bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysregulation of neutrophil death in sepsis
Authors: Zhu Cheng-long , Wang Yi , Liu Qiang , Li Hui-ru , Yu Chang-meng , Li Peng , Deng Xiao-ming , Wang Jia-feng
Published: August 2022

Sepsis is a prevalent disease that has alarmingly high mortality rates and, for several survivors, long-term morbidity. The modern definition of sepsis is an aberrant host response to infection followed by a life-threatening organ dysfunction. Sepsis has a complicated pathophysiology and involves multiple immune and non-immune mediators. It is now believed that in the initial stages of sepsis, excessive immune system activation and cascading inflammation are usually accompanied by immunosuppression. During the pathophysiology of severe sepsis, neutrophils are crucial. Recent researches have demonstrated a clear link between the process of neutrophil cell death and the emergence of organ dysfunction in sepsis. During sepsis, spontaneous apoptosis of neutrophils is inhibited and neutrophils may undergo some other types of cell death. In this review, we describe various types of neutrophil cell death, including necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, NETosis, and autophagy, to reveal their known effects in the development and progression of sepsis. However, the exact role and mechanisms of neutrophil cell death in sepsis have not been fully elucidated, and this remains a major challenge for future neutrophil research. We hope that this review will provide hints for researches regarding neutrophil cell death in sepsis and provide insights for clinical practitioners.
Comparison of non-criteria antiphospholipid syndrome with definite antiphospholipid syndrome: A systematic review
Authors: Pires da Rosa Gilberto , Ferreira Ester , Sousa-Pinto Bernardo , Rodríguez-Pintó Ignasi , Brito Iva , Mota Alberto , Cervera Ricard , Espinosa Gerard
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Patients with laboratory or clinical manifestations suggestive of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) but not fulfilling the classification criteria constitute a clinical challenge. This study aims to compare non-criteria APS (NC-APS) with definite APS in terms of clinical manifestations, therapies, and outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review of observational studies comparing definite and NC-APS was performed searching four electronic databases. Data on clinical manifestations, therapies and clinical outcomes was extracted.

Results

Sixteen studies, assessing a total of 3,798 participants, were included. Seven out of 10 studies found no significant difference in the prevalence of arterial or venous thrombosis between definite and NC-APS, with two studies on seronegative APS also finding no difference in thrombosis recurrence. Seven out of 12 studies found no significant difference in the prevalence of obstetric manifestations between groups, with the remaining exhibiting conflicting results. In 9 studies comparing treatment frequency in obstetric patients, all but one described similar treatment frequency, with the percentage of NC-APS treated during pregnancy ranging from 26% to 100%. In 10 studies comparing pregnancy outcomes of NC-APS versus definite APS, 7 found similar successful pregnancies/live births. Additionally, 5 studies described improvement of live births in both groups with treatment, with three signalling aspirin monotherapy as efficacious as combination therapy in NC-APS.

Conclusion

This review hints at an absence of marked differences in most evaluated parameters between definite and NC-APS, emphasizing the value of a more active follow-up of these patients. The low-quality available evidence highlights the need for well-defined NC-APS populations in future studies.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42020210674.
IL-36γ is secreted through an unconventional pathway using the Gasdermin D and P2X7R membrane pores
Authors: Manzanares-Meza Laura D. , Gutiérrez-Román Claudia I. , Jiménez-Pineda Albertana , Castro-Martínez Felipe , Patiño-López Genaro , Rodríguez-Arellano Eunice , Valle-Rios Ricardo , Ortíz-Navarrete Vianney F. , Medina-Contreras Oscar
Published: August 2022

Mucosal innate immunity functions as the first line of defense against invading pathogens. Members of the IL-1 family are key cytokines upregulated in the inflamed mucosa. Inflammatory cytokines are regulated by limiting their function and availability through their activation and secretion mechanisms. IL-1 cytokines secretion is affected by the lack of a signal peptide on their sequence, which prevents them from accessing the conventional protein secretion pathway; thus, they use unconventional protein secretion pathways. Here we show in mouse macrophages that LPS/ATP stimulation induces cytokine relocalization to the plasma membrane, and conventional secretion blockade using monensin or Brefeldin A triggers no IL-36γ accumulation within the cell. In silico modeling indicates IL-36γ can pass through both the P2X7R and Gasdermin D pores, and both IL-36γ, P2X7R and Gasdermin D mRNA are upregulated in inflammation; further, experimental blockade of these receptors’ limits IL-36γ release. Our results demonstrate that IL-36γ is secreted mainly by an unconventional pathway through membrane pores formed by P2X7R and Gasdermin D.
Tripartite split-GFP assay to identify selective intracellular nanobody that suppresses GTPase RHOA subfamily downstream signaling
Authors: Keller Laura , Tardy Claudine , Ligat Laetitia , Le Pennec Soazig , Bery Nicolas , Koraïchi Faten , Chinestra Patrick , David Mélissa , Gence Rémi , Favre Gilles , Cabantous Stéphanie , Olichon Aurélien
Published: August 2022

Strategies based on intracellular expression of artificial binding domains present several advantages over manipulating nucleic acid expression or the use of small molecule inhibitors. Intracellularly-functional nanobodies can be considered as promising macrodrugs to study key signaling pathways by interfering with protein-protein interactions. With the aim of studying the RAS-related small GTPase RHOA family, we previously isolated, from a synthetic phage display library, nanobodies selective towards the GTP-bound conformation of RHOA subfamily proteins that lack selectivity between the highly conserved RHOA-like and RAC subfamilies of GTPases. To identify RHOA/ROCK pathway inhibitory intracellular nanobodies, we implemented a stringent, subtractive phage display selection towards RHOA-GTP followed by a phenotypic screen based on F-actin fiber loss. Intracellular interaction and intracellular selectivity between RHOA and RAC1 proteins was demonstrated by adapting the sensitive intracellular protein-protein interaction reporter based on the tripartite split-GFP method. This strategy led us to identify a functional intracellular nanobody, hereafter named RH28, that does not cross-react with the close RAC subfamily and blocks/disrupts the RHOA/ROCK signaling pathway in several cell lines without further engineering or functionalization. We confirmed these results by showing, using SPR assays, the high specificity of the RH28 nanobody towards the GTP-bound conformation of RHOA subfamily GTPases. In the metastatic melanoma cell line WM266-4, RH28 expression triggered an elongated cellular phenotype associated with a loss of cellular contraction properties, demonstrating the efficient intracellular blocking of RHOA/B/C proteins downstream interactions without the need of manipulating endogenous gene expression. This work paves the way for future therapeutic strategies based on protein-protein interaction disruption with intracellular antibodies.
The complex interactions between humans and the marine environment require new efforts to build beauty and harmony
Authors: Omstedt Anders , Gustavsson Bernt
Published: August 2022

Human activities give rise to many factors exerting tremendous pressure on the ocean and its coastal seas. Simultaneously, social, political, and ecological environments are highly complex, with many competing interests. Marine system management and governance must therefore integrate many perspectives incorporating human perception and behavior. Here, we discuss how philosophy and science often address the investigation of reality. The starting points are the atomistic and holistic views and their interrelationships. The distinction between particular and universal claims is added to the atomistic and holistic views and broadened to encompass the context; perspectives on processes and system insights into coastal seas are then analyzed. We conclude that an atomistic view risks fragmenting our knowledge and treatment of nature and humans into many separate and conflicting compartments, while a holistic approach opens up the “whole” but at the risk of oversimplification. The distinction between particular and universal claims is essential, and universal human values are critical for reversing the decline in the marine environment. Adding an increasing number of processes to sea management initiatives could risk reducing public interest and increasing alienation from the sea. Atomistic and holistic, particular and universal, or processual and systemic understandings should not be treated as contradictory; instead, our understanding of reality can be transformed when these complementary perspectives meet.
The production of dissolved organic carbon by macroalgae and its consumption by marine bacteria: Implications for coastal ecosystems
Authors: Hall Jack R. , Albert Gerli , Twigg Isla M. , Baltar Federico , Hepburn Christopher D. , Martin Georg
Published: August 2022

Through the fixation of large quantities of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), macroalgae facilitate the energetic foundation of highly productive coastal ecosystems. While the processes controlling photosynthesis and carbon fixation by macroalgae are well known, the fate of organic matter fixed by macroalgae is less well understood. This study quantified release rates of DOC by three ecologically significant Baltic macroalgae species: the perennial habitat forming Fucus vesiculosus and Furcellaria lumbricalis, and the seasonal fast-growing Ulva intestinalis, under both light and dark conditions. The released products were assessed using bacterial incubations whereby radiolabeled leucine was used to evaluate the uptake and lability of these products by marine heterotrophic bacteria. DOC was found to be released by both F. vesiculosus and U. intestinalis at rates of 0.27 mg C·h−1 under light and 0.13 mg C·h−1 per unit of dry mass under dark treatments, respectively, whereas F. lumbricalis DOC release was observed to be negligible under both light and dark. Our findings further validate previous hypotheses that factors such as photosynthetic activity are a primary driver behind DOC release and that DOC release is not an entirely passive process. Additionally, we reaffirm the need to relate a given species life characteristics and habitat in order to understand why DOC products are released. The consumption of macroalgae-derived DOC by heterotrophic bacteria reveals that released DOC is variable in its lability. After a period of 12 h and under maximum photosynthetic conditions, the release of DOC by F. vesiculosus and U. intestinalis achieved a peak rate of 219 µg C·L−1·day−1 and 214 µg C·L−1·day−1 for each gram of dry weight material, respectively, directly into the microbial loop via heterotrophic bacterial consumption. In contrast, F. lumbricalis’ low rate of DOC release and the subsequent low bacterial consumption indicate that habitats dominated by this species have a reduced importance in the transfer energy via the microbial loop. These findings have implications for how we view carbon transfer within coastal food webs and highlight how changes in species composition and coverage may dramatically affect coastal ecosystem productivity through the microbial loop.
Versatile aquarium for jellyfish: A rearing system for the biomass production of early life stages in flow-through or closed systems
Authors: Ballesteros Ainara , Siles Pedro , Jourdan Eric , Gili Josep-Maria
Published: August 2022

Interest in the rearing of jellyfish has grown exponentially over recent years due to their indisputable potential in a wide variety of uses and research. Here, we describe the design and operation of an effective modified kreisel aquarium that allows to grow of the early planktonic life stages of jellyfish in both flow-through or closed systems. Thanks to its versatile and innovative approach, the aquarium operates for species with a metagenetic life cycle, and allows the metamorphosis of ephyrae from fertilized eggs for species with a holoplanktonic life cycle, such as Pelagia noctiluca. In addition, its configuration allows the mesh screen to be changed in situ, adjusting the size of the mesh according to the growth of the jellyfish and the size of the prey offered. An accessory, named the polyp plate, suspends the polyps in a downward or sideways position, facilitating prey capture, strobilae formation and release of ephyrae. The improvements of this modified kreisel reduce the time-involvement for staff in maintenance routines, and it is an important contribution to jellyfish husbandry techniques and biomass production. These improvements especially target to the culture of the blooming and stinging P. noctiluca, which has been noted to present a host of challenges to the scientific and aquarist communities.
Periodic Lagrangian Coherent Structures around a tidal inlet
Authors: De Leo Annalisa , Enrile Francesco , Stocchino Alessandro
Published: August 2022

We present an extensive experimental campaign dedicated to the identification of coherent trajectory patterns owing to flow occurring in tidal environments, characterized by a tidal inlet and a channel with lateral tidal flats. Single and multiple harmonics tides are here reproduced on a large-scale physical model. The study of the large scale macro-vortices, generated by vortex shedding during the flood phase from the inlet barrier, is performed employing the Lagrangian Average Vorticity Deviation (LAVD). The presence of large-scale vortices with a complex dynamics within a tidal period suggested a deeper understanding on the possible environmental implications in terms of transport connections or barriers. Finite Time Lyapunov Exponents are employed in order to recognize stable and unstable manifolds within the flow that are defined as preferred paths along which particles are repelled (forward integration) or attracted (backward).
Sounds of a changing sea: Temperature drives acoustic output by dominant biological sound-producers in shallow water habitats
Authors: Lillis Ashlee , Mooney T. Aran
Published: August 2022

The ocean’s soundscape is fundamental to marine ecosystems, not only as a source of sensory information critical to many ecological processes but also as an indicator of biodiversity and habitat health. Yet, little is known about how ecoacoustic activity in marine habitats is altered by environmental changes such as temperature. The sounds produced by dense colonies of snapping shrimp dominate temperate and tropical coastal soundscapes worldwide and are a major driver broadband sound pressure level (SPL) patterns. Field recordings of soundscape patterns from the range limit of a snapping shrimp distribution showed that rates of snap production and associated SPL were closely positively correlated to water temperature. Snap rates changed by 15-60% per °C change in regional temperature, accompanied by fluctuations in SPL between 1-2 dB per °C. To test if this relationship was due to a direct effect of temperature, we measured snap rates in controlled experiments using two snapping shrimp species dominant in the Western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico (Alpheus heterochaelis and A. angulosus). Snap rates were measured for shrimp held at different temperatures (across 10-30 °C range, with upper limit 2°C above current summer mean temperatures) and under different social groupings. Temperature had a significant effect on shrimp snap rates for all social contexts tested (individuals, pairs, and groups). For individuals and shrimp groups, snap production more than doubled between mid-range (20°C) and high (30°C) temperature treatments. Given that snapping shrimp sounds dominate the soundscapes of diverse habitats, including coral reefs, rocky bottoms, seagrass, and oyster beds, the strong influence of temperature on their activity will potentially alter soundscape patterns broadly. Increases in ambient sound levels driven by elevated water temperatures has ecological implications for signal detection, communication, and navigation in key coastal ecosystems for a wide range of organisms, including humans.
Development and validation of outcome prediction models for acute kidney injury patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Li Bo , Huo Yan , Zhang Kun , Chang Limin , Zhang Haohua , Wang Xinrui , Li Leying , Hu Zhenjie
Published: August 2022

Object

This study aimed to develop and validate a set of practical predictive tools that reliably estimate the 28-day prognosis of acute kidney injury patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy.

Methods

The clinical data of acute kidney injury patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database with structured query language and used as the development cohort. An all-subset regression was used for the model screening. Predictive models were constructed via a logistic regression, and external validation of the models was performed using independent external data.

Results

Clinical prediction models were developed with clinical data from 1,148 patients and validated with data from 121 patients. The predictive model based on seven predictors (age, vasopressor use, red cell volume distribution width, lactate, white blood cell count, platelet count, and phosphate) exhibited good predictive performance, as indicated by a C-index of 0.812 in the development cohort, 0.811 in the internal validation cohort and 0.768 in the external validation cohort.

Conclusions

The model reliably predicted the 28-day prognosis of acute kidney injury patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy. The predictive items are readily available, and the web-based prognostic calculator (https://libo220284.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/) can be used as an adjunctive tool to support the management of patients.
Systematic and meta-based evaluation on job satisfaction of village doctors: An urgent need for solution issue
Authors: Chen Yuquan , You Yanwei , Wang Yue , Wang Yudong , Dai Tao
Published: August 2022

Background

Village doctors are the health “gatekeepers” of rural residents in most developing countries. They undertake a series of strenuous but pivotal missions, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complicated diseases, sanitation services and management, and preventive healthcare and education tasks. Hence, it is of great importance to evaluate the village doctors’ job satisfaction status, which is one of the most important indicators that can reflect the current working state, to provide guidelines for the healthcare policies.

Methods

Literature search was conducted in 7 authoritative databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Experts in the field of social medicine were consulted to achieve supplement and obtain relevant literature. China was selected as a representative of the village doctor system for the in-depth analysis. Building on the previous literature, we modified and proposed a novel strategy that can transform and integrate the outcome indicators to conduct a meta-based and quantitative assessment on job satisfaction.

Results

A total of 37 publications and 23,595 village doctors were included in this research. The meta-analysis showed that the overall job satisfaction score of village doctors was 3.1858 (total score: 5.00), 95% CI: 2.9675–3.404, which represented the level of “neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.” However, in the subsequent adjustment of publication bias, this score reduced to 2.7579, 95% CI: 2.5254–2.9904, which indicated a direct “dissatisfied” level. To discover the underlying causes, a holistic analysis of each dimension and influencing factors of job satisfaction was conducted, and the results demonstrated that “Financial Rewards” (2.49) was the most important factor causing dissatisfaction among village doctors, followed by “Job Security (2.52)” and “Work Stress (3.05).” Several important themes were also identified and assessed to explore the factors related to this topic.

Conclusion

This study indicated that there is an urgent need to improve the working status of health workers in rural and remote areas, especially in the middle- and low-income countries. Health policy makers should not only improve the current remuneration and subsidies of village doctors but also guide the professional development and give them more job security to enhance the work stability of this group. More specifically, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, further surveys on job satisfaction of village doctors should be carried out to take targeted measures.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/], identifier [CRD42021289139].
Race, ethnicity, and the use of regional anesthesia in cancer patients undergoing open abdominal surgery: A single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Owusu-Agyemang Pascal , Feng Lei , Porche Vivian H. , Williams Uduak U. , Cata Juan P.
Published: August 2022

Background

Where applicable, regional anesthesia has been shown to be superior to opioid or non-opioid analgesic modalities alone. However, some studies have shown ethnic-based disparities in the use of regional anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical procedures. In this study of patients who had undergone major oncologic surgery, our main objective was to compare the use of regional anesthesia between patients of different ethnicities.

Methods

A retrospective review of adults who had undergone major open abdominal surgical procedures between 2016 and 2021 was performed. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between baseline patient characteristics and the use of regional anesthesia.

Results

A total of 4,791 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 60.5 years [interquartile range, 49, 69], the majority were female (65%), and of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Class (ASA) 3 (94.7%). Regional anesthesia was used in 2,652 patients (55.4%) and was not associated with race or ethnicity (p = 0.287). Compared to White patients, the odds of regional anesthesia use in other racial/ethnic groups were: Asian {odds ratio (OR) 0.851 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.660–1.097]; p = 0.2125}, Black/African American [OR 0.807 (95% CI, 0.651–1.001); p = 0.0508], Hispanic/Latino [OR 0.957 (95% CI, 0.824–1.154); p = 0.7676], Other race [OR 0.957 (95% CI, 0.627–1.461); p = 0.8376]. In the multivariable analysis, age [OR 0.995 (95% CI, 0.991–1.000); p = 0.0309] and female gender [OR 1.231 (95% CI, 1.090–1.390); p = 0.0008] were associated with the use of regional anesthesia.

Conclusion

In this single-institution retrospective study of adults who had undergone major open abdominal surgery, the use of regional anesthesia was not associated with race or ethnicity. In the multivariable analysis, age and female gender were associated with the use of regional anesthesia.
Case report: Nocardial brain abscess in a persistently SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Veličković Jelena , Vukičević Tatjana Adžić , Spurnić Aleksandra Radovanović , Lazić Igor , Popović Bojana , Bogdanović Ivan , Raičević Savo , Marić Dragana , Berisavac Ivana
Published: August 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in immunocompromised patients represents a major challenge for diagnostics, surveillance, and treatment. Some individuals remain SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive for a prolonged period. The clinical and epidemiological significance of this phenomenon is not well understood. We report a case of a patient with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who has been persistently SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive for 9 months, with multiple thromboembolic complications, and development of nocardial brain abscess successfully treated with surgery and antibiotics.
Regional factors as major drivers for microbial community turnover in tropical cascading reservoirs
Authors: Vieira Helena Henriques , Bagatini Inessa Lacativa , de Moraes Guilherme Pavan , Freitas Roberta Mafra , Sarmento Hugo , Bertilsson Stefan , Vieira Armando Augusto Henriques
Published: August 2022

The turnover of microbial communities across space is dictated by local and regional factors. Locally, selection shapes community assembly through biological interactions between organisms and the environment, while regional factors influence microbial dispersion patterns. Methods used to disentangle the effects of local and regional factors typically do not aim to identify ecological processes underlying the turnover. In this paper, we identified and quantified these processes for three operational microbial subcommunities (cyanobacteria, particle-attached, and free-living bacteria) from a tropical cascade of freshwater reservoirs with decreasing productivity, over two markedly different dry and rainy seasons. We hypothesized that during the dry season communities would mainly be controlled by selection shaped by the higher environmental heterogeneity that results from low hydrological flow and connectivity between reservoirs. We expected highly similar communities shaped by dispersal and a more homogenized environment during the rainy season, enhanced by increased flow rates. Even if metacommunities were largely controlled by regional events in both periods, the selection had more influence on free-living communities during the dry period, possibly related to elevated dissolved organic carbon concentration, while drift as a purely stochastic factor, had more influence on cyanobacterial communities. Each subcommunity had distinct patterns of turnover along the cascade related to diversity (Cyanobacteria), lifestyle and size (Free-living), and spatial dynamics (particle-attached).
Development of the gut microbiota in healthy twins during the first 2 years of life and associations with body mass index z-score: Results from the Wuhan twin birth cohort study
Authors: Mei Hong , Yang Shaoping , Peng An’na , Li Ruizhen , Xiang Feiyan , Zheng Hao , Tan Yafei , Zhang Ya , Zhou Ai’fen , Zhang Jianduan , Xiao Han
Published: August 2022

The gut microbiota undergoes rapid and vital changes to microbial community structure and the microbial-immune crosstalk during the first 3 years of life, which is thought to be involved in the pathobiology of later-life disease. Compared to single-born children, little is known about the gut microbiota of twins in early childhood. Based on the Wuhan Twin Birth Cohort study, 344 stool samples from 204 twin families were analyzed to investigate the difference in gut microbiota composition at 6, 12, and 24 months of age. Furthermore, this study evaluated the association between gut microbiota development curves and body mass index z-score (BMI_Z) curves at 6, 12, and 24 months of age. The predominant microbiota phyla identified in twins were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Verrucomicrobiota. The richness and diversity of gut microbiota increased from 6 to 24 months old (alpha diversity with p < 0.05). Beta diversity revealed 61 gut microbiota genera that were significantly different in relative abundance among the three age groups. Among the 61 gut microbiota genera, 30 distinct trajectory curves (DTCs) were generated by group-based trajectory models after log2 transformation of their relative abundance. Subsequently, Spearman correlation analysis revealed that only five gut microbiota DTC were correlated with the BMI_Z DTC. Therefore, we further examined the association between the five gut microbiota genera DTC and BMI_Z DTC using generalized estimation equation models. The results revealed a significant association between the DTC groups of Parabacteroides and that of BMI_Z (coefficient = 0.75, p = 0.04). The results of this study validated the hypothesis that the richness and diversity of gut microbiota developed with age in twins. Moreover, participants with a higher DTC of log2-transformed Parabacteroides had a higher BMI_Z DTC during the first 2 years of life. Further studies are needed to confirm the association between Parabacteroides and BMI_Z in other populations.
Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and tentative epidemiological cutoff values of Legionella pneumophila from environmental water and soil sources in China
Authors: Yang Jin-Lei , Sun Honghua , Zhou Xuefu , Yang Mo , Zhan Xiao-Yong
Published: August 2022

Legionnaires’ disease (LD), caused by Legionella, including the most prevalent Legionella pneumophila, has been treated primarily with antibiotics. Environmental water and soil are the reservoirs for L. pneumophila. Studying antimicrobial susceptibility using a large number of isolates from various environmental sources and regions could provide an unbiased result. In the present study, antimicrobial susceptibility of 1464 environmental L. pneumophila isolates that were derived from various environmental water and soil sources of 12 cities in China to rifampin (RIF), erythromycin (ERY), clarithromycin (CLA), azithromycin (AZI), ciprofloxacin (CIP), moxifloxacin (MOX), levofloxacin (LEV), and doxycycline (DOX) was investigated, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data were obtained. We show that regarding macrolides, ERY was least active (MIC90 = 0.5 mg/L), while CLA was most active (MIC90 = 0.063 mg/L). A total of three fluoroquinolones have similar MICs on L. pneumophila. Among these antimicrobials, RIF was the most active agent, while DOX was the most inactive one. We observed different susceptibility profiles between serogroup 1 (sg1) and sg2-15 or between water and soil isolates from different regions. The ECOFFs were ERY and AZI (0.5 mg/L), RIF (0.002 mg/L), CIP, CLA and MOX (0.125 mg/L), LEV (0.063 mg/), and DOX (32 mg/L). Overall, two fluoroquinolone-resistant environmental isolates (0.14%) were first documented based on the wild-type MIC distribution. Not all azithromycin-resistant isolates (44/46, 95.65%) harbored the lpeAB efflux pump. The MICs of the ERY and CLA on the lpeAB + isolates were not elevated. These results suggested that the lpeAB efflux pump might be only responsible for AZI resistance, and undiscovered AZI-specific resistant mechanisms exist in L. pneumophila. Based on the big MIC data obtained in the present study, the same defense strategies, particularly against both CLA and RIF, may exist in L. pneumophila. The results determined in our study will guide further research on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of L. pneumophila and could be used as a reference for setting clinical breakpoints and discovering antimicrobial-resistant isolates in the clinic, contributing to the antibiotic choice in the treatment of LD.
Biological Functions and Cross-Kingdom Host Gene Regulation of Small RNAs in Lactobacillus plantarum-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Yu Siran , Zhao Zhehao , Hao Piliang , Qiu Yan , Zhao Meiyi , Zhou Gang , Zhang Chengqian , Kang Jiuhong , Li Ping
Published: August 2022

Extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of microRNAs is a novel mode of cell-to-cell genetic transmission. Extracellular vesicles produced by microbes have been shown to contain significant quantities of physiologically active molecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNA, which could be transported to host cells and play a key role in both inter-kingdom signaling and physiological responses. In this study, we identified sRNAs by sequencing small RNAs (sRNAs) from Lactobacillus plantarum-derived extracellular vesicles (LDEVs) and detected the expression levels of vesicular sRNAs using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which demonstrated the presence of microRNA-sized RNAs (msRNAs) within these vesicles. We chose sRNA71, a highly expressed msRNA, for further investigation, predicted its potential target genes for the human genome, and indicated that it could be translocated into mammalian cells. The biological functions of this sRNA71 were subsequently explored through cellular proteomics, western blot, and luciferase reporter assay. According to the findings, transfection with synthetic sRNA71 mimics substantially reduced Tp53 expression in HEK293T cells and suppressed the gene expression through binding to the 3′ UTR of Tp53 mRNA. In conclusion, it is hypothesized that microbial-derived extracellular vesicles serve as carriers of functional molecules such as sRNAs, which play an essential role in regulating microbial-host communication.
Asclepain cI, a proteolytic enzyme from Asclepias curassavica L., a south American plant, against Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Salinas Ibáñez Ángel Gabriel , Origone Anabella L. , Liggieri Constanza S. , Barberis Sonia E. , Vega Alba E.
Published: August 2022

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram negative bacterium most frequently associated with human gastrointestinal infections worldwide. The increasing occurrence of antibiotic-resistant isolates of H. pylori constitutes a challenge. The eradication of the microorganism is currently being considered a “high priority” by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this context, bioactive compounds found in natural products seem to be an effective therapeutic option to develop new antibiotics against the pathogen. In this study, we investigated the effect of asclepain cI, the main purified proteolytic enzyme of the latex of petioles and stems from Asclepia curassavica L. (Asclepiadaceae), a South American native plant, against H. pylori; in order to obtain a natural therapeutic adjuvant and a safe nutraceutical product. Asclepain cI showed antibacterial activity against reference strains and drug-resistant clinical isolates of H. pylori in vitro. A range of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) from 1 to 2 μg/ml and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) from 2 to 4 μg/ml was obtained, respectively. The action of asclepain cI on the transcription of omp18, ureA, flaA genes showed a significantly decreased expression of the selected pathogenic factors. Furthermore, asclepain cI did not induce toxic effects at the concentrations assayed. Asclepain cI could be considered a highly feasible option to be used as a natural therapeutic adjuvant and a safe nutraceutical product against H. pylori.
New rapid detection by using a constant temperature method for avian leukosis viruses
Authors: Wu Xiuhong , Chu Fengsheng , Zhang Luxuan , Chen Sheng , Gao Liguo , Zhang Hao , Huang Haohua , Wang Jin , Chen Mengjun , Xie Zi , Chen Feng , Zhang Xinheng , Xie Qingmei
Published: August 2022

The avian leukemia virus causes avian leukemia (AL), a severe immunosuppressive disease in chickens (ALV). Since the 1990s, the diversity of ALV subpopulations caused by ALV genome variation and recombination, and the complexity of the infection and transmission, with currently no effective commercial vaccine and therapeutic for ALV, has resulted in severe economic losses to the chicken business in various parts of the world. Therefore, as a key means of prevention and control, an effective, rapid, and accurate detection method is imperative. A new real-time reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay for ALV with rapid, highly specific, low-cost, and simple operational characteristics have been developed in this study. Based on the amplification of 114 base pairs from the ALV P12 gene, real-time RT-RAA primers and a probe were designed for this study. The lowest detection line was 10 copies of ALV RNA molecules per response, which could be carried out at 39°C in as fastest as 5 min and completed in 30 min, with no cross-reactivity with Marek's disease virus, avian reticuloendothelial virus, Newcastle disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, and avian influenza virus. Furthermore, the kappa value of 0.91 (>0.81) was compared with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for 44 clinical samples, and the coefficients of variation were within 5.18% of the repeated assays with three low-level concentration gradients. These results indicate that using a real-time RT-RAA assay to detect ALV could be a valuable method.
Effects of intrinsic tannins on proteolysis dynamics, protease activity, and metabolome during sainfoin ensiling
Authors: Huang Rong Zheng , Wang Xuzhe , Ma Chunhui , Zhang Fanfan
Published: August 2022

Condensed tannins (CT) from sainfoin have a high capacity to inhibit proteolysis. A previous study reported that CT from sainfoin can inhibit lactic acid bacteria activity and decrease ammonium-nitrogen (N) content during sainfoin ensiling; however, no study has focused on the metabolome of ensiled sainfoin. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of CT [following supplementation of deactivated CT with polyethylene glycol (PEG)] on protease activity, keystone bacteria, and metabolome during sainfoin ensiling. According to the results, PEG amendment increased non-protein N, amino acid, and soluble protein contents significantly (in the 49.08–59.41, 116.01–64.22, and 23.5–41.94% ranges, respectively, p < 0.05) during ensiling, whereas neutral detergent-insoluble protein and acid detergent-insoluble protein were decreased significantly (in the 55.98–64.71 and 36.58–57.55% ranges, respectively, p < 0.05). PEG supplementation increased aminopeptidase and acid protease activity after 3 days of ensiling (p < 0.05) and increased carboxypeptidase activity during the entire ensiling process (p < 0.05). The keystone bacteria changed following PEG addition (Stenotrophomonas, Pantoea, and Cellulosimicrobium in the control vs. Microbacterium, Enterococcus, and Brevundimonas in the PEG-treated group). In total, 510 metabolites were identified after 60 days of sainfoin ensiling, with 33 metabolites annotated in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. Among the metabolites, phospholipids were the most abundant (72.7% of 33 metabolites). In addition, 10 upregulated and 23 downregulated metabolites were identified in the PEG-treated group when compared with the control group, after 60 days of ensiling (p < 0.05). Pediococcus (correlated with 20 metabolites, R2 > 0.88, p < 0.05) and Lactobacillus (correlated with 16 metabolites, R2 > 0.88, p < 0.05) were the bacteria most correlated with metabolites. The results suggested antagonistic effects between Lactobacillus and Pediococcus during ensiling. The decreased proteolysis during sainfoin ensiling was mainly attributed to the inhibition of protease activity by CT, particularly carboxypeptidase activity. In addition, proteolysis decreased partly due to CT inhibiting Pediococcus activity during ensiling, with Pediococcus being significantly and positively correlated with dopamine after 60 days of ensiling (R2 = 0.8857, p < 0.05).
Global research trends and hotspots of fecal microbiota transplantation: A bibliometric and visualization study
Authors: Wang Mancai , Xie Xiaofeng , Zhao Songbo , Han Wei , Zhang Youcheng
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained considerable attention in a variety of clinical research areas, and an increasing number of articles are being published. It is very critical to reveal the global status, future research trends, and hotspots in the FMT research and application.

Methods

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection up to May 10, 2022, and only articles and review articles about FMT were included finally. CiteSpace 5.8.R3, VOSviewer 1.6.18, Scimago Graphica and Microsoft Office Excel 2019 were used for data analysis and visualization. The results included publication characteristics, Co-authorships analysis, Co-cited analysis, Co-occurrence analysis, and burst analysis.

Results

Eleven thousand nine hundred seventy-two records were used for the analysis and visualization finally, these records were published between 1980 and 2022, and the publication about FMT is increasing year by year. Co-authorship analysis shown that the USA played a key role in this field. After data analysis and visualization, a total of 57 hotspots about FMT were produced. We summarized these hotspots and classified them into 7 grades according to the number of evidence sources. The evidence sources included top 25 of Web of Science categories, top 30 most Co-cited references, top 10 clusters of references, top 25 references with the strongest citation bursts, top 25 keywords with the most occurrence frequency, major 15 clusters of keywords, top 25 keywords with the strongest citation bursts, and top 35 disease keywords.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis is expected to provide overall perspective for FMT. FMT has gained increasing attention and interest, there are many hotspots in this field, which may help researchers to explore new directions for future research.
Corticospinal drive is associated with temporal walking adaptation in both healthy young and older adults
Authors: Sato Sumire D. , Choi Julia T.
Published: August 2022

Healthy aging is associated with reduced corticospinal drive to leg muscles during walking. Older adults also exhibit slower or reduced gait adaptation compared to young adults. The objective of this study was to determine age-related changes in the contribution of corticospinal drive to ankle muscles during walking adaptation. Electromyography (EMG) from the tibialis anterior (TA), soleus (SOL), medial, and lateral gastrocnemius (MGAS, LGAS) were recorded from 20 healthy young adults and 19 healthy older adults while they adapted walking on a split-belt treadmill. We quantified EMG-EMG coherence in the beta-gamma (15–45 Hz) and alpha-band (8–15 Hz) frequencies. Young adults demonstrated higher coherence in both the beta-gamma band coherence and alpha band coherence, although effect sizes were greater in the beta-gamma frequency. The results showed that slow leg TA-TA coherence in the beta-gamma band was the strongest predictor of early adaptation in double support time. In contrast, early adaptation in step length symmetry was predicted by age group alone. These findings suggest an important role of corticospinal drive in adapting interlimb timing during walking in both young and older adults.
Refined Self-Motion Scheme With Zero Initial Velocities and Time-Varying Physical Limits via Zhang Neurodynamics Equivalency
Authors: Tang Zanyu , Zhang Yunong
Published: August 2022

By considering the different-level time-varying physical limits in joint space, a refined self-motion control scheme via Zhang neurodynamics equivalency (SMCSvZ) of redundant robot manipulators is proposed, analyzed, and investigated in this manuscript. The SMCSvZ is reformulated as a quadratic program with an equation constraint and a unified bound inequation constraint, which meets the self-motion requirements including the end effector keeping immobile and the initial joint-angle velocities being zero. Simulative verifications based on a six-degrees-of-freedom planar redundant manipulator substantiate the efficacy, accuracy, and superiority of the proposed control scheme, additionally by comparing it with two previous self-motion control schemes. Besides, simulative verifications based on a PUMA560 manipulator are carried out to further verify the availability and correctness of the SMCSvZ.
Limb heaviness as a sensorimotor disorder alters rehabilitation adherence after a stroke
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Yang Hongyan , Chen Yanqin , Wei Hui , Lan Meijuan
Published: August 2022

Introduction

To the best of our knowledge, it is still unknown how perceived limb heaviness affects rehabilitation adherence. As rehabilitation adherence is very important for the functional recovery of patients with stroke, it is important to explore the relationship between perceived limb heaviness and rehabilitation adherence.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with consecutive stroke recruited in the CIRCLE study. The influence of age, gender, time from onset to enrollment, educational background, hypertension, diabetes, Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on rehabilitation adherence was analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association between perceived limb heaviness and rehabilitation adherence changes.

Results

A total of 108 participants completed the study. About 40 (37.0%) participants felt limb heaviness. The mean scores on the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale for the upper affected limb strength were 3.05 ± 1.7, and the mean score on the exercise adherence questionnaire (EAQ) was 34.27 ± 8.9. Univariate analysis showed that rehabilitation adherence levels differed in upper limb muscle strength and whether they perceived limb heaviness. After adjustment for independent predictors, we found that perceived limb heaviness was associated with rehabilitation adherence (B = −9.681 ± 1.494, p < 0.05) and R2 was 0.332 and 0.074 if the muscle strength of the upper limb and perceived limb heaviness were included in the model and the model was without perceived limb heaviness, respectively.

Conclusion

By identifying patients with stroke with limb heaviness, it led to lower levels of motor functional rehabilitation adherence. We must pay more attention to limb heaviness and provide effective interventions to improve rehabilitation adherence and promote patient recovery.
Transcranial direct current stimulation over the posterior parietal cortex improves visuomotor performance and proprioception in the lower extremities
Authors: Kamii Yasushi , Kojima Sho , Onishi Hideaki
Published: August 2022

The purpose of this study was to examine whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (a-tDCS) over the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) could affect visuomotor performance and proprioception in the lower extremities. We evaluated visuomotor performance in 15 healthy volunteers using a visuomotor control task by plantar dorsiflexion of the ankle joint, and calculated the absolute difference between the target and measured angle. In addition, we evaluated proprioception using a joint position matching task. During the task, the subject reproduced the ankle joint plantar dorsiflexion angle presented by the examiner. We calculated the absolute difference between the presented and measured angles (absolute error) and the variation of measured angles (variable error). Simultaneously, a-tDCS (1.5 mA, 15 min) or sham stimulation was applied to the right PPC. We observed that the absolute error of the visuomotor control task and the variable error of the joint position matching task significantly decreased after a-tDCS. However, the absolute error of the joint position matching task was not affected. This study suggests that a-tDCS over the PPC improves visuomotor performance and reduces the variable error in the joint position matching task.