bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metagenomic analysis reveals the virome profiles of Aedes albopictus in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Xu Ye , Xu Jiabao , Liu Tong , Liu Peiwen , Chen Xiao-Guang
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Aedes albopictus is an aggressive invasive mosquito species widely distributed around the world, and it is also a known vector of arboviruses. Virus metagenomics and RNA interference (RNAi) are important in studying the biology and antiviral defense of Ae. albopictus. However, the virome and potential transmission of plant viruses by Ae. albopictus remain understudied.

Methods

Mosquito samples of Ae. albopictus were collected from Guangzhou, China, and small RNA sequencing was performed. Raw data were filtered, and virus-associated contigs were generated using VirusDetect. The small RNA profiles were analyzed, and maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed.

Results

The small RNA sequencing of pooled Ae. albopictus revealed the presence of five known viruses, including Wenzhou sobemo-like virus 4, mosquito nodavirus, Aedes flavivirus, Hubei chryso-like virus 1, and Tobacco rattle virus RNA1. Additionally, 21 new viruses that had not been previously reported were identified. The mapping of reads and contig assembly provided insights into the viral diversity and genomic characteristics of these viruses. Field survey confirmed the detection of the identified viruses in Ae. albopictus collected from Guangzhou.

Discussion

The comprehensive analysis of the virus metagenomics of Ae. albopictus in this study sheds light on the diversity and prevalence of viruses in mosquito populations. The presence of known and novel viruses highlights the need for continued surveillance and investigation into their potential impact on public health. The findings also emphasize the importance of understanding the virome and potential transmission of plant viruses by Ae. albopictus.

Conclusion

This study provides valuable insights into the virome of Ae. albopictus and its potential role as a vector for both known and novel viruses. Further research is needed to expand the sample size, explore additional viruses, and investigate the implications for public health.
The role of microbiome-host interactions in the development of Alzheimer´s disease
Authors: Weber Christian , Dilthey Alexander , Finzer Patrick
Published: June 2023

Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia. It is often assumed that AD is caused by an aggregation of extracellular beta-amyloid and intracellular tau-protein, supported by a recent study showing reduced brain amyloid levels and reduced cognitive decline under treatment with a beta-amyloid-binding antibody. Confirmation of the importance of amyloid as a therapeutic target notwithstanding, the underlying causes of beta-amyloid aggregation in the human brain, however, remain to be elucidated. Multiple lines of evidence point towards an important role of infectious agents and/or inflammatory conditions in the etiology of AD. Various microorganisms have been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and brains of AD-patients and have thus been hypothesized to be linked to the development of AD, including Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) and Spirochaetes. Intriguingly, these microorganisms are also found in the oral cavity under normal physiological conditions, which is often affected by multiple pathologies like caries or tooth loss in AD patients. Oral cavity pathologies are mostly accompanied by a compositional shift in the community of oral microbiota, mainly affecting commensal microorganisms and referred to as ‘dysbiosis’. Oral dysbiosis seems to be at least partly mediated by key pathogens such as PG, and it is associated with a pro-inflammatory state that promotes the destruction of connective tissue in the mouth, possibly enabling the translocation of pathogenic microbiota from the oral cavity to the nervous system. It has therefore been hypothesized that dysbiosis of the oral microbiome may contribute to the development of AD. In this review, we discuss the infectious hypothesis of AD in the light of the oral microbiome and microbiome-host interactions, which may contribute to or even cause the development of AD. We discuss technical challenges relating to the detection of microorganisms in relevant body fluids and approaches for avoiding false-positives, and introduce the antibacterial protein lactoferrin as a potential link between the dysbiotic microbiome and the host inflammatory reaction.
Identification of a SARS-CoV-2 virus-derived vmiRNA in COVID-19 patients holding potential as a diagnostic biomarker
Authors: Zhao Qian , Lü Jinhui , Zhao Bing , Guo Yuefan , Wang Qiong , Yu Shanshan , Hao Lipeng , Zhu Xiaoping , Yu Zuoren
Published: June 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a lasting threat to public health. To minimize the viral spread, it is essential to develop more reliable approaches for early diagnosis of the infection and immediate suppression of the viral replication. Herein, through computational prediction of SARS-CoV-2 genome and screening analysis of specimens from covid-19 patients, we predicted 15 precursors for SARS-CoV-2-encoded miRNAs (CvmiRNAs) containing 20 mature CvmiRNAs, in which CvmiR-2 was successfully detected by quantitative analysis in both serum and nasal swab samples of patients. CvmiR-2 showed high specificity in distinguishing covid-19 patients from normal controls, and high conservation between SARS-CoV-2 and its mutants. A positive correlation was observed between the CvmiR-2 expression level and the severity of patients. The biogenesis and expression of CvmiR-2 were validated in the pre-CvmiR-2-transfected A549 cells, showing a dose-dependent pattern. The sequence of CvmiR-2 was validated by sequencing analysis of human cells infected by either SARS-CoV-2 or pre-CvmiR-2. Target gene prediction analysis suggested CvmiR-2 may be involved in the regulation of the immune response, muscle pain and/or neurological disorders in covid-19 patients. In conclusion, the current study identified a novel v-miRNA encoded by SARS-CoV-2 upon infection of human cells, which holds the potential to serve as a diagnostic biomarker or a therapeutic target in clinic.
Alterations of gut microbiome following gastrointestinal surgical procedures and their potential complications
Authors: Tsigalou Christina , Paraschaki Afroditi , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , Aftzoglou K. , Stavropoulou Elisavet , Tsakris Z. , Vradelis S. , Bezirtzoglou Eugenia
Published: June 2023

Intestinal microorganisms play a crucial role in shaping the host immunity and maintaining homeostasis. Nevertheless, alterations in gut bacterial composition may occur and these alterations have been linked with the pathogenesis of several diseases. In surgical practice, studies revealed that the microbiome of patients undergoing surgery changes and several post-operative complications seem to be associated with the gut microbiota composition. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of gut microbiota (GM) in surgical disease. We refer to several studies which describe alterations of GM in patients undergoing different types of surgery, we focus on the impacts of peri-operative interventions on GM and the role of GM in development of post-operative complications, such as anastomotic leak. The review aims to enhance comprehension regarding the correlation between GM and surgical procedures based in the current knowledge. However, preoperative and postoperative synthesis of GM needs to be further examined in future studies, so that GM-targeted measures could be assessed and the different surgery complications could be reduced.
A closer look at the sources of variability in scalar implicature derivation: a review
Authors: Khorsheed Ahmed , Gotzner Nicole
Published: June 2023

For more than 20 years, studies in experimental pragmatics have provided invaluable insights into the cognitive processes involved in deriving scalar implicatures and achieving inferential comprehension. However, the reports have always contained a notable degree of variability that remained inadequately discussed in the literature. For instance, upon closer inspection of the experimental record, one can always find a group of individuals who tend to be largely pragmatic, overwhelmingly logical, or sometimes mixed not showing a clear preference. There also exist newly-devised paradigms that prompt a radically different type of response than other paradigms, and thus new evidence casting doubt on long-established findings in the field. More recent research on scalar diversity further suggests that differences in the semantic structure of scalar words can lead to differing rates of scalar implicatures and can modulate the time invested in pragmatic processing. Indeed, one can contend that the current empirical landscape on scalar implicatures can be characterized as having three primary sources of variability: inter-individual, methodological, and linguistic. What factor or factors are behind these patterns of variability, and how can we interpret them in light of a pragmatic theory? This paper has a 2-fold objective: one is to review the previous experimental record on scalar implicatures from variability-based lenses, and the other to discuss the factor(s) that could account for this observed variability in the literature. Avenues for future research are provided.
Clinical value of perivascular fat attenuation index and computed tomography derived fractional flow reserve in identification of culprit lesion of subsequent acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Huang Minggang , Han Tingting , Nie Xuan , Zhu Shunming , Yang Di , Mu Yue , Zhang Yan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To explore the potential of perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) in the identification of culprit lesion leading to subsequent acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

Thirty patients with documented ACS event who underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) from February 2019 to February 2021 and had received CCTA in the previous 6 months were collected retrospectively. 40 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) were matched as control group according to sex, age and risk factors. The study population has a mean age of 59.3 ± 12.3 years, with a male prevalence of 81.4%. The plaque characteristics, perivascular fat attenuation index (FAI), and coronary computed tomography angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) of 32 culprit lesions and 30 non-culprit lesions in ACS patients and 40 highest-grade stenosis lesions in SAP patients were statistically analyzed.

Results

FAI around culprit lesions was increased significantly (−72.4 ± 3.2 HU vs. −79.0 ± 7.7 HU, vs. −80.4 ± 7.0HU, all p < 0.001) and CT-FFR was decreased for culprit lesions of ACS patients [0.7(0.1) vs. 0.8(0.1), vs.0.8(0.1), p < 0.001] compared to other lesions. According to multivariate analysis, diameter stenosis (DS), FAI, and CT-FFR were significant predictors for identification of the culprit lesion. The integration model of DS, FAI, and CT-FFR showed the significantly highest area under the curve (AUC) of 0.917, compared with other single predictors (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study proposes a novel integrated prediction model of DS, FAI, and CT-FFR that enhances the diagnostic accuracy of traditional CCTA for identifying culprit lesions that trigger ACS. Furthermore, this model also provides improved risk stratification for patients and offers valuable insights for predicting future cardiovascular events.
Proteasome inhibition reduces plasma cell and antibody secretion, but not angiotensin II-induced hypertension
Authors: Figueiredo Galvao Hericka Bruna , Dinh Quynh Nhu , Thomas Jordyn M. , Wassef Flavia , Diep Henry , Bobik Alex , Sobey Christopher G. , Drummond Grant R. , Vinh Antony
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Depletion of mature B cells affords protection against experimental hypertension. However, whether B cell-mediated hypertension is dependent on differentiation into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) remains unclear. Using the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, the present study tested the effect of ASC reduction on angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

Methods

Male C57BL6/J mice were infused with angiotensin II (0.7 mg/kg/day; s.c.) for 28 days via osmotic minipump to induce hypertension. Normotensive control mice received saline infusion. Bortezomib (750 μg/kg) or vehicle (0.1% DMSO) was administered (i.v.) 3 days prior to minipump implantation, and twice weekly thereafter. Systolic blood pressure was measured weekly using tail-cuff plethysmography. Spleen and bone marrow B1 (CD19+B220−), B2 (B220+CD19+) and ASCs (CD138hiSca-1+Blimp-1+) were enumerated by flow cytometry. Serum immunoglobulins were quantified using a bead-based immunoassay.

Results

Bortezomib treatment reduced splenic ASCs by ∼68% and ∼64% compared to vehicle treatment in normotensive (2.00 ± 0.30 vs. 0.64 ± 0.15 × 105 cells; n = 10–11) and hypertensive mice (0.52 ± 0.11 vs. 0.14 ± 0.02 × 105 cells; n = 9–11), respectively. Bone marrow ASCs were also reduced by bortezomib in both normotensive (4.75 ± 1.53 vs. 1.71 ± 0.41 × 103 cells; n = 9–11) and hypertensive mice (4.12 ± 0.82 vs. 0.89 ± 0.18 × 103 cells; n = 9–11). Consistent with ASC reductions, bortezomib reduced serum IgM and IgG2a in all mice. Despite these reductions in ASCs and antibody levels, bortezomib did not affect angiotensin II-induced hypertension over 28 days (vehicle: 182 ± 4 mmHg vs. bortezomib: 177 ± 7 mmHg; n = 9–11).

Conclusion

Reductions in ASCs and circulating IgG2a and IgM did not ameliorate experimental hypertension, suggesting other immunoglobulin isotypes or B cell effector functions may promote angiotensin II-induced hypertension.
Development characteristics and main controlling factors of Carboniferous volcanic reservoirs in the Shixi area, Junggar Basin
Authors: Yiming Abulimiti , Bian Baoli , Liu Hailei , Wang Jiangtao , Wang Xueyong , Zhu Junyong , Zhu Yongcai , Liu Longsong , Su Dongxu
Published: June 2023

The Carboniferous volcanic reservoirs in the Shixi area of the Junggar Basin are complex and diverse. Identifying the characteristics and main factors controlling high-quality volcanic reservoirs is the key to increasing oil and gas reserves and production in this area. Through core observations, thin section identification, physical property and pore structure analyses, combined with production data, the main controlling factors and development modes of high-quality reservoirs were analysed. The results show that the Carboniferous strata in the Shixi area mainly contain andesite and dacite of overflow facies, followed by volcanic breccia and tuff of explosive facies. Volcanic reservoirs in the study area are high-porosity–low-permeability and medium-porosity–low-permeability reservoirs. Volcanic breccia of explosive facies has the best physical properties, showing the characteristics of high porosity and medium permeability. The reservoir space is mainly composed of gas cavities, corrosion pores and fractures, among which the corrosion pores are the most important reservoir spaces of the Carboniferous volcanic rocks. Lithology and lithofacies, weathering and corrosion, and fractures are the main factors controlling the development of high-quality volcanic reservoirs. Volcanic rocks that had experienced weathering and denudation for a long time developed a large number of secondary corrosion pores due to the corrosion of soluble minerals or volcanic ash. Fractures further improved the physical properties, causing volcanic rocks to eventually develop into weathering crust reservoirs. The physical properties of the volcanic rocks far away from the weathering crust were improved through primary gas cavities and structural fractures, and these volcanic rocks eventually developed into the inner reservoir.
Service-Learning as a Novelty Experience at Central and Eastern European Universities: Students’ Narratives of Satisfaction and Premises of Change
Authors: Ilić Bojana Ćulum , Brozmanová Gregorová Alžbeta , Rusu Alina Simona
Published: June 2023

As a proxy of community-engaged teaching and learning pedagogy in higher education institutions (HEIs), service-learning (SL) has just recently become a phenomenon of research and policy interest in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). This study explores the first-ever service-learning experience of 246 students coming from three universities at Central and Eastern Europe (Slovakia, Romania and Croatia). The quantitative part of the survey was used to compare the differences between countries, whereas the qualitative part of the survey was a summative assessment, i.e., reflections on the satisfaction with SL experiences were collected through the open-ended questions of the survey, by treating the three countries as one dataset. Research findings speak in favour of students’ satisfaction with their first-ever SL experience, regardless of the country of their residence. Students from all three countries highly value their SL experience as it provided them with possibilities to learn a lot about the academic field and community as well, by facilitating their personal and professional contribution to the community. The legacy of SL courses relates with paradigmatic shifts in various academic aspects, like students and professors changing roles, students being placed in the centre of the learning process, connectedness of the curricula with the real-life setting, better understanding and appreciation of subjects studied. As for the non-academic related aspects, students’ reflection disclose their acknowledgment of personal growth and changes related with cognitive, emotional and behavioural dimensions. Our findings reveal that the unique experience students had with the SL courses shaped their narratives into ones of satisfaction and change.
Teaching beginner-level computational social science: interactive open education resources with learnr and shiny apps
Authors: Li Manyu
Published: June 2023

The article presents the use of open, inclusive pedagogical frameworks to develop a series of open education resources (OERs), specifically, interactive shiny web applications for teaching beginner-level computational social science (CSS) in undergraduate social science education. CSS is an emerging discipline that integrates data science methods with social science theories and research designs. However, undergraduate social science students could face a lack of a sense of STEM identity or belonging. Also, compared to STEM majors in natural science or engineering, average undergraduate social science students come in with limited mathematical or statistical knowledge. The OERs developed and tested in this article are designed with pedagogical frameworks that help overcome these barriers faced by students from diverse backgrounds and offer students a jump-start in learning CSS. This article presents the details of the tools, classroom implementation (in the form of a 6-week workshop series), the pedagogy frameworks applied, and the assessment methods and outcomes.
Academic and social integration and their relation to dropping out of teacher education: a comparison to other study programs
Authors: Franz Sebastian , Paetsch Jennifer
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Academic and social integration have been identified as key predictors of the decision to drop out by higher education students. So far, there is limited knowledge about whether there are differences in the degree of integration between teacher education students and students in other academic programs, although these differences might affect the decision-making process of students and their likelihood of dropping out. Furthermore, it is still unclear if the reasons for students dropping out of teacher education programs differ from those in other academic programs.

Methods

This study aims to address this research gap by examining integration and dropout rates of 8,237 students who were studying to become teachers, compared to students in similar fields of study in German higher education. The data for the study were collected from the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS).

Results

The results revealed significant differences between teacher education students and other students in peer and faculty social integration, but not in normative and structural academic integration. However, no moderation effect of the teacher education program on the association of integration and dropout was found.

Discussion

The findings contribute to the discussion on causes of dropout in teacher education by showing higher values in peer social integration and lower values in faculty social integration for teacher education students. These results complement previous research by providing new findings on the causes of students’ decision to drop out of initial teacher education. Practical implications on how to increase retention in teacher education programs are discussed.
Glucocorticoid effects in the regenerating fin reflect tissue homeostasis disturbances in zebrafish by affecting Wnt signaling
Authors: Fleischhauer Lisa , López-Delgado Alejandra Cristina , Geurtzen Karina , Knopf Franziska
Published: June 2023

As a treatment for various immune-mediated diseases, the use of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents is common practice. However, their use is severely hampered by the risk of the development of adverse effects such as secondary osteoporosis, skin atrophy, and peptic ulcer formation. The exact molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying those adverse effects, which involve most major organ systems, are not yet fully understood. Therefore, their investigation is of great importance to improve treatment regimens for patients. Here, we investigated the effects of the glucocorticoid prednisolone on cell proliferation and Wnt signaling in homeostatic skin and intestinal tissue and compared them to the anti-regenerative effects in zebrafish fin regeneration. We also investigated a potential recovery from the glucocorticoid treatment and the impact of short-term treatment with prednisolone. We identified a dampening effect of prednisolone on Wnt signaling and proliferation in highly proliferative tissues, namely the skin and intestine, as well as reduced fin regenerate length and Wnt reporter activity in the fin. The presence of the Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf1 was enhanced in prednisolone treated skin tissue. A decreased number of mucous producing goblet cells was observed in the intestine of prednisolone treated zebrafish. Unexpectedly, proliferation in bone forming osteoblasts of the skull, homeostatic scales, as well as the brain was not decreased, opposite to the observed effects in the skin, fin, and intestine. Short-term treatment with prednisolone for a few days did not significantly alter fin regenerate length, skin cell proliferation, intestinal leukocyte number and proliferation of intestinal crypt cells. However, it affected the number of mucous-producing goblet cells in the gut. Likewise, discontinuation of prednisolone treatment for a few days saved the skin and intestine from a significant reduction of skin and intestinal cell proliferation, intestinal leukocyte number and regenerate length, but did not rescue goblet cell number. The suppressive effects of glucocorticoids in highly proliferative tissues may be relevant in the context of their therapeutic applications in patients with inflammatory diseases.
Association of epilepsy, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): a population-based cohort retrospective study, impact of AEDs on T2DM-related molecular pathway, and via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ transactivation
Authors: Tien Ni , Wu Tien-Yuan , Lin Cheng-Li , Chu Fang-Yi , Wang Charles C. N. , Hsu Chung Y. , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Fang Yi-Jen , Lim Yun-Ping
Published: June 2023

Introduction

A potential association between epilepsy and subsequent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has emerged in recent studies. However, the association between epilepsy, anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), and the risk of T2DM development remains controversial. We aimed to conduct a nationwide, population-based, retrospective, cohort study to evaluate this relationship.

Methods

We extracted data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Generation Tracking Database of patients with new-onset epilepsy and compared it with that of a comparison cohort of patients without epilepsy. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the difference in the risk of developing T2DM between the two cohorts. Next-generation RNA sequencing was used to characterize T2DM-related molecularchanges induced by AEDs and the T2DM-associated pathways they alter. The potential of AEDs to induce peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) transactivation was also evaluated.

Results

After adjusting for comorbidities and confounding factors, the case group (N = 14,089) had a higher risk for T2DM than the control group (N = 14,089) [adjusted hazards ratio (aHR), 1.27]. Patients with epilepsy not treated with AEDs exhibited a significantly higher risk of T2DM (aHR, 1.70) than non-epileptic controls. In those treated with AEDs, the risk of developing T2DM was significantly lower than in those not treated (all aHR ≤ 0.60). However, an increase in the defined daily dose of phenytoin (PHE), but not of valproate (VPA), increased the risk of T2DM development (aHR, 2.28). Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that compared to PHE, VPA induced multiple beneficial genes associated with glucose homeostasis. Among AEDs, VPA induced the specific transactivation of PPARγ.

Discussion

Our study shows epilepsy increases the risk of T2DM development, however, some AEDs such as VPA might yield a protective effect against it. Thus, screening blood glucose levels in patients with epilepsy is required to explore the specific role and impact of AEDs in the development of T2DM. Future in depth research on the possibility to repurpose VPA for the treatment of T2DM, will offer valuable insight regarding the relationship between epilepsy and T2DM.
The therapeutic role and potential mechanism of EGCG in obesity-related precocious puberty as determined by integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology
Authors: Gu Qiuyun , Xia Lina , Du Qiuju , Shao Ying , He Jieyi , Wu Peiying , Liang Lingwei , Shen Xiuhua
Published: June 2023

Objective

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has preventive effects on obesity-related precocious puberty, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to integrate metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanism of EGCG in the prevention of obesity-related precocious puberty.

Materials and methods

A high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was used to analyze the impact of EGCG on serum metabolomics and associated metabolic pathways in a randomized controlled trial. Twelve weeks of EGCG capsules were given to obese girls in this trail. Additionally, the targets and pathways of EGCG in preventing obesity-related precocious puberty network pharmacology were predicted using network pharmacology. Finally, the mechanism of EGCG prevention of obesity-related precocious puberty was elucidated through integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology.

Results

Serum metabolomics screened 234 endogenous differential metabolites, and network pharmacology identified a total of 153 common targets. These metabolites and targets mainly enrichment pathways involving endocrine-related pathways (estrogen signaling pathway, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion), and signal transduction (PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and Jak-STAT signaling pathways). The integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology indicated that AKT1, EGFR, ESR1, STAT3, IGF1, and MAPK1 may be key targets for EGCG in preventing obesity-related precocious puberty.

Conclusion

EGCG may contribute to preventing obesity-related precocious puberty through targets such as AKT1, EGFR, ESR1, STAT3, IGF1, and MAPK1 and multiple signaling pathways, including the estrogen, PI3K-Akt, MAPK, and Jak-STAT pathways. This study provided a theoretical foundation for future research.
Dipterocarpus tuberculatus as a promising anti-obesity treatment in Lep knockout mice
Authors: Roh Yu Jeong , Lee Su Jin , Kim Ji Eun , Jin You Jeong , Seol Ayun , Song Hee Jin , Park Jumin , Park So Hae , Douangdeuane Bounleuane , Souliya Onevilay , Choi Sun Il , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus (D. tuberculatus) extracts have been examined concerning inflammation, photoaging, and gastritis; however, their effect on obesity is still being investigated.

Methods

We administered a methanol extract of D. tuberculatus (MED) orally to Lep knockout (KO) mice for 4 weeks to investigate the therapeutic effects on obesity, weight gain, fat accumulation, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and β-oxidation.

Results

In Lep KO mice, MED significantly reduced weight gains, food intake, and total cholesterol and glyceride levels. Similar reductions in fat weights and adipocyte sizes were also observed. Furthermore, MED treatment reduced liver weight, lipid droplet numbers, the expressions of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes, and the expressions of lipolysis regulators in liver tissues. Moreover, the iNOS-mediated COX-2 induction pathway, the inflammasome pathway, and inflammatory cytokine levels were reduced, but β-oxidation was increased, in the livers of MED-treated Lep KO mice.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that MED ameliorates obesity and has considerable potential as an anti-obesity treatment.
Association of baseline Life’s Essential 8 score and trajectories with carotid intima-media thickness
Authors: Liu Qian , Cui Haozhe , Chen Shuohua , Zhang Dongyan , Huang Wei , Wu Shouling
Published: June 2023

Objective

We aimed to examine the association between the baseline Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) score and LE8 score trajectories with the continuous carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as well as the risk of high cIMT.

Methods

The Kailuan study has been an ongoing prospective cohort study since 2006. A total of 12,980 participants who completed the first physical examination and cIMT detection at follow-up without a history of CVD and missing data on the component of LE8 metrics in or before 2006 were finally included in the analysis. The LE8 score trajectories were developed from 2006 to 2010 using trajectory modeling of the SAS procedure Proc Traj. The measurement and result review of the cIMT were performed by specialized sonographers using standardized methods. According to quintiles of baseline LE8 score, participants were categorized into five groups: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5. Similarly, based on their LE8 score trajectories, they were classified into four groups: very low-stable group, low-stable group, median-stable group, and high-stable group. In addition to continuous cIMT measurement, we determined the high cIMT based on the age (by 5 years) and sex-specific 90th percentile cut point. To address aims 1 and 2, the association between baseline/trajectory groups and continuous cIMT/high cIMT was assessed by using SAS proc genmod to calculate β, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 12,980 participants were finally included in aim 1, and 8,758 participants met aim 2 of the association between LE8 trajectories and cIMT/high cIMT. Compared with the Q1 group, the continuous cIMT for Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5 groups were thinner; the other groups had a lower risk of high cIMT. For aim 2, the results indicated that compared with a very low-stable group, the cIMT for the low-stable group, the median-stable group, and the high-stable group were thinner (−0.07 mm [95% CI −0.10~0.04 mm], −0.10 mm [95% CI −0.13~−0.07 mm], −0.12 mm [95% CI −0.16~−0.09 mm]) and had a lower risk of high cIMT. The RR (95% CI) for high cIMT was 0.84 (0.75~0.93) in the low-stable group, 0.63 (0.57~0.70) in the median-stable group, 0.52 (0.45~0.59) in the high-stable group.

Conclusions

In summary, our study revealed that high baseline LE8 scores and LE8 score trajectories were associated with lower continuous cIMT and attenuated risk of high cIMT.
The effect of digitalization transformation on greenwashing of Chinese listed companies: an analysis from the dual perspectives of resource-based view and legitimacy
Authors: Zhang Kesen , Pan Zhen , Zhang Keming , Ji Feng
Published: June 2023

Background: The goal of “peak carbon and carbon neutrality” has pointed out the direction for the digital transformation (DIT) of enterprises. Companies need to pay a price when they seek green development or fulfill environmental responsibility. Out of self-interest, enterprises may exaggerate their environmental performance (EP) and then greenwashing behavior appears. Whether DIT can curb greenwashing behavior is a topic worth discussing.

Objective: This paper proposes a theoretical framework for the influence of DIT on greenwashing and further discusses how government subsidies, resource slack, and external pressure affect them. The data of China’s listed A - share companies are used to test this theoretical framework.

Methods: In this paper, multiple linear regression method is used to test the theoretical mechanism, and Hausman test and instrumental variable method are used to test the correctness of the conclusions.

Results: (1) DIT has an inhibitory effect on greenwashing. (2) Government subsidies, resource slack, and public pressure positively moderate the relationship. (3) The effect of DIT does inhibit symbolic behavior, but the impact on substantive behavior is not obvious. The moderating effects of various variables are also different.

Discussion: It is suggested that the government take the lead in building more digital public participation platforms to improve the online monitoring and early warning ability of enterprises’ greenwashing behavior, tourge enterprises to configure more intelligent and digital cleaner production equipment and facilities, and to improve their environmental performance. Local governments are encouraged to seize the trend of enterprises’ digital green transformation, introduce more government subsidy policies for DIT, improve digital infrastructure and digital intellectual property protection, and escort enterprises’ green DIT. The government and the banks should cooperate to give more green preferential loans, tax relief, and other measures to enterprises undergoing green DIT.
Assembling animals: trees, genomes, cells, and contrast to plants
Authors: Paps Jordi , Rossi Maria Eleonora , Bowles Alexander M. C. , Álvarez-Presas Marta
Published: June 2023

The Animal Kingdom is an astonishingly diverse group. Together with plants and fungi is one of the three major lineages of multicellular eukaryotes. Due to anthropocentrism and/or genuine scientific interest, their origin and diversification are pivotal to modern evolutionary biology. In the last few decades, dramatic technological advances in molecular biology and computational power have generated new phylogenetic proposals, as well as new tools to compare genomes or study cell type evolution. These new approaches complement the insights from fields such as comparative morphology, evodevo, or palaeontology, which all together provide an integrative view of animal evolution, including major evolutionary transitions such as the origin of animals or the emergence of animals with bilateral symmetry. In this paper, we review recent developments in animal phylogenetics, comparative genomics, and cell type evolution related to these two transitions, and we compare animals to another major lineage of multicellular eukaryotes, plants.
Spatial and individual factors mediate the tissue burden of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in adult and chick brown pelicans in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Jodice Patrick G. R. , Lamb Juliet S. , Satgé Yvan G. , Perkins Christopher
Published: June 2023

The northern Gulf of Mexico supports a substantial level of oil and gas extraction in marine waters and experiences acute and chronic exposure to marine pollution events. The region also supports a diverse array of breeding and migratory seabirds that are exposed to these pollutants during foraging and other activities. Among the pollutants of highest concern within the region are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which tend to be toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic. We assessed PAH loads in blood from adult brown pelicans and from feathers of adults and chicks of brown pelicans in relation to individual (e.g., body condition, sex) and spatial (e.g., breeding location within the Gulf, home range size, migration distance) factors. Of the 24 PAHs assessed, 17 occurred at least once among all samples. There were no PAHs found in chicks that were not also found in adults. Alkylated PAHs occurred more commonly and were measured at higher summed concentrations compared to parent PAHs in all samples, indicating that exposure to oil and/or byproducts of oil may have been a substantial source of PAH contamination for brown pelicans during this study. Within adults, PAHs were more likely to occur, and to increase in concentration, in blood samples of females compared to males, although no difference was found in feather samples. We also found that occurrence of and concentration of PAHs increased in adults that migrated longer distances. In adults and chicks, the background levels of oil and gas development within the region of the colony was not a consistent predictor of the presence of or concentration of PAHs. We also found correlations of PAHs with hematological and biochemical biomarkers that suggested compromised health. Our results indicate that both short- and long-term exposure (i.e., blood and feathers, respectively) are occurring for this species and that even nest-bound chicks can accumulate high levels of PAHs. Long-term tracking of PAHs, as well as an assessment of sublethal effects of PAHs on pelicans, could enhance our understanding of the persistence and effects of this contaminant in the northern Gulf as could increasing the breadth of species studied.
Detection of susceptible Norway spruce to bark beetle attack using PlanetScope multispectral imagery
Authors: Trubin Aleksei , Kozhoridze Giorgi , Zabihi Khodabakhsh , Modlinger Roman , Singh Vivek Vikram , Surový Peter , Jakuš Rastislav
Published: June 2023

Climate change-related acute or long-term drought stress can weaken forest ecosystems and result in widespread bark beetle infestations. Eurasian spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) infestations have been occurring in Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.]-dominated forests in central Europe including the Czechia. These infestations appear regularly, especially in homogeneous spruce stands, and the impact varies with the climate-induced water stress conditions. The removal of infected trees before the beetles leave the bark is an important step in forest pest management. Early identification of susceptible trees to infestations is also very important but quite challenging since stressed tree-tops show no sign of discolouration in the visible spectrum. We investigated if individual spectral bandwidths or developed spectral vegetation indices (SVIs), can be used to differentiate non-attacked trees, assumed to be healthy, from trees susceptible to attacks in the later stages of a growing season. And, how the temporal-scale patterns of individual bands and developed SVIs of susceptible trees to attacks, driven by changes in spectral characteristics of trees, behave differently than those patterns observed for healthy trees. The multispectral imagery from the PlanetScope satellite coupled with field data were used to statistically test the competency of the individual band and/or developed SVIs to differentiate two designated classes of healthy and susceptible trees. We found significant differences between SVIs of the susceptible and healthy spruce forests using the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI). The accuracy for both indices ranged from 0.7 to 0.78; the highest among all examined indices. The results indicated that the spectral differences between the healthy and susceptible trees were present at the beginning of the growing season before the attacks. The existing spectral differences, likely caused by water-stress stimuli such as droughts, may be a key to detecting forests susceptible to early infestations. Our introduced methodology can also be applied in future research, using new generations of the PlanetScope imagery, to assess forests susceptibility to bark beetle infestations early in the growing season.
Floristic composition, life history traits and phytogeographic distribution of forest vegetation in the Western Himalaya
Authors: Haq Shiekh Marifatul , Khoja Aadil Abdullah , Lone Fayaz A. , Waheed Muhammad , Bussmann Rainer W. , Mahmoud Eman A. , Elansary Hosam O.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Scientific documentation of the qualitative forest vegetation parameters of a biogeographical area provides baseline information to guide conservation strategies and design policies for biodiversity management regulations.

Methods

We present one of the most comprehensive qualitative vegetation analyses to evaluate the entire structure and function of an ecosystem in the remote northern part of the Kashmir Himalaya, India. Several multivariate ecological community analyses were conducted after determining the presence of plant species in the various habitats using a random sampling technique.

Results

In total, 155 plant species belonging to 120 genera and 49 families occurred in the area. Asteraceae was the largest family (12% of plant species) followed by Rosaceae (11%). The patterns of species distribution across families were uneven, with 50% of the species belonging to only 7 families, and 23 families being monotypic. In terms of functional groups, the herbaceous growth form dominated. Therophytes were the dominant life form, indicating that the vegetation was disturbed. According to the phytogeographical research, 65% of the species documented in the study area were native, 15% were invasive, 14% naturalized, and 5% being casual. The majority (30%) of exotic species were reported along roadsides. Of all the species found, 39% grew in their natural habitats, such as forests, and 11% were scattered along roadsides. Plant species were grouped in five different clusters based on their floristic similarity. According to the estimated diversity indices, natural forest has the greatest values for Shannon’s and Simpson’s index. We found that the study area serves as the natural habitat for several significant, endangered medicinal plants, including Arnebia benthamii, Bergenia ciliata, Delphinium roylei, Gentiana kurroo, Phytolacca acinosa, Saussurea costus, and Trillium govanianum. Therefore, we recommend that human intervention in natural regeneration efforts be prioritized in these habitats to increase the population of these species.

Conclusion

Examining species features from the perspective of functional groups contributes to our understanding of the ecological aspects of the flora. It may also be useful in developing management plans to ensure long-term management of forest landscapes in this remote Himalayan region.
Research on subsidy standards for public welfare forests based on a dynamic game model—Analysis of a case in Jiangxi, China
Authors: Ding Na , Li Da , Zhang Shaowen , Shi Kankan , Chen Wei
Published: June 2023

To understand the behavior of the main participants in public welfare forest projects, this article constructs a “forest farmers–local government–central government” dynamic game model by setting the game scope and game principles. The game payment matrix and game equilibrium solutions show that (1) expanding the value of ecological products in the forest to improve operating income will increase the participation of forest farmers; (2) the local government's enthusiasm for leading public welfare forest projects is mainly influenced by the positive effects of planting and management costs, which provides the theoretical basis for central government to intervene in regional ecological governance; (3) when the central government leads public welfare forest projects, the enthusiasm of the local government for afforestation is positively influenced by the central government's subsidies. Finally, based on the game equilibrium solution, the expected results of forest farmers' operational income are calculated using the case of Jiangxi, which confirms the importance of increasing forest farmers' operational income.
Exploring the genetic association of allergic diseases with cardiovascular diseases: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Shilin , Liu Hao , Yang Peiwen , Wang Zhiwen , Hu Poyi , Ye Ping , Xia Jiahong , Chen Shu
Published: June 2023

Background

In observational and experimental studies, allergic diseases (AD) have been reported to be associated with some types of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as both share common pathophysiological processes involving inflammation and metabolic disorders. However, the direction of the causal association between them remains unclear. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aims to examine the bidirectional causality between AD and CVD.

Methods

We utilized publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics data from European participants in the UK Biobank and the IEU Open GWAS database. Genetic variants associated with AD, asthma, and CVD were identified and used as instrumental variables to investigate the genetically causal association between them. MR analyses were performed using various analytical methods, including inverse variance weighted-fixed effects (IVW-FE), inverse variance weighted-multiplicative random effects (IVW-RE), MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and maximum likelihood. Sensitivity tests were conducted to assess the validity of the causality.

Results

The MR analysis with the IVW method revealed a genetically predicted association between AD and essential hypertension [odds ratio (OR)=0.9987, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9976-0.9998, P=0.024], as well as between asthma and atrial fibrillation (OR=1.001, 95% CI: 1.0004-1.0017, P=6.43E-05). In the reverse MR analyses, heart failure was associated with allergic diseases (OR=0.0045, 95% CI: 1.1890E-04 - 0.1695, P=0.004), while atherosclerosis (OR=8.7371E-08, 95% CI: 1.8794E-14 - 4.0617E-01, P=0.038) and aortic aneurysm and dissection (OR=1.7367E-07, 95% CI: 3.8390E-14 – 7.8567E-01, P=0.046) might be protective factors of asthma. However, after a Bonferroni correction, only the association between asthma and atrial fibrillation remained robust.

Conclusion

The MR study revealed that asthma is a predominant risk of atrial fibrillation in European individuals, consistent with most experimental and observational studies. Whether AD affects other CVD and the causality between them needs further investigation.