bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Language Learning Strategies and Teacher versus Peer Feedback on Reducing Lexical Errors of University Learners
Authors: Mawlawi Diab Nuwar
Published: December 2021

This study examined the effects of language learning strategies (LLS) and coded corrective feedback on reducing four types of lexical errors made by two student groups, one receiving teacher corrective feedback (TCF) and the other peer corrective feedback (PCF). Participants (n=34) were divided into two groups; one group (n=17) received TCF and the second group (n=17) received PCF. Both groups were trained in applying LLS to revise, in response to their respective feedback, coded lexical errors they had made in three practice essays. The study used the Sequential Explanatory strategy of the Mixed Methods’ Design Strategies to compare the groups’ lexical error performance on immediate and delayed post-tests. Findings showed that participants in the PCF group significantly outperformed their TCF counterparts and reduced overall lexical errors at the delayed post-test (week 16). Also, the PCF group reduced ‘unnecessary’ and ‘redundant’ word errors at the delayed post-test, though not significantly. Analysis of students’ reflections, written after training, revealed that students depended on gut feeling and prior experience to revise their errors; they restructured sentences when they could not correct lexical errors and considered collocation errors difficult to correct. Pedagogical implications include adopting specific methods of vocabulary teaching and meaningful error feedback.

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ПРЕЗЕНТАЦИЯ МОНОГРАФИИ: ГРАНИЦЫ СОВЕТСКОГО ТРАДИЦИОНАЛИЗМА (ИЗ ОПЫТА РУССКОГО НАРОДА В XX ВЕКЕ). ЭТНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ / О. В. КИРИЧЕНКО, Т. А. ЛИСТОВА, С. С. КРЮКОВА, Т. А. ВОРОНИНА, Н. В. ШЛЯХТИНА; ОТВ. РЕД. И СОСТ. О. В. КИРИЧЕНКО. – СПб.: АЛЕТЕЙЯ, 2021. – 688 С.: ИЛ.
Authors: Кириченко Олег Викторович
Published: December 2021

Научное исследование советского традиционализма - тема достаточно новая, но перспективная, поскольку в ней затрагивается целый ряд вопросов, позволяющих приблизиться к пониманию причин возвращения сегодня в общественную жизнь советских реалий, от которых, казалось бы, страна отказалась в 1990-е годы. Авторы монографии обращаются к разным пластам этнической, правовой, религиозной, бытовой и социальной жизни русского народа, делают экскурсы в дореволюционную Россию, прослеживают идейные пути традиционализма, получившего советскую прививку, в постсоветское время. Книга рассчитана не только на специалистов, но и на широкий круг читателей.
The scientific study of Soviet traditionalism is a fairly new topic, but promising, since it touches on a number of issues that make it possible to get closer to understanding the reasons for the return of Soviet realities to public life today, which, it would seem, the country abandoned in the 1990s. The authors of the monograph turn to different layers of the ethnic, legal, religious, everyday and social life of the Russian people, make excursions into pre-revolutionary Russia, trace the ideological paths of traditionalism, which received a Soviet inoculation, in the post-Soviet period. The book is intended not only for specialists, but also for a wide range of readers.
Gelatin/Polycaprolactone Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes: The Effect of Composition and Physicochemical Properties on Postoperative Cardiac Adhesion
Authors: Wang Xingang , Xiang Li , Peng Yongxuan , Dai Zihao , Hu Yuqing , Pan Xiaoting , Zhou Xingliang , Zhang Hao , Feng Bei
Published: December 2021

Cardiovascular diseases have become a major threat to human health. The adhesion formation is an inevitable pathophysiological event after cardiac surgery. We have previously shown that gelatin/polycaprolactone (GT/PCL, mass ratio 50:50) electrospun nanofibrous membranes have high potential in preventing postoperative cardiac adhesion, but the effect of GT:PCL composition on anti-adhesion efficacy was not investigated. Herein, nanofibrous membranes with different GT:PCL mass ratios of 0:100, 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 were prepared via electrospinning. The 70:30 membrane failed to prevent postoperative cardiac adhesion, overly high GT contents significantly deteriorated the mechanical properties, which complicated the suturing during surgery and hardly maintained the structural integrity after implantation. Unexpectedly, the 0:100 membrane (no gelatin contained) could not effectively prevent either, since its large pore size allowed the penetration of numerous inflammatory cells to elicit a severe inflammatory response. Only the GT:PCL 50:50 membrane exhibited excellent mechanical properties, good biocompatibility and effective anti-cell penetration ability, which could serve as a physical barrier to prevent postoperative cardiac adhesion and might be suitable for other biomedical applications such as wound healing, guided tissue or bone regeneration.
Regulation of miRNAs Expression by Mutant p53 Gain of Function in Cancer
Authors: Madrigal Tzitzijanik , Hernández-Monge Jesús , Herrera Luis A , González-De la Rosa Claudia Haydée , Domínguez-Gómez Guadalupe , Candelaria Myrna , Luna-Maldonado Fernando , Calderón González Karla G , Díaz-Chávez José
Published: December 2021

The p53 roles have been largely described; among them, cell proliferation and apoptosis control are some of the best studied and understood. Interestingly, the mutations on the six hotspot sites within the region that encodes the DNA-binding domain of p53 give rise to other very different variants. The particular behavior of these variants led to consider p53 mutants as separate oncogene entities; that is, they do not retain wild type functions but acquire new ones, namely Gain-of-function p53 mutants. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed how p53 mutants regulate gene expression and exert oncogenic effects by unbalancing specific microRNAs (miRNAs) levels that provoke epithelial-mesenchymal transition, chemoresistance, and cell survival, among others. In this review, we discuss recent evidence of the crosstalk between miRNAs and mutants of p53, as well as the consequent cellular processes dysregulated.
Identification of the Recombinant Plasmodium vivax Surface-Related Antigen as a Possible Immune Evasion Factor Against Human Splenic Fibroblasts by Targeting ITGB1
Authors: Fu Haitian , Lu Jiachen , Zhang Xinxin , Wang Bo , Sun Yifan , Lei Yao , Shen Feihu , Kassegne Kokouvi , Han Eun-Taek , Cheng Yang
Published: December 2021

Plasmodium vivax–infected erythrocytes can enter the spleen and evade spleen clearance to establish chronic infections. However, the mechanism underlying P. vivax immune evasion in the spleen is still unclear. Human splenic fibroblasts (HSF), also known as barrier cells, play an essential role in the immune function of spleen. A hypothesis holds that P. vivax—infected erythrocytes induce spleen structural remodeling to form barrier cells. Subsequently, these infected erythrocytes can selectively cytoadhere to these barrier cells to escape spleen clearance. In this work, we found that P. vivax surface-related antigen (PvSRA; PlasmoDB ID: PVX_084970), an exported protein on infected erythrocyte membrane, could bind with HSF. Considering the above hypothesis, we speculated that PvSRA might be involved in P. vivax immune evasion by changing HSF cell performance. To investigate this speculation, RNA sequencing, protein microarray, and bioinformatics analysis technologies were applied, and in vitro validations were further performed. The results showed that the recombinant PvSRA attracted HSF migration and interacted with HSF by targeting integrin β1 (ITGB1) along with changes in HSF cell performance, such as focal adhesion, extracellular matrix, actin cytoskeleton, and cell cycle. This study indicated that PvSRA might indeed participate in the immune evasion of P. vivax in the spleen by changing HSF function through PvSRA–ITGB1 axis.
Diazoxide Post-conditioning Activates the HIF-1/HRE Pathway to Induce Myocardial Protection in Hypoxic/Reoxygenated Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Chen Xi-Yuan , Wang Jia-Qi , Cheng Si-Jing , Wang Yan , Deng Meng-Yuan , Yu Tian , Wang Hai-Ying , Zhou Wen-Jing
Published: December 2021

Background: Previous studies have shown that diazoxide can protect against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). The intranuclear hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1)/hypoxia-response element (HRE) pathway has been shown to withstand cellular damage caused by MIRI. It remains unclear whether diazoxide post-conditioning is correlated with the HIF-1/HRE pathway in protective effect on cardiomyocytes.

Methods: An isolated cardiomyocyte model of hypoxia-reoxygenation injury was established. Prior to reoxygenation, cardiomyocytes underwent post-conditioning treatment by diazoxide, and 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD), N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG), or dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG) followed by diazoxide. At the end of reoxygenation, ultrastructural morphology; mitochondrial membrane potential; interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and HIF-1α levels; and downstream gene mRNA and protein levels were analyzed to elucidate the protective mechanism of diazoxide post-conditioning.

Results: Diazoxide post-conditioning enabled activation of the HIF-1/HRE pathway to induce myocardial protection. When the mitoKATP channel was inhibited and ROS cleared, the diazoxide effect was eliminated. DMOG was able to reverse the effect of ROS absence to restore the diazoxide effect. MitoKATP and ROS in the early reoxygenation phase were key to activation of the HIF-1/HRE pathway.

Conclusion: Diazoxide post-conditioning promotes opening of the mitoKATP channel to generate a moderate ROS level that activates the HIF-1/HRE pathway and subsequently induces myocardial protection.
Clinical and Echocardiographic Parameters Predicting 1- and 2-Year Mortality After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
Authors: Kjønås Didrik , Schirmer Henrik , Aakhus Svend , Eidet Jo , Malm Siri , Aaberge Lars , Busund Rolf , Rösner Assami
Published: December 2021

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become a standard treatment option for patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis. Elderly high-risk patients treated with TAVI have a high residual mortality due to preexisting comorbidities. Knowledge of factors predicting futility after TAVI is sparse and clinical tools to aid the preoperative evaluation are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate if echocardiographic measures, including speckle-tracking analysis, in addition to clinical parameters, could aid in the prediction of mortality beyond 30 days after TAVI.

Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 227 patients treated with TAVI at the University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø and Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet from February 2010 to June 2013. All the patients underwent preoperative echocardiographic evaluation with retrospective speckle-tracking analysis. Primary endpoints were 1- and 2-year mortality beyond 30 days after TAVI.

Results: All-cause 1- and 2-year mortality beyond 30 days after TAVI was 12.1 and 19.5%, respectively. Predictors of 1-year mortality beyond 30 days were body mass index [hazard ratio (HR): 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.98, p = 0.018], previous myocardial infarction (HR: 2.69, 95% CI: 1.14–6.32, p = 0.023), and systolic pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 60 mm Hg (HR: 5.93, 95% CI: 1.67–21.1, p = 0.006). Moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation (HR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.53–5.63, p = 0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99, p = 0.002), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.01–3.58, p = 0.046) were predictors of 2-year mortality.

Conclusion: Both the clinical and echocardiographic parameters should be considered when evaluating high-risk patients for TAVI, as both are predictive of 1-and 2-year mortality. Our results support the importance of individual risk assessment using a multidisciplinary, multimodal, and individual approach.
Electrocardiogram Characteristics and Prognostic Value in Light-Chain Amyloidosis: A Comparison With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Guo Xinli , Chen Zhian , Wan Ke , Song Rizhen , Yang Tingjie , Xu Yuanwei , Zhang Qing , Alexander Kevin Michael , Han Yuchi , Chen Yucheng
Published: December 2021

Background: An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple and cheap non-invasive tool that shows various abnormalities and has prognostic value for patients with light-chain amyloidosis (AL). The present study aimed to explore the association between ECG characteristics and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-detected amyloid burden and to investigate the prognostic value of ECG in AL amyloidosis.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 99 patients with AL amyloidosis (56 male patients; median age, 58 y). Detailed clinical information, 12-lead ECG, and CMR data were collected. All patients were followed up longitudinally, and the endpoint was all-cause mortality. ECG characteristics were analyzed and correlated with the degree of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV) by T1 mapping on CMR. The prognostic value of ECG characteristics was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox regression.

Results: During a median follow-up period of 33 months, 69 of the 99 patients died. Fragmented Q wave-R wave-S wave (QRS), pathological Q waves, the Sokolow index, QRS duration, and voltages were significantly associated with the extent of LGE, native T1, and ECV by CMR (p < 0.05). Fragmented QRS and Sokolow index showed independent prognostic value in AL amyloidosis (p = 0.001; p = 0.026, respectively). Fragmented QRS remained independent after adjusting for clinical values (hazard ratio: 2.034; 95% confidence interval: 1.148–3.603; p = 0.015). However, no ECG characteristics were independent predictors for prognosis in AL amyloidosis when LGE and ECV were included in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: ECG abnormalities showed significant association with CMR indicators of amyloid burden. Fragmented QRS has an independent prognostic value in AL amyloidosis and could be used as an alternative marker when CMR is not available.
Differential Presentations of Arterial Thromboembolic Events Between Venous Thromboembolism and Atrial Fibrillation Patients
Authors: Lin Yu-Sheng , Lin Ming-Shyan , Wu Victor Chien-Chia , Chen Yung-Lung , Chang Jung-Jung , Chu Pao-Hsien , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Chen Mien-Cheng
Published: December 2021

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) share several risk factors related to arterial thromboembolism. No study has reported the differential contribution to arterial thromboembolic events and mortality between these two conditions in the same population. We therefore assessed the differential arterial thromboembolic events between AF and VTE.

Methods: We included AF and VTE national cohorts derived from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2001 and 2013. The eligible population was 314,861 patients in the AF cohort and 41,102 patients in the VTE cohort. The primary outcome was arterial thromboembolic events, including ischemic stroke, extracranial arterial thromboembolism (ECATE) and myocardial infarction (MI). Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death.

Results: After a 1:1 propensity matching, 32,688 patients in either group were analyzed. The risk of arterial thromboembolic events was lower in the VTE cohort than that in the AF cohort (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57–0.62). The risk of ischemic stroke (SHR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.42–0.46) and MI (SHR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72–0.89) were lower in the VTE cohort, while the risk of ECATE (SHR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.14–1.33; particularly lower extremities) was higher in the VTE cohort. All-cause mortality rate was higher in the VTE cohort (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.15–1.21) while the risk of cardiovascular death was lower in the VTE cohort (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.995).

Conclusions: Patients with AF had higher risks of arterial thromboembolic events compared to patients with VTE, despite having risk factors in common. The VTE cohort had higher risks of all-cause mortality and ECATE, particularly lower extremity events, compared to AF patients. The differential manifestations of thromboembolism sequelae and mortality between AF and VTE patients merit further investigation.
Review of the Multi-Input Single-Inductor Multi-Output Energy Harvesting Interface Applied in Wearable Electronics
Authors: Gao Zhuo , Wang Shiwei , Li Yongfu , Chen Mingyi
Published: December 2021

Along with the industrialization and popularization of the wearable electronics, an increasing number of the wireless sensor nodes (WSNs) are deployed. Nevertheless, the conventional battery-based power supply system has no longer satisfied the requirement of large-scale WSNs in terms of battery life, which emerges the energy harvesting (EH) technique. In order to combine various of energy sources and drive multi-loads, the multi-input single-inductor multi-output (MISIMO) EH interface applied to wearable electronics is spotlighted. In this mini-review article, the solutions for improving power conversion efficiency (PCE) and output quality in MISIMO EH interface are summarized. Furthermore, the future trends of MISIMO EH interface are also presented.
Lipocalin-2 Variants and Their Relationship With Cardio-Renal Risk Factors
Authors: Li Dahui , Li Haoyun , Bauer Carlie , Hu Yue , Lewis Joshua R. , Xu Aimin , Levinger Itamar , Wang Yu
Published: December 2021

Objectives

To investigate the serum, plasma and urine levels of lipocalin-2 (LCN2) variants in healthy humans and their associations with risk factors for cardiometabolic (CMD) and chronic kidney (CKD) diseases.

Methods

Fifty-nine males and 41 females participated in the study. Blood and urine were collected following an overnight fasting. LCN2 variants were analyzed using validated in-house ELISA kits. Heart rate, blood pressure, lipids profile, glucose, adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), creatinine, cystatin C, and biomarkers for kidney function were assessed.

Results

The levels of hLcn2, C87A and R81E in serum and urine, but not plasma, were significantly higher in men than women. Increased levels of LCN2 variants, as well as their relative ratios, in serum and plasma were positively associated with body mass index, blood pressure, triglyceride and hsCRP (P<0.05). No significant correlations were found between these measures and hLcn2, C87A or R81E in urine. However, LCN2 variants in urine, but not plasma or serum, were correlated with biomarkers of kidney function (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Both the serum and plasma levels of LCN2 variants, as well as their ratios are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, whereas those in urine are correlated with renal dysfunction. LCN2 variants represent promising biomarkers for CMD and CKD.
Deciphering Evolutionary Dynamics of WRKY I Genes in Rosaceae Species
Authors: Jiang Lan , Chen Yu , Bi De , Cao Yunpeng , Tong Jiucui
Published: December 2021

WRKY transcription factors participate in various regulation processes at different developmental stages in higher plants. Here, 98 WRKY I genes were identified in seven Rosaceae species. The WRKY I genes are highly enriched in some subgroups and are selectively expanded in Chinese pear [Pyrus bretschneideri (P. bretschneideri)] and apple [Malus domestica (M. domestica)]. By searching for intra-species gene microsynteny, we found the majority of chromosomal segments for WRKY I-containing segments in both P. bretschneideri and M. domestica genomes, while paired segments were hardly identified in the other five genomes. Furthermore, we analyzed the environmental selection pressure of duplicated WRKY I gene pairs, which indicated that the strong purifying selection for WRKY domains may contribute to the stability of its structure and function. The expression patterns of duplication PbWRKY genes revealed that functional redundancy for some of these genes was derived from common ancestry and neo-functionalization or sub-functionalization for some of them. This study traces the evolution of WRKY I genes in Rosaceae genomes and lays the foundation for functional studies of these genes in the future. Our results also show that the rates of gene loss and gain in different Rosaceae genomes are far from equilibrium.
Development and Validation of a Six-Gene Prognostic Signature for Bladder Cancer
Authors: Xu Fei , Tang Qianqian , Wang Yejinpeng , Wang Gang , Qian Kaiyu , Ju Lingao , Xiao Yu
Published: December 2021

Human bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common urogenital system malignancy. Patients with BCa have limited treatment efficacy in clinical practice. Novel biomarkers could provide more crucial information conferring to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Here, we aimed to explore and identify novel biomarkers associated with cancer-specific survival of patients with BCa to build a prognostic signature. Based on univariate Cox regression, Lasso regression, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, we conducted an integrated analysis in the training set (GSE32894) and established a six-gene signature to predict the cancer-specific survival for human BCa. The six genes were Cyclin Dependent Kinase 4 (CDK4), E2F Transcription Factor 7 (E2F7), Collagen Type XI Alpha 1 Chain (COL11A1), Bradykinin Receptor B2 (BDKRB2), Yip1 Interacting Factor Homolog B (YIF1B), and Zinc Finger Protein 415 (ZNF415). Then, we validated the prognostic value of the model by using two other datasets (GSE13507 and TCGA). Also, we conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, and results indicated that the six-gene signature was an independent prognostic factor of cancer-specific survival of patients with BCa. Functional analysis was performed based on the differentially expressed genes of low- and high-risk patients, and we found that they were enriched in lipid metabolic and cell division-related biological processes. Meanwhile, the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that high-risk samples were enriched in cell cycle and cancer-related pathways [G2/M checkpoint, E2F targets, mitotic spindle, mTOR signaling, spermatogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), DNA repair, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, unfolded protein response (UPR), and MYC targets V2]. Lastly, we detected the relative expression of each signature in BCa cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). As far as we know, currently, the present study is the first research that developed and validated a cancer-specific survival prognostic index based on three independent cohorts. The results revealed that this six-gene signature has a predictive ability for cancer-specific prognosis. Moreover, we also verified the relative expression of these six signatures between the bladder cell line and four BCa cell lines by qRT-PCR. Nevertheless, experiments to further explore the function of six genes are lacking.
ECM–Receptor Regulatory Network and Its Prognostic Role in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Nersisyan Stepan , Novosad Victor , Engibaryan Narek , Ushkaryov Yuri , Nikulin Sergey , Tonevitsky Alexander
Published: December 2021

Interactions of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular receptors constitute one of the crucial pathways involved in colorectal cancer progression and metastasis. With the use of bioinformatics analysis, we comprehensively evaluated the prognostic information concentrated in the genes from this pathway. First, we constructed a ECM–receptor regulatory network by integrating the transcription factor (TF) and 5’-isomiR interaction databases with mRNA/miRNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Colon Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-COAD). Notably, one-third of interactions mediated by 5’-isomiRs was represented by noncanonical isomiRs (isomiRs, whose 5’-end sequence did not match with the canonical miRBase version). Then, exhaustive search-based feature selection was used to fit prognostic signatures composed of nodes from the network for overall survival prediction. Two reliable prognostic signatures were identified and validated on the independent The Cancer Genome Atlas Rectum Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-READ) cohort. The first signature was made up by six genes, directly involved in ECM–receptor interaction: AGRN, DAG1, FN1, ITGA5, THBS3, and TNC (concordance index 0.61, logrank test p = 0.0164, 3-years ROC AUC = 0.68). The second hybrid signature was composed of three regulators: hsa-miR-32-5p, NR1H2, and SNAI1 (concordance index 0.64, logrank test p = 0.0229, 3-years ROC AUC = 0.71). While hsa-miR-32-5p exclusively regulated ECM-related genes (COL1A2 and ITGA5), NR1H2 and SNAI1 also targeted other pathways (adhesion, cell cycle, and cell division). Concordant distributions of the respective risk scores across four stages of colorectal cancer and adjacent normal mucosa additionally confirmed reliability of the models.
The Meta-Organism Response of the Environmental Generalist Pocillopora damicornis Exposed to Differential Accumulation of Heat Stress
Authors: Bergman Jessica L. , Leggat William , Ainsworth Tracy D.
Published: December 2021

Coral bleaching events in the marine environment are now occurring globally, and the frequency and severity of these events are increasing. Critically, these events can cause the symbiosis between Symbiodiniaceae and their coral hosts to break down, but how the microbial community within the coral responds to bleaching is still equivocal. We investigated the impact of thermal stress exposure on the meta-organism responses of the generalist scleractinian coral species Pocillopora damicornis. Using mesocosms to recreate warming scenarios previously observed at Heron Island, we show that P. damicornis symbiont densities and photophysiological parameters declined at a similar rate under thermal stress regardless of the length of pre-bleaching thermal stress, defined here as temperatures above the monthly maximum mean (MMM) for Heron Island but below the local bleaching threshold (MMM + 2°C). However, we find that the P. damicornis microbiome remains stable over time regardless of the degree of thermal stress and the accumulation of pre-bleaching thermal stress. Our study therefore suggests that while P. damicornis is physiologically impacted by bleaching temperatures, the microbial community identified through 16S rRNA sequencing remains unchanged at the ASV level throughout bleaching. Understanding the capacity of a generalist species to withstand bleaching events is imperative to characterizing what coral species will exist on coral reefs following disturbances, as it has been suggested that the success of environmental generalist species may simplify community structure and lead to changes in biodiversity following environmental disturbance.
Summer Mortality Syndrome Affecting Cultured European Seabass at Kafrelsheikh Province, Egypt
Authors: Ali Nadia Gabr , El-Nokrashy Asmaa Mahmoud , Gouda Mofeed Yousef , Aboyadak Ibrahim Mohamed
Published: December 2021

The present work aimed to investigate the causes of summer mortality syndrome affecting cultured European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by examining physiochemical farm water characteristics, isolation, and identification of recovered bacterial pathogens from diseased fish studying the effect of water temperature on stress biomarkers and disease severity. Studied water parameters were normal except ammonia and dissolved oxygen was higher and lower than the standard value. Sixty-two bacterial isolates were recovered from moribund fish and identified as 31 Vibrio fluvialis, 23 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 8 Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The calculated LD50 of V. fluvialis, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus for D. labrax fingerlings were 4.67 × 107, 2.37 × 106 and 1.38 × 107, respectively. There was a direct correlation between water temperature and mortality rate of fish challenged with V. fluvialis as the mortality rate was 44.44, 50, 66.66, and 83.33% for fish maintained at 27, 30, 33, and 36°C. Plasma cortisol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde significantly increased when the water temperature exceeded 30°C. The experimentally infected fish showed similar clinical signs and postmortem lesions of naturally diseased fish with no boundary between different pathogens. Antibiogram test indicated that florfenicol was the most effective antibiotic against all the recovered bacterial isolates while all isolates resisted sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Massive degenerative changes observed in the hepatopancreas, posterior kidney and gill tissues of experimentally infected fish.
Interactions Between Dynamic Softening and Strengthening Mechanisms During Hot Forging of a High-Strength Steel
Authors: Khan Makarim , Shahriari Davood , Jahazi Mohammad , Morin Jean-Benoit
Published: December 2021

Open-die forging is a critical step in the manufacture of large numbers of components used in the transportation and energy industries. Dynamic recrystallization, dynamic transformation, and dynamic precipitation take place during the hot deformation process and significantly affect microstructure conditioning, which ultimately influences the service properties of the component. In the present work, using a Gleeble 3800 thermomechanical simulator, the open-die forging of a large-size ingot made of a modified AISI 6140 medium carbon high-strength steel is investigated. Deformation temperatures ranging from 950°C to 1,250°C and strain rates ranging from 0.01 to 1 s−1, representative of the actual process, are considered in the analysis. The generated true stress–true strain curves are used as a basis for the development of a constitutive model predicting the occurrence of softening and strengthening phenomena as a function of thermomechanical conditions. The corresponding activation energy is determined to be about 374 kJ mol−1 and is compared against the values reported in the literature for other high-strength steels. Dynamic recrystallization kinetics is studied using the t50 model, and the influence of temperature and strain rate is quantified and discussed. The interaction between dynamic precipitation and dynamic recrystallization is discussed, and the deformation conditions under which such interactions occur are determined. The thermomechanical results are validated by microstructure examination, including laser confocal microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The present study focuses on reproducing the deformation cycle applied during the open-die forging process of a vanadium-containing high-strength steel used in the industry with special attention to the interaction between dynamic recrystallization and precipitation processes.
Seasonality of Coastal Picophytoplankton Growth, Nutrient Limitation, and Biomass Contribution
Authors: Alegria Zufia Javier , Farnelid Hanna , Legrand Catherine
Published: December 2021

Picophytoplankton in the Baltic Sea includes the simplest unicellular cyanoprokaryotes (Synechococcus/Cyanobium) and photosynthetic picoeukaryotes (PPE). Picophytoplankton are thought to be a key component of the phytoplankton community, but their seasonal dynamics and relationships with nutrients and temperature are largely unknown. We monitored pico- and larger phytoplankton at a coastal site in Kalmar Sound (K-Station) weekly during 2018. Among the cyanoprokaryotes, phycoerythrin-rich picocyanobacteria (PE-rich) dominated in spring and summer while phycocyanin-rich picocyanobacteria (PC-rich) dominated during autumn. PE-rich and PC-rich abundances peaked during summer (1.1 × 105and 2.0 × 105cells mL–1) while PPE reached highest abundances in spring (1.1 × 105cells mL–1). PPE was the main contributor to the total phytoplankton biomass (up to 73%). To assess nutrient limitation, bioassays with combinations of nitrogen (NO3or NH4) and phosphorus additions were performed. PE-rich and PC-rich growth was mainly limited by nitrogen, with a preference for NH4at >15°C. The three groups had distinct seasonal dynamics and different temperature ranges: 10°C and 17–19°C for PE-rich, 13–16°C for PC-rich and 11–15°C for PPE. We conclude that picophytoplankton contribute significantly to the carbon cycle in the coastal Baltic Sea and underscore the importance of investigating populations to assess the consequences of the combination of high temperature and NH4in a future climate.
PreBINDS: An Interactive Web Tool to Create Appropriate Datasets for Predicting Compound–Protein Interactions
Authors: Ikeda Kazuyoshi , Doi Takuo , Ikeda Masami , Tomii Kentaro
Published: December 2021

Given the abundant computational resources and the huge amount of data of compound–protein interactions (CPIs), constructing appropriate datasets for learning and evaluating prediction models for CPIs is not always easy. For this study, we have developed a web server to facilitate the development and evaluation of prediction models by providing an appropriate dataset according to the task. Our web server provides an environment and dataset that aid model developers and evaluators in obtaining a suitable dataset for both proteins and compounds, in addition to attributes necessary for deep learning. With the web server interface, users can customize the CPI dataset derived from ChEMBL by setting positive and negative thresholds to be adjusted according to the user’s definitions. We have also implemented a function for graphic display of the distribution of activity values in the dataset as a histogram to set appropriate thresholds for positive and negative examples. These functions enable effective development and evaluation of models. Furthermore, users can prepare their task-specific datasets by selecting a set of target proteins based on various criteria such as Pfam families, ChEMBL’s classification, and sequence similarities. The accuracy and efficiency of in silico screening and drug design using machine learning including deep learning can therefore be improved by facilitating access to an appropriate dataset prepared using our web server (https://binds.lifematics.work/).
Surface-Based Spontaneous Oscillation in Schizophrenia: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Cao Xianyu , Huang Huan , Zhang Bei , Jiang Yuchao , He Hui , Duan Mingjun , Jiang Sisi , Tan Ying , Yao Dezhong , Li Chao , Luo Cheng
Published: December 2021

Schizophrenia (SZ) is considered as a self-disorder with disordered local synchronous activation. Previous studies have reported widespread dyssynchrony of local activation in patients with SZ, which may be one of the crucial physiological mechanisms of SZ. To further verify this assumption, this work used a surface-based two-dimensional regional homogeneity (2dReHo) approach to compare the local neural synchronous spontaneous oscillation between patients with SZ and healthy controls (HC), instead of the volume-based regional homogeneity approach described in previous study. Ninety-seven SZ patients and 126 HC were recruited to this study, and we found the SZ showed abnormal 2dReHo across the cortical surface. Specifically, at the global level, the SZ patients showed significantly reduced global 2dReHo; at the vertex level, the foci with increased 2dReHo in SZ were located in the default mode network (DMN), frontoparietal network (FPN), and limbic network (LN); however, foci with decreased 2dReHo were located in the somatomotor network (SMN), auditory network (AN), and visual network (VN). Additionally, this work found positive correlations between the 2dReHo of bilateral rectus and illness duration, as well as a significant positive correlation between the 2dReHo of right orbital inferior frontal gyrus (OIFG) with the negative scores of the positive and negative syndrome scale in the SZ patients. Therefore, the 2dReHo could provide some effective features contributed to explore the pathophysiology mechanism of SZ.
Lysophosphatidic Acid and Several Neurotransmitters Converge on Rho-Kinase 2 Signaling to Manage Motoneuron Excitability
Authors: García-Morales Victoria , Gento-Caro Ángela , Portillo Federico , Montero Fernando , González-Forero David , Moreno-López Bernardo
Published: December 2021

Intrinsic membrane excitability (IME) sets up neuronal responsiveness to synaptic drive. Several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, acting through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), fine-tune motoneuron (MN) IME by modulating background K+ channels TASK1. However, intracellular partners linking GPCRs to TASK1 modulation are not yet well-known. We hypothesized that isoform 2 of rho-kinase (ROCK2), acting as downstream GPCRs, mediates adjustment of MN IME via TASK1. Electrophysiological recordings were performed in hypoglossal MNs (HMNs) obtained from adult and neonatal rats, neonatal knockout mice for TASK1 (task1–/–) and TASK3 (task3–/–, the another highly expressed TASK subunit in MNs), and primary cultures of embryonic spinal cord MNs (SMNs). Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was also used to knockdown either ROCK1 or ROCK2. Furthermore, ROCK activity assays were performed to evaluate the ability of various physiological GPCR ligands to stimulate ROCK. Microiontophoretically applied H1152, a ROCK inhibitor, and siRNA-induced ROCK2 knockdown both depressed AMPAergic, inspiratory-related discharge activity of adult HMNs in vivo, which mainly express the ROCK2 isoform. In brainstem slices, intracellular constitutively active ROCK2 (aROCK2) led to H1152-sensitive HMN hyper-excitability. The aROCK2 inhibited pH-sensitive and TASK1-mediated currents in SMNs. Conclusively, aROCK2 increased IME in task3–/–, but not in task1–/– HMNs. MN IME was also augmented by the physiological neuromodulator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) through a mechanism entailing Gαi/o-protein stimulation, ROCK2, but not ROCK1, activity and TASK1 inhibition. Finally, two neurotransmitters, TRH, and 5-HT, which are both known to increase MN IME by TASK1 inhibition, stimulated ROCK2, and depressed background resting currents via Gαq/ROCK2 signaling. These outcomes suggest that LPA and several neurotransmitters impact MN IME via Gαi/o/Gαq-protein-coupled receptors, downstream ROCK2 activation, and subsequent inhibition of TASK1 channels.
Predictor of Obese Mothers and Stunted Children in the Same Roof: A Population-Based Study in the Urban Poor Setting Indonesia
Authors: Rachmah Qonita , Mahmudiono Trias , Loh Su Peng
Published: December 2021

Stunting leads to the poor cognitive development, increases the risk of child mortality, and elevates the risk of non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of double burden of malnutrition (DBM) in the urban poor setting in Indonesia and investigate its predictors. This was a cross-sectional study involving 436 mothers proportionally chosen from 16 integrated health posts in Surabaya, Indonesia. The households were categorized into the two groups based on the body mass index (BMI) of mother and the height-for-age z-score (HAZ) of child; households without DBM and household with DBM. Energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat intake were obtained using 24-h food recall and socioeconomic status was measured using a structured questionnaire. Data on socioeconomic status were educational level of mother and occupation, household income, and food expenditure. The prevalence of household with DBM was 27.5%; 12.4% pair stunted children and normal weight mother; 45.6% pair of overweight/obese mother and normal height children. The logistic regression analysis showed significant differences in the education level and occupation of mother, protein intake of the children, and fat intake of the mother between households with and without DBM. This study offers an important insight to improve the knowledge of mother related to the protein intake of children to reduce stunting risk and fat intake of mother to prevent over-nutrition.
High Expression of BCL11A Predicts Poor Prognosis for Childhood MLL-r ALL
Authors: Wang Lu-Lu , Yan Dehong , Tang Xue , Zhang Mengqi , Liu Shilin , Wang Ying , Zhang Min , Zhou Guichi , Li Tonghui , Jiang Feifei , Chen Xiaowen , Wen Feiqiu , Liu Sixi , Mai Huirong
Published: December 2021

Background

Despite much improvement in the treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), childhood ALLs with MLL-rearrangement (MLL-r) still have inferior dismal prognosis. Thus, defining mechanisms underlying MLL-r ALL maintenance is critical for developing effective therapy.

Methods

GSE13159 and GSE28497 were selected via the Oncomine website. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MLL-r ALLs and normal samples were identified by R software. Next, functional enrichment analysis of these DEGs were carried out by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING). Then, the key hub genes and modules were identified by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) ALL (Phase I) of UCSC Xena analysis, qPCR, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were conducted for validating the expression of key hub genes from bone marrow cells of childhood ALL patients or ALL cell lines.

Results

A total of 1,045 DEGs were identified from GSE13159 and GSE28497. Through GO, KEGG, GSEA, and STRING analysis, we demonstrated that MLL-r ALLs were upregulating “nucleosome assembly” and “B cell receptor signal pathway” genes or proteins. WGCNA analysis found 18 gene modules using hierarchical clustering between MLL-r ALLs and normal. The Venn diagram was used to filter the 98 hub genes found in the key module with the 1,045 DEGs. We identified 18 hub genes from this process, 9 of which were found to be correlated with MLL-r status, using the UCSC Xena analysis. By using qPCR, we validated these 9 hub key genes to be upregulated in the MLL-r ALLs (RS4;11 and SEM) compared to the non-MLL-r ALL (RCH-ACV) cell lines. Three of these genes, BCL11A, GLT8D1 and NCBP2, were shown to be increased in MLL-r ALL patient bone marrows compared to the non-MLL-r ALL patient. Finally, Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that childhood ALL patients with high BCL11A expression had significantly poor overall survival.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that upregulated BCL11A gene expression in childhood ALLs may lead to MLL-r ALL development and BCL11A represents a new potential therapeutic target for childhood MLL-r ALL.
Overexpression of B7-H3 Is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Laryngeal Cancer
Authors: Li Yixuan , Cai Qian , Shen Ximing , Chen Xiaoting , Guan Zhong
Published: December 2021

The immune checkpoint molecule, B7-H3, which belongs to the B7 family, has been shown to be overexpressed in various cancers. Its role in tumors is not well defined, and many studies suggest that it is associated with poor clinical outcomes. The effect of B7-H3 on laryngeal cancer has not been reported. This study investigated the expression of B7-H3 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and its relationship with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of LSCC patients. The gene expression quantification data and clinical data of LSCC retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were analyzed to determine the diagnostic and prognostic roles of B7-H3. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was then performed to determine the gene expression level of B7-H3 between LSCC tissues and paired normal adjacent tissues. In addition, TCGA RNA-seq data was analyzed to evaluate the expression level of B7 family genes. Next, the protein expression of B7-H3 and CD8 in LSCC was determined using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of B7-H3 mRNA was significantly higher in LSCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Similar results were obtained from the TCGA analysis. The expression of B7-H3 was significantly associated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, and pathological tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and it was also an independent factor influencing the overall survival time (OS) of patients with LSCC. In addition, B7-H3 was negatively correlated with CD8+T cells. These results show that B7-H3 is upregulated in LSCC. Therefore, B7-H3 may serve as a biomarker of poor prognosis and a promising therapeutic target in LSCC.
Case Report: Self-Administration of Omalizumab in an Adolescent With Severe Asthma During SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Paladini Erika , Giovannini Mattia , Barni Simona , Liccioli Giulia , Sarti Lucrezia , Novembre Elio , Mori Francesca
Published: December 2021

Acute asthma remains one of the most frequent causes of children's access to healthcare. Asthma exacerbation is an essential defining characteristic of its severity, and respiratory infections entail increased risks of exacerbations with potential hospitalization. In the literature, contradictory findings have been reported about the risk and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients affected by asthma, with several implications for its management. Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody therapy is meant for patients affected by severe persistent allergic asthma without adequate control with other treatments. Indeed, biological therapies, such as omalizumab, are used as add-on treatments (step 5 in the Global Initiative for Asthma report) for severe asthma with several benefits, including a reduction in the frequency of exacerbations. To the best of our knowledge, we hereby report the first case in which an adolescent with severe allergic asthma treated with omalizumab has switched to self-administration at home during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on our peculiar experience, physicians may consider switching to self-administration of omalizumab at home, even during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, more extensive research data from future studies are needed to confirm these first findings.
Effect of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, MDR1 and POR Genetic Polymorphisms in Immunosuppressive Treatment in Chilean Kidney Transplanted Patients
Authors: Contreras-Castillo Stephania , Plaza Anita , Stojanova Jana , Navarro Gustavo , Carmona Rodolfo , Corvalán Fernando , Cerpa Leslie , Sandoval Christopher , Muñoz Daniel , Leiva Marina , Castañeda Luis E. , Farias Nayaret , Alvarez Carolina , Llull Gabriel , Mezzano Sergio , Ardiles Leopoldo , Varela Nelson , Rodríguez María S. , Flores Claudio , Cayún Juan Pablo , Krall Paola , Quiñones Luis A.
Published: December 2021

Cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus (TAC) are immunosuppressant drugs characterized by a narrow therapeutic range and high pharmacokinetic variability. The effect of polymorphisms in genes related to the metabolism and transport of these drugs, namely CYP3A4, CYP3A5, MDR1 and POR genes, has been evaluated in diverse populations. However, the impact of these polymorphisms on drug disposition is not well established in Latin American populations. Using TaqMan® probes, we determined the allelic frequency of seven variants in CYP3A4, CYP3A5, MDR1 and POR in 139 Chilean renal transplant recipients, of which 89 were treated with CsA and 50 with TAC. We tested associations between variants and trough and/or 2-hour concentrations, normalized by dose (C0/D and C2/D) at specific time points post-transplant. We found that CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers required lower doses of TAC. In TAC treated patients, most CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers presented higher C0/D and a high proportion of patients with C0 levels outside the therapeutic range relative to other genotypes. These results reinforce the value of considering CYP3A5 genotypes alongside therapeutic drug monitoring for TAC treated Chilean kidney recipients.