bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tear function in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kuo Yu-Kai , Shao Shih-Chieh , Lin Erh-Tsan , Pan Li-Yen , Yeung Ling , Sun Chi-Chin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To examine tear function in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

We searched Embase and PubMed from database inception to March 16, 2022. We included observational studies that compared tear function between patients with and without DM. Tear function was measured using invasive tear breakup time (ITBUT) and Schirmer’s 1 test. Pooled results are presented as standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) based on random-effects models.

Results

We included 59 studies (7,234 eyes) comparing the tear function between patients with and without DM. This meta-analysis indicated that patients with DM had worse tear function than those without DM (ITBUT: SMD: −0.98, 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.69; Schirmer’s 1 test: SMD: −0.45, 95% CI: −0.64 to −0.26), and the results remained consistent in patients with different types of DM (e.g., type 1 DM and type 2 DM) and from different ethnic backgrounds (e.g., Asian vs. non-Asian). Patients with DM under poor glycemic control had worse tear function than those of the non-DM group (ITBUT: SMD: −1.26, 95% CI: −1.86 to −0.66; Schirmer’s 1 test: SMD: −0.25, 95% CI: −0.48 to −0.02), whereas there were no significant differences in tear function between patients with DM under optimal glycemic control and non-DM groups.

Conclusions

We found that patients with type 1 or type 2 DM had significantly reduced tear function. The level of tear function could be determined by glycemic control, and therefore, our findings suggest that glycemic control in patients with DM is critical for maintaining tear function.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier CRD42021250498.
Examining the impact of media use during the COVID-19 pandemic on environmental engagement
Authors: Gibson Kristin E. , Sanders Catherine E. , Lamm Alexa J. , Lamm Kevan W.
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic led to global public health campaigns enacting strict orders to slow the spread of the disease. The public health initiatives were communicated broadly through diverse news sources and social media channels, spreading both factual information and misinformation about the environmental benefits related to the shelter-in-place orders. This quantitative study of United States residents (N = 1,048), guided by selective exposure theory, examined if demographics, news and/or social media source use, and public knowledge of environmental changes that took place as a result of COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders predicted intent to engage in environmentally-conscious behavior. Results indicated demographics and social media used predicted intent to engage in environmentally-conscious behaviors. Intent to engage in environmental behaviors is critical for environmental sustainability and the media may provide one avenue for engaging the public in environmental behaviors. Discussion points include environmental communication strategies and understanding messaging strategies within the politicization process of communicating about environmental issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collaborative governance of municipal solid waste in urban agglomerations: The case of Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Zhang Jingru , Zhu Mengyuan
Published: October 2022

As the by-product of modern life, the accelerating amount of municipal solid waste remains a wicked environmental and social problem that burdens megacities or populated cities in large. Apart from enhancing dexterity and proficiency in the intracity handling of waste, efficient and effective management needs to go beyond administrative boundaries and seek regional cooperation. Previous studies featuring Chinese regional waste management have paid scant attention to such endeavors. A SWOT analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of provinces and municipalities within the Yangtze River Delta, one of the country’s top urban agglomerations, justifies the opportunities for further intra-region collaboration. This research analyzed the status quo of waste management in the region and laid out the enabling institutions, challenges, and policy suggestions for enhanced collaborations.
Mechanisms of flower coloring and eco-evolutionary implications of massive blooming events in the Atacama Desert
Authors: Martínez-Harms Jaime , Guerrero Pablo C. , Martínez-Harms María José , Poblete Nicolás , González Katalina , Stavenga Doekele G. , Vorobyev Misha
Published: October 2022

The Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, holds a rich biodiversity that becomes most appreciable in years when unusual rainfall accumulation triggers a phenomenon of explosive development of ephemeral herbaceous and woody desert species known as “desierto florido” or “blooming desert.” Despite the scientific importance of this unique phenomenon only few studies have addressed the mechanisms of flower phenotypic divergence under the fluctuating environment provided by this recurrent event. We investigated the mechanisms of floral color diversity in Cistanthe longiscapa (Montiaceae), a dominant species across the ephemeral blooming landscape of Atacama Desert. Our analyses show that the variation in colors of C. longiscapa flowers result from petals containing betalain pigments with different absorption spectra. The different pigment composition of petals causes flower color differences in the visible and ultraviolet (UV) range of the spectrum. Through color vision models we show that C. longiscapa flowers are highly polymorphic in their color appearance for insect pollinators. Our results highlight the variable nature in flower color of C. longiscapa varieties blooming simultaneously in a geographical restricted area. Given the importance of color in attracting floral visitors, the observed color variability could contribute to increased cross pollination in extreme desert conditions, while accounting for complex and fluctuating histories of plant-pollinator interactions.
The roles of BTG1 mRNA expression in cancers: A bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zheng Hua-chuan , Xue Hang , Zhang Cong-yu , Shi Kai-hang , Zhang Rui
Published: October 2022

BTG1 (B-cell translocation gene 1) may inhibit proliferation and cell cycle progression, induce differentiation, apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory activity. The goal of this study was to clarify the clinicopathological and prognostic significances of BTG1 mRNA expression and related signal pathways in cancers. Using the Oncomine, TCGA (the cancer genome atlas), xiantao, UALCAN (The University of ALabama at Birmingham Cancer data analysis Portal), and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases, we undertook a bioinformatics study of BTG1 mRNA expression in cancers. BTG1 expression was lower in gastric, lung, breast and ovarian cancer than normal tissue due to its promoter methylation, which was the opposite to BTG1 expression. BTG1 expression was positively correlated with dedifferentiation and histological grading of gastric cancer (p < 0.05), with squamous subtype and young age of lung cancer (p < 0.05), with infrequent lymph node metastasis, low TNM staging, young age, white race, infiltrative lobular subtype, Her2 negativity, favorable molecular subtyping, and no postmenopause status of breast cancer (p < 0.05), and with elder age, venous invasion, lymphatic invasion, and clinicopathological staging of ovarian cancer (p < 0.05). BTG1 expression was negatively correlated with favorable prognosis of gastric, lung or ovarian cancer patients, but the converse was true for breast cancer (p < 0.05). KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analysis showed that the top signal pathways included cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, cell adhesion molecules, chemokine, immune cell receptor and NF (nuclear factor)-κB signal pathways in gastric and breast cancer. The top hub genes mainly contained CD (cluster of differentiation) antigens in gastric cancer, FGF (fibroblast growth factor)-FGFR (FGF receptor) in lung cancer, NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide): ubiquinone oxidoreductase in breast cancer, and ribosomal proteins in ovarian cancer. BTG1 expression might be employed as a potential marker to indicate carcinogenesis and subsequent progression, even prognosis.
Identification of genomic regions of wheat associated with grain Fe and Zn content under drought and heat stress using genome-wide association study
Authors: Devate Narayana Bhat , Krishna Hari , Sunilkumar V. P. , Manjunath Karthik Kumar , Mishra C. N. , Jain Neelu , Singh G. P. , Singh P. K.
Published: October 2022

Wheat is the staple food crop of global importance for its grain nutrient quality. Grain iron and zinc content of the wheat grain is an important quantitatively inherited trait that is influenced by the environmental factors such as drought and heat stress. Phenotypic evaluation of 295 advanced breeding lines from the wheat stress breeding program of IARI was carried out under timely sown irrigated (IR), restricted irrigated, and late-sown conditions at New Delhi during the cropping season of 2020–21, and grain iron (GFeC) and zinc (GZnC) contents were estimated from both control and treatments. A statistically significant increase in GFeC and GZnC was observed under stress conditions compared to that of the control. Genotyping was carried out with the SNPs from the 35K Axiom Breeder’s array, and marker–trait association was identified by GWAS analysis. Of the 23 MTAs identified, seven were linked with GFeC and sixteen were linked with GZnC. In silico analysis revealed a few important transcripts involved in various plant metabolism, growth, and development activities such as auxin response factor, root UVB sensitive proteins, potassium transporter, glycosyl transferase, COBRA, and F-box-like domain. The identified MTAs can be used for molecular breeding after validation and also for rapid development of micronutrient-rich varieties of wheat to mitigate hidden hunger.
Predicting the influence of Circ_0059706 expression on prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia using classical statistics and machine learning
Authors: Ma Jichun , Wen Xiangmei , Xu Zijun , Xia Peihui , Jin Ye , Lin Jiang , Qian Jun
Published: October 2022

Background: Various circular RNA (circRNA) molecules are abnormally expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and associated with disease occurrence and development, as well as patient prognosis. The roles of circ_0059706, a circRNA derived from ID1, in AML remain largely unclear.

Results: Here, we reported circ_0059706 expression in de novo AML and its association with prognosis. We found that circ_0059706 expression was significantly lower in AML patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Survival analysis of patients with AML divided into two groups according to high and low circ_0059706 expression showed that overall survival (OS) of patients with high circ_0059706 expression was significantly longer than that of those with low expression (p < 0.05). Further, female patients with AML and those aged >60 years old in the high circ_0059706 expression group had longer OS than male patients and those younger than 60 years. Multiple regression analysis showed that circ_0059706 was an independent factor-affecting prognosis of all patients with AML. To evaluate the prospects for application of circ_0059706 in machine learning predictions, we developed seven types of algorithm. The gradient boosting (GB) model exhibited higher performance in prediction of 1-year prognosis and 3-year prognosis, with AUROC 0.796 and 0.847. We analyzed the importance of variables and found that circ_0059706 expression level was the first important variables among all 26 factors included in the GB algorithm, suggesting the importance of circ_0059706 in prediction model. Further, overexpression of circ_0059706 inhibited cell growth and increased apoptosis of leukemia cells in vitro.

Conclusion: These results provide evidence that high expression of circ_0059706 is propitious for patient prognosis and suggest circ_0059706 as a potential new biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in AML, with high predictive value and good prospects for application in machine learning algorithms.
Bioengineering and computational analysis of programmed cell death ligand-1 monoclonal antibody
Authors: Kalim Muhammad , Ali Hamid , Rehman Ashfaq Ur , Lu Yong , Zhan Jinbiao
Published: October 2022

The trans-membrane proteins of the B7 family programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) play important roles in inhibiting immune responses and enhancing self-tolerance via T-cell modulation. Several therapeutic antibodies are used to promote T-cell proliferation by preventing interactions between PD-1/PD-L1. Recombinant technology appears to be quite useful in the production of such potent antibodies. In this study, we constructed recombinant molecules by cloning variable regions of the PD-L1 molecule into pMH3 vectors and transferring them into mammalian cell lines for expression. G418 supplementation was used to screen the recombinant clones, which were then maintained on serum-free medium. The full-length antibody was isolated and purified from the medium supernatant at a concentration of 0.5-0.8 mg/ml. Antibody binding affinity was investigated using ELISA and immunofluorescence methods. The protein-protein interactions (PPI) were determined using a docking approach. The SWISS model was utilized for homology modeling, while ZDOCK, Chimera, and PyMOL were used to validate 3D models. The Ramachandran plots were constructed using the SWISS model, which revealed that high-quality structures had a value of more than 90%. Current technologies allow for the accurate determination of antigen-antibody interactions.
Immune defenses of the mammary gland epithelium of dairy ruminants
Authors: Rainard Pascal , Gilbert Florence B. , Germon Pierre
Published: October 2022

The epithelium of the mammary gland (MG) fulfills three major functions: nutrition of progeny, transfer of immunity from mother to newborn, and its own defense against infection. The defense function of the epithelium requires the cooperation of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) with intraepithelial leucocytes, macrophages, DCs, and resident lymphocytes. The MG is characterized by the secretion of a large amount of a nutrient liquid in which certain bacteria can proliferate and reach a considerable bacterial load, which has conditioned how the udder reacts against bacterial invasions. This review presents how the mammary epithelium perceives bacteria, and how it responds to the main bacterial genera associated with mastitis. MECs are able to detect the presence of actively multiplying bacteria in the lumen of the gland: they express pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) released by the growing bacteria. Interactions with intraepithelial leucocytes fine-tune MECs responses. Following the onset of inflammation, new interactions are established with lymphocytes and neutrophils recruited from the blood. The mammary epithelium also identifies and responds to antigens, which supposes an antigen-presenting capacity. Its responses can be manipulated with drugs, plant extracts, probiotics, and immune modifiers, in order to increase its defense capacities or reduce the damage related to inflammation. Numerous studies have established that the mammary epithelium is a genuine effector of both innate and adaptive immunity. However, knowledge gaps remain and newly available tools offer the prospect of exciting research to unravel and exploit the multiple capacities of this particular epithelium.
Role of metabolic reprogramming in pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion from LPS or silica-activated macrophages
Authors: Marrocco Antonella , Ortiz Luis A.
Published: October 2022

In the lungs, macrophages constitute the first line of defense against pathogens and foreign bodies and play a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Activated macrophages show altered immunometabolism and metabolic changes governing immune effector mechanisms, such as cytokine secretion characterizing their classic (M1) or alternative (M2) activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages demonstrate enhanced glycolysis, blocked succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and increased secretion of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Glycolysis suppression using 2 deoxyglucose in LPS-stimulated macrophages inhibits IL-1β secretion, but not TNF-α, indicating metabolic pathway specificity that determines cytokine production. In contrast to LPS, the nature of the immunometabolic responses induced by non-organic particles, such as silica, in macrophages, its contribution to cytokine specification, and disease pathogenesis are not well understood. Silica-stimulated macrophages activate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and NLRP3 inflammasome and release IL-1β, TNF-α, and interferons, which are the key mediators of silicosis pathogenesis. In contrast to bacteria, silica particles cannot be degraded, and the persistent macrophage activation results in an increased NADPH oxidase (Phox) activation and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, ultimately leading to macrophage death and release of silica particles that perpetuate inflammation. In this manuscript, we reviewed the effects of silica on macrophage mitochondrial respiration and central carbon metabolism determining cytokine specification responsible for the sustained inflammatory responses in the lungs.
The beneficial effects of Lacticaseibacillus casei on the small intestine and colon of Swiss mice against the deleterious effects of 5-fluorouracil
Authors: Barbosa Stphannie Jamyla de Araújo , Oliveira Maisie Mitchele Barbosa , Ribeiro Susana Barbosa , de Medeiros Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier , Lima Maria Laura de Souza , Guerra Gerlane Coelho Bernardo , de Araújo Júnior Raimundo Fernandes , de Sousa Junior Francisco Caninde , Martins Agnes Andrade , Paiva Daniel Felipe Fernandes , Andrade Raphael Victor Silva , Rebouças Conceição S. Martins , Brito Gerly Anne de Castro , Leitâo Renata Ferreira de Carvalho , de Araújo Aurigena Antunes
Published: October 2022

Background

Intestinal mucositis is one of the most common and important side effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Currently, there are still no specific and effective protocols for its prevention and treatment. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of Lacticaseibacillus casei (L. casei) on the progression of 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis. Methods: L. casei (1x109 CFU/ml) or saline was orally administered to Swiss mice, beginning 15 days before intestinal mucositis induction by single intraperitoneal 5-FU administration (450 mg/kg). Body weight, number of peripheral leukocytes and fecal lactic acid bacteria were monitored. After euthanasia, on day 18, tissue samples from colon and each small intestine segment were collected for histopathology. Jejunal tissues were collected and evaluated for iNOS and TNF-alpha immunoexpression, IL-1-beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels, malonaldehyde (MDA) accumulation, invertase activity and factor nuclear kappa B (NFkB-P65) gene expression, toll like receptor-4 (TLR-4), mucin-2 (MUC-2), occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1).

Results

The positive impact of L. casei on 5-FU-induced leukopenia was observed, but not on 5-FU-induced weight loss in mice. L. casei reduced 5-FU-induced inflammation in the colon and small intestine (p<0.05). Decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 (p<0.05) and MDA (p<0.05) levels, as well as decreased iNOS and TNF-alpha protein expressions (p<0.05) were found in the jejunum from L casei group. In addition, L-casei down-regulated NFKB-P65 (p<0.05) and TLR-4 (p<0.05) gene expressions and up-regulated MUC-2 and mucosal barrier proteins occludin and ZO-1 gene expressions (p<0.05). Furthermore, greater lactic acid bacteria population (p<0.05) was found in the L. casei group when compared to control groups.

Conclusion

Oral L. casei administration can protect the intestine of Swiss mice from 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis, thus contributing to overall health.
Geomorphological response of sandy beach to tropical cyclones with different characteristics
Authors: Yu Yue , Wang Yongzhi , Qiao Lulu , Wang Nan , Li Guangxue , Tian Ziwen , Zhong Yi
Published: October 2022

Tropical cyclones (TCs) play important roles in the evolution of beaches. The response of beaches to a single tropical cyclone (TC) has been well reported, however, few studies have compared the responses of the same beach to TCs with different characteristics. Taking Haiyang Beach in the northern China Seas as a case study, the beach profiles before and after two TCs, Lekima and Bavi, which passed through the west and east sides of the study area, were investigated. The beach exhibited erosion at the upper foreshore and minor deposition near the mean high water level (MHW) after Lekima with subaqueous sandbars formed in the nearshore zone, whereas all the beach profiles showed little changes after Bavi. A high-resolution FVCOM model was established and eleven sensitive experiments were conducted to simulate hydrodynamic changes induced by TCs with different tracks, intensity and duration. Then the Xbeach model was used to display the beach evolution due to different TCs conditions. It is found that the significant storm surge and strong seaward bottom current induced by landward wind of the TCs passed through the west side of the study area should responsible for the beach profile changes. Negligible storm surge rise and landward bottom current related to the seaward wind of eastern path TCs can only result in little change of the beach. Swell contributes most to the wave height while has less effect on the beach changes. In this study, we conclude that the effects of TCs on beaches are primarily dependent on relative position of a beach and TCs’ tracks.
Undeveloped and developed phases in the centennial evolution of a barrier-marsh-lagoon system: The case of Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Authors: Tenebruso Christopher , Nichols-O’Neill Shane , Lorenzo-Trueba Jorge , Ciarletta Daniel J. , Miselis Jennifer L.
Published: October 2022

Barrier islands and their associated backbarrier environments protect mainland population centers and infrastructure from storm impacts, support biodiversity, and provide long-term carbon storage, among other ecosystem services. Despite their socio-economic and ecological importance, the response of coupled barrier-marsh-lagoon environments to sea-level rise is poorly understood. Undeveloped barrier-marsh-lagoon systems typically respond to sea-level rise through the process of landward migration, driven by storm overwash and landward mainland marsh expansion. Such response, however, can be affected by human development and engineering activities such as lagoon dredging and shoreline stabilization. To better understand the difference in the response between developed and undeveloped barrier-marsh-lagoon environments to sea-level rise, we perform a local morphologic analysis that describes the evolution of Long Beach Island (LBI), New Jersey, over the last 182 years. We find that between 1840 and 1934 the LBI system experienced landward migration of all five boundaries, including 171 meters of shoreline retreat. Between the 1920s and 1950s, however, there was a significant shift in system behavior that coincided with the onset of groin construction, which was enhanced by beach nourishment and lagoon dredging practices. From 1934 to 2022 the LBI system experienced ~22 meters of shoreline progradation and a rapid decline in marsh platform extent. Additionally, we extend a morphodynamic model to describe the evolution of the system in terms of five geomorphic boundaries: the ocean shoreline and backbarrier-marsh interface, the seaward and landward lagoon-marsh boundaries, and the landward limit of the inland marsh. We couple this numerical modeling effort with the map analysis during the undeveloped phase of LBI evolution, between 1840 and 1934. Despite its simplicity, the modeling framework can describe the average cross-shore evolution of the barrier-marsh-lagoon system during this period without accounting for human landscape modifications, supporting the premise that natural processes were the key drivers of morphological change. Overall, these results suggest that anthropogenic effects have played a major role in the evolution of LBI over the past century by altering overwash fluxes and marsh-lagoon geometry; this is likely the case for other barrier-marsh-lagoon environments around the world.
Outcome predictors in COVID-19: An analysis of emergent systemic inflammation indices in Mexican population
Authors: Gutiérrez-Pérez Ilse Adriana , Buendía-Roldán Ivette , Pérez-Rubio Gloria , Chávez-Galán Leslie , Hernández-Zenteno Rafael de Jesus , Aguilar-Duran Hiram , Fricke-Galindo Ingrid , Zaragoza-García Oscar , Falfán-Valencia Ramcés , Guzmán-Guzmán Iris Paola
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The systemic viral disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a public health problem worldwide.

Objective

This study is aimed to evaluate the association and predictive value of indices of systemic inflammation with severity and non-survival of COVID-19 in Mexican patients.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was carried out on 807 subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Clinical characteristics, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severity according to PaO2/FiO2 ratio, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and non-survival outcome were considered to assess the predictive value and the association of 11 systemic inflammatory indices derived from hematological parameters analyzed at the hospital admission of patients. The receiver operating characteristics curve was applied to determine the thresholds for 11 biomarkers, and their prognostic values were assessed via the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

26% of the studied subjects showed COVID-19 severe (PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤ 100), 82.4% required IMV, and 39.2% were non-survival. The indices NHL, NLR, RDW, dNLR, and SIRI displayed predictive values for severe COVID-19 and non-survival. NHL, SIRI, and NLR showed predictive value for IMV. The cut-off values for RDW (OR = 1.85, p < 0.001), NHL (OR = 1.67, p = 0.004) and NLR (OR = 1.56, p = 0.012) were mainly associated with severe COVID-19. NHL (OR = 3.07, p < 0.001), AISI (OR = 2.64, p < 0.001) and SIRI (OR = 2.51, p < 0.001) were associated with IMV support, while for non-survival the main indices associated were NHL (OR = 2.65, p < 0.001), NLR (OR = 2.26, p < 0.001), dNLR (OR = 1.92, p < 0.001), SIRI (OR = 1.67, p = 0.002) and SII (OR = 1.50, p = 0.010). The patients with an RDW, PLR, NLR, dNLR, MLR, SII, and NHL above the cut-off had a survival probability of COVID-19 50% lower, with an estimated mean survival time of 40 days.

Conclusion

The emergent systemic inflammation indices NHL, NLR, RDW, SII, and SIRI have a predictive power of severe COVID-19, IMV support, and low survival probability during hospitalization by COVID-19 in Mexican patients.
Co-fermented yellow wine lees by Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium regulates growth performance and gut microbiota in finishing pigs
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Cheng , Su Weifa , Jiang Zipeng , He Huan , Gong Tao , Kai Lixia , Xu Huangen , Wang Yizhen , Lu Zeqing
Published: October 2022

Fermented yellow wine lees (FYWL) are widely used to increase feed utilization and improve pig performance. Based on the preparation of co-FYWL using Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of co-FYWL on growth performance, gut microbiota, meat quality, and immune status of finishing pigs. 75 pigs were randomized to 3 treatments (5 replicates/treatment), basal diet (Control), a basal diet supplemented with 4%FYWL, and a basal diet supplemented with 8%FYWL, for 50 days each. Results showed that the 8% FYWL group significantly reduced the F/G and increased the average daily weight gain of pigs compared to the control group. In addition, 8% FYWL improved the richness of Lactobacillus and B. subtilis in the gut, which correlated with growth performance, serum immune parameters, and meat quality. Furthermore, acetate and butyrate in the feces were improved in the FYWL group. Simultaneously, FYWL improved the volatile flavor substances of meat, increased the content of flavor amino acids, and played a positive role in the palatability of meat. In addition, FYWL increased serum IgA, IgM, IL-4 and IL-10 levels. Overall, the growth performance, the gut microbiota associated with fiber degradation, meat quality, and immune status were improved in the 8% FYWL group.
Examining the role of EGR1 during viral infections
Authors: Woodson Caitlin M. , Kehn-Hall Kylene
Published: October 2022

Early growth response 1 (EGR1) is a multifunctional mammalian transcription factor capable of both enhancing and/or inhibiting gene expression. EGR1 can be activated by a wide array of stimuli such as exposure to growth factors, cytokines, apoptosis, and various cellular stress states including viral infections by both DNA and RNA viruses. Following induction, EGR1 functions as a convergence point for numerous specialized signaling cascades and couples short-term extracellular signals to influence transcriptional regulation of genes required to initiate the appropriate biological response. The role of EGR1 has been extensively studied in both physiological and pathological conditions of the adult nervous system where it is readily expressed in various regions of the brain and is critical for neuronal plasticity and the formation of memories. In addition to its involvement in neuropsychiatric disorders, EGR1 has also been widely examined in the field of cancer where it plays paradoxical roles as a tumor suppressor gene or oncogene. EGR1 is also associated with multiple viral infections such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), human polyomavirus JC virus (JCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). In this review, we examine EGR1 and its role(s) during viral infections. First, we provide an overview of EGR1 in terms of its structure, other family members, and a brief overview of its roles in non-viral disease states. We also review upstream regulators of EGR1 and downstream factors impacted by EGR1. Then, we extensively examine EGR1 and its roles, both direct and indirect, in regulating replication of DNA and RNA viruses.
Alternaria species in section Alternaria associated with Iris plants in China
Authors: Gou Ya-Nan , Aung Sein Lai Lai , Htun Aye Aye , Huang Cheng-Xin , Deng Jian-Xin
Published: October 2022

Plants of the Iris genus have been widely cultivated because of their medicinal, ornamental, and economic values. It commonly suffers from Alternaria leaf spot or blight disease leading to considerable losses for their commercial values. During an investigation of 14 provinces or municipalities of China from 2014 to 2022, a total of 122 Alternaria strains in section Alternaria were obtained from diseased leaves of Iris spp.. Among them, 12 representative strains were selected and identified based on morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogenetic analysis, which encompassed the internal transcribed spacer of rDNA region (ITS), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF1), RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2), Alternaria major allergen gene (Alt a 1), an anonymous gene region (OPA10-2), and endopolygalacturonase gene (EndoPG). The strains comprised two known species of A. alternata and A. iridicola, and two new species of A. setosae and A. tectorum, which were described and illustrated here. Their pathogenicity evaluated on Iris setosa indicated that all the strains could induce typical Alternaria leaf spot or blight symptoms. The results showed that the virulence was variable among those four species, from which A. tectorum sp. nov. was the most virulent one, followed by A. setosae sp. nov., A. iridicola and A. alternata.
Organic matter degradation and bacterial communities in surface sediment influenced by Procambarus clarkia
Authors: Hou Yiran , Jia Rui , Ji Peng , Li Bing , Zhu Jian
Published: October 2022

To alleviate excessive organic matter (OM) accumulation in sediments and reduce the risk of endogenous water pollution and eutrophication in aquaculture ponds, an 84-day experiment investigated the effect of the red swamp crayfishProcambarus clarkiion the OM degradation and bacterial communities in sediments. The experiment established two groups,P. clarkiatreatment and control (represented as PG and CG, respectively), with three replicates for each group. At the end of experiment, the total, light fraction, and heavy fraction organic matter concentrations in the sediment of the PG group were significantly lower than those of the CG group. Significantly higher oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and more extensively degraded OM, indicated by fatty acids, were observed in the PG group. Compared to the CG group, the average OM removal efficiency induced by crayfish in the PG group was 15.24%. Using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) high-throughput sequencing, we investigated the differences in benthic bacterial communities between the PG and CG groups. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed that Nitrospirae, Nitrospira, Alphaproteobacteria, OLB14, Nitrospirales, Rhodobacterales, Rhizobiales, Micrococcales, Nitrospiraceae, Rhodobacteraceae,Nitrospira, Rhodobacter, Thermomonas, andDenitratisomawere significantly enriched in the PG group. Four significantly different functional groups related to OM degradation were determined between the PG and CG groups according to the functional annotation of procaryotic taxa (FAPROTAX) analysis. These four functional groups, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, manganese oxidation, dark iron oxidation, and dark sulfide oxidation, showed significantly higher relative abundances in the PG group. Overall,P. clarkiaeffectively increased the ORP values of sediments to provide favorable conditions for OM degradation and changed the composition and function of bacterial communities to improve bacterial abilities for OM decomposition, thereby promoting OM degradation in the sediment.
Short-term effects of wildfire on soil arthropods in a semi-arid grassland on the Loess Plateau
Authors: Yang Xi , Liu Ren-Tao , Shao Ming-An , Wei Xiao-Rong , Li Tong-Chuan , Chen Ming-Yu , Li Zhi-Yong , Dai Yun-Chao , Gan Miao
Published: October 2022

Fires lead to dramatic shifts in ecosystems and have a large impact on the biota. Soil organisms, especially soil fauna, are often used as indicators of environmental change. At present, minimal attention has been paid to using soil fauna as an indicator of environmental change after a fire. Here, a field survey of burnt herbaceous vegetation in semi-arid areas was conducted to determine the response of soil arthropods to fire and their short–term recovery after fire. Overall, the abundance and biomass of soil arthropods was more sensitive to fire than the number of groups. The number of soil arthropod groups, especially the dominant groups (mites and springtails), was not significantly affected by wildfires. At the unburned site, soil arthropod abundance showed significant seasonal shifts that may be related to the vegetation properties, temperature, and precipitation caused by seasonal changes. In contrast, soil arthropods at the burnt sites showed a delayed recovery and had only reached 56%–82%, 17%–54%, and 91%–190% of the biomass in the unburnt forest at the 3, 6, and 9 months after the burning event. Our findings of soil arthropod abundance changes in the present study suggest that fire-induced changes in soil and vegetation properties (e.g., AN, LT, and VC) were crucial factors for the changes in soil arthropod abundance in this semi-arid grassland. We conclude that fire disturbance reduces the seasonal sensitivity of soil arthropods by altering their habitat. This study furthers our understanding of wildfire impact recovery by documenting the short-term temporal dynamics of soil arthropods.
Improved chemical and isotopic labeling of biomembranes in Bacillus subtilis by leveraging CRISPRi inhibition of beta-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (fabF)
Authors: Nickels Jonathan D. , Bonifer Kyle S. , Tindall Rachel R. , Yahya Ahmad , Tan Luoxi , Do Changwoo , Davison Brian H. , Elkins James G.
Published: October 2022

Assessing the structure of living microbial cell membranes is a challenging analytical goal. The cell membrane is defined by its transverse structure, an approximately 5 nm-thick selectively permeable bilayer that serves many important cellular functions. Compositionally complex, dynamic, and organized in both the transverse and lateral dimensions, understanding the cell membrane structure—and the role that structure plays in cellular function, communication, and environmental sensing is an active scientific effort. Previously, we have devised a novel isotopic labeling approach for membrane lipids to enable direct in vivo structural studies of the cell membrane in the Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, using small-angle neutron scattering. This was accomplished through a genetic inhibition of fatty acid (FA) degradation (ΔfadN) and a chemical inhibition of FA biosynthesis using cerulenin, an irreversible inhibitor of type II fatty acid synthases. Here, we improve upon the previous system by introducing a dCas9/sgRNA-fabF complex that blocks transcription of the essential fabF gene when under xylose induction. This leads to greater sensitivity to cerulenin in the mutant strain (JEBS102) and more robust cell growth when supplementary FAs are introduced to the culture medium. A subtle change in FA uptake is noted when compared to the prior labeling strategy. This is seen in the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) data as a higher ratio of n16:0 to a15:0, and manifests in an apparent increase in the membrane thickness determined via neutron scattering. This represents an improved method of isotopic labeling for the cell membrane of Bacillus subtilis; enabling improved investigations of cellular uptake and utilization of FAs, cell membrane structure and organization as a phenotypic response to metabolic and environmental changes.
Construction of m6A-based prognosis signature and prediction for immune and anti-angiogenic response
Authors: Wang Xiang-Xu , Wu Li-Hong , Dou Qiong-Yi , Ai Liping , Lu Yajie , Deng Shi-Zhou , Liu Qing-Qing , Ji Hongchen , Zhang Hong-Mei
Published: October 2022

Background: Increasing evidence illustrated that m6A regulator-mediated modification plays a crucial role in regulating tumor immune and angiogenesis microenvironment. And the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitor and anti-angiogenic therapy has been approved as new first-line therapy for advanced HCC. This study constructed a novel prognosis signature base on m6A-mediated modification and explored the related mechanism in predicting immune and anti-angiogenic responses.

Methods: Gene expression profiles and clinical information were collected from TCGA and GEO. The ssGSEA, MCPCOUNT, and TIMER 2.0 algorithm was used to Estimation of immune cell infiltration. The IC50 of anti-angiogenic drugs in GDSC was calculated by the “pRRophetic” package. IMvigor210 cohort and Liu et al. cohort were used to validate the capability of immunotherapy response. Hepatocellular carcinoma single immune cells sequencing datasets GSE140228 were collected to present the expression landscapes of 5 hub genes in different sites and immune cell subpopulations of HCC patients.

Results: Three m6A clusters with distinct immune and angiogenesis microenvironments were identified by consistent cluster analysis based on the expression of m6A regulators. We further constructed a 5-gene prognosis signature (termed as m6Asig-Score) which could predict both immune and anti-angiogenic responses. We illustrated that high m6Asig-Score is associated with poor prognosis, advanced TNM stage, and high TP53 mutation frequency. Besides, the m6Asig-Score was negatively associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic drug response. We further found that two of the five m6Asig-Score inner genes, B2M and SMOX, were associated with immune cell infiltration, immune response, and the sensitivity to sorafenib, which were validated in two independent immunotherapy cohorts and the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer (GDSC) database.

Conclusion: We constructed a novel prognosis signature and identified B2M and SMOX for predicting immune and anti-angiogenic efficacy in HCC, which may guide the combined treatment strategies of immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.
Neuropsychological impairment in post-COVID condition individuals with and without cognitive complaints
Authors: Ariza Mar , Cano Neus , Segura Bàrbara , Adan Ana , Bargalló Núria , Caldú Xavier , Campabadal Anna , Jurado Maria Angeles , Mataró Maria , Pueyo Roser , Sala-Llonch Roser , Barrué Cristian , Bejar Javier , Cortés Claudio Ulises ,   NAUTILUS-Project Collaborative Group, Junqué Carme , Garolera Maite
Published: October 2022

One of the most prevalent symptoms of post-COVID condition is cognitive impairment, which results in a significant degree of disability and low quality of life. In studies with large sample sizes, attention, memory, and executive function were reported as long-term cognitive symptoms. This study aims to describe cognitive dysfunction in large post-COVID condition individuals, compare objective neuropsychological performance in those post-COVID condition individuals with and without cognitive complaints, and identify short cognitive exams that can differentiate individuals with post-COVID symptoms from controls. To address these aims, the Nautilus project was started in June 2021. During the first year, we collected 428 participants’ data, including 319 post-COVID and 109 healthy controls (18–65 years old) from those who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery for cognitive assessment. Scores on tests assessing global cognition, learning and long-term memory, processing speed, language and executive functions were significantly worse in the post-COVID condition group than in healthy controls. Montreal Cognitive Assessment, digit symbol test, and phonetic verbal fluency were significant in the binomial logistic regression model and could effectively distinguish patients from controls with good overall sensitivity and accuracy. Neuropsychological test results did not differ between those with and without cognitive complaints. Our research suggests that patients with post-COVID conditions experience significant cognitive impairment and that routine tests like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, digit symbol, and phonetic verbal fluency test might identify cognitive impairment. Thus, the administration of these tests would be helpful for all patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of whether cognitive complaints are present or absent.

Study registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT05307549 and NCT05307575.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 as a novel biomarker in elderly patients for the prediction of postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction: A prospective nested case-control study
Authors: Xia Tong , Yang Chenyi , Wang Xinyi , Bai Lili , Ma Ji , Zhao Mingshu , Hua Wei , Wang Haiyun
Published: October 2022

Background and objective

Postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction (PND) occurs in up to 54% of older patients, giving rise to the heavy psychological and economic burdens to patients and society. To date, the development of PND biomarkers remains a challenge. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1) is an RNA-binding protein whose prion-like structure is prone to mutation and hence leads to neurodegenerative diseases, but its expression changes in PND remains unclear. Here, we detect the preoperative hnRNPA2/B1 level in patients with PND, and to explore its value in the prediction and diagnosis of PND.

Methods

The study included 161 elderly patients undergoing lumbar decompression and fusion in Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital from September 2021 to July 2022. Neuropsychological and psychometric evaluations were performed before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery to diagnose the occurrence of PND, then the peripheral blood was collected from patients before induction of anesthesia. The concentration in plasma of hnRNPA2/B1 and amyloid-β 42 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The median fluorescence intensity and mRNA levels of hnRNPA2/B1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was detected by indirect intracellular staining flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively.

Results

The preoperative hnRNPA2/B1 level in patients with PND was higher both in short-time and long-time follow-up. We found significantly higher concentrations of hnRNPA2/B1 in PND at 7 days after surgery (median, 72.26 pg/mL vs. 54.95 pg/mL, p = 0.022) compared with patients without PND, and so as 3 months after surgery (median, 102.93 pg/mL vs. 56.38 pg/mL, p = 0.012). The area under the curve (AUC) was predicted to be 0.686 at 7 days after surgery and 0.735 at 3 months. In addition, when combining several clinical information, the diagnostic efficiency of hnRNPA2/B1 for PND could further increase (AUC, 0.707 at 7 days, 0.808 at 3 months).

Conclusion

Based on the findings reported here, hnRNPA2/B1 may serve as a new and powerful predictive biomarker to identify elderly patients with PND.
Neuroimaging of human and non-human animal emotion and affect in the context of social relationships
Authors: Zablocki-Thomas Pauline B. , Rogers Forrest D. , Bales Karen L.
Published: October 2022

Long-term relationships are essential for the psychological wellbeing of humans and many animals. Positive emotions and affective experiences (e.g., romantic or platonic love) seem to be closely related to the creation and maintenance of social bonds. When relationships are threatened or terminated, other emotions generally considered to be negative can arise (e.g., jealousy or loneliness). Because humans and animals share (to varying degrees) common evolutionary histories, researchers have attempted to explain the evolution of affect and emotion through the comparative approach. Now brain imaging techniques allow the comparison of the neurobiological substrates of affective states and emotion in human and animal brains using a common methodology. Here, we review brain imaging studies that feature emotions characterized by the context of social bonding. We compare imaging findings associated with affective and emotional states elicited by similar social situations between humans and animal models. We also highlight the role of key neurohormones (i.e., oxytocin, vasopressin, and dopamine) that jointly support the occurrence of socially contextualized emotions and affect across species. In doing so, we seek to explore and clarify if and how humans and animals might similarly experience social emotion and affect in the context of social relationships.