bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Раритетна компонента лісових фітоценозів Західно- та Центральнополіського лісогосподарського округу України
Authors: Bondaruk M. A. , Tselishchev O. G.
Published: October 2021

Робота містить аналіз стратегії диференційованої охорони популяцій раритетних видів лісової флори України та їхніх локалітетів на основі дослідження еколого-фітоценотичних особливостей і причин раритетності, моніторингу чисельності та поширення в певних регіонах. На ділянках моніторингу лісів 1-го рівня (280 ділянок) у межах Західно- та Центральнополіського округу Поліської лісогосподарської області України досліджено стан популяцій раритетних видів рослин (рясність-покриття та участь у складі рослинного покриву), проаналізовано їхню приуроченість до певних деревостанів і типів лісу та розповсюдження в лісових фітоценозах. Визначено регіональні особливості причин раритетності видів лісової флори й запропоновано заходи щодо їхньої охорони, які охоплюють регулярне проведення моніторингових спостережень (раз на 5 років), виділення особливо захисних лісових ділянок або особливо цінних для збереження територій (ОЦЗ 1) під час FSC сертифікації лісогосподарських підприємств на ділянках із життєздатними популяціями раритетних видів та перегляд регіонального охоронного статусу окремих видів.
Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus movement dynamics relative to ice breakup in a high Arctic embayment
Authors: Hammer LJ , Hussey NE , Marcoux M , Pettitt-Wade H , Hedges K , Tallman R , Furey NB
Published: October 2021

Arctic waters are warming rapidly due to climate change, which is altering the timing of seasonal sea ice dynamics. Summer ice breakup provides a critical productivity bloom that consumers depend on. Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus undertake seasonal migrations to marine waters presumably to exploit this prey pulse. However, specific migratory timing and residency of char relative to breakup is largely unknown. To investigate char movement, individuals were tagged with acoustic transmitters in 2017 (n = 58) and 2018 (n = 52) within Tremblay Sound, Nunavut, Canada, resulting in 625482 detections. Generalized linear models were used to relate multiple movement metrics to ice conditions as well as biological and temporal factors. Char exhibited multiple migratory patterns (chronologies), by which fish either migrated to/from rivers within Tremblay Sound (n = 67), rivers in external systems (n = 35), or a combination of both (n = 8). Fish that migrated exclusively from external systems were longer (~14 cm) than fish exhibiting other chronologies. Migration timing was related to chronology and preempted the specific ice-off date. Fish migrating from rivers within Tremblay Sound entered the marine environment ~7.5 d before the start of ice-off, while external migrants entered ~21 d after ice-off start. Differing migratory chronologies highlight the complexity of char migrations and may indicate the presence of subpopulations or potential ontogenetic shifts in migration behavior. Our study underscores the importance of the brief ice-free season, with potential implications for climate change resilience and management of this important resource in a changing Arctic.
Cybersyn desde la "escuela berlinesa" de estudios y teorías de medios – una perspectiva poshumanista
Authors: Gómez-Venegas Diego
Published: October 2021

Este ensayo propone una lectura del proyecto Cybersyn, y con ello también de su relevancia, desde la así llamada "escuela berlinesa" de estudios y teorías de medios. El objetivo general es delinear una aproximación metodológica que haga posible señalar el potencial alcance más-que-histórico de este caso; esto es, avanzar en un análisis que yendo más allá de los registros historiográficos y antropocéntricos, haga emerger aspectos no-discursivos del proyecto que permitan trazar sus modos de vinculación con diversas temporalidades, saberes y relaciones de poder. Tal delineamiento se desplegará, primero, a través de una breve contextualización de Cybersyn en la grilla de genealogías tecno-científicas que lo sostienen; luego, con la presentación del programa de la "escuela berlinesa" que así, además, permitirá poner en perspectiva sus vínculos complementarios y de diferencia con otros estudios que se han hecho del caso, relevando entonces su propio rendimiento; para, finalmente, señalar desde qué aspectos del proyecto Cybersyn es posible trazar configuraciones de saber y de relaciones de poder que, emergiendo desde principios maquínicos, serán caracterizadas y problematizadas, como parte de la propuesta de este ensayo, como una tecno-episteme y tecno-política respectivamente.
Cambridge Zero Policy Forum Discussion Paper: Carbon Offsetting and Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change
Authors: Scott Nick , Fitzgerald Shaun , Keshav Srinivasan
Published: October 2021

Nature-based solutions to climate change present the opportunity to address the climate crisis whilst protecting important ecosystems and bringing benefits to local communities, but must also ensure that emissions reductions or removals are accurate and minimise risks posed to these same ecosystems and communities. One method of financing these solutions is ‘carbon offsetting’, which involves organisations paying for greenhouse gas emissions reductions or removals elsewhere and counting these external actions towards their own climate targets. Offsetting is a highly-debated strategy that has faced significant scepticism as a method for reaching climate goals. Throughout 2021, a group of Cambridge Zero Policy Forum members met to discuss offsetting using nature-based solutions to climate change. This paper provides an overview of the key issues in this area by summarising some of the challenges and potential solutions identified in these discussions.
Effect of Neo-Boost Pesticide on Mortality and Development of Different Life Stages of Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Bruinsma Kristie , Salehipourshirazi Golnaz , Zhurov Vladimir , Dagher Fadi , Grbic Miodrag , Grbic Vojislava
Published: October 2021

The two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae, is a polyphagous agricultural pest that feeds on over a thousand plant species and more than 150 crops. Its status as an agricultural pest is exacerbated by its outstanding potential to evolve resistance to pesticides. The existence of multiresistant mite populations challenges mite management and creates a need for the development of pesticides with novel modes of action. In this study, we evaluated the acaricidal activity of Neo-Boost, a pesticide registered as a bactericide/fungicide/insecticide/miticide. Neo-Boost formulation contains three active ingredients: potassium silicate, sodium percarbonate and tetraacetylethylenediamine. In contact with water, the latter ingredients generate peroxyacetic acid, a potent contact bactericide and fungicide. Using the recommended field dose, we tested contact and residual effects of Neo-Boost onT. urticaeegg, larval, and adult life stages. We found that Neo-Boost had no ovicidal effect. When tested on larvae, Neo-Boost caused 87% mortality over 48 hours post-treatment that was comparable to the positive control AGRI-mek SC (active ingredient abamectin), in addition to delaying larval developmental progression. On adult mites, Neo-Boost acted as a deterrent and caused 35% mortality (an intermediate effect compared to the positive control AGRI-mek SC). We also tested the proposed ability of Neo-Boost to induce a systemic response, however, it had no priming effect on treated tomato plants against mites. Of the individual Neo-Boost components tested, peroxyacetic acid and potassium silicate were not effective in any assay. However, sodium percarbonate, surfactant, and other non-listed components were sufficient for the full effectiveness of Neo-Boost formulations. Additionally, phytotoxicity of Neo-Boost was rare and minor when it occurred. Overall, despite the inefficiency of some compounds, the Neo-Boost formulation, either in its original or simplified formulation, may be useful for mite control on crops that are destined for fresh human consumption or medicinal use.
Transcription Factors From Haematococcus pluvialis Involved in the Regulation of Astaxanthin Biosynthesis Under High Light-Sodium Acetate Stress
Authors: Wang Chaogang , Wang Kunpeng , Ning Jingjing , Luo Qiulan , Yang Yi , Huang Danqiong , Li Hui
Published: October 2021

The microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis attracts attention for its ability to accumulate astaxanthin up to its 4% dry weight under stress conditions, such as high light, salt stress, and nitrogen starvation. Previous researches indicated that the regulation of astaxanthin synthesis might happen at the transcriptional level. However, the transcription regulatory mechanism of astaxanthin synthesis is still unknown in H. pluvialis. Lacking studies on transcription factors (TFs) further hindered from discovering this mechanism. Hence, the transcriptome analysis of H. pluvialis under the high light-sodium acetate stress for 1.5 h was performed in this study, aiming to discover TFs and the regulation on astaxanthin synthesis. In total, 83,869 unigenes were obtained and annotated based on seven databases, including NR, NT, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes Orthology, SwissProt, Pfam, Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups, and Gene Ontology. Moreover, 476 TFs belonging to 52 families were annotated by blasting against the PlantTFDB database. By comparing with the control group, 4,367 differentially expressed genes composing of 2,050 upregulated unigenes and 2,317 downregulated unigenes were identified. Most of them were involved in metabolic process, catalytic activity, single-organism process, single-organism cellular process, and single-organism metabolic process. Among them, 28 upregulated TFs and 41 downregulated TFs belonging to 27 TF families were found. The transcription analysis showed that TFs had different transcription modules responding to the high light and sodium acetate stress. Interestingly, six TFs belonging to MYB, MYB_related, NF-YC, Nin-like, and C3H families were found to be involved in the transcription regulation of 27 astaxanthin synthesis-related genes according to the regulatory network. Moreover, these TFs might affect astaxanthin synthesis by directly regulating CrtO, showing that CrtO was the hub gene in astaxanthin synthesis. The present study provided new insight into a global view of TFs and their correlations to astaxanthin synthesis in H. pluvialis.
Experimental Study on the Development Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Microscopic Organic Matter Pore and Fracture System in Shale
Authors: Zhang Qin , Liu Zaiyang , Liu Chang , Zhu Xiaomin , Steel Ronald J. , Tian Hanyun , Wang Kai , Song Zeping
Published: October 2021

Research on microscopic pore and fracture system of shale is a hot spot in the field of unconventional petroleum geology. Micro- and nano-scale organic matter pores in shale play a vital role in the accumulation of hydrocarbons. Research on the types, evolution rules and controlling factors of organic matter pore-fracture system in shale reservoirs can provide scientific guidance for the prediction of shale “sweet spots”. In this paper, taking the shales from the Napo Formation, Oriente Basin, the Shahejie Formation, Zhanhua Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, and the Longmaxi and Wufeng Formations, Sichuan Basin as an example, the developmental characteristics of organic matter pore-fracture system were systematically studied using thin section, argon ion profiling scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption and desorption, geochemistry experiments, and image processing technology. The types of shale organic matter pores were divided into kerogen-hosted pores, organic matter microfractures (intra-organic matter and organic matter edge microfractures), and asphalt pores (or intra-asphalt pores). The circumferences of organic pore were generally within 100 nm, and the areas of most pores were smaller than 1,000 nm2. Face rates of the organic pores were generally less than 1.5%, and the proportion of shale samples with a shape factor of 1 reached more than 50%. In addition, the deviation angles of organic matter pores at (0°, 45°) reached 90%, which showed that most of the organic matter pores tended to be oriented pores. The increase in the degree of thermal evolution provided driving force for the formation of circular pores in the organic matter. Internal factors (abundance of organic matter, kerogen types, and maturity) and external factors (diagenesis and mineral composition) controled the development of shale organic matter pores. Maturity, TOC content and inorganic minerals such as clay and pyrite content were positively correlated with the development of organic matter pores. However, brittle minerals caused a decrease in the face ratio of organic matter pores. Diagenetic compaction caused the organic matter pores being deformed or eventually disappeared. This research can provide scientific guidance for the high-efficiency exploration of hydrocarbons in shale.
Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure Benefit More From Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Chengcong , Peng Hong , Li Mingzhu , Lu Xiyan , Huang Miao , Zeng Yongmei , Dong Guoqing
Published: October 2021

Background

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF) are at higher risk of mortality and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). A recent study showed that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors may be a promising choice.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases of clinical trials for randomized controlled trials investigating the long-term effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with T2DM and HF compared with placebo. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death or HHF, and the secondary outcomes included cardiovascular death (CV death), HHF, and all-cause mortality. We also conducted an exploratory analysis and tried to identify the population, which will benefit more from the treatment.

Results

After the study selection, a total of 5 trials, including 4 subgroup analyses, met the eligibility criteria. The results suggested that the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors was associated with a reduction in the incidence of CV death or HHF (HR, 0.69[95%CI, 0.63-0.77], P<0.00001), CV death (HR, 0.80[95%CI, 0.69-0.92], P = 0.001), HHF (HR, 0.67[95%CI, 0.60-0.76], P < 0.00001), and all-cause mortality (HR, 0.74[95%CI, 0.64-0.86], P < 0.0001). Moreover, patients with T2DM and HF may benefit more from the treatment than those with T2DM/HF.

Conclusion

The long-term use of SGLT-2 inhibitors can help reduce the risk of mortality and HHF in patients with T2DM and HF.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021233156], identifier [CRD42021233156].
The Impact of Embryo Storage Time on Pregnancy and Perinatal Outcomes and the Time Limit of Vitrification: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Cui Mengge , Dong Xiyuan , Lyu Shuhao , Zheng Yu , Ai Jihui
Published: October 2021

Background

The technique of embryo cryopreservation has been increasingly applied in clinical settings. However, there has been a concern about the safety and efficacy of long-term freezing of embryos. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether storage time of vitrification had any effects on pregnancy as well as perinatal outcomes, further, to explore the appropriate time limit of vitrification.

Methods

The study included women who underwent at least one frozen-thawed cycle with single embryo transfer between January 1st, 2016 and September 30th, 2019. Patients were assigned into 3 groups according to the storage time (<3 months, 3-12 months and >12 months) to evaluate the impact of embryo storage time on pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. To further investigate the time limit of vitrification, propensity score matching was used to compare the primary outcomes of patients with storage time of 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and >5 years to those stored for ≤1 year.

Results

A total of 9806 frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were included in our study. After adjustment for confounding variables, no significant differences were found in pregnancy outcomes among groups. However, postponement of transfer increased the risks of large for gestational age and placenta previa. In addition, after propensity score matching, 171 cycles with storage time >5 years were matched with those ≤1 year, both the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate decreased significantly when the storage time exceeded 5 years.

Conclusions

The duration of vitrification did not significantly affect the pregnancy outcomes within 5 years period. However, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate both decreased significantly when the duration of vitrification exceeded 5 years. It is worth noting that the conclusion was drawn from a small sample study after propensity score matching and should be treated with caution. In addition, the cycles were from different time periods, which could have an impact on the results.
The Prognostic and Immunological Value of Guanylate-Binding Proteins in Lower-Grade Glioma: Potential Markers or Not?
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Sun Jifeng , Gong Ting , Tang Huixin , Shen Yanna , Liu Chang
Published: October 2021

Seven guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs, GBP1–7), identified as a subfamily of interferon-γ-induced guanosine triphosphate hydrolases (GTPases), has been reported to be closely associated with tumor progression, metastasis, and prognosis of cancer patients in recent years. However, the expression patterns, prognostic value, immune infiltration relevance, and biological functions of GBPs in lower-grade glioma (LGG) remain elusive. In this study, by analysis and verification through multiple public data platforms, we found that GBP1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly upregulated in LGG tissues vs normal brain tissue. Analysis based on the Cox proportional hazard ratio and Kaplan–Meier plots demonstrated that the high expressions of GBP 1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of LGG patients. Correlation analysis of clinical parameters of LGG patients indicated that the expressions of GBP 1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly associated with the histological subtype and tumor histological grade of LGG. Furthermore, the correlation analysis of immune infiltration showed that the expressions of GBP1, 2, 3, 4 were significantly and positively correlated with the level of tumor immune-infiltrating cells. In particular, GBP1, 2, 3, 4 expressions were strongly correlated with the infiltration levels of monocyte, TAM, and M1/M2 macrophage, revealing their potential to regulate the polarity of macrophages. Finally, we used the GSEA method to explore the signaling pathways potentially regulated by GBP1, 2, 3, 4 and found that they were all closely associated with immune-related signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings suggested that GBP1, 2, 3, 4 were potent biomarkers to determine the prognosis and immune cell infiltration of LGG patients.
Contextualizing Genes by Using Text-Mined Co-Occurrence Features for Cancer Gene Panel Discovery
Authors: Chen Hui-O , Lin Peng-Chan , Liu Chen-Ruei , Wang Chi-Shiang , Chiang Jung-Hsien
Published: October 2021

Developing a biomedical-explainable and validatable text mining pipeline can help in cancer gene panel discovery. We create a pipeline that can contextualize genes by using text-mined co-occurrence features. We apply Biomedical Natural Language Processing (BioNLP) techniques for literature mining in the cancer gene panel. A literature-derived 4,679 × 4,630 gene term-feature matrix was built. The EGFR L858R and T790M, and BRAF V600E genetic variants are important mutation term features in text mining and are frequently mutated in cancer. We validate the cancer gene panel by the mutational landscape of different cancer types. The cosine similarity of gene frequency between text mining and a statistical result from clinical sequencing data is 80.8%. In different machine learning models, the best accuracy for the prediction of two different gene panels, including MSK-IMPACT (Memorial Sloan Kettering-Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets), and Oncomine cancer gene panel, is 0.959, and 0.989, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed that the neural net model has a better prediction performance (Area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.992). The use of text-mined co-occurrence features can contextualize each gene. We believe the approach is to evaluate several existing gene panels, and show that we can use part of the gene panel set to predict the remaining genes for cancer discovery.
Filling Treatment of Surface Subsidence Resulted From Underground Mining in a High-Altitude Mine
Authors: Deng Daiqiang , Cao Guodong , Liang Yihua
Published: October 2021

In the process of filling the goaf of Huashugou copper mine, the filling aggregate was the mine’s self-produced copper flotation tailings. The physical and chemical property tests showed that the tailings were relatively fine, and the cumulative contents of the 7.5, 15, 80, and 90 μm particles were 56.99, 79.46, 99.88, and 100%, respectively. PSA42.5 Portland slag cement was selected as the cementing material for the tests. The amount of finely ground blast furnace slag added to the cement was 20–50%. The filling test blocks of all proportions were demolded within 24–36 h, and the integrity of the formed filling bodies was satisfactory. Among them, the uniaxial compressive strength of the test block formed by the filling slurry with a tailings-to-cement ratio of 3/1 and a concentration of 74% after 3, 7, 28, and 60 days reached 0.833, 2.026, 4.520, and 6.560 MPa, respectively. The strengths of the other filling blocks also met the engineering design requirements. Based on the statistical regression analysis method, the influences of the slag cement content χ₁ and the tailings water content χ₂ on the filling body’s strength Ϭ were analyzed. The regression calculation also considered the interaction between χ₁ and χ₂, and the obtained multiple nonlinear regression model successfully predicted Ϭ. In production and application, the large density of tailings would accelerate their settling, which could easily cause blockage during the transportation of filling slurry through the pipeline. Regarding a series of existing filling materials and technical conditions, the filling process investigated in this study overcomes several unfavorable conditions. Using advanced and reliable technology and an industrial filling pump with a delivery pressure of 10 MPa, the prepared filling slurry concentration was 68–72% and the flow rate was 56–79 m3/h. The tailings and PSA42.5 Portland slag cement combined quite well. The filling body in the goaf demonstrated excellent homogeneity, and the various industrial indicators met the technical requirements for mining deposits. The preparation of high-quality filling materials with a smooth filling process has played a positive role in the prevention and treatment of surface mountain cracks and collapse during underground mining in high-altitude areas.
Apart From the Diet, the Ruminal Microbiota of Lambs Is Modified in Relation to Their Genetic Potential for Feed Efficiency or Feeding Behavior
Authors: Marie-Etancelin Christel , Tortereau Flavie , Gabinaud Beatrice , Martinez Boggio Guillermo , Le Graverand Quentin , Marcon Didier , De Almeida Marie-Lea , Pascal Géraldine , Weisbecker Jean-Louis , Meynadier Annabelle
Published: October 2021

Using two successive types of diets (100% concentrate and 67% forage), this study explores the relationship between the ruminal microbiota of 78 Romane lambs and their feed efficiency (residual feed intake trait) or feeding behavior (feeding rate trait). Analysis was carried out phenotypically by correlating feed efficiency or feeding behavior traits with the relative abundance of bacteria at the phylum, family, and genus levels, and then genetically by comparing the microbiota of lambs selected for extreme breeding values for residual feed intake or feeding rate. Our results confirmed the major effect of diet on the ruminal microbiota composition. The microbiota of lambs consuming a forage-based diet was distinguished by higher microbial diversity and also by higher relative abundance ofFirmicutes, whereasBacteriodetesandActinobacteriawere relatively more abundant in the microbiota of lambs consuming a concentrate-based diet. Moreover, the comparison of lambs divergent for residual feed intake breeding values revealed that regardless of diet, more efficient lambs possessed a ruminal microbiota enriched inCoprococcus, Moryella, [Eubacterium] Brachy group, and[Eubacterium] hallii group, but depleted inLachnospiraceae FD2005andShuttleworthia. The connection between microbiota composition and feeding rate was more tenuous, with no link between the abundance of particular genera and lambs genetically divergent for feeding rate.
Female Rats Are Resistant to Cognitive, Motor and Dopaminergic Deficits in the Reserpine-Induced Progressive Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Lima Alvaro C. , Meurer Ywlliane S. R. , Bioni Vinicius S. , Cunha Débora M. G. , Gonçalves Narriman , Lopes-Silva Leonardo B. , Becegato Marcela , Soares Manuela B. L. , Marinho Gabriela F. , Santos José R. , Silva Regina H.
Published: October 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The main symptoms are motor signs such as resting tremor and difficulty in initializing movements. Non-motor alterations, such as cognitive deficits, can precede the motor symptoms. PD is more frequent in men than women. The mechanisms related to this difference are not completely understood. There is evidence that females present distinct characteristics in dopaminergic function compared to males. While the severity of motor impairments is often compared between sexes, little is known about sex differences in the prodromal stage. Most animal models of PD present acute severe motor impairment, which precludes the study of non-motor symptoms. Our research group have proposed an adaptation of the classic reserpine protocol, using low doses in a chronic treatment. This method allows the observation of progressive motor impairment as well as premotor deficits. Here we investigate possible behavioral and neuronal sex differences in the effects of the repeated treatment with a low dose of reserpine in rats. Male and female Wistar rats received 10–15 injections of reserpine (0.1 mg/kg) or vehicle, on alternate days. We followed-up the estrous cycle phases and conducted motor and cognitive assessments (catalepsy, open field, oral movements and object recognition tests). The euthanasia occurred 48 h after the 10th or 15th injections, with the collection of blood for the quantification of sex hormones and brains for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry in the substantia nigra pars compact (SNpc). Reserpine induced progressive catalepsy, involuntary oral movements and cognitive deficits in male rats. The behavioral effects of reserpine were attenuated (motor) or absent (cognitive) in females. Reserpine decreased TH immunoreactivity in males, but not in females. Estrogen levels in females negatively correlated with catalepsy duration. Our findings show that females present a delay and/or a prevention in the reserpine-induced motor alterations in the progressive PD model, compatible with the lower prevalence of this disease in women. Further, females were protected from the deficit in object recognition at the prodromal stage. The absence of reserpine-induce decrease in TH immunoreactivity suggests that differences in dopaminergic function/plasticity are related to this protection in female sex.
Brain Volumetric Measurements in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Comparative Study Between Synthetic and Conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Chen Yingqian , Su Shu , Dai Yan , Wen Zhihua , Qian Long , Zhang Hongyu , Liu Meina , Fan Miao , Chu Jianping , Yang Zhiyun
Published: October 2021

Objective: To investigate the profiles of brain volumetric measurements in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the consistency of these brain volumetric measurements derived from the synthetic and conventional T1 weighted MRI (SyMRI and cT1w MRI).

Methods: Brain SyMRI and cT1w images were prospectively collected for 38 pediatric patients with ADHD and 38 healthy children (HC) with an age range of 6–14 years. The gray matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), non-WM/GM/CSF (NoN), myelin, myelin fraction (MYF), brain parenchyma volume (BPV), and intracranial volume (ICV) were automatically estimated from SyMRI data, and the four matching measurements (GMV, WMV, BPV, ICV) were extracted from cT1w images. The group differences of brain volumetric measurements were performed, respectively, using analysis of covariance. Pearson correlation analysis and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were applied to evaluate the association between synthetic and cT1w MRI-derived measurements.

Results: As for the brain volumetric measurements extracted from SyMRI, significantly decreased GMV, WMV, BPV, and increased NON volume (p < 0.05) were found in the ADHD group compared with HC; No group differences were found in ICV, CSF, myelin volume and MYF (p > 0.05). With regard to GMV, WMV, BPV, and ICV estimated from cT1w images, the group differences between ADHD and HC were consistent with the results estimated from SyMRI. And these four measurements showed noticeable correlation between the two approaches (r = 0.692, 0.643, 0.898, 0.789, respectively, p < 0.001; ICC values are 0.809, 0.782, 0.946, 0.873, respectively).

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a global brain development disability, but normal whole-brain myelination in children with ADHD. Moreover, our results demonstrated the high consistency of brain volumetric indices between synthetic and cT1w MRI in children, which indicates the high reliability of SyMRI in the child-brain volumetric analysis.
T-Cell Immunotherapy for Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas: New Insights to Overcoming Therapeutic Challenges
Authors: Haydar Dalia , Ibañez-Vega Jorge , Krenciute Giedre
Published: October 2021

Despite decades of research, pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors remain the most debilitating, difficult to treat, and deadliest cancers. Current therapies, including radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery, are unable to cure these diseases and are associated with serious adverse effects and long-term impairments. Immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has the potential to elucidate therapeutic antitumor immune responses that improve survival without the devastating adverse effects associated with other therapies. Yet, despite the outstanding performance of CAR T cells against hematologic malignancies, they have shown little success targeting brain tumors. This lack of efficacy is due to a scarcity of targetable antigens, interactions with the immune microenvironment, and physical and biological barriers limiting the homing and trafficking of CAR T cells to brain tumors. In this review, we summarize experiences with CAR T–cell therapy for pediatric CNS tumors in preclinical and clinical settings and focus on the current roadblocks and novel strategies to potentially overcome those therapeutic challenges.
A Role of CXCL1 Drives Osteosarcoma Lung Metastasis via VCAM-1 Production
Authors: Lee Chiang-Wen , Chiang Yao-Chang , Yu Pei-An , Peng Kuo-Ti , Chi Miao-Ching , Lee Ming-Hsueh , Fang Mei-Ling , Lee Kuan-Han , Hsu Lee-Fen , Liu Ju-Fang
Published: October 2021

Osteosarcoma, a common aggressive and malignant cancer, appears in the musculoskeletal system among young adults. The major cause of mortality in osteosarcoma was the recurrence of lung metastases. However, the molecular mechanisms of metastasis involved in osteosarcomas remain unclear. Recently, CXCL1 and CXCR2 have been crucial indicators for lung metastasis in osteosarcoma by paracrine releases, suggesting the involvement of directing neutrophils into tumor microenvironment. In this study, overexpression of CXCL1 has a positive correlation with the migratory and invasive activities in osteosarcoma cell lines. Furthermore, the signaling pathway, CXCR2/FAK/PI3K/Akt, is activated through CXCL1 by promoting vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) via upregulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) expression and nuclear translocation. The in vivo animal model further demonstrated that CXCL1 serves as a critical promoter in osteosarcoma metastasis to the lung. The correlated expression of CXCL1 and VCAM-1 was observed in the immunohistochemistry staining from human osteosarcoma specimens. Our findings demonstrate the cascade mechanism regulating the network in lung metastasis osteosarcoma, therefore indicating that the CXCL1/CXCR2 pathway is a worthwhile candidate to further develop treatment schemas.
Clinical-Deep Neural Network and Clinical-Radiomics Nomograms for Predicting the Intraoperative Massive Blood Loss of Pelvic and Sacral Tumors
Authors: Yin Ping , Sun Chao , Wang Sicong , Chen Lei , Hong Nan
Published: October 2021

Background

Patients with pelvic and sacral tumors are prone to massive blood loss (MBL) during surgery, which may endanger their lives.

Purposes

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using deep neural network (DNN) and radiomics nomogram (RN) based on 3D computed tomography (CT) features and clinical characteristics to predict the intraoperative MBL of pelvic and sacral tumors.

Materials and Methods

This single-center retrospective analysis included 810 patients with pelvic and sacral tumors. 1316 CT and CT enhanced radiomics features were extracted. RN1 and RN2 were constructed by random grouping and time node grouping, respectively. The DNN models were constructed for comparison with RN. Clinical factors associated with the MBL were also evaluated. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and accuracy (ACC) were used to evaluate different models.

Results

Radscore, tumor type, tumor location, and sex were significant predictors of the MBL of pelvic and sacral tumors (P < 0.05), of which radscore (OR, ranging from 2.109 to 4.706, P < 0.001) was the most important. The clinical-DNN and clinical-RN performed better than DNN and RN. The best-performing clinical-DNN model based on CT features exhibited an AUC of 0.92 and an ACC of 0.97 in the training set, and an AUC of 0.92 and an ACC of 0.75 in the validation set.

Conclusions

The clinical-DNN and clinical-RN had good performance in predicting the MBL of pelvic and sacral tumors, which could be used for clinical decision-making.
A Novel Hypothalamic Factor, Neurosecretory Protein GM, Causes Fat Deposition in Chicks
Authors: Kato Masaki , Iwakoshi-Ukena Eiko , Furumitsu Megumi , Ukena Kazuyoshi
Published: October 2021

We recently discovered a novel cDNA encoding the precursor of a small secretory protein, neurosecretory protein GM (NPGM), in the mediobasal hypothalamus of chickens. Although our previous study showed that subcutaneous infusion of NPGM for 6 days increased body mass in chicks, the chronic effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of NPGM remains unknown. In this study, we performed i.c.v. administration of NPGM in eight-day-old layer chicks using osmotic pumps for 2 weeks. In the results, chronic i.c.v. infusion of NPGM significantly increased body mass, water intake, and the mass of abdominal and gizzard fat in chicks, whereas NPGM did not affect food intake, liver and muscle masses, or blood glucose concentration. Morphological analyses using Oil Red O and hematoxylin-eosin stainings revealed that fat accumulation occurred in both the liver and gizzard fat after NPGM infusion. The real-time PCR analysis showed that NPGM decreased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, a lipolytic factor in the liver. These results indicate that NPGM may participate in fat storage in chicks.
High Leaf Vein Density Promotes Leaf Gas Exchange by Enhancing Leaf Hydraulic Conductance in Oryza sativa L. Plants
Authors: Ye Miao , Wu Meng , Zhang Hao , Zhang Zuolin , Zhang Zujian
Published: October 2021

Six cultivated rice genotypes showing different stomatal conductance (gs) values were used to investigate the influence of leaf vein traits on leaf gas exchange and leaf hydraulics. The results showed that gs was the main determinant of the varietal difference in the net photosynthetic rate (PN), whereas the area-based leaf nitrogen content (Narea) and mesophyll conductance (gm) were not main factors. gs and PN were both positively correlated with leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf). A high density of leaf veins (vein length per leaf area, VLA), especially minor leaf veins (VLAminor), was of benefit for improving the Kleaf. The proportion of the minor leaf vein length to the total leaf vein length did not impact the leaf hydraulics or leaf gas exchange. Overall, these findings suggested that a high density of leaf veins, especially minor leaf veins, enhances Kleaf and promotes gs and PN in cultivated rice genotypes and a high VLA can be regarded as a high photosynthetic capacity trait in rice plants.
Label-Free Quantitative Proteome Analysis Reveals the Underlying Mechanisms of Grain Nuclear Proteins Involved in Wheat Water-Deficit Response
Authors: Li Tingting , Zhu Dong , Han Zhisheng , Zhang Junwei , Zhang Ming , Yan Yueming
Published: October 2021

In this study, we performed the first nuclear proteome analysis of wheat developing grains under water deficit by using a label-free based quantitative proteomic approach. In total, we identified 625 unique proteins as differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs), of which 398 DAPs were predicted to be localized in nucleus. Under water deficit, 146 DAPs were up-regulated and mainly involved in the stress response and oxidation-reduction process, while 252 were down-regulated and mainly participated in translation, the cellular amino metabolic process, and the oxidation-reduction process. The cis-acting elements analysis of the key nuclear DAPs encoding genes demonstrated that most of these genes contained the same cis-acting elements in the promoter region, mainly including ABRE involved in abscisic acid response, antioxidant response element, MYB responsive to drought regulation and MYC responsive to early drought. The cis-acting elements related to environmental stress and hormones response were relatively abundant. The transcription expression profiling of the nuclear up-regulated DAPs encoding genes under different organs, developmental stages and abiotic stresses was further detected by RNA-seq and Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and more than 50% of these genes showed consistency between transcription and translation expression. Finally, we proposed a putative synergistic responsive network of wheat nuclear proteome to water deficit, revealing the underlying mechanisms of wheat grain nuclear proteome in response to water deficit.
Management of Suspected Cases of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) During an International Translocation Program
Authors: Ryser-Degiorgis Marie-Pierre , Marti Iris , Pisano Simone R. R. , Pewsner Mirjam , Wehrle Martin , Breitenmoser-Würsten Christine , Origgi Francesco C. , Kübber-Heiss Anna , Knauer Felix , Posautz Annika , Eberspächer-Schweda Matthias , Huder Jon B. , Böni Jürg , Kubacki Jakub , Bachofen Claudia , Riond Barbara , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Meli Marina L.
Published: October 2021

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) population in Switzerland serves as a source for reintroductions in neighboring countries. In 2016–2017, three lynx from the same geographical area were found seropositive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) in the framework of an international translocation program. This novel finding raised questions about the virus origin and pathogenicity to lynx, the emerging character of the infection, and the interpretation of serological results in other lynx caught for translocation. Archived serum samples from 84 lynx captured in 2001–2016 were retrospectively tested for FIV antibodies by Western blot. All archived samples were FIV-negative. The three seropositive lynx were monitored in quarantine enclosures prior to euthanasia and necropsy. They showed disease signs, pathological findings, and occurrence of co-infections reminding of those described in FIV-infected domestic cats. All attempts to isolate and characterize the virus failed but serological data and spatiotemporal proximity of the cases suggested emergence of a lentivirus with antigenic and pathogenic similarities to FIV in the Swiss lynx population. A decision scheme was developed to minimize potential health risks posed by FIV infection, both in the recipient and source lynx populations, considering conservation goals, animal welfare, and the limited action range resulting from local human conflicts. Development and implementation of a cautious decision scheme was particularly challenging because FIV pathogenic potential in lynx was unclear, negative FIV serological results obtained within the first weeks after infection are unpredictable, and neither euthanasia nor repatriation of multiple lynx was acceptable options. The proposed scheme distinguished between three scenarios: release at the capture site, translocation, or euthanasia. Until April 2021, none of the 40 lynx newly captured in Switzerland tested FIV-seropositive. Altogether, seropositivity to FIV was documented in none of 124 lynx tested at their first capture, but three of them seroconverted in 2016–2017. Diagnosis of FIV infection in the three seropositive lynx remains uncertain, but clinical observations and pathological findings confirmed that euthanasia was appropriate. Our experiences underline the necessity to include FIV in pathogen screenings of free-ranging European wild felids, the importance of lynx health monitoring, and the usefulness of health protocols in wildlife translocation.
Adaptive Cuckoo Search-Extreme Learning Machine Based Prognosis for Electric Scooter System under Intermittent Fault
Authors: Yu Ming , Xiao Chenyu , Wang Hai , Jiang Wuhua , Zhu Rensheng
Published: October 2021

In this paper, an adaptive Cuckoo search extreme learning machine (ACS-ELM)-based prognosis method is developed for an electric scooter system with intermittent faults. Firstly, bond-graph-based fault detection and isolation is carried out to find possible faulty components in the electric scooter system. Secondly, submodels are decomposed from the global model using structural model decomposition, followed by adaptive Cuckoo search (ACS)-based distributed fault estimation with less computational burden. Then, as the intermittent fault gradually deteriorates in magnitude, and possesses the characteristics of discontinuity and stochasticity, a set of fault features that can describe the intermittent fault’s evolutionary trend are captured with the aid of tumbling window. With the obtained dataset, which represents the fault features, the ACS-ELM is developed to model the intermittent fault degradation trend and predict the remaining useful life of the intermittently faulty component when the physical degradation model is unavailable. In the ACS-ELM, the ACS is employed to optimize the input weights and hidden layer biases of an extreme learning machine, to improve the algorithm performance. Finally, the proposed methodologies are validated by a series of simulation and experiment results based on the electric scooter system.
Numerical Investigation of a Rectangular Jet Exhausting over a Flat Plate with Periodic Surface Deformations at the Trailing Edge
Authors: Horner Colby Niles , Sescu Adrian , Afsar Mohammed , Collins Eric
Published: October 2021

Multiple competing factors are forcing aircraft designers to reconsider the underwing engine pod configuration typically seen on most modern commercial aircraft. One notable concern is increasing environmental regulations on noise emitted by aircraft. In an attempt to satisfy these constraints while maintaining or improving vehicle performance, engineers have been experimenting with some innovative aircraft designs which place the engines above the wings or embedded in the fuselage. In one configuration, a blended wing concept vehicle utilizes rectangular jet exhaust ports exiting from above the wing ahead of the trailing edge. While intuitively one would think that this design would reduce the noise levels transmitted to the ground due to the shielding provided by the wing, experimental studies have shown that this design can actually increase noise levels due to interactions of the jet exhaust with the aft wing surface and flat trailing edge. In this work, we take another look at this rectangular exhaust port configuration with some notional modifications to the geometry of the trailing edge to determine if the emitted noise levels due to jet interactions can be reduced with respect to a baseline configuration. We consider various horizontal and vertical offsets of the jet exit with respect to a flat plate standing in for the aft wing surface. We then introduce a series of sinusoidal deformations to the trailing edge of the plate of varying amplitude and wave number. Our results show that the emitted sound levels due to the jet–surface interactions can be significantly altered by the proposed geometry modifications. While sound levels remained fairly consistent over many configurations, there were some that showed both increased and decreased sound levels in specific directions. We present results here for the simulated configurations which showed the greatest decrease in overall sound levels with respect to the baseline. These results provide strong indications that such geometry modifications can potentially be tailored to optimize for further reductions in sound levels.