bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental study on the potential purchase behavior of Chinese consumers of new energy hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Guo Qing , Liu Youqian , Cai Luxin
Published: March 2023

The automotive industry has paid close attention to the promising future of new energy vehicles, and the new energy hybrid electric vehicles that fall under this category are gradually entering the public eye. This paper uses the SPSS software to conduct an experimental study on the “purchase preference for new energy hybrid vehicles” and its influencing factors of different types of consumers in China, based on 379 questionnaires and the results of situational experiments conducted by the research group in 24 cities across the country. The findings are as follows: 1) Different categories of consumers have a large gap in their cognitive preferences for new energy hybrid electric vehicles; 2) There is little difference in “purchase preference for new energy hybrid electric vehicles” among different categories of consumers; 3) The improvement of education and income has a significant effect on promoting consumers’ “environmental awareness”; 4) Consumers’ perception of the government’s new energization policy is positive. Based on the preceding conclusions, this paper puts forward the policy recommendations to promote new energy hybrid electric vehicles.
Genomics combined with UAS data enhances prediction of grain yield in winter wheat
Authors: Montesinos-López Osval A. , Herr Andrew W. , Crossa José , Carter Arron H.
Published: March 2023

With the human population continuing to increase worldwide, there is pressure to employ novel technologies to increase genetic gain in plant breeding programs that contribute to nutrition and food security. Genomic selection (GS) has the potential to increase genetic gain because it can accelerate the breeding cycle, increase the accuracy of estimated breeding values, and improve selection accuracy. However, with recent advances in high throughput phenotyping in plant breeding programs, the opportunity to integrate genomic and phenotypic data to increase prediction accuracy is present. In this paper, we applied GS to winter wheat data integrating two types of inputs: genomic and phenotypic. We observed the best accuracy of grain yield when combining both genomic and phenotypic inputs, while only using genomic information fared poorly. In general, the predictions with only phenotypic information were very competitive to using both sources of information, and in many cases using only phenotypic information provided the best accuracy. Our results are encouraging because it is clear we can enhance the prediction accuracy of GS by integrating high quality phenotypic inputs in the models.
Identification of novel prognostic biomarkers in the TF-enhancer-target regulatory network in hepatocellular carcinoma and immune infiltration analysis
Authors: Yan Jianing , Ye Guoliang , Shao Yongfu , Zhou Hanxuan
Published: March 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains notorious for its high malignancy, poor prognosis and high mortality. The exploration of novel therapeutic agents for HCC has remained challenging due to its complex aetiology. Therefore, it is necessary to elucidate the pathogenesis and mechanism of HCC for clinical intervention.

Methods: We collected data from several public data portals and systematically analysed the association between transcription factors (TFs), eRNA-associated enhancers and downstream targets. We next filtered the prognostic genes and established a novel prognosis-related nomogram model. Moreover, we explored the potential mechanisms of the identified prognostic genes. The expression level was validated by several ways.

Results: We first constructed a significant TF-enhancer-target regulatory network and identified DAPK1 as a coregulatory differentially expressed prognosis-related gene. We combined common clinicopathological factors and built a prognostic nomogram model for HCC. We found that our regulatory network was correlated with the processes of synthesizing various substances. Moreover, we explored the role of DAPK1 in HCC and found that it was associated with immune cell infiltration and DNA methylation. Several immunostimulators and targeting drugs could be promising immune therapy targets. The tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed. Finally, the lower DAPK1 expression in HCC was validated via the GEO database, UALCAN cohort, and qRT-PCR.

Conclusion: In conclusion, we established a significant TF-enhancer-target regulatory network and identified downregulated DAPK1 as an important prognostic and diagnostic gene in HCC. Its potential biological functions and mechanisms were annotated using bioinformatics tools.
LDC7559 inhibits microglial activation and GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Cai Wenhua , Wu Zhe , Lai Jinqing , Yao Jieran , Zeng Yile , Fang Zhongning , Lin Weibin , Chen Junyan , Xu Chaoyang , Chen Xiangrong
Published: March 2023

Mounting evidence indicates that inhibition of microglial activation and neuronal pyroptosis plays important roles in brain function recovery after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). LDC7559 is a newly discovered gasdermin D (GSDMD) inhibitor. Previous studies have demonstrated that LDC7559 could inhibit microglial proliferation and pyroptosis. However, the beneficial effects of LDC7559 on SAH remain obscure. Based on this background, we investigated the potential role and the mechanism of LDC7559 on SAH-induced brain damage both in vivo and in vitro. The findings revealed that microglial activation and neuronal pyroptosis were evidently increased after SAH, which could be markedly suppressed by LDC7559 both in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, LDC7559 treatment reduced neuronal apoptosis and improved behavior function. Mechanistically, LDC7559 decreased the levels of GSDMD and cleaved GSDMD after SAH. In contrast, nod-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation by nigericin increased GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and abated the beneficial effects of LDC7559 on SAH-induced brain damage. However, LDC7559 treatment did not significantly affect the expression of NLRP3 after SAH. Taken together, LDC7559 might suppress neuronal pyroptosis and microglial activation after SAH by inhibiting GSDMD, thereby promoting brain functional recovery.
Photobiomodulation ameliorates inflammatory parameters in fibroblast-like synoviocytes and experimental animal models of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ryu Ji Hyeon , Park Jisu , Kim Bo-Young , Kim Yeonye , Kim Nam Gyun , Shin Yong-Il
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic destructive inflammatory disease that afflicts over one percent of the world’s population. Current pharmacological treatments remain relatively ineffective. In this context, photobiomodulation (PBM) is a potential resource for the treatment of RA. This study investigates investigate the anti-arthritic effects and related mechanisms of PBM on fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) from RA patients and a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods

The RA-FLSs were irradiated with a light emitting diode (LED) at a wavelength of 610 nm for 20 min, and the corresponding power intensities were 5 and 10 mW/cm2. After the LED irradiation, cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were performed. Male DBA/1J mice were used to establish an animal model of CIA. Light stimulation with 10 mW/cm2 was applied to the ankle joints via direct contact with the skin for 40 min, daily for 2 weeks.

Results and Discussion

PBM significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced increase in proliferation, migration, and invasion in RA-FLSs, and downregulated the activation of nuclear factor-κappa B (NF-κB) and NLRP3 inflammasome by TNF-α. Moreover, PBM greatly inhibited the induction and development of CIA, resulting in the inhibition of synovial inflammation and cartilage degradation. PBM therapy decreased the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while increasing the anti-inflammatory cytokines. PBM suppressed the translocation of NF-κB and activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the ankle joint. Furthermore, PBM showed a more pronounced anti-arthritic effect when combined with methotrexate (MTX), a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD). The results showed that the effectiveness of MTX + PBM in CIA is superior to that of either MTX or PBM and that both work synergistically. Therefore, PBM with LED may be a potential therapeutic intervention for against RA.
Proteomics: Potential techniques for discovering the pathogenesis of connective tissue diseases-interstitial lung disease
Authors: Wu Yinlan , Li Yanhong , Luo Yubin , Zhou Yu , Liang Xiuping , Cheng Lu , Wu Tong , Wen Ji , Tan Chunyu , Liu Yi
Published: March 2023

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most serious lung complications of connective tissue disease (CTD). The application of proteomics in the past decade has revealed that various proteins are involved in the pathogenesis of each subtype of CTD-ILD through different pathways, providing novel ideas to study pathological mechanisms and clinical biomarkers. On this basis, a multidimensional diagnosis or prediction model is established. This paper reviews the results of proteomic detection of different subtypes of CTD-ILD and discusses the role of some differentially expressed proteins in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and their potential clinical applications.
Directional preference for glioblastoma cancer cell membrane encapsulated nanoparticle population: A probabilistic approach for cancer therapeutics
Authors: Khan Saif , Khan Mohd Wajid Ali , Sherwani Subuhi , Alouffi Sultan , Alam Mohammad Jahoor , Al-Motair Khalid , Khan Shahper
Published: March 2023

Background

Selective cancer cell recognition is the most challenging objective in the targeted delivery of anti-cancer agents. Extruded specific cancer cell membrane coated nanoparticles, exploiting the potential of homotypic binding along with certain protein-receptor interactions, have recently proven to be the method of choice for targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs. Prediction of the selective targeting efficiency of the cancer cell membrane encapsulated nanoparticles (CCMEN) is the most critical aspect in selecting this strategy as a method of delivery.

Materials and methods

A probabilistic model based on binding scores and differential expression levels of Glioblastoma cancer cells (GCC) membrane proteins (factors and receptors) was implemented on python 3.9.1. Conditional binding efficiency (CBE) was derived for each combination of protein involved in the interactions. Selective propensities and Odds ratios in favour of cancer cells interactions were determined for all the possible combination of surface proteins for ‘k’ degree of interaction. The model was experimentally validated by two types of Test cultures.

Results

Several Glioblastoma cell surface antigens were identified from literature and databases. Those were screened based on the relevance, availability of expression levels and crystal structure in public databases. High priority eleven surface antigens were selected for probabilistic modelling. A new term, Break-even point (BEP) was defined as a characteristic of the typical cancer cell membrane encapsulated delivery agents. The model predictions lie within ±7% of the experimentally observed values for both experimental test culture types.

Conclusion

The implemented probabilistic model efficiently predicted the directional preference of the exposed nanoparticle coated with cancer cell membrane (in this case GCC membrane). This model, however, is developed and validated for glioblastoma, can be easily tailored for any type of cancer involving CCMEN as delivery agents for potential cancer immunotherapy. This probabilistic model would help in the development of future cancer immunotherapeutic with greater specificity.
Spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity induced by internal tides influences faunal patterns on vertical walls within a submarine canyon
Authors: Pearman Tabitha R. R. , Robert Katleen , Callaway Alexander , Hall Rob A. , Mienis Furu , Lo Iacono Claudio , Huvenne Veerle A. I.
Published: March 2023

Vertical walls of submarine canyons represent features of high conservation value that can provide natural areas of protection for vulnerable marine ecosystems under increasing anthropogenic pressure from deep-sea trawling. Wall assemblages are spatially heterogeneous, attributed to the high environmental heterogeneity over short spatial scales that is a typical feature of canyons. Effective management and conservation of these assemblages requires a deeper understanding of the processes that affect faunal distribution patterns. Canyons are recognised as sites of intensified hydrodynamic regimes, with focused internal tides enhancing near-bed currents, turbulent mixing and nepheloid layer production, which influence faunal distribution patterns. Faunal patterns also respond to broad-scale hydrodynamics and gradients in water mass properties (e.g. temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen concentration). Oscillating internal tidal currents can advect such gradients, both vertically and horizontally along a canyon's walls. Here we take an interdisciplinary approach using biological, hydrodynamic and bathymetry-derived datasets to undertake a high-resolution analysis of a subset of wall assemblages within Whittard Canyon, North-East Atlantic. We investigate if, and to what extent, patterns in diversity and epibenthic assemblages on deep-sea canyon walls can be explained by spatial and temporal variability induced by internal tides. Vertical displacement of water mass properties by the internal tide was calculated from autonomous ocean glider and shipboard CTD observations. Spatial patterns in faunal assemblage structure were determined by cluster analysis and non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling plots. Canonical Redundancy Analysis and Generalised Linear Models were then used to explore relationships between faunal diversity and assemblage structure and a variety of environmental variables. Our results support the hypothesis that internal tides influence spatial heterogeneity in wall faunal diversity and assemblages by generating both spatial and temporal gradients in hydrodynamic properties and consequently likely food supply.
Multi-decade catches of manta rays (Mobula alfredi, M. birostris) from South Africa reveal significant decline
Authors: Carpenter Michelle , Parker Denham , Dicken Matthew L. , Griffiths Charles L.
Published: March 2023

Manta rays (Mobula alfredi and M. birostris) are poorly understood in South Africa, despite their ecological importance and charismatic appeal. This study analyzed a 41-year dataset from the KwaZulu-Natal bather protection program to investigate catch per unit effort between 1981-2021. We used Generalized Additive Models and the probability of encounter to assess annual and seasonal trends, as well as the effect of location and moon phases on catch rates. We also evaluated the size composition and demographics of caught manta rays using the same dataset. Our analysis revealed a significant decline in overall manta ray catches since the late 1990s (p<0.0001), with increased catch rates during summer, suggesting seasonal visitation to South African waters. We found that manta rays were caught at least once in all 46 netted beaches along the 350 km span of coastline, but with significantly more catches in the Central Area, between Anstey’s beach in the north and Mtwalume in the south. We also observed that moon phase had an effect on manta ray presence, with significantly more catches during spring tides at new and full moon phases. Over half of the caught individuals were juveniles, and a total of 841 individuals (52% of the total catch) belonged to the confirmed juvenile size class (1400-2500 mm disc width). We further found that a greater proportion (70%) of juveniles were caught in the southernmost sampled area, from Hibberdene in the north to Mzamba in the south. These findings highlight the importance of South African waters as a seasonal habitat for manta rays along the southern African coastline. The significant decline and spatial-temporal patterns we observed have critical implications for management and conservation efforts. Our study provides valuable baseline data for future research and underscores the need for continued monitoring and protection of these iconic marine species.
Ocean response offshore of Taiwan to super typhoon Nepartak (2016) based on multiple satellite and buoy observations
Authors: Wang Huipeng , Li Jiagen , Song Junqiang , Leng Hongze , Zhang Han , Chen Xuan , Ke Daoxun , Zhao Chengwu
Published: March 2023

Multi-satellite and buoy observation data were used to systematically analyze the ocean response offshore of Taiwan to Super Typhoon Nepartak in 2016. The satellite data showed that a high sea surface temperature combined with a thick warm water layer and deep mixed layer provided a good thermal environment for continuous intensification of the typhoon. Two high-resolution buoys (NTU1 and NTU2) moored 375 and 175 km offshore of southeastern Taiwan were used to clarify the typhoon–ocean interaction as the typhoon approached Taiwan. The ocean conditions were similar at the two buoys before the typhoon, and both buoys were on the left side of the typhoon track and suffered similar typhoon factors (e.g., typhoon intensity and translation speed) during its passage. However, the ocean response differed significantly at the two buoys. During the forced period, the entire upper ocean was cooled at NTU1. In contrast, there was a clear three-layer vertical structure at NTU2 consisting of cool surface and deep layers with a warmer layer between the two cool layers. These responses can be attributed to strong upwelling of a cold eddy at NTU1 and vertical mixing at NTU2. These results indicate that, under similar preexisting conditions and typhoon factors, the movement of ocean eddies under typhoon forcing is an unexpected mechanism that results in upwelling and thus needs to be considered when predicting changes in the ocean environment and typhoon intensity.
Low content of highly reactive iron in sediments from Prydz Bay and the adjacent Southern Ocean: Controlling factors and implications for sedimentary organic carbon preservation
Authors: Huang Wenhao , Guo Xiaoze , Zhao Jun , Li Dong , Hu Ji , Zhang Haifeng , Zhang Cai , Han Zhengbing , Sun Weiping , Sun Yongge , Pan Jianming
Published: March 2023

Examining iron (Fe) speciation in marine sediments is critical to understand Fe and carbon biogeochemical cycling in polar regions. In this study, we investigated the speciation of Fe in sediments from Prydz Bay and the adjacent Southern Ocean, and examined the factors controlling Fe speciation and its relationship with total organic carbon (TOC). Our results reveal that unreactive silicate Fe (FeU) is the dominant pool of total Fe (FeT), followed by poorly reactive sheet silicate Fe (FePRS), reducible crystalline Fe oxides (Feox2), easily reducible amorphous/poorly crystalline Fe oxides (Feox1), and magnetite (Femag), with carbonate-associated ferrous Fe (Fecarb) being the smallest pool. The highly reactive Fe (FeHR)/FeT ratios (0.13 ± 0.06) in our study area are among the lowest end-member globally, primarily due to weak bedrock weathering and slow glacier melting. The Feox1/FeT ratios are similar to those in continental shelf and marginal seas containing highly weathered materials, while the Feox2/FeT ratios are significantly lower. This result implicates that low temperature inhibits the aging of iceberg melting-sourced Feox1 potentially, and accordingly the regulation of weathering on the FeHR/FeT ratio is mainly reflected in Feox2/FeT ratio. There are no significant correlations between TOC and FeHR, Fecarb, Feox1 or Feox2 in the research region. Four distinct patterns of TOC/FeHR ratio can be discerned by summarizing the global data set: (a) high TOC/FeHR ratios (> 2.5) are likely the result of high marine primary productivity and low chemically weathered source materials; (b) low TOC/FeHR ratios (< 0.6) are caused by high rates of FeHR inputs and OC remineralization; (c) mid-range TOC/FeHR ratios (0.6 – 2.5) typical of most river particulates and marginal sea sediments indicate the same FeHR and OC sources and/or interactions between each other; (d) both low TOC and FeHR content is the result of low marine primary productivity and weak chemical weathering. Our findings provide new insights into the relationship between FeHR and TOC in polar sediments.
Vector acoustic properties of underwater noise from impact pile driving measured within the water column
Authors: Dahl Peter H. , MacGillivray Alexander , Racca Roberto
Published: March 2023

Vector acoustic properties of the underwater noise originating from impact pile driving on steel piles has been studied, including the identification of features of Mach wave radiation associated with the radial expansion of the pile upon hammer impact. The data originate from a 2005 study conducted in Puget Sound in the U.S. state of Washington, and were recorded on a four-channel hydrophone system mounted on a tetrahedral frame. The frame system measured the gradient of acoustic pressure in three dimensions (hydrophone separation 0.5 m) from which estimates of kinematic quantities, such as acoustic velocity and acceleration exposure spectral density, were derived. With frame at a depth of 5 m in waters 10 m deep, the data provide an important look at vector acoustic properties from impact pile driving within the water column. Basic features of the Mach wave are observed in both dynamic (pressure) and kinematic measurements, most notably the delay time T leading to spectral peaks separated in frequency by 1/T∼ 106 Hz, where T equals the travel time of the pile radial deformation over twice the length of the pile. For the two piles studied at range 10 and 16 m, the strike-averaged sound exposure level (SEL) was ∼ 177 dB re 1μPa2-s and the acceleration exposure level (AEL) was 122-123 dB re μm2/s4 s. The study demonstrates an approximate equivalence of observations based on dynamic and kinematic components of the underwater acoustic field from impact pile driving measured within the water column.
Contribution of small-scale migrant fishing to the emergence of the fishmeal industry in West Africa: Cases of Mauritania, Senegal and the Gambia
Authors: Dème El hadj Bara , Failler Pierre , Fall Assane Dedah , Dème Moustapha , Diedhiou Idrissa , Touron-Gardic Grégoire , Bocoum Waly , Asiedu Berchie
Published: March 2023

The objective of this article is to present the contribution of migrant fishers to the supply of fishmeal factories in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. The method consisted first of identifying migrant fishers and then quantifying the volumes of small pelagic fish they catch in the three countries studied. Then, an interview guide was submitted to more than 250 actors (migrant fishers and fishmongers) met in Banjul and Serrekunda in the Gambia, in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou in Mauritania, and in the fishing, centers located on the small Senegalese coast. These individual and collective interviews made it possible to estimate and determine the share of migrant fishers’ catches allocated to the fishmeal industry. Overall, the four groups of migrant fishers (3 Senegalese and 1 Guinean) identified in Mauritania and The Gambia catch on average more than 305,000 tonnes of pelagic fish per year over the period 2015 - 2018. Analysis of the marketing of their catches shows that almost 63% of the 305,000 tonnes, i.e. 192,000 tonnes of pelagic fish, are destined to supply the fishmeal factories of the three countries studied, while only 113,000 tonnes are distributed on the national consumer markets (fresh and artisanal processed). Of the 192,000 tonnes destined for fishmeal factories, two-thirds are sent to Mauritanian factories, with Senegal and The Gambia sharing the remaining third. Thus, important collaborations have been established in recent years between migrant fishers and the fishmeal industries. Indeed, the fishmeal industries improve the operating accounts of migrant fishers by ensuring the sale of their catches at more remunerative prices than on the local market at the micro level. However, when analyzed on a large scale, fishmeal industries exert a real pressure on the nutritional security of West African countries, as pelagic fish are the main source of animal protein in Senegal and The Gambia and have been over exploited in recent years. In addition, they prevent access to artisanal processing of their raw material. All these elements raise the question of the urgency of regulating migrant fishers catches on a regional scale and drastically reducing the share allocated to fishmeal processing in favor of local consumption.
Meeting the challenges in conducting research in vulnerable older adults with self-neglect-notes from a field team
Authors: Pickens Sabrina , Burnett Jason , Trail Ross Mary Ellen , Jones Erick , Jefferson Felicia
Published: March 2023

Gaining a systematic understanding of possible ways to increase the quality and lifespan of older adults experiencing self-neglect has unique challenges. These challenges include identifying self-neglect in the community and navigating levels of cognitive, physical, and/or psychological difficulties in this population that impact recruitment, consent, and accurate data collection. Conducting quality research under some of the environmental self-neglect conditions such as squalor, animal and insect infestations and no utilities can also challenge planned study protocols and study validity. This manuscript presents details of these overarching challenges and some of the workable solutions noted and implemented by research field-team members who have enrolled over 300 adults experiencing self-neglect for various studies. Usual research methodology must overcome these barriers to work to create consciousness about the self-neglect population. The classic series of cases is still a good alternative when describing self-neglect. Considerations for conducting future self-neglect research are presented.
[18F]FDG-PET/CT in patients with bacteremia: Clinical impact on patient management and outcome
Authors: Hess Søren
Published: March 2023

Bacteremia is the presence of viable bacteria in the bloodstream, a complicated and potentially dangerous systemic medical condition that may range from asymptomatic and clinically relatively indolent cases to more severe bloodstream infection (BSI) and ultimately life-threatening septic shock with fatal outcome. BSI is classified as simple (bacteremia only) or complex (BSI with metastatic spread), and the morbidity is higher in the latter, probably due to insufficient eradication. Treatment of simple BSI is usually short-term antibiotic courses, whereas complex BSI with metastatic foci requires more advanced treatment including long-term antibiotics or invasive drainage to gain infection control. Thus, identifying metastatic infection has an important clinical impact but remains a challenge; only half of the patients progress to complex BSI, and many patients present without relevant signs or symptoms, so imaging is pivotal. This review summarizes the potential role and recommendations of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in BSI, based on the relatively sparse and heterogeneous literature. [18F]FDG-PET/CT should be considered in suspected complex BSI, in patients at high risk of metastatic spread, and in BSI in ICU patients. [18F]FDG-PET/CT has an impact on patient management, treatment strategy, and patient outcome, mainly by directing the diagnostic process toward more specific diagnostics or by modifying treatment regimens resulting in reduced relapse rates and reduced mortality. Finally, a negative scan may obviate the need for further workup.
Isolation of archaeal viruses with lipid membrane from Tengchong acidic hot springs
Authors: Feng Xi , Li Yanan , Tian Chang , Yang Wei , Liu Xinyu , Zhang Changyi , Zeng Zhirui
Published: March 2023

Archaeal viruses are one of the most mysterious parts of the virosphere because of their diverse morphologies and unique genome contents. The crenarchaeal viruses are commonly found in high temperature and acidic hot springs, and the number of identified crenarchaeal viruses is being rapidly increased in recent two decades. Over fifty viruses infecting the members of the order Sulfolobales have been identified, most of which are from hot springs distributed in the United States, Russia, Iceland, Japan, and Italy. To further expand the reservoir of viruses infecting strains of Sulfolobaceae, we investigated virus diversity through cultivation-dependent approaches in hot springs in Tengchong, Yunnan, China. Eight different virus-like particles were detected in enrichment cultures, among which five new archaeal viruses were isolated and characterized. We showed that these viruses can infect acidophilic hyperthermophiles belonging to three different genera of the family Sulfolobaceae, namely, Saccharolobus, Sulfolobus, and Metallosphaera. We also compared the lipid compositions of the viral and cellular membranes and found that the lipid composition of some viral envelopes was very different from that of the host membrane. Collectively, our results showed that the Tengchong hot springs harbor highly diverse viruses, providing excellent models for archaeal virus-host studies.
Genome-resolved analyses of oligotrophic groundwater microbial communities along phenol pollution in a continuous-flow biodegradation model system
Authors: Yavari-Bafghi Maryam , Rezaei Somee Maryam , Amoozegar Mohammad Ali , Dastgheib Seyed Mohammad Mehdi , Shavandi Mahmoud
Published: March 2023

Groundwater pollution is one of the major environmental concerns. The entrance of pollutants into the oligotrophic groundwater ecosystems alters native microbial community structure and metabolism. This study investigated the application of innovative Small Bioreactor Chambers and CaO2nanoparticles for phenol removal within continuous-flow sand-packed columns for 6 months. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis were conducted to indicate the impact of attached biofilm on sand surfaces in bioremediation columns. Then, the influence of each method on the microbial biodiversity of the column’s groundwater was investigated by next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The results indicated that the simultaneous application of biostimulation and bioaugmentation completely eliminated phenol during the first 42 days. However, 80.2% of phenol remained in the natural bioremediation column at the end of the experiment. Microbial diversity was decreased by CaO2injection while order-level groups known for phenol degradation such asRhodobacteralesandXanthomonadalesdominated in biostimulation columns. Genome-resolved comparative analyses of oligotrophic groundwater prokaryotic communities revealed thatBurkholderiales,Micrococcales, andCytophagaleswere the dominant members of the pristine groundwater. Six-month exposure of groundwater to phenol shifted the microbial population towards increasing the heterotrophic members ofDesulfobacterales,Pseudomonadales, andXanthomonadaleswith the degradation potential of phenol and other hydrocarbons.
Structural polymorphism of the low-complexity C-terminal domain of TDP-43 amyloid aggregates revealed by solid-state NMR
Authors: Shenoy Jayakrishna , Lends Alons , Berbon Mélanie , Bilal Muhammed , El Mammeri Nadia , Bertoni Mathilde , Saad Ahmad , Morvan Estelle , Grélard Axelle , Lecomte Sophie , Theillet François-Xavier , Buell Alexander K. , Kauffmann Brice , Habenstein Birgit , Loquet Antoine
Published: March 2023

Aberrant aggregation of the transactive response DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) is associated with several lethal neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Cytoplasmic neuronal inclusions of TDP-43 are enriched in various fragments of the low-complexity C-terminal domain and are associated with different neurotoxicity. Here we dissect the structural basis of TDP-43 polymorphism using magic-angle spinning solid-state NMR spectroscopy in combination with electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that various low-complexity C-terminal fragments, namely TDP-13 (TDP-43300–414), TDP-11 (TDP-43300–399), and TDP-10 (TDP-43314–414), adopt distinct polymorphic structures in their amyloid fibrillar state. Our work demonstrates that the removal of less than 10% of the low-complexity sequence at N- and C-termini generates amyloid fibrils with comparable macroscopic features but different local structural arrangement. It highlights that the assembly mechanism of TDP-43, in addition to the aggregation of the hydrophobic region, is also driven by complex interactions involving low-complexity aggregation-prone segments that are a potential source of structural polymorphism.
Extent of interocular (a)symmetry based on the metabolomic profile of human aqueous humor
Authors: Pietrowska Karolina , Dmuchowska Diana Anna , Godlewski Adrian , Grochowski Emil Tomasz , Wojnar Malgorzata , Gosk Wioleta , Konopinska Joanna , Kretowski Adam , Ciborowski Michal
Published: March 2023

Aims: Interocular comparison of the metabolomic signature of aqueous humor (AH) was performed. The aim of the study was to quantitatively evaluate the symmetry in concentrations of various metabolites belonging to different categories.

Methods: The study included AH samples from 23 patients, 74.17 ± 11.52 years old, undergoing simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery at the Ophthalmology Department of the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based targeted metabolomics and lipidomics analyses of AH samples were performed using the AbsoluteIDQ® p180 kit. Out of 188 metabolites available in the kit, 67 were measured in the majority (>70%) of the samples: 21/21 amino acids, 10/22 biogenic amines, 9/40 acylcarnitines, 0/14 lysophosphatidylcholines, 21/76 phosphatidylcholines, 5/15 sphingolipids, and 1/1sum of hexoses.

Results: The comparison of both eyes revealed that the concentrations of metabolites did not differ significantly (p < 0.05) except for taurine (p = 0.037). There was moderate-to-strong positive interocular correlation (r > 0.5) between most metabolites regarding concentration. This was confirmed by the high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values of different levels, which varied for the different metabolites. However, there were exceptions. Correlations were not significant for 2 acylcarnitines (tiglylcarnitine and decadienylcarnitine) and 3 glycerophospholipids (PC aa C32:3, PC aa C40:2, and PC aa C40:5).

Conclusion: With a few exceptions, a single eye was found to be representative of the fellow eye in terms of the concentration of most of the analyzed metabolites. The degree of intraindividual variability in the AH of fellow eyes differs for particular metabolites/metabolite categories.
Neuroinflammation is a susceptibility factor in developing a PTSD-like phenotype
Authors: Shanazz Khadijah , Nalloor Rebecca , Lucas Rudolf , Vazdarjanova Almira
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that occurs after a traumatic event in a subset of exposed individuals. This implies the existence of susceptibility factors that foster the development of PTSD. Susceptibility factors are present before trauma and can contribute to the development and maintenance of PTSD after trauma. Manipulation of susceptibility factors may decrease the probability of developing PTSD. A putative susceptibility factor is inflammation. Patients with PTSD have been documented to have a higher pro-inflammatory profile compared to non-PTSD subjects. In addition, they are more likely to develop and die from cardiovascular disease which has a strong inflammation component. It is not known, however, whether inflammation plays a role in developing PTSD or whether reducing inflammation can prevent PTSD.

Methods

We used the Revealing Individual Susceptibility to a PTSD-like phenotype (RISP) model to behaviorally classify male rats as resilient or susceptible before trauma and tested their serum and prefrontal cortical (mPFC) levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, IL-10, IFN IFNγ, and KC/GRO to determine whether inflammation represents a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD.

Results

We found elevated IL-6 levels in the mPFC, but not serum, of susceptible rats compared to resilient animals before trauma. Serum and mPFC levels were not correlated in any of the cytokines/chemokines. Rats with high anxiety-like behavior had elevated IL-6 and IL-10 mPFC levels. Acoustic startle responses were not associated with cytokine/chemokine levels.

Discussion

Neuroinflammation, rather than systemic inflammation exists in susceptible male rats before trauma and is thus a putative susceptibility factor for PTSD. Thus, susceptibility appears neurogenic in its pathogenesis. The lack of differences between susceptible and resilient rats in serum cytokine/chemokine levels infers that peripheral markers will not be useful in determining susceptibility. Chronic neuroinflammation appears more broadly associated with anxiety rather than startle responses.
Differential vulnerability of neuronal subpopulations of the subiculum in a mouse model for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Franz Julia , Barheier Nicole , Wilms Henrike , Tulke Susanne , Haas Carola A. , Häussler Ute
Published: March 2023

Selective loss of inhibitory interneurons (INs) that promotes a shift toward an excitatory predominance may have a critical impact on the generation of epileptic activity. While research on mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) has mostly focused on hippocampal changes, including IN loss, the subiculum as the major output region of the hippocampal formation has received less attention. The subiculum has been shown to occupy a key position in the epileptic network, but data on cellular alterations are controversial. Using the intrahippocampal kainate (KA) mouse model for MTLE, which recapitulates main features of human MTLE such as unilateral hippocampal sclerosis and granule cell dispersion, we identified cell loss in the subiculum and quantified changes in specific IN subpopulations along its dorso-ventral axis. We performed intrahippocampal recordings, FluoroJade C-staining for degenerating neurons shortly after status epilepticus (SE), fluorescence in situ hybridization for glutamic acid decarboxylase (Gad) 67 mRNA and immunohistochemistry for neuronal nuclei (NeuN), parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) at 21 days after KA. We observed remarkable cell loss in the ipsilateral subiculum shortly after SE, reflected in lowered density of NeuN+ cells in the chronic stage when epileptic activity occurred in the subiculum concomitantly with the hippocampus. In addition, we show a position-dependent reduction of Gad67-expressing INs by ∼50% (along the dorso-ventral as well as transverse axis of the subiculum). This particularly affected the PV- and to a lesser extent CR-expressing INs. The density of NPY-positive neurons was increased, but the double-labeling for Gad67 mRNA expression revealed that an upregulation or de novo expression of NPY in non-GABAergic cells with a concomitant reduction of NPY-positive INs underlies this observation. Our data suggest a position- and cell type-specific vulnerability of subicular INs in MTLE, which might contribute to hyperexcitability of the subiculum, reflected in epileptic activity.
Utility of the visual system to monitor neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mey Gabrielle M. , DeSilva Tara M.
Published: March 2023

Neurodegeneration occurs early in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course and is an important driver of permanent disability. Current immunomodulatory therapies do not directly target neuronal health; thus, there is a critical need to develop neuroprotective strategies in MS. Outcome measures in clinical trials primarily evaluate disease activity and clinical disability scores rather than measures of neurodegeneration. The visual system provides a noninvasive correlate of brain atrophy and neuronal function through structural and functional exams. Furthermore, optic nerve axons and their respective neuronal cell bodies in the retina, in addition to their synaptic input to the thalamus, provide a distinct anatomy to investigate neurodegenerative processes. This review discusses the utility of the visual system as an early output measure of neurodegeneration in MS as well as an important platform to evaluate neuroprotective strategies in preclinical models.
Comparison of four nutritional screening tools in perioperative elderly patients: Taking orthopedic and neurosurgical patients as examples
Authors: Gong Jie , Zuo Silu , Zhang Jie , Li Li , Yin Jie , Li XinYi , Yu Fengmei , Hu Wen
Published: March 2023

Background and aims

Malnutrition is widely present in elderly surgical patients and is highly correlated with prognosis after surgery. However, studies comparing the effectiveness of comprehensive nutritional screening tools in geriatric surgical patients have not yet been published. The nutritional risk among elderly orthopedic and neurosurgical patients and their associated clinical indicators and outcomes was assessed using four screening tools. The aim of this study was to explore suitable tools for screening the nutritional status and identify their potential to act as prognostic indicators.

Methods

The Nutritional Risk Score 2002 (NRS2002), Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) were all performed within two days of admission and before surgery. The relationships between nutritional risk classifications and conventional nutritional markers, complications and length of hospital stay (LOS) were evaluated.

Results

In this study, a total of 167 orthopedic patients and 103 neurosurgical patients were evaluated. In neurosurgical patients, the rates of malnutrition or patients at risk of malnutrition according to the MNA-SF, GNRI, NRS2002 and PNI were 26.4, 24.6, 8.4, and 12.6%, respectively. According to the NRS2002 and PNI, the rates of old neurosurgical patients who were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition were 14.6 and 3.9%, respectively, which were lower than the results assessed by the MNA-SF (24.3%) and GNRI (15.5%). Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the PNI (malnourished vs.well-nourished, OR = 5.39, 95% CI:1.11-26.18, P = 0.037), GNRI (at risk vs.no risk, OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 1.01-15.45, P = 0.048) and the complications in orthopedic patients. Only GNRI was significantly related to LOS > 7 days (at risk vs.no risk, OR = 4.01, 95% CI: 1.64-9.80, P = 0.002). For neurosurgical patients, an association between GNRI and LOS > 8 days was discovered (at risk vs.no risk, OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 1.03-10.86, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Among the four nutritional risk screening tools, the GNRI exhibited better predictive value for short-term outcomes in elderly perioperative orthopedic and neurosurgical patients, thereby suggesting that it might be a more suitable tool for nutritional risk screening. Additional studies are required to determine the applicability of GNRI in other surgical fields.
Phenome-wide Mendelian randomization study evaluating the association of circulating vitamin D with complex diseases
Authors: Xu Jin-jian , Zhang Xiao-bin , Tong Wen-tao , Ying Teng , Liu Ke-qi
Published: March 2023

Background

Circulating vitamin D has been associated with multiple clinical diseases in observational studies, but the association was inconsistent due to the presence of confounders. We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study to explore the healthy atlas of vitamin D in many clinical traits and evaluate their causal association.

Methods

Based on a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS), the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) instruments of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) from 443,734 Europeans and the corresponding effects of 10 clinical diseases and 42 clinical traits in the European population were recruited to conduct a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Under the network of Mendelian randomization analysis, inverse-variance weighting (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, and Mendelian randomization (MR)–Egger regression were performed to explore the causal effects and pleiotropy. Mendelian randomization pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) was conducted to uncover and exclude pleiotropic SNPs.

Results

The results revealed that genetically decreased vitamin D was inversely related to the estimated BMD (β = −0.029 g/cm2, p = 0.027), TC (β = −0.269 mmol/L, p = 0.006), TG (β = −0.208 mmol/L, p = 0.002), and pulse pressure (β = −0.241 mmHg, p = 0.043), while positively associated with lymphocyte count (β = 0.037%, p = 0.015). The results did not reveal any causal association of vitamin D with clinical diseases. On the contrary, genetically protected CKD was significantly associated with increased vitamin D (β = 0.056, p = 2.361 × 10−26).

Conclusion

The putative causal effects of circulating vitamin D on estimated bone mass, plasma triglyceride, and total cholesterol were uncovered, but not on clinical diseases. Vitamin D may be linked to clinical disease by affecting health-related metabolic markers.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction optimization of polyphenols from Boletus bicolor and evaluation of its antioxidant activity
Authors: Hu Dong-Bao , Xue Rui , Zhuang Xiao-Cui , Zhang Xin-Sha , Shi Sheng-Li
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Boletus bicolor (B. bicolor) mushrooms are widely consumed as a valuable medicinal and dietary ingredient in China, but the active ingredients of this mushroom and their extraction methods were not extensively studied.

Methods

In this paper, we propose an optimized ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method to detect natural antioxidant substances in B. bicolor. The antioxidants were quantitatively and quantitatively determined using UPLC-MS, the polyphenols were evaluated based on response surface methodology (RSM), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed.

Results

The results showed that the optimal extraction was obtained under the following conditions: ethanol concentration 42%; solvent to solid ratio 34:1 mL/g; ultrasonic time 41 min; and temperature 40°C. The optimized experimental polyphenol value obtained under these conditions was (13.69 ± 0.13) mg/g, consistent with the predicted value of 13.72 mg/g. Eight phenolic compounds in the extract were identiffed by UPLC-MS: syringic acid, chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, rosmarinic acid, protocatechuic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, and quercetin. Chlorogenic acid exhibits the highest HOMO energy (−0.02744 eV) and the lowest energy difference (−0.23450 eV) among the studied compounds, suggesting that the compound might be the strongest antioxidant molecule. Eight phenolic compounds from the B. bicolor signiffcantly inhibited intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, reduced oxidative stress damage in H2O2-induced HepG-2 cells.

Discussion

Therefore, it was confirmed that the UAE technique is an efficient, rapid, and simple approach for extracting polyphenols with antioxidant activity from B. bicolor.