bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a Participatory Approach to Develop Research Priorities for Future Leaders in Cancer-Related Precision Public Health
Authors: Roberts Megan C. , Mader June Mullaney , Turbitt Erin , Smit Amelia K. , Landry Latrice , Olstad Dana Lee , Passero Lauren E. , Allen Caitlin G.
Published: June 2022

Precision public health is an emerging discipline combining principles and frameworks of precision health with the goal of improving population health. The development of research priorities drawing on the strengths of precision and public health is critical to facilitate the growth of the discipline to improve health outcomes. We held an interactive workshop during a virtual conference bringing together early-career researchers across public health disciplines to identify research priorities in precision public health. The workshop participants discussed and voted to identify three priority areas for future research and capacity building including 1) enhancing equity and access to precision public health research and resources, 2) improving tools and metrics for evaluation and 3) applying principles of implementation science to support sustainable practices. Participants also developed future objectives for achieving each priority. Future efforts by working groups will continue the process of identifying, revising, and advancing critical research priorities to grow the impact of precision public health.
PTIP-Associated Protein 1: More Than a Component of the MLL3/4 Complex
Authors: Liu Bo , Li Zhen
Published: June 2022

PTIP-associated protein 1 (PA1) is a unique component of MLL3/4 complexes, which are important mammalian histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methyltransferases. PA1 has generated research interest due to its involvement in many essential biological processes such as adipogenesis, B cell class switch recombination, spermatogenesis, and embryonic development. In addition to the classical role of PA1 in H3K4 methylation, non-classical functions have also been discovered in recent studies. In this review, we systematically summarize the expression pattern of PA1 protein in humans and sort the specific molecular mechanism of PA1 in various biological processes. Meanwhile, we provide some new perspectives on the role of PA1 for future studies. A comprehensive understanding of the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of PA1 will facilitate the investigation of its complicated roles in transcriptional regulation.
HLA Diversity in Saudi Population: High Frequency of Homozygous HLA Alleles and Haplotypes
Authors: Chentoufi Aziz Alami , Uyar F. Aytül , Chentoufi Hiba A. , Alzahrani Khalid , Paz Maria , Bahnassy Ahmed , Elyamany Ghaleb , Elghazaly Assem
Published: June 2022

Human leukocyte antigens (HLA) diversity has a tremendous impact on shaping the transplantation practices, transfusion-associated graft versus host disease prevention strategies, and host–pathogen interactions. Here, we conducted a retrospective study of HLA class I and class II homozygosity at allelic and haplotype levels in unrelated individuals genotyped from 2012 to 2016 in a tertiary hospital in the capital of Saudi Arabia. Among 5,000 individuals, 2,773 individuals meet inclusion criteria and were retrospectively analyzed for HLA-A, -B, -C–DRB1, and -DQB1 homozygosity at allelic and haplotype levels. HLA molecular typing was performed using a commercial reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide (rSSO) kit. We were able to identify 15 HLA-A, 20 HLA-B, 11 HLA-C, 13 HLA-DRB1, and five HLA-DQB1 homozygous alleles demonstrating a very low genetic diversity in the Saudi population. The highest homozygosity in HLA class I was found in locus C followed by A and B (20.3% > 16.1% > 15.5%; p < 0.001) where the most homozygote alleles were A*02 (9.2%), B*51 and B*50 (5.7% and 3.7%), and C*07, C*06, and C*15 (7.2%, 5.48%, and 3.3%) and in HLA class II, the highest homozygosity was found in locus DQB1 compared to DRB1 (31.71% > 19.2%; p < 0.001), with the most common homozygote alleles being DRB1*07 and DRB1*04 (5.33% and 4.2%) and DQB1*02, DQB1*06, and DQB1*03 (13.55%, 7.92%, and 7.64%). The frequency of finding an individual with one homozygote allele was (24.6%), two homozygote alleles (13.5%), three homozygote alleles (4.7%), four homozygote alleles (3.4%), and five alleles were (4.8%). The most frequent homozygote haplotypes are A*23∼C*06∼B*50∼DRB1*07∼DQB1*02 and A*02∼C*06∼B*50∼DRB1*07∼DQB1*02. This study shows low diversity of both class I and II alleles and haplotypes in the Saudi population, which would have a significant impact on shaping the transplantation practices, transfusion-associated graft versus host disease prevention strategies, and host–pathogen interactions.
m7G-Related DNA Damage Repair Genes are Potential Biomarkers for Predicting Prognosis and Immunotherapy Effectiveness in Colon Cancer Patients
Authors: Chen Shuran , Dong Rui , Li Yan , Zheng Ni , Peng Guisen , Lu Fei , Qiu Quanwei , Wen Hexin , Wang Yitong , Wu Huazhang , Liu Mulin
Published: June 2022

Objective: m7G is a post-transcriptional modification modality, however, limited research has been conducted on its role in colon cancer. DNA damage repair (DDR) is an important factor that contributes to colon cancer development, growth and chemoresistance. This study aimed to explore whether m7G-related DNA damage repair genes may be used as biomarkers to predict the prognosis of colon cancer patients.

Methods: We use non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to type CRC patients into. Risk models were constructed using different expression genes in two clusters. We assessed the reliability of risk models with DCA curves, and a Nomogram. Meanwhile, The receiver operating characteristic and C-index curves were used to compare the predictive significance of the constructed risk models with other studies. In additional, we examined the significance of risk models on patients’ immunity microenvironment and response to immune therapy. Finally, we used a series of cellular experiments to validate the effect of model genes on the malignant progression of CRC cells.

Results: Twenty-eight m7G genes were obtained from the GSEA database. Multivariate Cox and LASSO Cox regression analysis was performed and eleven m7G-related DDR genes were identified for constructing the risk model. Survival and stage of CRC patients were worser in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group for both the training and test sets. Additionally, the different immune microenvironment status of patients in the high- and low-risk groups, suggesting that patients in the low-risk group may be more sensitive to immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors. Finally, we found that depletion of ATP2A1, one of the risk genes in our model, influence the biologic behaviour of CRC cells significantly.

Conclusion: The m7G-related DDR genes can be used as important markers for predicting patient prognosis and immunotherapy response. Our data suggest that ATP2A1 may promote the proliferation of colon cancer cells. These findings may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of colon cancer.
A Microbiota-Dependent Subset of Skin Macrophages Protects Against Cutaneous Bacterial Infection
Authors: Park Young Joon , Kang Byeong Hoon , Kim Hyun-Jin , Oh Ji Eun , Lee Heung Kyu
Published: June 2022

Microbiota is essential to the development and functional maturation of the immune system. The effects of the gut microbiota on myeloid cells remote from the gut, especially the skin remain unclear. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that type I interferon (IFN) signaling was down-regulated in the skin of germ-free mice compared to that in specific pathogen-free mice. The decrease in type I IFN signaling was closely related to the presence of microbiota and macrophage-specific marker CD169. The absence of CD169+ macrophages resulted in increased bacterial burden and impaired immune responses against Staphylococcus aureus skin infection. CD169+ macrophages mediated the recruitment of γδ T cells as well as the activation of γδ T cells via interleukin (IL)-23. Our findings demonstrate the role of the microbiota in establishment of a specific myeloid cell subset expressing CD169 in the skin and provide evidence of a specific mechanism by which this subset protects against bacterial skin infection.
Integrins in the Immunity of Insects: A Review
Authors: Kausar Saima , Abbas Muhammad Nadeem , Gul Isma , Liu Yu , Tang Bo-Ping , Maqsood Iram , Liu Qiu-Ning , Dai Li-Shang
Published: June 2022

Integrins are a large group of cell-surface proteins that are classified as transmembrane proteins. Integrins are classified into different types based on sequence variations, leading to structural and functional diversity. They are broadly distributed in animals and have a wide range of biological functions such as cell-to-cell communication, intracellular cytoskeleton organization, cellular signaling, immune responses, etc. Integrins are among the most abundant cell surface proteins in insects, exhibiting their indispensability in insect physiology. Because of their critical biological involvement in physiological processes, they appear to be a novel target for designing effective pest control strategies. In the current literature review, we first discuss the discovery and expression responses of integrins against various types of pathogens. Secondly, we examine the specific biological roles of integrins in controlling microbial pathogens, such as phagocytosis, encapsulation, nodulation, immune signaling, and so on. Finally, we describe the possible uses of integrins to control agricultural insect pests.
Endogenous Retroviruses (ERVs): Does RLR (RIG-I-Like Receptors)-MAVS Pathway Directly Control Senescence and Aging as a Consequence of ERV De-Repression?
Authors: Di Giorgio Eros , Xodo Luigi E.
Published: June 2022

Bi-directional transcription of Human Endogenous Retroviruses (hERVs) is a common feature of autoimmunity, neurodegeneration and cancer. Higher rates of cancer incidence, neurodegeneration and autoimmunity but a lower prevalence of autoimmune diseases characterize elderly people. Although the re-expression of hERVs is commonly observed in different cellular models of senescence as a result of the loss of their epigenetic transcriptional silencing, the hERVs modulation during aging is more complex, with a peak of activation in the sixties and a decline in the nineties. What is clearly accepted, instead, is the impact of the re-activation of dormant hERV on the maintenance of stemness and tissue self-renewing properties. An innate cellular immunity system, based on the RLR-MAVS circuit, controls the degradation of dsRNAs arising from the transcription of hERV elements, similarly to what happens for the accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA leading to the activation of cGAS/STING pathway. While agonists and inhibitors of the cGAS–STING pathway are considered promising immunomodulatory molecules, the effect of the RLR-MAVS pathway on innate immunity is still largely based on correlations and not on causality. Here we review the most recent evidence regarding the activation of MDA5-RIG1-MAVS pathway as a result of hERV de-repression during aging, immunosenescence, cancer and autoimmunity. We will also deal with the epigenetic mechanisms controlling hERV repression and with the strategies that can be adopted to modulate hERV expression in a therapeutic perspective. Finally, we will discuss if the RLR-MAVS signalling pathway actively modulates physiological and pathological conditions or if it is passively activated by them.
Heterogeneity of ILC2s in the Lungs
Authors: Asaoka Masato , Kabata Hiroki , Fukunaga Koichi
Published: June 2022

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are GATA3-expressing type 2 cytokine-producing innate lymphocytes that are present in various organs throughout the body. Basically, ILC2s are tissue-resident cells associated with a variety of pathological conditions in each tissue. Differences in the tissue-specific properties of ILC2s are formed by the post-natal tissue environment; however, diversity exists among ILC2s within each localized tissue due to developmental timing and activation. Diversity between steady-state and activated ILC2s in mice and humans has been gradually clarified with the advancement of single-cell RNA-seq technology. Another layer of complexity is that ILC2s can acquire other ILC-like functions, depending on their tissue environment. Further, ILC2s with immunological memory and exhausted ILC2s are both present in tissues, and the nature of ILC2s varies with senescence. To clarify how ILC2s affect human diseases, research should be conducted with a comprehensive understanding of ILC2s, taking into consideration the diversity of ILC2s rather than a snapshot of a single section. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the heterogeneity of ILC2s in the lungs and highlight a novel field of immunology.
Growth Response of Reef-Building Corals to Ocean Acidification Is Mediated by Interplay of Taxon-Specific Physiological Parameters
Authors: Martins Catarina P. P. , Arnold Angelina L. , Kömpf Katharina , Schubert Patrick , Ziegler Maren , Wilke Thomas , Reichert Jessica
Published: June 2022

Ocean acidification (OA) poses a major threat to calcifying organisms such as reef-building corals, typically leading to reduced calcification rates. Mechanisms to compensate the effects of OA on coral growth may, however, involve processes other than calcification. Yet, the physiological patterns mediating coral growth under OA are not fully understood, despite an extensive body of literature characterizing physiological changes in corals under OA. Therefore, we conducted a three-month laboratory experiment with six scleractinian coral species (Acropora humilis, Acropora millepora, Pocillopora damicornis, Pocillopora verrucosa, Porites cylindrica, and Porites lutea) to assess physiological parameters that potentially characterize growth (calcification, volume, and surface area), maintenance (tissue biomass, and lipid and protein content), and cellular stress (apoptotic activity) response under ambient (pH 7.9) and low pH (pH 7.7). We identified genus- and species-specific physiological parameters potentially mediating the observed growth responses to low pH. We found no significant changes in calcification but species showed decreasing growth in volume and surface area, which occurred alongside changes in maintenance and cellular stress parameters that differed between genera and species. Acropora spp. showed elevated cellular stress and Pocillopora spp. showed changes in maintenance-associated parameters, while both genera largely maintained growth under low pH. Conversely, Porites spp. experienced the largest decreases in volume growth but showed no major changes in parameters related to maintenance or cellular stress. Our findings indicate that growth- and calcification-related responses alone may not fully reflect coral susceptibility to OA. They may also contribute to a better understanding of the complex physiological processes leading to differential growth changes of reef-building corals in response to low pH conditions.
CMOS-MEMS Thermal-Piezoresistive Resonators and Oscillators for Sensors
Authors: Zope Anurag , Li Sheng-Shian
Published: June 2022

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are in widespread commercial use due to their compact size, high performance, and low cost. MEMS resonators have emerged as front runners for sensing (accelerometers, gyroscopes, and particulate matter) and frequency (RF front-end, filters, timing, and frequency source) applications. The excellent stability, resolution, and accuracy of resonators lead them an ideal candidate for sensor implementation. The CMOS-MEMS technology allows for rapid, large-scale, and low-cost manufacturing. Thermal–piezoresistive resonators (TPRs) are promising candidates due to their favorable potential with scaling and robust performance in the ambient environment. A detailed finite element method (FEM) simulation flow is presented along with a mathematical model for device optimization. The devices were fabricated with the commercial CMOS technology utilizing the front-end-of-line (FEOL) polysilicon and back-end-of-line (BEOL) materials like silicon dioxide and interconnect metal. The flexibility of selective material placement in layout and complex routing using multi-metal interconnect is employed to develop a balanced TPR design at 2 MHz. A 5-MHz bulk mode TPR was designed for mass sensing application. The fabricated devices were characterized, and their performance is compared with other state-of-the-art works. Finally, the developed devices were used in real-world applications for mass sensing and pressure sensing. The device achieved 20 kHz/ng. The TPR devices combine principles of Pirani gauge and resonant sensors for improving the sensing range from 2 to 760 Torr (1 atm).
Women in Rheumatology in the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology Countries: A Rising Workforce
Authors: Ziade Nelly , Hmamouchi Ihsane , El Kibbi Lina
Published: June 2022

Background

An increase in women physicians in the medical workforce is witnessed in recent decades, paralleled by an increase in leadership positions and, to a lesser extent, in academic advancement.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the women rheumatologists (WR) workforce and to identify the challenges faced by WR in the Arab League of Associations for Rheumatology (ArLAR) countries.

Methods

We collected data from members of special interest groups from 16 ArLAR countries about the number of rheumatologists in the national societies and boards – including WR –, and the estimated percentage of WR involved in academia. Also, a sample of WR was identified based on their established leadership positions and invited to a structured interview addressing their career path and the gender-related challenges.

Results

The proportion of WR varied widely across the ArLAR countries, with a mean of 56%. Moreover, WR constituted 47% of the society’s board members and roughly 49% of WR were involved in academia. However, only 37% of the current society presidents were females. Structured interviews indicated that WR place a high value on patient care and teaching, followed by research and publications. The primary reported gender-related challenge was balancing work with family demands. Moreover, some WR reported gender-related discrimination incurred by colleagues, patients, and administrations.

Conclusion

WR constituted more than half of the current rheumatology workforce in the ArLAR countries, with a lower – but steadily growing – proportion of WR in leadership positions. As they embrace their growing role in the workforce, WR must benefit from all the provided tools, from learning from the experience of current women leaders in the field to using the latest technology such as social media platforms to empower them to reach gender equity.
Genomic and Biocontrol Potential of the Crude Lipopeptide by Streptomyces bikiniensis HD-087 Against Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Jiawen , Li Shan , Zhang Huaqian , Meng Li , Liu Liping , Ping Wenxiang , Du Chunmei
Published: June 2022

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is one of the most destructive plant diseases. The secondary metabolites of Streptomyces have potential as biological control agents against M. oryzae. However, no commercial secondary antimicrobial products of Streptomyces have been found by gene prediction, and, particularly relevant for this study, a biocontrol agent obtained from Streptomyces bikiniensis has yet to be found. In this research, genomic analysis was used to predict the secondary metabolites of Streptomyces, and the ability to develop biocontrol pharmaceuticals rapidly was demonstrated. The complete genome of the S. bikiniensis HD-087 strain was sequenced and revealed a number of key functional gene clusters that contribute to the biosynthesis of active secondary metabolites. The crude extract of lipopeptides (CEL) predicted by NRPS gene clusters was extracted from the fermentation liquid of S. bikiniensis HD-087 by acid precipitation followed by methanol extraction, and surfactins, iturins, and fengycins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS). In vitro, the CEL of this strain inhibited spore germination and appressorial formation of M. oryzae by destroying membrane integrity and through the leakage of cellular components. In vivo, this CEL reduced the disease index of rice blast by approximately 76.9% on detached leaves, whereas its control effect on leaf blast during pot experiments was approximately 60%. Thus, the S. bikiniensis CEL appears to be a highly suitable alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides for controlling M. oryzae.
Beyond Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Sequences: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Closest Known Saprobic Relatives of Powdery Mildew Fungi (Erysiphaceae) Inferred From Their First Comprehensive Genome-Scale Phylogenetic Analyses
Authors: Vaghefi Niloofar , Kusch Stefan , Németh Márk Z. , Seress Diána , Braun Uwe , Takamatsu Susumu , Panstruga Ralph , Kiss Levente
Published: June 2022

Powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphaceae), common obligate biotrophic pathogens of many plants, including important agricultural and horticultural crops, represent a monophyletic lineage within the Ascomycota. Within the Erysiphaceae, molecular phylogenetic relationships and DNA-based species and genera delimitations were up to now mostly based on nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) phylogenies. This is the first comprehensive genome-scale phylogenetic analysis of this group using 751 single-copy orthologous sequences extracted from 24 selected powdery mildew genomes and 14 additional genomes from Helotiales, the fungal order that includes the Erysiphaceae. Representative genomes of all powdery mildew species with publicly available whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data that were of sufficient quality were included in the analyses. The 24 powdery mildew genomes included in the analysis represented 17 species belonging to eight out of 19 genera recognized within the Erysiphaceae. The epiphytic genera, all but one represented by multiple genomes, belonged each to distinct, well-supported lineages. Three hemiendophytic genera, each represented by a single genome, together formed the hemiendophytic lineage. Out of the 14 other taxa from the Helotiales, Arachnopeziza araneosa, a saprobic species, was the only taxon that grouped together with the 24 genome-sequenced powdery mildew fungi in a monophyletic clade. The close phylogenetic relationship between the Erysiphaceae and Arachnopeziza was revealed earlier by a phylogenomic study of the Leotiomycetes. Further analyses of powdery mildew and Arachnopeziza genomes may discover signatures of the evolutionary processes that have led to obligate biotrophy from a saprobic way of life. A separate phylogeny was produced using the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S nrDNA sequences of the same set of powdery mildew specimens and compared to the genome-scale phylogeny. The nrDNA phylogeny was largely congruent to the phylogeny produced using 751 orthologs. This part of the study has revealed multiple contamination and other quality issues in some powdery mildew genomes. We recommend that the presence of 28S, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and 18S nrDNA sequences in powdery mildew WGS datasets that are identical to those determined by Sanger sequencing should be used to assess the quality of assemblies, in addition to the commonly used Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) values.
Substrate Utilization and Competitive Interactions Among Soil Bacteria Vary With Life-History Strategies
Authors: Wang Ying , Wilhelm Roland C. , Swenson Tami L. , Silver Anita , Andeer Peter F. , Golini Amber , Kosina Suzanne M. , Bowen Benjamin P. , Buckley Daniel H. , Northen Trent R.
Published: June 2022

Microorganisms have evolved various life-history strategies to survive fluctuating resource conditions in soils. However, it remains elusive how the life-history strategies of microorganisms influence their processing of organic carbon, which may affect microbial interactions and carbon cycling in soils. Here, we characterized the genomic traits, exometabolite profiles, and interactions of soil bacteria representing copiotrophic and oligotrophic strategists. Isolates were selected based on differences in ribosomal RNA operon (rrn) copy number, as a proxy for life-history strategies, with pairs of “high” and “low” rrn copy number isolates represented within the Micrococcales, Corynebacteriales, and Bacillales. We found that high rrn isolates consumed a greater diversity and amount of substrates than low rrn isolates in a defined growth medium containing common soil metabolites. We estimated overlap in substrate utilization profiles to predict the potential for resource competition and found that high rrn isolates tended to have a greater potential for competitive interactions. The predicted interactions positively correlated with the measured interactions that were dominated by negative interactions as determined through sequential growth experiments. This suggests that resource competition was a major force governing interactions among isolates, while cross-feeding of metabolic secretion likely contributed to the relatively rare positive interactions observed. By connecting bacterial life-history strategies, genomic features, and metabolism, our study advances the understanding of the links between bacterial community composition and the transformation of carbon in soils.
Increased Water-Soluble Yellow Monascus Pigment Productivity via Dual Mutagenesis and Submerged Repeated-Batch Fermentation of Monascus purpureus
Authors: Bai Jie , Gong Zihan , Shu Meng , Zhao Hui , Ye Fanyu , Tang Chenglun , Zhang Song , Zhou Bo , Lu Dong , Zhou Xiang , Lin Qinlu , Liu Jun
Published: June 2022

Monascus pigments (MPs) have been used in the food industry for more than 2,000 years and are known for their safety, bold coloring, and physiological activity. MPs are mainly yellow (YMPs), orange (OMPs), and red (RMPs). In this study, a mutant strain Monascus purpureus H14 with high production of water-soluble YMPs (WSYMPs, λmax at 370 nm) was generated instead of primary YMPs (λmax at 420 nm), OMPs (λmax at 470 nm), and RMPs (λmax at 510 nm) produced by the parent strain M. purpureus LQ-6 through dual mutagenesis of atmospheric and room-temperature plasma and heavy ion beam irradiation (HIBI), producing 22.68 U/ml extracellular YMPs and 10.67 U/ml intracellular YMPs. WSYMP production was increased by 289.51% in optimal conditions after response surface methodology was applied in submerged fermentation. Application of combined immobilized fermentation and extractive fermentation improved productivity to 16.89 U/ml/day, 6.70 times greater than with conservative submerged fermentation. The produced WSYMPs exhibited good tone stability to environmental factors, but their pigment values were unstable to pH, light, and high concentrations of Ca2+, Zn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, and Mg2+. Furtherly, the produced exYMPs were identified as two yellow monascus pigment components (monascusone B and C21H27NO7S) by UHPLC-ESI-MS. This strategy may be extended to industrial production of premium WSYMPs using Monascus.
Changes in the Abundance and Community Complexity of Soil Nematodes in Two Rice Cultivars Under Elevated Ozone
Authors: Wang Jianqing , Tan Yunyan , Shao Yajun , Shi Xiuzhen , Zhang Guoyou
Published: June 2022

The atmospheric ozone concentrations have substantially increased in the surface layer over the past decades, and consequently exhibited a strong influence on soil microbial communities and functions. However, the effect of elevated ozone (eO3) on the abundance, diversity, and structural complexity of soil nematode communities are elusive under different rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars. Here, the soil nematode community was investigated in two rice cultivars (Hybrid, Shanyou 63 vs. Japonica, Wuyujing 3) under open-top chambers (OTC) with control and eO3conditions. The results showed that the abundance of soil nematode community was altered by eO3, but the responses were dependent on crop cultivars. The eO3decreased the total abundance and simplified the network complexity of the soil nematode community for both cultivars. However, eO3increased the abundance of c-p 4 in Shanyou 63, rather than Wuyujing 3, indicating that the hybrid rice cultivar could tradeoff the adverse impacts of eO3on the functional group of soil nematodes. Similarly, bacterivores belonging toK-strategy (c-p 4) increased under eO3in Shanyou 63, suggesting that the soil food web formed a bacteria-dominated channel under eO3for the hybrid rice cultivar. This study shed new light on the critical importance of rice cultivars in shaping the impacts of eO3on the soil micro-food web. Therefore, breeding and biotechnological approaches may become valuable pathways to improve soil health by shaping the community structures of the soil micro-food web in response to climate change in the future.
Copper Modulates the Catalytic Activity of Protein Kinase CK2
Authors: Chojnowski John E. , Li Rongrong , Tsang Tiffany , Alfaran Fatimah H. , Dick Alexej , Cocklin Simon , Brady Donita C. , Strochlic Todd I.
Published: June 2022

Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase implicated in a wide range of cellular functions and known to be dysregulated in various diseases such as cancer. Compared to most other kinases, CK2 exhibits several unusual properties, including dual co-substrate specificity and a high degree of promiscuity with hundreds of substrates described to date. Most paradoxical, however, is its apparent constitutive activity: no definitive mode of catalytic regulation has thus far been identified. Here we demonstrate that copper enhances the enzymatic activity of CK2 both in vitro and in vivo. We show that copper binds directly to CK2, and we identify specific residues in the catalytic subunit of the enzyme that are critical for copper-binding. We further demonstrate that increased levels of intracellular copper result in enhanced CK2 kinase activity, while decreased copper import results in reduced CK2 activity. Taken together, these findings establish CK2 as a copper-regulated kinase and indicate that copper is a key modulator of CK2-dependent signaling pathways.
The Connectome and Chemo-Connectome Databases for Mice Brain Connection Analysis
Authors: Wang Yang , Liu Zhixiang , Sun Da , Sun Leqiang , Cao Gang , Dai Jinxia
Published: June 2022

The various brain functions rely on the intricate connection networks and certain molecular characteristics of neurons in the brain. However, the databases for the mouse brain connectome and chemo-connectome are still inadequate, hindering the brain circuital and functional analysis. Here, we created mice brain connectome and chemo-connectome databases based on mouse brain projection data of 295 non-overlapping brain areas and in situ hybridization (ISH) data of 50 representative neurotransmission-related genes from the Allen Brain Institute. Based on this connectome and chemo-connectome databases, functional connection patterns and detailed chemo-connectome for monoaminergic nuclei were analyzed and visualized. These databases will aid in the comprehensive research of the mouse connectome and chemo-connectome in the whole brain and serve as a convenient resource for systematic analysis of the brain connection and function.
Intervention Effect of Rehabilitation Robotic Bed Under Machine Learning Combined With Intensive Motor Training on Stroke Patients With Hemiplegia
Authors: Liu Guangliang , Cai Haiqin , Leelayuwat Naruemon
Published: June 2022

It was aimed to discuss the effect of bed-type rehabilitation robots under machine learning combined with intensive motor training on the motor function of lower limbs of stroke patients with hemiplegia. A total of 80 patients with stroke hemiplegia were taken as the subjects, who all had a course of treatment for less than 6 months in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Ganzhou Hospital. These patients were divided into the experimental group (40 cases) and the control group (40 cases) by random number method. For patients in the control group, conventional intensive motor training was adopted, whereas the conventional intensive motor training combined with the bed-type rehabilitation robot under machine learning was applied for patients in the experimental group. Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to evaluate the motor function and mobility of patients. The human–machine collaboration experiment system was constructed, and the software and hardware of the control system were designed. Then, the experimental platform for lower limb rehabilitation training robots was built, and the rehabilitation training methods for stroke patients with hemiplegia were determined by completing the contact force experiment. The results showed that the prediction effect of back-propagation neural network (BPNN) was better than that of the radial basis neural network (RBNN). The bed-type rehabilitation robot under machine learning combined with intensive motor training could significantly improve the motor function and mobility of the lower limbs of stroke patients with hemiplegia.
Ten Rules for the Management of Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury During Pregnancy: An Expert Viewpoint
Authors: Di Filippo Simone , Godoy Daniel Agustin , Manca Marina , Paolessi Camilla , Bilotta Federico , Meseguer Ainhoa , Severgnini Paolo , Pelosi Paolo , Badenes Rafael , Robba Chiara
Published: June 2022

Moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are major causes of disability and death. In addition, when TBI occurs during pregnancy, it can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, and maternal/fetal death, engendering clinical and ethical issues. Several recommendations have been proposed for the management of TBI patients; however, none of these have been specifically applied to pregnant women, which often have been excluded from major trials. Therefore, at present, evidence on TBI management in pregnant women is limited and mostly based on clinical experience. The aim of this manuscript is to provide the clinicians with practical suggestions, based on 10 rules, for the management of moderate to severe TBI during pregnancy. In particular, we firstly describe the pathophysiological changes occurring during pregnancy; then we explore the main strategies for the diagnosis of TBI taking in consideration the risks related to mother and fetus, and finally we discuss the most appropriate approaches for the management in this particular condition. Based on the available evidence, we suggest a stepwise approach consisting of different tiers of treatment and we describe the specific risks according to the severity of the neurological and systemic conditions of both fetus and mother in relation to each trimester of pregnancy. The innovative feature of this approach is the fact that it focuses on the vulnerability and specificity of this population, without forgetting the current knowledge on adult non-pregnant patients, which has to be applied to improve the quality of the care process.
EEG Features of Evoked Tactile Sensation: Two Cases Study
Authors: Qin Changyu , Liang Wenyuan , Xie Dian , Bi Sheng , Chou Chih-Hong
Published: June 2022

Purpose: Sensory feedback for prosthetics is an important issue. The area of forearm stump skin that has evoked tactile sensation (ETS) of fingers is defined as the projected finger map (PFM), and the area close to the PFM region that does not have ETS is defined as the non-projected finger map (NPFM). Previous studies have confirmed that ETS can restore the tactile pathway of the lost finger, which was induced by stimulation of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the end of stump skin. This study aims to reveal EEG features between the PFM and the NPFM regions of the stumps under the same TENS stimulation condition.

Methods: The PFM and NPFM regions of the two subjects were stimulated with the same intensity of TENS, respectively. TENS as target stimuli are modulated according to the Oddball paradigm to evoke the P300 components.

Result: The PFM regions of both subjects were able to elicit P300 components, while their NPFM regions were not able to elicit P300 components. However, this P300 appears early (249 ms for subject 1,230 ms for subject 2) and has continuous positive peaks (peak 1,139 ± 3 ms, peak 2,194 ± 0.5 ms) in front of it.

Discussion: N30 and P300 can prove that the two subjects with PFM can perceive and recognize ETS. The heteromorphisms of the P300 waveform may be related to the difficulty in subjects’ cognition of ETS or caused by the fusion of P150, P200, and P300.
Emotion Recognition With Knowledge Graph Based on Electrodermal Activity
Authors: Perry Fordson Hayford , Xing Xiaofen , Guo Kailing , Xu Xiangmin
Published: June 2022

Electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor is emerging non-invasive equipment in affect detection research, which is used to measure electrical activities of the skin. Knowledge graphs are an effective way to learn representation from data. However, few studies analyzed the effect of knowledge-related graph features with physiological signals when subjects are in non-similar mental states. In this paper, we propose a model using deep learning techniques to classify the emotional responses of individuals acquired from physiological datasets. We aim to improve the execution of emotion recognition based on EDA signals. The proposed framework is based on observed gender and age information as embedding feature vectors. We also extract time and frequency EDA features in line with cognitive studies. We then introduce a sophisticated weighted feature fusion method that combines knowledge embedding feature vectors and statistical feature (SF) vectors for emotional state classification. We finally utilize deep neural networks to optimize our approach. Results obtained indicated that the correct combination of Gender-Age Relation Graph (GARG) and SF vectors improve the performance of the valence-arousal emotion recognition system by 4 and 5% on PAFEW and 3 and 2% on DEAP datasets.
Ferroptosis-Related Long Noncoding RNAs as Prognostic Biomarkers for Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wang Kaili , Mei Shanshan , Cai Mengcheng , Zhai Dongxia , Zhang Danying , Yu Jin , Ni Zhexin , Yu Chaoqin
Published: June 2022

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a highly malignant gynecologic tumor with few treatments available and poor prognosis with the currently available diagnostic markers and interventions. More effective methods for diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed. Although the current evidence implicates ferroptosis in the development and therapeutic responses of various types of tumors, it is unclear to what extent ferroptosis affects OC. To explore the potential of ferroptosis-related genes as biomarkers and molecular targets for OC diagnosis and intervention, this study collected several datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas-OC (TCGA-OC), analyzed and identified the coexpression profiles of 60 ferroptosis-related genes and two subtypes of OC with respect to ferroptosis and further examined and analyzed the differentially expressed genes between the two subtypes. The results indicated that the expression levels of ferroptosis genes were significantly correlated with prognosis in patients with OC. Single-factor Cox and LASSO analysis identified eight lncRNAs from the screened ferroptosis-related genes, including lncRNAs RP11-443B7.3, RP5-1028K7.2, TRAM2-AS1, AC073283.4, RP11-486G15.2, RP11-95H3.1, RP11-958F21.1, and AC006129.1. A risk scoring model was constructed from the ferroptosis-related lncRNAs and showed good performance in the evaluation of OC patient prognosis. The high- and low-risk groups based on tumor scores presented obvious differences in clinical characteristics, tumor mutation burden, and tumor immune cell infiltration, indicating that the risk score has a good ability to predict the benefit of immunotherapy and may provide data to support the implementation of precise immunotherapy for OC. Although in vivo tests and research are needed in the future, our bioinformatics analysis powerfully supported the effectiveness of the risk signature of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs for prognosis prediction in OC. The findings suggest that these eight identified lncRNAs have great potential for development as diagnostic markers and intervention targets for OC and that patients with high ferroptosis-related lncRNA expression will receive greater benefits from conventional chemotherapy or treatment with ferroptosis inducers.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatic Steatosis in Children With Perinatal HIV on Early Antiretroviral Therapy Compared to HIV-Exposed Uninfected and HIV-Unexposed Children
Authors: Rose Penelope C. , Nel Etienne D. , Cotton Mark F. , Pitcher Richard D. , Otwombe Kennedy , Browne Sara H. , Innes Steve
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in South African children with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV) who started treatment early and remain on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to HIV-uninfected children.

Design

A cross-sectional study from April 2019 to October 2021. PHIV, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed (HU) children were enrolled from an ongoing cohort study.

Methods

All children had transient elastography (TE) with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). Liver enzymes, lipogram, insulin and glucose were sent after an overnight fast. Multivariable linear regression analyses identified predictors of CAP. Hepatic steatosis was defined as CAP>248kPa.

Results

215 children (111 [52%] male; median age 14.1 years; IQR 12.7–14.9) participated in the study, 110 PHIV, 105 HIV-uninfected (36 HEU, 69 HU). PHIV initiated ART at a median age of 2.7 months (IQR 1.8–8.5). Hepatic steatosis prevalence was 9% in PHIV, 3% in HEU and 1% in HU children (p = 0.08). However, 8% of lean (body mass index z-score ≤ +1) PHIV had hepatic steatosis compared to zero lean HEU or HU children (p = 0.03). In multivariable linear regression analysis of all PHIV, body mass index (BMI) z-score was positively associated with CAP (p = 0.001) while CD4 count (p = 0.02) and duration of suppression of HIV viraemia (p = 0.009) were negatively associated with CAP, adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity.

Conclusions

Hepatic steatosis prevalence was higher in lean PHIV than lean HIV-uninfected South African children. Longer suppression of HIV viraemia and higher CD4 count were associated with lower CAP and might be protective factors for hepatic steatosis in PHIV children.
Trends in Abdominal Obesity and Central Adiposity Measures by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Among US Children: 2011–2018
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Zhao Yue , Tian Yalan , Jiang Nana , Zhao Gang , Wang Xia
Published: June 2022

Objective

Previous studies that have reported trends on abdominal obesity among US children were usually based on anthropometric assessments. However, little is known about the recent trends in central adiposity measures by DXA and abdominal obesity since 2011–2012.

Study Design

A serial cross-sectional analysis of US population-weighted data among children from NHANES 2011 to 2018 was conducted.

Results

Between 2011–2012 and 2017–2018, there was a relatively stable trend among children aged 8–19 years in trunk fat and trunk fat percentage. During the same time periods, there were no significant changes in prevalence of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (18.6 vs. 21.1%) among those aged 2–19 years, and abdominal obesity by WHtR (34.1 vs. 36.2%) among those aged 6–19 years. However, a significant increase trend among boys aged 2–19 years was found in prevalence of abdominal obesity by waist circumference (16.1–22.7%; P = 0.004). For Mexican American youth and non-Hispanic Asian boys, there is a significant increase in mean trunk fat percentage and waist circumference.

Conclusion

Between 2011–2012 and 2017–2018, there have been no significant changes in central adiposity measured by DXA and prevalence of abdominal obesity among US children. Our study further supports that there is an urgent need to improve their lifestyle to reduce abdominal obesity for US children, especially for Mexican American youth and non-Hispanic Asian boys.
Cinnamic Acid Toxicity on the Structural Resistance and Photosynthetic Physiology of Faba Bean Promoted the Occurrence of Fusarium Wilt of Faba Bean, Which Was Alleviated Through Wheat and Faba Bean Intercropping
Authors: Yang Wenhao , Guo Yuting , Li Yu , Zheng Yiran , Dong Kun , Dong Yan
Published: June 2022

Background

The pattern of intercropping wheat and faba bean is an effective means to alleviate continuous cropping obstacles.

Aim

To study the mechanism by which cinnamic acid promotes faba bean wilt and the mechanism by which intercropping alleviates this effect.

Methods

Hydroponics was used to study the effects of inoculation with or without Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae (FOF) and the effect of addition of different concentrations of cinnamic acid on seedling growth, Fusarium wilt, stem cell wall degrading enzyme activity, lignin content, tissue structure of the stem and leaf photosynthesis in monocropping and intercropping systems following the inoculation of faba bean with FOF.

Results

Treatment with FOF significantly reduced the biomass and leaf photosynthesis of faba bean compared with the control. Microscopic observation showed that the xylem vessels of the stem were slightly thickened. Compared with FOF alone, the combination of FOF and cinnamic acid stress significantly increased the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) produced by FOF in the stem and content of lignin in the stem. Microstructural observation showed that cell wall thickening of the xylem conduit, stratification, formation of a cavity and even caused the dispersion of tissue cell structure in the stem tissue of faba bean. Furthermore, the biomass and leaf photosynthesis of faba bean decreased significantly, and the occurrence of faba bean wilt increased. Compared with the faba bean monocropping treatment, the wheat and faba bean intercropping treatment significantly reduced the activity of CWDEs of FOF produced in faba bean stems and increased the lignin content. In addition, observation of the microstructure indicated that the tissue structural cell wall thickened after the stem had decreased, and the amount of colloidal substances and their containment decreased, causing a further decrease in tissue deformation, smaller intercellular spaces, less divided layer cell damage, an increase in the aboveground biomass and leaf photosynthesis of faba bean and a decrease in the occurrence of faba bean wilt.

Conclusion

Cinnamic acid decreased the resistance of tissue structure and promoted the occurrence of wilt. Wheat and faba bean intercropping improved the resistance of tissue structure, which reduced the occurrence of wilt.