO2. A clear ocean acidification signal is observed all over the basin, quantitatively similar to those projected in most oceans, and well detectable also down to the mesopelagic and bathypelagic layers.
New Insight Into the Mechanism of Ecological Effects of Artificial Habitats: Elucidating the Relationship Between Protists Associated With Artificial Reefs and Adjacent Seawater
Authors: Li Ruolin , Guo Yu , Qin Chuanxin , Zhang Shuo , Ji Dongping , Zhang Hui , Wang Jing , Zhao Naiqian
Published: January 2022

Artificial habitat deployment can restore natural habitats or supplement existing natural habitats. The effect of resource proliferation and protection is obvious. However, few reports have addressed the biological community association between artificial habitats and adjacent environments. Here, Illumina sequencing of 18S rDNA was performed, and the diversity, community structure, and co-occurrence networks of protists in different layers of artificial reefs (ARs) and adjacent seawater (WAR) were described to verify that constructing ARs in Bailong Pearl Bay improves local spatial heterogeneity and functional diversity. In terms of the degree of species interaction, the protist communities were ranked as follows: surface and bottom of WAR > ARs and WAR > different layers of ARs. The α-diversity of protists associated with ARs and WAR decreased with an increase in depth. Protist diversity was greater in WAR than in ARs. β-Diversity analysis revealed significant differences in protist community structure between WAR and ARs (P < 0.05), and the upper layers of ARs and the middle or bottom layers of ARs differed. The key topological features of protist networks showed more positive interspecific interactions in the AR-associated protist community, a higher degree of niche differentiation, and higher complexity and stability. The keystone protists in the bottom seawater layer displayed community functions that were biased toward initial fixation in the ocean carbon cycle. The AR-associated protist community tended to participate in carbon transfer in the food chain and decomposition and utilization of dissolved organic matter (DOM). This study revealed significant differences in protist community structure between ARs and the adjacent environment, and the ecological functions of the key phyla were found to be related. In conclusion, protist communities in WAR may provide food sources for AR-associated heterotrophic protists. A variety of key phyla associated with ARs have biological roles in the carbon pump via their ecological characteristics.
High-Temperature Tribological Behavior of Al0.3Cr0.5Fe1.5Mn0.5Ni High-Entropy Alloys With Addition of Titanium and Carbon
Authors: Peng Chun-Hao , Tsai Che-Wei , Kuo Chia-Ming , Chiu Sheng-Min
Published: January 2022

In this study, the Al0.3Cr0.5Fe1.5Mn0.5Ni high-entropy alloys (HEAs) with addition of titanium and carbon was prepared. The as-cast alloys were composed of FCC solid solution and TiC particles, and were further aged and strengthened by precipitation of B2-NiAl phase at 700°C for 10 h to increase hardness from Hv 200 to Hv 400. Tribological properties of the HEAs and commercial tool steel (AISI M2) against Al2O3 under dry sliding condition at room-temperature and elevated temperatures are compared. After high-temperature wear testing, the HEAs demonstrated exceptional oxidation resistance and a lower friction coefficient than M2 steel since the dense glazed layer on the surface of the HEAs served as a lubricant to decrease the friction coefficient, and protected the substrate from oxidation.