bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aeolian Remobilisation of Volcanic Ash: Outcomes of a Workshop in the Argentinian Patagonia
Authors: Jarvis Paul A. , Bonadonna Costanza , Dominguez Lucia , Forte Pablo , Frischknecht Corine , Bran Donaldo , Aguilar Rigoberto , Beckett Frances , Elissondo Manuela , Gillies John , Kueppers Ulrich , Merrison Jonathan , Varley Nick , Wallace Kristi L.
Published: November 2020

During explosive volcanic eruptions, large quantities of tephra can be dispersed and deposited over wide areas. Following deposition, subsequent aeolian remobilisation of ash can potentially exacerbate primary impacts on timescales of months to millennia. Recent ash remobilisation events (e.g., following eruptions of Cordón Caulle 2011; Chile, and Eyjafjallajökull 2010, Iceland) have highlighted this to be a recurring phenomenon with consequences for human health, economic sectors, and critical infrastructure. Consequently, scientists from observatories and Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers (VAACs), as well as researchers from fields including volcanology, aeolian processes and soil sciences, convened at the San Carlos de Bariloche headquarters of the Argentinian National Institute of Agricultural Technology to discuss the “state of the art” for field studies of remobilised deposits as well as monitoring, modeling and understanding ash remobilisation. In this article, we identify practices for field characterisation of deposits and active processes, including mapping, particle characterisation and sediment traps. Furthermore, since forecast models currently rely on poorly-constrained dust emission schemes, we call for laboratory and field measurements to better parameterise the flux of volcanic ash as a function of friction velocity. While source area location and extent are currently the primary inputs for dispersion models, once emission schemes become more sophisticated and better constrained, other parameters will also become important (e.g., source material volume and properties, effective precipitation, type and distribution of vegetation cover, friction velocity). Thus, aeolian ash remobilisation hazard and associated impact assessment require systematic monitoring, including the development of a regularly-updated spatial database of resuspension source areas.
Type 2 Diabetes Patients' Perspectives, Experiences, and Barriers Toward Diabetes-Related Self-Care: A Qualitative Study From Pakistan
Authors: Bukhsh Allah , Goh Bey-Hing , Zimbudzi Edward , Lo Clement , Zoungas Sophia , Chan Kok-Gan , Khan Tahir Mehmood
Published: November 2020

Objective: This study aimed to qualitatively explore perspectives, practices, and barriers to self-care practices (eating habits, physical activity, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and medicine intake behavior) in urban Pakistani adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Pakistani adults with T2DM were recruited from the outpatient departments of two hospitals in Lahore. Semistructured interviews were conducted and audiorecorded until thematic saturation was reached. Two researchers thematically analyzed the data independently using NVivo® software with differences resolved by a third researcher.

Results: Thirty-two Pakistani adults (aged 35–75 years, 62% female) participated in the study. Six themes were identified from qualitative analysis: role of family and friends, role of doctors and healthcare, patients' understanding about diabetes, complication of diabetes and other comorbidities, burden of self care, and life circumstances. A variable experience was observed with education and healthcare. Counseling by healthcare providers, family support, and fear of diabetes-associated complications are the key enablers that encourage study participants to adhere to diabetes-related self-care practices. Major barriers to self care are financial constraints, physical limitations, extreme weather conditions, social gatherings, loving food, forgetfulness, needle phobia, and a hectic job.

Conclusion: Respondents identified many barriers to diabetes self care, particularly related to life situations and diabetes knowledge. Family support and education by healthcare providers were key influencers to self-care practices among Pakistani people with diabetes.
PPARγ S273 Phosphorylation Modifies the Dynamics of Coregulator Proteins Recruitment
Authors: Dias Marieli Mariano Gonçalves , Batista Fernanda Aparecida Heleno , Tittanegro Thais Helena , de Oliveira André Gustavo , Le Maire Albane , Torres Felipe Rafael , Filho Helder Veras Ribeiro , Silveira Leonardo Reis , Figueira Ana Carolina Migliorini
Published: November 2020

The nuclear receptor PPARγ is essential to maintain whole-body glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, acting as a master regulator of adipogenesis, lipid, and glucose metabolism. Its activation through natural or synthetic ligands induces the recruitment of coactivators, leading to transcription of target genes such as cytokines and hormones. More recently, post translational modifications, such as PPARγ phosphorylation at Ser273 by CDK5 in adipose tissue, have been linked to insulin resistance trough the dysregulation of expression of a specific subset of genes. Here, we investigate how this phosphorylation may disturb the interaction between PPARγ and some coregulator proteins as a new mechanism that may leads to insulin resistance. Through cellular and in vitro assays, we show that PPARγ phosphorylation inhibition increased the activation of the receptor, therefore the increased recruitment of PGC1-α and TIF2 coactivators, whilst decreases the interaction with SMRT and NCoR corepressors. Moreover, our results show a shift in the coregulators interaction domains preferences, suggesting additional interaction interfaces formed between the phosphorylated PPARγ and some coregulator proteins. Also, we observed that the CDK5 presence disturb the PPARγ-coregulator’s synergy, decreasing interaction with PGC1-α, TIF2, and NCoR, but increasing coupling of SMRT. Finally, we conclude that the insulin resistance provoked by PPARγ phosphorylation is linked to a differential coregulators recruitment, which may promote dysregulation in gene expression.
Aerobic Exercise Training Exerts Beneficial Effects Upon Oxidative Metabolism and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense in the Liver of Leptin Deficiency Mice
Authors: Fernandes Matheus Santos de Sousa , Silva Lucas de Lucena de Simões e , Kubrusly Márcia Saldanha , Lima Talitta Ricarlly Lopes de Arruda , Muller Cynthia Rodrigues , Américo Anna Laura Viacava , Fernandes Mariana Pinheiro , Cogliati Bruno , Stefano José Tadeu , Lagranha Claudia Jacques , Evangelista Fabiana S. , Oliveira Claudia P.
Published: November 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common forms of liver disease, which is associated with several etiological factors, including stress and dysfunction in oxidative metabolism. However, studies showed that aerobic exercise training (AET) can combat the oxidative stress (OS) and improves mitochondrial functionality in the NAFLD. To test the hypothesis that AET improves oxidative metabolism and antioxidant defense in the liver ofob/obmice. Maleob/obmice with eight weeks old were separated into two groups: the sedentary group (S), n=7, and the trained group (T), n=7. The T mice were submitted to an 8-week protocol of AET at 60% of the maximum velocity achieved in the running capacity test. Before AET, no difference was observed in running test between the groups (S=10.4 ± 0.7 minvs.T= 13 ± 0.47 min). However, after AET, the running capacity was increased in the T group (12.8 ± 0.87 min) compared to the S group (7.2 ± 0.63 min). In skeletal muscle, the T group (26.91 ± 1.12 U/mg of protein) showed higher citrate synthase activity compared with the S group (19.28 ± 0.88 U/mg of protein) (p =0.006). In the analysis of BW evolution, significant reductions were seen in the T group as of the fourth week when compared to the S group. In addition, food intake was not significant different between the groups. Significant increases were observed in the activity of enzymes citrate synthase (p=0.004) and β-HAD (p=0.01) as well as inPGC-1αgene expression (p=0.002) in the liver of T group. The levels of TBARs and carbonyls, as well as SOD, CAT and GST were not different between the groups. However, in the nonenzymatic antioxidant system, we found that the T group had higher sulfhydryl (p = 0.02), GSH (p=0.001) and GSH/GSSG (p=0.02) activity. In conclusion, the AET improved body weight evolution and the aerobic capacity, increased the response of oxidative metabolism markers in the liver such asPGC-1αgene expression and citrate synthase and β-HAD enzyme activities inob/obmice. In addition, AET improved the non-enzymatic antioxidant defense and did not change the enzymatic defense.
A Durable Response With the Combination of Nivolumab and Cabozantinib in a Patient With Metastatic Paraganglioma: A Case Report and Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Economides Minas P. , Shah Amishi Y. , Jimenez Camilo , Habra Mouhammed A. , Desai Monica , Campbell Matthew T.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Pheochromocytomas and sympathetic paragangliomas (PPGL) are neuroendocrine catecholamine-secreting tumors that are usually localized. Metastatic disease is rare and systemic treatment consists of conventional chemotherapy and high-specific-activity iodine-131-MIBG which was approved by the FDA in 2018. Although chemotherapy combinations still have value in specific settings, the debilitating side effects of treatment with only modest benefit have limited their use. With the introduction of a new generation of targeted therapy and immunotherapy patients with metastatic PPGL may have improved therapeutic options.

Areas Covered

The current paper presents a case of a patient with metastatic PPGL who received multiple lines of systemic treatment. Despite progression on previous single agent cabozantinib and single agent pembrolizumab on separate clinical trials, the patient has exhibited a major response to the combination of cabozantinib and nivolumab for the past 22 months. In addition, we will review the available therapies for metastatic PPGL and discuss novel agents under clinical development.

Conclusion

Newer targeted therapies and immunotherapy options are under clinical development with promising results for patients with PPGL.
Differential Regulation of the Expression of the Two Thyrotropin Beta Subunit Paralogs by Salmon Pituitary Cells In Vitro
Authors: Fleming Mitchell Stewart , Maugars Gersende , Martin Patrick , Dufour Sylvie , Rousseau Karine
Published: November 2020

We recently characterized two paralogs of the thyrotropin (TSH) beta subunit in Atlantic salmon,tshβaandtshβb, issued from teleost-specific whole genome duplication. The transcript expression oftshβb, but not oftshβa, peaks at the time of smoltification, which revealed a specific involvement oftshβbparalog in this metamorphic event.Tshβaandtshβbare expressed by distinct pituitary cells in salmon, likely related to TSH cells from thepars distalisandpars tuberalis, respectively, in mammals and birds. The present study aimed at investigating the neuroendocrine and endocrine factors potentially involved in the differential regulation oftshβaandtshβbparalogs, using primary cultures of Atlantic salmon pituitary cells. The effects of various neurohormones and endocrine factors potentially involved in the control of development, growth, and metabolism were tested. Transcript levels oftshβaandtshβbwere measured by qPCR, as well as those of growth hormone (gh), for comparison and validation. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulatedtshβatranscript levels in agreement with its potential role in the thyrotropic axis in teleosts, but had no effect ontshβbparalog, while it also stimulatedghtranscript levels. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) had no effect on neithertshβparalogs norgh. Somatostatin (SRIH) had no effects on bothtshβparalogs, while it exerted a canonical inhibitory effect onghtranscript levels. Thyroid hormones [triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)] inhibited transcript levels of bothtshβparalogs, as well asgh, but with a much stronger effect ontshβathan ontshβbandgh.Conversely, cortisol had a stronger inhibitory effect ontshβbthantshβa, while no effect ongh. Remarkably, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) dose-dependently stimulatedtshβbtranscript levels, while it had no effect ontshβa, and a classical inhibitory effect ongh. This study provides the first data on the neuroendocrine factors involved in the differential regulation of the expression of the twotshβparalogs. It suggests that IGF1 may be involved in triggering the expression peak of thetshβbparalog at smoltification, thus representing a potential internal signal in the link between body growth and smoltification metamorphosis.
Effect of Temperature on Pyrolysis Oil Using High-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate Sources From Mobile Pyrolysis Plant
Authors: Prurapark Ruktai , Owjaraen Kittwat , Saengphrom Bordin , Limthongtip Inpitcha , Tongam Nopparat
Published: November 2020

This research aims to study the effect of temperature, collecting time, and condensers on properties of pyrolysis oil. The research was done be analyzing viscosity, density, proportion of pyrolysis products and performance of each condenser towers for the pyrolysis of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the mobile pyrolysis plant. Results showed that the main product of HDPE resin was liquid, and the main product of PET resin was solid. Since the pyrolysis of PET results in mostly solid which blocked up the pipe, the analysis of pyrolysis oil would be from the use of HDPE as a raw material. The pyrolysis of HDPE resin in the amount of 100 kg at 400, 425, and 450°C produced the amount of oil 22.5, 27, and 40.5 L, respectively. The study found that 450°C was the temperature that gives the highest amount of pyrolysis oil in the experiment. The viscosity was in the range of 3.287–4.850 cSt. The density was in the range of 0.668–0.740 kg/L. The viscosity and density were increased according to three factors: high pyrolysis temperature, number of condensers and longer sampling time. From the distillation at temperatures below 65, 65–170, 170–250, and above 250°C, all refined products in each temperature range had the carbon number according to their boiling points. The distillation of pyrolysis oil in this experiment provided high amount of kerosene, followed by gasoline and diesel.
Environmental Regulation for Transfer of Pollution-Intensive Industries: Evidence From Chinese Provinces
Authors: Li Weiqing , Sun Huaping , Du Yunsu , Li Ziyao , Taghizadeh-Hesary Farhad
Published: November 2020

How environmental regulations affect the transfer of pollution-intensive industries is the core issue of balanced regional development and pollution reduction in China. This paper analyses the theoretical mechanism of the impact of environmental regulation on industrial transfer based on the distinction between formal environmental regulation and informal environmental regulation. To this aim, the paper selects panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2008 to 2018 and uses the fixed effect econometric model to test the impact of environmental regulation on the transfer of pollution-intensive industries, then uses a threshold regression model to study the threshold characteristics and spatial heterogeneity of environmental regulation on pollution-intensive industrial transfer. The results show a significant inverted U-shaped relationship between formal environmental regulation and the transfer of pollution-intensive industries. The increase of formal environmental regulation intensity affects restraining and then promoting the transfer out of pollution-intensive industries. The promoting effect also shows the characteristics of first increasing and then decreasing, verifying that there are threshold characteristics and spatial heterogeneity. Overall, informal environmental regulation promotes the transfer of pollution-intensive industries and shows the informal regulation’s economic effect. The paper then puts forward the corresponding policy suggestions, including utilizing clean energy-saving technologies in the industrial sector, which is incredibly significant to realize the coordinated development of environmental protection and economy.
The Tripartite Regulation Game of Carbon Financial Products Based on the Prospect Theory
Authors: Yu Xiaoran , Dong Guanglong , Liu Changyu
Published: November 2020

Because of the high information asymmetry of carbon financial products (CFPs), financial institutions infringing on the rights of investors occurred worldwide. However, few studies focused on how to protect investors effectively. In this paper, from the perspective of regulation, we analyze the game relationships among governments, financial institutions, and investors. Following this, the tripartite regulation game of CFPs is further constructed. Meanwhile, centered on heterogeneity and bounded rationality, we divide participants in this game into two types: tough or weak ones, and the strategies for different types of game players are compared based on the prospect theory. Moreover, through discussion of the deterrence equilibrium, challenge equilibrium, and separation equilibrium, the crucial influencing factors of the behavioral strategy are explored separately. Finally, some countermeasures of CFPs are put forward for governments to design appropriate regulation policies.
Does Asymmetrical Gonopodium Morphology Predict Lateralized Behavior in the Fish Xenophallus umbratilis?
Authors: Johnson Erik S. , Nielsen Mary-Elise , Johnson Jerald B.
Published: November 2020

Why bilaterally symmetrical organisms express handedness remains an important question in evolutionary biology. In some species, anatomical asymmetries have evolved that accompany behavioral handedness, yet we know remarkably little about causal links between asymmetric morphological traits and behavior. Here, we explore if a dextral or sinistral orientation of the male intromittent organ predicts side preferences in male behaviors. Our study addresses this question in the Costa Rican livebearing fish, Xenophallus umbratilis. This fish has a bilaterally symmetrical body plan, with one exception—the male anal fin (gonopodium), used to inseminate females, terminates with a distinct left- or right-handed corkscrew morphology. We used a detour assay to test males for side biases in approach behavior when exposed to four different stimuli (predator, potential mate, novel object, empty tank control). We found that left morph males preferred using their right eye to view potential mates, predators, and the control, and that right morph males preferred to use their left eye to view potential mates and predators, and their right eye to view the control. Males of both morphs displayed no eye bias when approaching the novel object. Our results suggest that there is a strong link between behavior and gonopodium orientation, with right and left morph males responding with opposite directional behaviors when presented with the same stimuli. This presents the intriguing possibility that mating preferences—in this case constrained by gonopodial morphology—could be driving lateralized decision making in a variety of non-mating behaviors.
Xeroderma Pigmentosum C (XPC) Mutations in Primary Fibroblasts Impair Base Excision Repair Pathway and Increase Oxidative DNA Damage
Authors: Fayyad Nour , Kobaisi Farah , Beal David , Mahfouf Walid , Ged Cécile , Morice-Picard Fanny , Fayyad-Kazan Mohammad , Fayyad-Kazan Hussein , Badran Bassam , Rezvani Hamid R. , Rachidi Walid
Published: November 2020

Xeroderma Pigmentosum C (XPC) is a multi-functional protein that is involved not only in the repair of bulky lesions, post-irradiation, via nucleotide excision repair (NER) per se but also in oxidative DNA damage mending. Since base excision repair (BER) is the primary regulator of oxidative DNA damage, we characterized, post-Ultraviolet B-rays (UVB)-irradiation, the detailed effect of three different XPC mutations in primary fibroblasts derived from XP-C patients on mRNA, protein expression and activity of different BER factors. We found that XP-C fibroblasts are characterized by downregulated expression of different BER factors including OGG1, MYH, APE1, LIG3, XRCC1, and Polβ. Such a downregulation was also observed at OGG1, MYH, and APE1 protein levels. This was accompanied with an increase in DNA oxidative lesions, as evidenced by 8-oxoguanine levels, immediately post-UVB-irradiation. Unlike in normal control cells, these oxidative lesions persisted over time in XP-C cells having lower excision repair capacities. Taken together, our results indicated that an impaired BER pathway in XP-C fibroblasts leads to longer persistence and delayed repair of oxidative DNA damage. This might explain the diverse clinical phenotypes in XP-C patients suffering from cancer in both photo-protected and photo-exposed areas. Therapeutic strategies based on reinforcement of BER pathway might therefore represent an innovative path for limiting the drawbacks of NER-based diseases, as in XP-C case.
Transcriptional Profiling Reveals the Regulatory Role of DNER in Promoting Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: He Rui , Zhang Wunai , Chen Shuo , Liu Yang , Yang Wenbin , Li Junhui
Published: November 2020

Wnt/β-catenin and NOTCH signaling contribute to the pathogenesis and growth of (PanNENs). The wnt and Notch signaling pathways form an integrated signaling device termed “wntch” and regulate stochastic cell fate decisions, suggesting the essentiality of Wnt/Notch interactions in disease progression. However, the function of Wnt/Notch interactions in PanNENs is unclear. We analyzed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs, mRNAs and pathways according to enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways associated with PanNENs. RNA-seq analysis revealed that the levels of the lncRNA XLOC_221242 and the mRNA encoding Delta/Notch-like epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related receptor (DNER) were significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues (n= 3). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) prediction combined with transcriptional profiling data analysis revealed that DNER expression levels were positively correlated with those of DNA-binding factor (RBPJ), S phase kinase-associated protein 1 (Skp1), CTNNB1 and Cadherin-2 (CDH2), which promote PanNEN tumorigenesis and progression. These results were consistent with those of immunohistochemical analysis of DNER, RBPJ, SKP1, CTNNB1, and CDH2 expression (n= 15). These findings provide compelling clinical and molecular evidence supporting the conclusion that DNER and the related RBPJ, SKP1, CTNNB1, and CDH2 signaling contribute to PanNEN tumorigenesis and progression by activating wnt/Notch interactions.
Tribbles-1 Expression and Its Function to Control Inflammatory Cytokines, Including Interleukin-8 Levels are Regulated by miRNAs in Macrophages and Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Niespolo Chiara , Johnston Jessica M. , Deshmukh Sumeet R. , Satam Swapna , Shologu Ziyanda , Villacanas Oscar , Sudbery Ian M. , Wilson Heather L. , Kiss-Toth Endre
Published: November 2020

The pseudokinase TRIB1 controls cell function in a range of contexts, by regulating MAP kinase activation and mediating protein degradation via the COP1 ubiquitin ligase. TRIB1 regulates polarization of macrophages and dysregulated Trib1 expression in murine models has been shown to alter atherosclerosis burden and adipose homeostasis. Recently, TRIB1 has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, where it is often overexpressed, even in the absence of genetic amplification. Well described TRIB1 effectors include MAP kinases and C/EBP transcription factors, both in immune cells and in carcinogenesis. However, the mechanisms that regulate TRIB1 itself remain elusive. Here, we show that the long and conserved 3’untranslated region (3’UTR) of TRIB1 is targeted by miRNAs in macrophage and prostate cancer models. By using a systematic in silico analysis, we identified multiple “high confidence” miRNAs potentially binding to the 3’UTR of TRIB1 and report that miR-101-3p and miR-132-3p are direct regulators of TRIB1 expression and function. Binding of miR-101-3p and miR-132-3p to the 3’UTR of TRIB1 mRNA leads to an increased transcription and secretion of interleukin-8. Our data demonstrate that modulation of TRIB1 by miRNAs alters the inflammatory profile of both human macrophages and prostate cancer cells.
Potential Acclimatization and Adaptive Responses of Adult and Trans-Generation Coral Larvae From a Naturally Acidified Habitat
Authors: Kurihara Haruko , Suhara Yuri , Mimura Izumi , Golbuu Yimnang
Published: November 2020

Coral reefs are one of the most susceptible ecosystems to ocean acidification (OA) caused by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). OA is suspected to impact the calcification rate of corals as well as multiple early life stages including larval and settlement stages. Meanwhile, there is now a strong interest in evaluating if organisms have the potential for acclimatization or adaptation to OA. Here, by taking advantage of a naturally acidified site in Nikko Bay, Palau where corals are presumably exposed to high CO2 conditions for their entire life history, we tested if adult and the next-generation larvae of the brooder coral Pocillopora acuta originating from the high-CO2 site are more tolerant to high CO2 conditions compared to the individuals from a control site. Larvae released from adults collected from the high-CO2 site within the bay and a control site outside the bay were reciprocally cultivated under experimental control or high-CO2 seawater conditions to evaluate their physiology. Additionally, reciprocal transplantation of adult P. acuta corals were conducted between the high-CO2 and control sites in the field. The larvae originating from the control site showed lower Chlorophyll-a content and lipid percentages when reared under high-CO2 compared to control seawater conditions, while larvae originating from the high-CO2 site did not. Additionally, all 10 individuals of adult P. acuta from control site died when transplanted within the bay, while all P. acuta corals within the bay survived at both control and high-CO2 site. Furthermore, P. acuta within the bay showed higher calcification and net photosynthesis rates when exposed to the condition they originated from. These results are one of the first results that indicate the possibility that the long-living corals could enable to show local adaptation to different environmental conditions including high seawater pCO2.
The Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin AD Supplement Alleviated Soybean Meal-Induced Intestinal Inflammation, Barrier Damage, and Microbial Dysbiosis in Juvenile Turbot, Scophthalmus maximus
Authors: Dai Jihong , Ou Weihao , Yu Guijuan , Ai Qinghui , Zhang Wenbing , Mai Kangsen , Zhang Yanjiao
Published: November 2020

This study aimed to investigate the benefit of dietary cecropin AD (CAD) on the intestinal health of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fed diets with a high level of soybean meal. A 12-week feeding trial was conducted with four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets: a fishmeal-based diet (FM), a diet replacing 40% fish meal protein of FM diet with soybean meal protein (SBM), and the SBM diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg (C1) and 1.0 g/kg (C2) CAD, respectively. The results of histology of distal intestine (DI) showed that turbots fed the SBM diet exhibited distinct symptoms of enteritis. However, fish fed diets with CAD supplementation kept the normal appearance of the DI which was similar to that in FM group. Compared with the SBM group, diet with CAD supplementation significantly decreased the gene expression of intestinal pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α), interleukin-1β (il-1β), interferon-gamma (ifn-γ), and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (nf-κb p65), while up-regulated the gene expression of intestinal tight junction proteins claudin-3, claudin-4, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (zo-1). Besides, diet C1 shaped the intestinal microbiota profile toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype represented by the increased abundance of Blutia, Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio, and decreased Prevotellaceae. In conclusion, dietary CAD could positively modulate the intestinal health of turbot from the impairment induced by soybean meal, which expands its application to help fish better adapt to the increasing plant protein level in aquafeed.
North Atlantic Western Boundary Currents Are Intense Dissolved Organic Carbon Streams
Authors: Fontela Marcos , Pérez Fiz F. , Mercier Herlé , Lherminier Pascale
Published: November 2020

In the North Atlantic, there are two main western boundary currents related to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC): the Gulf Stream flowing northward and the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) flowing southward. Here we analyze data from the OVIDE section (GO-SHIP A25 Portugal-Greenland 40–60°N) that crosses the DWBC and the northward extension of the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current. We show that North Atlantic western boundary currents play a key role in the transport of dissolved organic matter, specifically dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Revisited transports and budgets of DOC with new available data identify the eastern Subpolar North Atlantic (eSPNA) as an important source of locally produced organic matter for the North Atlantic and a key region in the supply of bioavailable DOC to the deep ocean. The East Greenland Current, and its upstream source the East Reykjanes Ridge Current on the eastern flank of the mid-Atlantic ridge, are export pathways of bioavailable DOC toward subtropical latitudes. The fast overturning and subsequent remineralization of DOC produced in the autotrophic eSPNA explains up to 38% of the total oxygen consumption in the deep North Atlantic between the OVIDE section and 24°N. Carbon budgets that do not take into account this organic remineralization process overestimates the natural uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere by one third. The inclusion of DOC transports in regional carbon budgets reconciles the estimates of CO2 uptake in the North Atlantic between model and observations.
Ecological Reference Points for Atlantic Menhaden Established Using an Ecosystem Model of Intermediate Complexity
Authors: Chagaris David , Drew Katie , Schueller Amy , Cieri Matt , Brito Joana , Buchheister Andre
Published: November 2020

Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) are an important forage fish for many predators, and they also support the largest commercial fishery by weight on the U.S. East Coast. Menhaden management has been working toward ecological reference points (ERPs) that account for menhaden’s role in the ecosystem. The goal of this work was to develop menhaden ERPs using ecosystem models. An existing Ecopath with Ecosim model of the Northwest Atlantic Continental Shelf (NWACS) was reduced in complexity from 61 to 17 species/functional groups. The new NWACS model of intermediate complexity for ecosystems (NWACS-MICE) serves to link the dynamics of menhaden with key managed predators. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were determined to be most sensitive to menhaden harvest and therefore served as an indicator of ecosystem impacts. ERPs were based on the tradeoff relationship between the equilibrium biomass of striped bass and menhaden fishing mortality (F). The ERPs were defined as the menhaden F rates that maintain striped bass at their biomass target and threshold when striped bass are fished at their Ftarget, and all other modeled species were fished at status quo levels. These correspond to an ERP Ftarget of 0.19 and an ERP Fthreshold of 0.57, which are lower than the single species reference points by 30–40%, but higher than current (2017) menhaden F. The ERPs were then fed back into the age-structured stock assessment model projections to provide information on total allowable catch. The ERPs developed in this study were adopted by the Atlantic menhaden Management Board, marking a shift toward ecosystem-based fishery management for this economically and ecologically important species.
One Year Outcome and Satisfaction of Presbyopia Correction Using the PresbyMAX® Monocular Ablation Profile
Authors: Fu Dan , Zhao Jing , Zeng Li , Zhou Xingtao
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To explore the safety, efficacy, and satisfaction of the PresbyMAX monocular mode for the correction of presbyopia.

Methods: Prospective study. Twenty-two patients (mean age 50.6 ± 6.2 years, 11 myopia patients and 11 hyperopia patients) were enrolled. The dominant eye was fully corrected for distance vision; the non-dominant eye was corrected using central PresbyMAX monocular mode. Binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity (BUDVA), near visual acuity (BUNVA), intermediate visual acuity (BUIVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and mean spherical equivalent (SE) were tested at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Questionnaire was performed preoperatively, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery.

Results: At the final visit, the mean safety index was 1.03 ± 0.14. There were 85.7% eyes with the same or better CDVA than the preoperative value, and 17.1% and 2.9% eyes gained 1 line and 2 lines of CDVA, respectively. All treated eyes achieved 20/25 or better BUDVA, and 95.5% achieved 20/32 or better BUNVA, which improved significantly compared with preoperative values (P < 0.001). BUDVA maintained stability from 1 month postoperatively, BUNVA and BUIVA kept stable since 1 week after surgery. Overall satisfaction was 95.5% (21/22) at 3 months visit, and 100% at the last visit. No differences in terms of visual acuity and satisfaction were found between the myopia and hyperopia groups.

Conclusion: The PresbyMAX monocular ablation profile was safe and effective in treating presbyopia, with great satisfaction achieved at postoperative 1 year.
Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Specificity in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
Authors: Sankarasubramanian Jagadesan , Ahmad Rizwan , Avuthu Nagavardhini , Singh Amar B. , Guda Chittibabu
Published: November 2020

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents multifactorial chronic inflammatory conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite similarities in pathobiology and disease symptoms, UC and CD represent distinct diseases and exhibit diverse therapeutic responses. While studies have now confirmed that IBD is associated with dramatic changes in the gut microbiota, specific changes in the gut microbiome and associated metabolic effects on the host due to CD and UC are less well-understood.

Methods: To address this knowledge gap, we performed an extensive unbiased meta-analysis of the gut microbiome data from five different IBD patient cohorts from five different countries using QIIME2, DIAMOND, and STAMP bioinformatics platforms. In-silico profiling of the metabolic pathways and community metabolic modeling were carried out to identify disease-specific association of the metabolic fluxes and signaling pathways.

Results: Our results demonstrated a highly conserved gut microbiota community between healthy individuals and IBD patients at higher phylogenetic levels. However, at or below the order level in the taxonomic rank, we found significant disease-specific alterations. Similarly, we identified differential enrichment of the metabolic pathways in CD and UC, which included enriched pathways related to amino acid and glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, in addition to other metabolic pathways.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study highlights the prospects of harnessing the gut microbiota to improve understanding of the etiology of CD and UC and to develop novel prognostic, and therapeutic approaches.
Alkaline Phosphomonoesterase-Harboring Microorganisms Mediate Soil Phosphorus Transformation With Stand Age in Chinese Pinus massoniana Plantations
Authors: Liang Yueming , Li Mingjin , Pan Fujing , Ma Jiangming , Yang Zhangqi , Ling Tianwang , Qin Jiashuang , Lu Shaohao , Zhong Fengyue , Song Zunrong
Published: November 2020

phoD-harboring microorganisms facilitate mineralization of organic phosphorus (P), while their role in the regulation of soil P turnover under P-limited conditions in Pinus massoniana plantations is poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of stand age and season on soil P fractions and phoD-harboring microorganism communities in a chronosequence of Chinese P. massoniana plantations including 3, 19, and 58 years. The soil P fractions (i.e., CaCl2-P, citrate-P, enzyme-P, and HCl-P) varied seasonally, with the higher values observed in the rainy season. The concentrations of the fractions were higher in old plantation (OP) soils and lower in young planation (YP) soils in both seasons. The OTU abundances were negatively correlated with total available P concentration, while were positively correlated with alkaline phosphomonoesterase (ALP) activity at 0–10 cm soil depth. The results indicate that phoD-harboring microorganisms have great potential to mineralize organic P under P-poor conditions and highlights those microorganisms are indicators of P bioavailability in P. massoniana plantations.
Determinants of Host Range Specificity in Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis
Authors: Walker Liam , Lagunas Beatriz , Gifford Miriam L.
Published: November 2020

Leguminous plants possess the almost unique ability to enter symbiosis with soil-resident, nitrogen fixing bacteria called rhizobia. During this symbiosis, the bacteria physically colonize specialized organs on the roots of the host plant called nodules, where they reduce atmospheric nitrogen into forms that can be assimilated by the host plant and receive photosynthates in return. In order for nodule development to occur, there is extensive chemical cross-talk between both parties during the formative stages of the symbiosis. The vast majority of the legume family are capable of forming root nodules and typically rhizobia are only able to fix nitrogen within the context of this symbiotic association. However, many legume species only enter productive symbiosis with a few, or even single rhizobial species or strains, and vice-versa. Permitting symbiosis with only rhizobial strains that will be able to fix nitrogen with high efficiency is a crucial strategy for the host plant to prevent cheating by rhizobia. This selectivity is enforced at all stages of the symbiosis, with partner choice beginning during the initial communication between the plant and rhizobia. However, it can also be influenced even once nitrogen-fixing nodules have developed on the root. This review sets out current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms employed by both parties to influence host range during legume-rhizobia symbiosis.
Epidemiological and Molecular Characteristics of HIV-1 Infection in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men in Brazil: Phylogeography of Major Subtype B and F1 Transmission Clusters
Authors: Silva Ágabo Macêdo da Costa e , Reis Mônica Nogueira da Guarda , Marinho Thaís Augusto , Freitas Nara Rúbia de , Teles Sheila Araújo , Matos Márcia Alves Dias de , Carneiro Megmar Aparecida dos Santos , Bello Gonzalo , Stefani Mariane Martins Araújo , Martins Regina Maria Bringel
Published: November 2020

This study describes human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) prevalence, associated factors, viral genetic diversity, transmitted drug resistance (TDR), and acquired drug resistance mutations (DRM) among a population of 522 men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited by the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method, in Goiânia city, the capital of the State of Goiás, Central-Western Brazil. All serum samples were tested using a four-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and reactive samples were confirmed by immunoblotting. Plasma RNA or proviral DNA was extracted, and partialpolymerase(pol) gene including the protease/reverse transcriptase (PR/RT) region was amplified and sequenced. HIV-1 subtypes were identified by phylogenetic inference and by bootscan analysis. The time and location of the ancestral strains that originated the transmission clusters were estimated by a Bayesian phylogeographic approach. TDR and DRM were identified using the Stanford databases. Overall, HIV-1 prevalence was 17.6% (95% CI: 12.6–23.5). Self-declared black skin color, receptive anal intercourse, sex with drug user partner, and history of sexually transmitted infections were factors associated with HIV-1 infection. Of 105 HIV-1-positive samples, 78 (74.3%) were sequenced and subtyped as B (65.4%), F1 (20.5%), C (3.8%), and BF1 (10.3%). Most HIV-1 subtype B sequences (67%; 34 out of 51) branched within 12 monophyletic clusters of variable sizes, which probably arose in the State of Goiás between the 1980s and 2010s. Most subtype F1 sequences (n= 14, 88%) branched in a single monophyletic cluster that probably arose in Goiás around the late 1990s. Among 78 samples sequenced, three were from patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART); two presented DRM. Among 75 ART-naïve patients, TDR was identified in 13 (17.3%; CI 95%: 9.6–27.8). Resistance mutations to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) predominated (14.7%), followed by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutations (5.3%) and protease inhibitor (PI) mutations (1.3%). This study shows a high prevalence of HIV-1 associated with sexual risk behaviors, high rate of TDR, and high genetic diversity driven by the local expansion of different subtype B and F1 strains. These findings can contribute to the understanding about the dissemination and epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HIV-1 among the population of MSM living away from the epicenter of epidemics in Brazil.
Involvement of a Membrane-Bound Amphiphilic Helix in Substrate Discrimination and Binding by an Escherichia coli S2P Peptidase RseP
Authors: Miyake Takuya , Hizukuri Yohei , Akiyama Yoshinori
Published: November 2020

Intramembrane proteases (IMPs) are a unique class of proteases that catalyze the proteolysis within the membrane and regulate diverse cellular processes in various organisms. RseP, an Escherichia coli site-2 protease (S2P) family IMP, is involved in the regulation of an extracytoplasmic stress response through the cleavage of membrane-spanning anti-stress-response transcription factor (anti-σE) protein RseA. Extracytoplasmic stresses trigger a sequential cleavage of RseA, in which first DegS cleaves off its periplasmic domain, and RseP catalyzes the second cleavage of RseA. The two tandem-arranged periplasmic PDZ (PDZ tandem) domains of RseP serve as a size-exclusion filter which prevents the access of an intact RseA into the active site of RseP IMP domain. However, RseP’s substrate recognition mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we found that a periplasmic region of RseP, located downstream of the PDZ tandem, contains a segment (named H1) predicted to form an amphiphilic helix. Bacterial S2P homologs with various numbers of PDZ domains have a similar amphiphilic helix in the corresponding region. We demonstrated that the H1 segment forms a partially membrane-embedded amphiphilic helix on the periplasmic surface of the membrane. Systematic and random mutagenesis analyses revealed that the H1 helix is important for the stability and proteolytic function of RseP and that mutations in the H1 segment can affect the PDZ-mediated substrate discrimination. Cross-linking experiments suggested that H1 directly interacts with the DegS-cleaved form of RseA. We propose that H1 acts as an adaptor required for proper arrangement of the PDZ tandem domain to perform its filter function and for substrate positioning for its efficient cleavage.
Afferent Projections to Area Prostriata of the Mouse
Authors: Hu Jin-Meng , Chen Chang-Hui , Chen Sheng-Qiang , Ding Song-Lin
Published: November 2020

Area prostriata plays important roles in fast detection and analysis of peripheral visual information. It remains unclear whether the prostriata directly receives and integrates information from other modalities. To gain insight into this issue, we investigated brain-wide afferent projections to mouse prostriata. We find convergent projections to layer 1 of the prostriata from primary and association visual and auditory cortices; retrosplenial, lateral entorhinal, and anterior cingulate cortices; subiculum; presubiculum; and anterior thalamic nuclei. Innervation of layers 2–3 of the prostriata mainly originates from the presubiculum (including postsubiculum) and anterior midline thalamic region. Layer 5 of the prostriata mainly receives its inputs from medial entorhinal, granular retrosplenial, and medial orbitofrontal cortices and anteromedial thalamic nucleus while layer 6 gets its major inputs from ectorhinal, postrhinal, and agranular retrosplenial cortices. The claustrum, locus coeruleus, and basal forebrain provide relatively diffuse innervation to the prostriata. Moreover, Cre-dependent tracing in cortical areas reveals that the cells of origin of the prostriata inputs are located in layers 2–4 and 5 of the neocortical areas, layers 2 and 5 of the medial entorhinal cortex, and layer 5 of the retrosplenial cortex. These results indicate that the prostriata is a unique region where primary and association visual and auditory inputs directly integrate with many limbic inputs.
Prevalence of Headache in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 14,275 Patients
Authors: Islam Md Asiful , Alam Sayeda Sadia , Kundu Shoumik , Hossan Tareq , Kamal Mohammad Amjad , Cavestro Cinzia
Published: November 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started to spread globally since December 2019 from Wuhan, China. Headache has been observed as one of the clinical manifestations in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the overall pooled prevalence of headache in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies published between December 2019 and March 2020. Adult (≥18 years) COVID-19 patients were considered eligible. We used random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Quality assessment was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020182529).

Results: We identified 2,055 studies, of which 86 studies (n = 14,275, 49.4% female) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled prevalence of headache in COVID-19 patients was 10.1% [95% CI: 8.76–11.49]. There was no significant difference of headache prevalence in severe or critical vs. non-severe (RR: 1.05, p = 0.78), survived (recovered or discharged) vs. non-survived (RR: 1.36, p = 0.23), and ICU vs. non-ICU (RR: 1.06, p = 0.87) COVID-19 patients. We detected 64.0, 34.9, and 1.1% of the included studies as high, moderate, and low quality, respectively.

Conclusions: From the first 4-month data of the outbreak, headache was detected in 10.1% of the adult COVID-19 patients.