bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental Well-Being and Risk of Depression in Amateur Soccer Players
Authors: Zepp Christian , Belz Johanna , Kleinert Jens
Published: August 2021

Abstract. Although athletes are exposed to various stressors and adversities that may negatively impact mental well-being, only few studies focus on mental well-being in amateur soccer players. The study aims were to analyze mental well-being in amateur soccer players, and whether it is related to team membership. The sample consisted of N = 20 soccer teams with a total of N = 285 athletes. Mental well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index, and the risk of depression was assessed using the Patient-Health Questionnaire-2. The results showed that approximately 4 % of all players were at risk of suffering from impaired mental well-being. Although the results demonstrated that team membership explained 5 % of mental well-being cases and 10 % of the risk of depression cases, no team level variables were identified that explain this variance. Group processes and environmental factors that inhibit mental well-being in soccer players should be identified in future studies.
High Fives: Effekte auf psychophysiologische Parameter und sportliche Leistung
Authors: Lautenbach Franziska , Löffler Jonna , Jeraj Damian , Musculus Lisa
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. High- und Low-Fives stellen im Sport verbreitete aber unerforschte Phänomene dar. Ziel der Studie ist es, den bislang unklaren Einfluss auf psychophysiologische, soziale und leistungsrelevante Parameter zu untersuchen. In einem Innersubjektdesign nahmen 23 tischtennisaffine Dyaden teil. Vor und nach den Bewegungsmanipulationen (High-Fives alleine; High-Fives mit Partner_in; Low-Fives alleine; Low-Fives mit Partner_in; Kontrollbedingung) gaben Versuchspersonen Auskunft über Motivation, Macht, Affekt und wahrgenommene Nähe zum/zur Partner_in. Ebenfalls gaben sie Speichel zur Erfassung von Cortisol ab. Anschließend wurde die Aufschlagleistung im Tischtennis erhoben. Ergebnisse zeigten weder Unterschiede in der Veränderung der psychophysiologischen Parameter noch in der Leistung zwischen den Bedingungen. Lediglich die wahrgenommene Nähe stieg in den Bedingungen mit Partner_in an. Die Ergebnisse widersprechen den Theorien des Embodiments, was hinsichtlich der unnatürlichen Bewegungsausführung diskutiert wird. Allerdings sind unsere Ergebnisse im Einklang mit Theorien über die Funktionen von Berührungen und zeigen erstmalig für den sportlichen Kontext, dass High- und Low-Fives einen positiven Effekt auf soziale Strukturen haben.
COVID-19: Psychologische Folgen für Familie, Kinder und Partnerschaft
Authors: Hahlweg Kurt , Ditzen Beate , Job Ann-Katrin , Gastner Judith , Schulz Wolfgang , Supke Max , Walper Sabine
Published: August 2021

Zusammenfassung. Dieser Beitrag soll die spezifischen Auswirkungen auf Familien, Kinder und Partnerschaften diskutieren, die sich durch die Covid-19-Pandemie einstellen könnten. Er ist primär gedacht für alle professionellen Helfer, die in Kontakt mit betroffenen Familien stehen. Die COVID-19-Pandemie stellt eine akute Bedrohung für das familiäre Wohlergehen dar, da sie mit psychologischen Reaktionen (z. B. Angst, Depression, Wut) der Familienangehörigen sowie sozialen Belastungen, die durch finanzielle Unsicherheit, Kurzarbeit, Arbeitslosigkeit und Existenzängsten bedingt sind, verbunden sein kann. Mehr als 70 % der Kinder und Jugendlichen fühlen sich seelisch belastet und jedes vierte Kind berichtet, dass es in der Familie häufiger zu Streit komme als vor der Corona-Krise. Die elterliche Partnerschaft bildet den Kern des familiären Funktionierens, jedoch kann das C oparenting in der Krise erschwert sein. Im Zuge der Ausgangsbeschränkungen und der damit einhergehenden Isolierung von Familien ist weiterhin zu befürchten, dass Beziehungskonflikte zunehmen und Partner_innen und Kinder einem erhöhten Risiko körperlicher, emotionaler und sexueller Gewalt ausgesetzt sind. Was dringend fehlt sind Interventionsformen, die zum Ziel haben, fortschreitende Eskalationen zu verhindern und rechtzeitig Wege aufzuzeigen, wie eine konstruktive Wendung erreicht werden kann. Es werden vier Empfehlungen ausgesprochen: (1) Entwicklung und Förderung von Internetplattformen, die Informationen zum angemessenen Umgang mit familiären Krisensituationen bereitstellen. (2) Finanzielle Förderung der Nutzung von interaktiven Online-Programmen insbesondere für finanzschwache Familien. (3) Aufklärungskampagnen initiieren und finanzieren. (4) Fragwürdige / schädliche Online-Programme identifizieren. Abschließend findet sich eine Zusammenstellung von personenungebundenen, Internet-basierten Angeboten, die helfen können, mit den durch COVID-19 zu erwartenden Schwierigkeiten im Familienleben besser umgehen zu können – dies vor allem mit einfach umsetzbaren Hilfestellungen und Ratschlägen.
Women's Experiences During COVID-19 in Bangladesh
Authors: Iqbal Yeshim , Jahan Rubina , Rahaman Md. Ashiquir , Faruk Md. Omar
Published: August 2021

Abstract. This study is a content analysis of women's experiences during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in Bangladesh, using a unique data set from Bangladesh's only emotional support and suicide prevention helpline. Each call to the helpline has a written description, completed by the individual answering the call, of the caller's condition and reasons for calling. We coded descriptions of calls received from female callers in the first 6 months of the pandemic ( N = 276) and in the same 6-month period from the previous year ( N = 224) for comparison. Findings revealed that for the most part, reasons for calling were largely similar across the 2 years, with the majority of calls involving relationships of various kinds (namely, parents, husbands, or romantic partners). Key differences between 2020 and 2019 include mental health concerns in relation to the pandemic and academic concerns being absent from the pandemic year. These findings contribute to the emerging literature of women's experiences during the pandemic and have implications for intervention and future research.
Impacts of Salinity Variation on the Mixed‐Layer Processes and Sea Surface Temperature in the Kuroshio‐Oyashio Confluence Region
Authors: Kido Shoichiro , Nonaka Masami , Tanimoto Youichi
Published: August 2021

In this study, salinity variations in the Kuroshio–Oyashio confluence region (KOCR) are examined through analyses of observational datasets and an ocean reanalysis product, and their potential impacts on sea surface temperature are assessed by sensitivity experiments using a one‐dimensional mixed layer model (1‐D ML model). We have detected prominent covariations in near surface temperature and salinity in the KOCR during the boreal winter to spring. Further investigation revealed that such covariations are closely related to the dynamical stability of the Kuroshio Extension (KE), and anomalous warming and salinification (cooling and freshening) are observed in the KOCR when the upstream of the KE is in an unstable (a stable) state. It is found that modulation heat and freshwater transport by mesoscale eddies and large‐scale current anomalies are closely related to such observed variation. Then, we have quantitatively estimated the impacts of these salinity variations on local density by a detailed decomposition of total anomaly fields. Although the total density anomalies are dominated by contributions from temperature, the salinity contribution has sizable magnitude especially in the northern part of the KOCR, where the background temperature is low and the dependence of density on temperature variations is weak. To further quantify the impact of salinity anomalies, we conducted a series of sensitivity experiments utilizing the 1‐D ML model. The results from these experiments revealed that salinity anomalies significantly alter the strength of vertical mixing and eventually lead to differences in sea surface temperature of approximately 1.0°C.
Present‐Day Patagonian Dust Emissions: Combining Surface Visibility, Mass Flux, and Reanalysis Data
Authors: Cosentino N. J. , Gaiero D. M. , Lambert F.
Published: August 2021

The magnitude of the climatic forcing associated with mineral dust aerosols remains uncertain due in part to a lack of observations on dust sources. While modeling and satellite studies provide spatially extensive constraints, they must be supported by surface‐validating dust monitoring. Southern South America is the main dust source to the southern oceans (>45°S), a region of low biological productivity potentially susceptible to increased micronutrient fertilization through dust deposition, as well as one of the main dust sources to Antarctica, implying long‐range transport of dust from Patagonia and potentially affecting snow cover albedo. We present multiyear time series of dust‐related visibility reduction (DRVR) and dust mass flux in Patagonia. We find that local DRVR is partly controlled by long‐term (i.e., months) water deficit, while same‐day conditions play a smaller role, reflective of water retention properties of fine‐grained dust‐emitting soils in low‐moisture conditions. This is supported independently by reanalysis data showing that large‐scale dust outbreaks are usually associated with anomalously high long‐term water deficit. By combining visibility data, surface dust sampling, and particle dispersion modeling, we derive regional dust emission rates. Our results suggest that the inclusion of long‐term soil hydrologic balance parameterizations under low‐moisture conditions may improve the performance of dust emission schemes in Earth system models.
A Factor Separation Study of the Effect of Synoptic‐Scale Wind, Atmospheric Moisture and of Their Synergy on the Diurnal Temperature Range During the Israeli Summer
Authors: Rotstein Maaian , Alpert Pinhas , Rostkier‐Edelstein Dorita
Published: August 2021

The trend of the decrease in the global average diurnal temperature range (DTR) is one of the clearest signals in twentieth century climate data. Regionally, DTR trends exhibit large variations. A factor separation analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of atmospheric moisture, synoptic‐scale winds, and their synergy on the DTR during the Israeli summer. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Single Column Model was run for summer representative days, at four locations in Israel. In almost all cases, the contribution of the factors and of their synergy to the DTR was dominated by their contribution to the diurnal minimum temperature, Tmin. The largest contribution resulted from atmospheric moisture, reducing the DTR. The contribution of synoptic‐scale winds showed more variability, with significant differences in both magnitude and sign on different days. The sign of the effect on Tmin depended on the relative direction and magnitude of the nocturnal synoptic‐scale wind with respect to the local wind, which in turn determined the effect on the low‐level jet (LLJ) and vertical mixing. The contribution from synergy between the two factors depended on the effect of moisture on the LLJ and on the effect of the synoptic‐scale winds on moisture advection in or out of the atmospheric column. All cases were classified into groups depending on the sign of contributions of the single factors and of their synergy when analyzing the DTR observed trends. These results highlight the importance of the synoptic wind, of its synergy with atmospheric moisture and of the feedback mechanisms.
Accumbens D2-MSN hyperactivity drives antipsychotic-induced behavioral supersensitivity
Authors: Kruyer Anna , Parrilla-Carrero Jeffrey , Powell Courtney , Brandt Lasse , Gutwinski Stefan , Angelis Ariana , Chalhoub Reda M. , Jhou Thomas C. , Kalivas Peter W. , Amato Davide
Published: August 2021

Antipsychotic-induced dopamine supersensitivity, or behavioral supersensitivity, is a problematic consequence of long-term antipsychotic treatment characterized by the emergence of motor abnormalities, refractory symptoms, and rebound psychosis. The underlying mechanisms are unclear and no approaches exist to prevent or reverse these unwanted effects of antipsychotic treatment. Here we demonstrate that behavioral supersensitivity stems from long-lasting pre, post and perisynaptic plasticity, including insertion of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors and loss of D2 receptor-dependent inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). The resulting hyperexcitability, prominent in a subpopulation of D2-MSNs (21%), caused locomotor sensitization to cocaine and was associated with behavioral endophenotypes of antipsychotic treatment resistance and substance use disorder, including disrupted extinction learning and augmented cue-induced cocaine-seeking behavior. Chemogenetic restoration of IPSCs in D2-MSNs in the NAcore was sufficient to prevent antipsychotic-induced supersensitivity, pointing to an entirely novel therapeutic direction for overcoming this condition.
Casein Kinase 2 dependent phosphorylation of eIF4B regulates BACE1 expression in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Bettegazzi Barbara , Sebastian Monasor Laura , Bellani Serena , Codazzi Franca , Restelli Lisa Michelle , Colombo Alessio Vittorio , Deigendesch Nikolaus , Frank Stephan , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Lammich Sven , Tahirovic Sabina , Grohovaz Fabio , Zacchetti Daniele
Published: August 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Increased Aβ production plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of the disease and BACE1, the protease that triggers the amyloidogenic processing of APP, is a key protein and a pharmacological target in AD. Changes in neuronal activity have been linked to BACE1 expression and Aβ generation, but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. We provide clear evidence for the role of Casein Kinase 2 in the control of activity-driven BACE1 expression in cultured primary neurons, organotypic brain slices, and murine AD models. More specifically, we demonstrate that neuronal activity promotes Casein Kinase 2 dependent phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor eIF4B and this, in turn, controls BACE1 expression and APP processing. Finally, we show that eIF4B expression and phosphorylation are increased in the brain of APPPS1 and APP-KI mice, as well as in AD patients. Overall, we provide a definition of a mechanism linking brain activity with amyloid production and deposition, opening new perspectives from the therapeutic standpoint.
Effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris YRC3780 daily intake on the HPA axis response to acute psychological stress in healthy Japanese men
Authors: Matsuura Noriko , Motoshima Hidemasa , Uchida Kenji , Yamanaka Yujiro
Published: August 2021

Background

Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (YRC3780), which is isolated from kefir, has been associated with anti-allergic effects in humans. However, it remains unknown whether daily intake of YRC3780 attenuates the response to psychological stress in humans in parallel with changes to the gut microbiome. We examined the fundamental role of YRC3780 in the gut microbiome, stress response, sleep, and mental health in humans.

Methods

Effects of daily intake of YRC3780 on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to acute psychological stress were investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 27 healthy young men (mean age and body mass index: 23.5 years and 21.5 kg/m2) who were randomly assigned to placebo (n = 13) or YRC3780 (n = 14) groups. The HPA axis response to acute psychological stress, the diurnal rhythm of HPA axis activity, and gut microbiome were assessed and compared between the two groups.

Results

The results showed that daily intake of YRC3780 significantly lowered morning salivary cortisol levels compared with placebo. In addition, salivary cortisol levels following a social stress test significantly decreased +40 min after beginning the TSST in the YRC3780-treated group compared to placebo. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of actigraphy-based sleep quality, but the subjective sleep quality and mental health were significantly improved in the YRC3780-treated group compared to placebo.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that daily intake of YRC3780 improves the HPA axis response to acute psychological stress, which might be associated with a decrease in morning cortisol levels.
CD13 orients the apical-basal polarity axis necessary for lumen formation
Authors: Wang Li-Ting , Rajah Abira , Brown Claire M. , McCaffrey Luke
Published: August 2021

Polarized epithelial cells can organize into complex structures with a characteristic central lumen. Lumen formation requires that cells coordinately orient their polarity axis so that the basolateral domain is on the outside and apical domain inside epithelial structures. Here we show that the transmembrane aminopeptidase, CD13, is a key determinant of epithelial polarity orientation. CD13 localizes to the apical membrane and associates with an apical complex with Par6. CD13-deficient cells display inverted polarity in which apical proteins are retained on the outer cell periphery and fail to accumulate at an intercellular apical initiation site. Here we show that CD13 is required to couple apical protein cargo to Rab11-endosomes and for capture of endosomes at the apical initiation site. This role in polarity utilizes the short intracellular domain but is independent of CD13 peptidase activity.
Intradermal vaccination of live attenuated influenza vaccine protects mice against homologous and heterologous influenza challenges
Authors: Lee Andrew Chak-Yiu , Zhang Anna Jinxia , Li Can , Chen Yanxia , Liu Feifei , Zhao Yan , Chu Hin , Fong Carol Ho-Yan , Wang Pui , Lau Siu-Ying , To Kelvin Kai-Wang , Chen Honglin , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: August 2021

We previously developed a temperature-sensitive, and NS1 gene deleted live attenuated influenza vaccine (DelNS1-LAIV) and demonstrated its potent protective efficacy in intranasally vaccinated mice. Here we investigated whether intradermal (i.d.) vaccination induces protective immunity. Our results showed that DelNS1-LAIV intradermal vaccination conferred effective and long-lasting protection against lethal virus challenge in mice. A single intradermal injection of DelNS1-LAIV conferred 100% survival with no weight loss in mice after A(H1N1)09 influenza virus (H1N1/415742Md) challenge. DelNS1-LAIV injection resulted in a significant reduction of lung viral load and reduced airway epithelial cell death and lung inflammatory cytokine responses at day 2 and 4 post challenge. Full protections of mice lasted for 6 months after immunization. In vitro infection of DelNS1-LAIV in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) demonstrated activation of antigen-presenting cells at 33 °C, together with the results of abortive replication of DelNS1-LAIV in skin tissue and strong upregulation of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines expression, our results suggested the strong immunogenicity of this vaccine. Further, we demonstrate that the underlying protection mechanism induced by intradermal DelNS1-LAIV is mainly attributed to antibody responses. Together, this study opens up an alternative route for the administration of LAIV, which may benefit individuals not suitable for intranasal LAIV immunization.
Structural insights into how Prp5 proofreads the pre-mRNA branch site
Authors: Zhang Zhenwei , Rigo Norbert , Dybkov Olexandr , Fourmann Jean-Baptiste , Will Cindy L. , Kumar Vinay , Urlaub Henning , Stark Holger , Lührmann Reinhard
Published: August 2021

During the splicing of introns from precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs), the U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) must undergo stable integration into the spliceosomal A complex—a poorly understood, multistep process that is facilitated by the DEAD-box helicase Prp5 (refs. 1–4). During this process, the U2 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) forms an RNA duplex with the pre-mRNA branch site (the U2–BS helix), which is proofread by Prp5 at this stage through an unclear mechanism5. Here, by deleting the branch-site adenosine (BS-A) or mutating the branch-site sequence of an actin pre-mRNA, we stall the assembly of spliceosomes in extracts from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae directly before the A complex is formed. We then determine the three-dimensional structure of this newly identified assembly intermediate by cryo-electron microscopy. Our structure indicates that the U2–BS helix has formed in this pre-A complex, but is not yet clamped by the HEAT domain of the Hsh155 protein (Hsh155HEAT), which exhibits an open conformation. The structure further reveals a large-scale remodelling/repositioning of the U1 and U2 snRNPs during the formation of the A complex that is required to allow subsequent binding of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP, but that this repositioning is blocked in the pre-A complex by the presence of Prp5. Our data suggest that binding of Hsh155HEAT to the bulged BS-A of the U2–BS helix triggers closure of Hsh155HEAT, which in turn destabilizes Prp5 binding. Thus, Prp5 proofreads the branch site indirectly, hindering spliceosome assembly if branch-site mutations prevent the remodelling of Hsh155HEAT. Our data provide structural insights into how a spliceosomal helicase enhances the fidelity of pre-mRNA splicing.
Real-world﻿ artificial intelligence-based opportunistic screening for diabetic retinopathy in endocrinology and indigenous healthcare settings in Australia
Authors: Scheetz Jane , Koca Dilara , McGuinness Myra , Holloway Edith , Tan Zachary , Zhu Zhuoting , O’Day Rod , Sandhu Sukhpal , MacIsaac Richard J. , Gilfillan Chris , Turner Angus , Keel Stuart , He Mingguang
Published: August 2021

This study investigated the diagnostic performance, feasibility, and end-user experiences of an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening model in real-world Australian healthcare settings. The study consisted of two components: (1) DR screening of patients using an AI-assisted system and (2) in-depth interviews with health professionals involved in implementing screening. Participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus attending two endocrinology outpatient and three Aboriginal Medical Services clinics between March 2018 and May 2019 were invited to a prospective observational study. A single 45-degree (macula centred), non-stereoscopic, colour retinal image was taken of each eye from participants and were instantly screened for referable DR using a custom offline automated AI system. A total of 236 participants, including 174 from endocrinology and 62 from Aboriginal Medical Services clinics, provided informed consent and 203 (86.0%) were included in the analysis. A total of 33 consenting participants (14%) were excluded from the primary analysis due to ungradable or missing images from small pupils (n = 21, 63.6%), cataract (n = 7, 21.2%), poor fixation (n = 2, 6.1%), technical issues (n = 2, 6.1%), and corneal scarring (n = 1, 3%). The area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity of the AI system for referable DR were 0.92, 96.9% and 87.7%, respectively. There were 51 disagreements between the reference standard and index test diagnoses, including 29 which were manually graded as ungradable, 21 false positives, and one false negative. A total of 28 participants (11.9%) were referred for follow-up based on new ocular findings, among whom, 15 (53.6%) were able to be contacted and 9 (60%) adhered to referral. Of 207 participants who completed a satisfaction questionnaire, 93.7% specified they were either satisfied or extremely satisfied, and 93.2% specified they would be likely or extremely likely to use this service again. Clinical staff involved in screening most frequently noted that the AI system was easy to use, and the real-time diagnostic report was useful. Our study indicates that AI-assisted DR screening model is accurate and well-accepted by patients and clinicians in endocrinology and indigenous healthcare settings. Future deployments of AI-assisted screening models would require consideration of downstream referral pathways.
Mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow niche consist of multi-populations with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic properties
Authors: Kanazawa Sanshiro , Okada Hiroyuki , Hojo Hironori , Ohba Shinsuke , Iwata Junichi , Komura Makoto , Hikita Atsuhiko , Hoshi Kazuto
Published: August 2021

Although multiple studies have investigated the mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells (MSCs) that give rise to mature bone marrow, high heterogeneity in their morphologies and properties causes difficulties in molecular separation of their distinct populations. In this study, by taking advantage of the resolution of the single cell transcriptome, we analyzed Sca-1 and PDGFR-α fraction in the mouse bone marrow tissue. The single cell transcriptome enabled us to further classify the population into seven populations according to their gene expression profiles. We then separately obtained the seven populations based on candidate marker genes, and specified their gene expression properties and epigenetic landscape by ATAC-seq. Our findings will enable to elucidate the stem cell niche signal in the bone marrow microenvironment, reconstitute bone marrow in vitro, and shed light on the potentially important role of identified subpopulation in various clinical applications to the treatment of bone- and bone marrow-related diseases.
Fine-scale structures as spots of increased fish concentration in the open ocean
Authors: Baudena Alberto , Ser-Giacomi Enrico , D’Onofrio Donatella , Capet Xavier , Cotté Cedric , Cherel Yves , D’Ovidio Francesco
Published: August 2021

Oceanic frontal zones have been shown to deeply influence the distribution of primary producers and, at the other extreme of the trophic web, top predators. However, the relationship between these structures and intermediate trophic levels is much more obscure. In this paper we address this knowledge gap by comparing acoustic measurements of mesopelagic fish concentrations to satellite-derived fine-scale Lagrangian Coherent Structures in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean. First, we demonstrate that higher fish concentrations occur more frequently in correspondence with strong Lagrangian Coherent Structures. Secondly, we illustrate that, while increased fish densities are more likely to be observed over these structures, the presence of a fine-scale feature does not imply a concomitant fish accumulation, as other factors affect fish distribution. Thirdly, we show that, when only chlorophyll-rich waters are considered, front intensity modulates significantly more the local fish concentration. Finally, we discuss a model representing fish movement along Lagrangian features, specifically built for mid-trophic levels. Its results, obtained with realistic parameters, are qualitatively consistent with the observations and the spatio-temporal scales analysed. Overall, these findings may help to integrate intermediate trophic levels in trophic models, which can ultimately support management and conservation policies.
HIV-1 molecular diversity in Brazil unveiled by 10 years of sampling by the national genotyping network
Authors: Gräf Tiago , Bello Gonzalo , Andrade Paula , Arantes Ighor , Pereira João Marcos , da Silva Alexandre Bonfim Pinheiro , Veiga Rafael V. , Mariani Diana , Boullosa Lídia Theodoro , Arruda Mônica B. , Fernandez José Carlos Couto , Dennis Ann M. , Rasmussen David A. , Tanuri Amilcar
Published: August 2021

HIV-1 has diversified into several subtypes and recombinant forms that are heterogeneously spread around the world. Understanding the distribution of viral variants and their temporal dynamics can help to design vaccines and monitor changes in viral transmission patterns. Brazil has one of the largest HIV-1 epidemics in the western-world and the molecular features of the virus circulating in the country are still not completely known. Over 50,000 partial HIV-1 genomes sampled between 2008 and 2017 by the Brazilian genotyping network (RENAGENO) were analyzed. Sequences were filtered by quality, duplicate sequences per patient were removed and subtyping was performed with online tools and molecular phylogeny. Association between patients’ demographic data and subtypes were performed by calculating the relative risk in a multinomial analysis and trends in subtype prevalence were tested by Pearson correlation. HIV-1B was found to be the most prevalent subtype throughout the country except in the south, where HIV-1C prevails. An increasing trend in the proportion of HIV-1C and F1 was observed in several regions of the country, while HIV-1B tended to decrease. Men and highly educated individuals were more frequently infected by HIV-1B and non-B variants were more prevalent among women with lower education. Our results suggest that socio-demographic factors partially segregate HIV-1 diversity in Brazil while shaping viral transmission networks. Historical events could explain a preferential circulation of HIV-1B among men who have sex with men (MSM) and non-B variants among heterosexual individuals. In view of an increasing male/female ratio of AIDS cases in Brazil in the last 10–15 years, the decrease of HIV-1B prevalence is surprising and suggests a greater penetrance of non-B subtypes in MSM transmission chains.
Agonist dependency of the second phase access of β-arrestin 2 to the heteromeric µ-V1b receptor
Authors: Ngamlertwong Nuttawadee , Tsuchiya Hiroyoshi , Mochimaru Yuta , Azuma Morio , Kuchimaru Takahiro , Koshimizu Taka-aki
Published: August 2021

During the development of analgesic tolerance to morphine, the V1b vasopressin receptor has been proposed to bind to β-arrestin 2 and the µ-opioid receptor to enable their interaction. However, direct evidence of such a high-order complex is lacking. Using bioluminescent resonance energy transfer between a split Nanoluciferase and the Venus fluorescent protein, the NanoBit-NanoBRET system, we found that β-arrestin 2 closely located near the heteromer µ-V1b receptor in the absence of an agonist and moved closer to the receptor carboxyl-termini upon agonist stimulation. An additive effect of the two agonists for opioid and vasopressin receptors was detected on the NanoBRET between the µ-V1b heteromer and β-arrestin 2. To increase the agonist response of NanoBRET, the ratio of the donor luminophore to the acceptor fluorophore was decreased to the detection limit of luminescence. In the first phase of access, β-arrestin 2 was likely to bind to the unstimulated V1b receptor in both its phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms. In contrast, the second-phase access of β-arrestin 2 was agonist dependent, indicating a possible pharmacological intervention strategy. Therefore, our efficient method should be useful for evaluating chemicals that directly target the vasopressin binding site in the µ-V1b heteromer to reduce the second-phase access of β-arrestin 2 and thereby to alleviate tolerance to morphine analgesia.
Development of novel artificial intelligence systems to predict facial morphology after orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment in Japanese patients
Authors: Tanikawa Chihiro , Yamashiro Takashi
Published: August 2021

From a socio-psychological standpoint, improving the morphology of the facial soft-tissues is regarded as an important therapeutic goal in modern orthodontic treatment. Currently, many of the algorithms used in commercially available software programs that are said to provide the function of performing profile prediction are based on the false assumption that the amount of movement of hard-tissue and soft-tissue has a proportional relationship. The specification of the proportionality constant value depends on the operator, and there is little evidence to support the validity of the prediction result. Thus, the present study attempted to develop artificial intelligence (AI) systems that predict the three-dimensional (3-D) facial morphology after orthognathic surgery and orthodontic treatment based on the results of previous treatment. This was a retrospective study in a secondary adult care setting. A total of 137 patients who underwent orthognathic surgery (n = 72) and orthodontic treatment with four premolar extraction (n = 65) were enrolled. Lateral cephalograms and 3-D facial images were obtained before and after treatment. We have developed two AI systems to predict facial morphology after orthognathic surgery (System S) and orthodontic treatment (System E) using landmark-based geometric morphometric methods together with deep learning methods; where cephalometric changes during treatment and the coordinate values of the faces before treatment were employed as predictive variables. Eleven-fold cross-validation showed that the average system errors were 0.94 mm and 0.69 mm for systems S and E, respectively. The total success rates, when success was defined by a system error of < 1 mm, were 54% and 98% for systems S and E, respectively. The total success rates when success was defined by a system error of < 2 mm were both 100%. AI systems to predict facial morphology after treatment were therefore confirmed to be clinically acceptable.
Circulating skeletal muscle related microRNAs profile in Piedmontese cattle during different age
Authors: Tewari Rupal S. , Ala Ugo , Accornero Paolo , Baratta Mario , Miretti Silvia
Published: August 2021

Piedmontese cattle is known for double-muscle phenotype. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important role as regulators in skeletal muscle physiological processes, and we hypothesize that plasma miRNAs expression profiles could be affected by skeletal muscle growth status related to age. Plasma samples of cattle were collected during four different ages from first week of life until the time of commercial end of the fattening period before slaughter. Small-RNA sequencing data analysis revealed the presence of 40% of muscle-related miRNAs among the top 25 highly expressed miRNAs and, 19 miRNAs showed differential expression too. Using qRT-PCR, we validated in a larger bovine population, miRNAs involved in skeletal muscle physiology pathways. Comparing new-born with the other age groups, miR-10b, miR-126-5p, miR-143 and miR-146b were significantly up-regulated, whereas miR-21-5p, miR-221, miR-223 and miR-30b-5p were significantly down-regulated. High expression levels of miR-23a in all the groups were found. Myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy, was predicted as the target gene for miR-23a and miR-126-5p and we demonstrated their direct binding. Correlation analysis revealed association between miRNAs expression profiles and animals’ weights along the age. Circulating miRNAs could be promising for future studies on their biomarker potentialities to beef cattle selection.
Feeding sites promoting wildlife-related tourism might highly expose the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti) to parasite transmission
Authors: Afonso Eve , Fu Rong , Dupaix Amaël , Goydadin Anne-Claude , Yu ZhongHua , Callou Cécile , Villette Petra , Giraudoux Patrick , Li Li
Published: August 2021

An increasing number of studies have found that the implementation of feeding sites for wildlife-related tourism can affect animal health, behaviour and reproduction. Feeding sites can favour high densities, home range overlap, greater sedentary behaviour and increased interspecific contacts, all of which might promote parasite transmission. In the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), human interventions via provisioning monkeys at specific feeding sites have led to the sub-structuring of a group into genetically differentiated sub-groups. The fed subgroup is located near human hamlets and interacts with domesticated animals. Using high-throughput sequencing, we investigated Entamoeba species diversity in a local host assemblage strongly influenced by provisioning for wildlife-related tourism. We identified 13 Entamoeba species or lineages in faeces of Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, humans and domesticated animals (including pigs, cattle, and domestic chicken). In Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys, Entamoeba prevalence and OTU richness were higher in the fed than in the wild subgroup. Entamoeba polecki was found in monkeys, pigs and humans, suggesting that this parasite might circulates between the wild and domestic components of this local social–ecological system. The highest proportion of faeces positive for Entamoeba in monkeys geographically coincided with the presence of livestock and humans. These elements suggest that feeding sites might indirectly play a role on parasite transmission in the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey. The implementation of such sites should carefully consider the risk of creating hotspots of disease transmission, which should be prevented by maintaining a buffer zone between monkeys and livestock/humans. Regular screenings for pathogens in fed subgroup are necessary to monitor transmission risk in order to balance the economic development of human communities dependent on wildlife-related tourism, and the conservation of the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.
Element-specific contributions to improved magnetic heating of theranostic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles decorated with Pd
Authors: Shams S. Fatemeh , Schmitz Detlef , Smekhova Alevtina , Ghazanfari Mohammad Reza , Giesen Margret , Weschke Eugen , Chen Kai , Luo Chen , Radu Florin , Schmitz-Antoniak Carolin
Published: August 2021

Decoration with Pd clusters increases the magnetic heating ability of cobalt ferrite (CFO) nanoparticles by a factor of two. The origin of this previous finding is unraveled by element-specific X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) combined with atomic multiplet simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. While the comparison of XAS spectra with atomic multiplet simulations show that the inversion degree is not affected by Pd decoration and, thus, can be excluded as a reason for the improved heating performance, XMCD reveals two interrelated responsible sources: significantly larger Fe and Co magnetic moments verify an increased total magnetization which enhances the magnetic heating ability. This is accompanied by a remarkable change in the field-dependent magnetization particularly for Co ions which exhibit an increased low-field susceptibility and a reduced spin canting behavior in higher magnetic fields. Using DFT calculations, these findings are explained by reduced superexchange between ions on octahedral lattice sites via oxygen in close vicinity of Pd, which reinforces the dominating antiparallel superexchange interaction between ions on octahedral and tetrahedral lattice sites and thus reduces spin canting. The influence of the delocalized nature of Pd 4d electrons on the neighboring ions is discussed and the conclusions are illustrated with spin density isosurfaces of the involved ions. The presented results pave the way to design nanohybrids with tailored electronic structure and magnetic properties.
Discriminating chaotic and stochastic time series using permutation entropy and artificial neural networks
Authors: Boaretto B. R. R. , Budzinski R. C. , Rossi K. L. , Prado T. L. , Lopes S. R. , Masoller C.
Published: August 2021

Extracting relevant properties of empirical signals generated by nonlinear, stochastic, and high-dimensional systems is a challenge of complex systems research. Open questions are how to differentiate chaotic signals from stochastic ones, and how to quantify nonlinear and/or high-order temporal correlations. Here we propose a new technique to reliably address both problems. Our approach follows two steps: first, we train an artificial neural network (ANN) with flicker (colored) noise to predict the value of the parameter, $$\alpha$$
α
, that determines the strength of the correlation of the noise. To predict $$\alpha$$
α
the ANN input features are a set of probabilities that are extracted from the time series by using symbolic ordinal analysis. Then, we input to the trained ANN the probabilities extracted from the time series of interest, and analyze the ANN output. We find that the $$\alpha$$
α
value returned by the ANN is informative of the temporal correlations present in the time series. To distinguish between stochastic and chaotic signals, we exploit the fact that the difference between the permutation entropy (PE) of a given time series and the PE of flicker noise with the same $$\alpha$$
α
parameter is small when the time series is stochastic, but it is large when the time series is chaotic. We validate our technique by analysing synthetic and empirical time series whose nature is well established. We also demonstrate the robustness of our approach with respect to the length of the time series and to the level of noise. We expect that our algorithm, which is freely available, will be very useful to the community.
Structural insight into host plasma membrane association and assembly of HIV-1 matrix protein
Authors: Ciftci Halilibrahim , Tateishi Hiroshi , Koiwai Kotaro , Koga Ryoko , Anraku Kensaku , Monde Kazuaki , Dağ Çağdaş , Destan Ebru , Yuksel Busra , Ayan Esra , Yildirim Gunseli , Yigin Merve , Ertem F. Betul , Shafiei Alaleh , Guven Omur , Besler Sabri O. , Sierra Raymond G. , Yoon Chun Hong , Su Zhen , Liang Mengling , Acar Burcin , Haliloglu Turkan , Otsuka Masami , Yumoto Fumiaki , Fujita Mikako , Senda Toshiya , DeMirci Hasan
Published: August 2021

Oligomerization of Pr55Gag is a critical step of the late stage of the HIV life cycle. It has been known that the binding of IP6, an abundant endogenous cyclitol molecule at the MA domain, has been linked to the oligomerization of Pr55Gag. However, the exact binding site of IP6 on MA remains unknown and the structural details of this interaction are missing. Here, we present three high-resolution crystal structures of the MA domain in complex with IP6 molecules to reveal its binding mode. Additionally, extensive Differential Scanning Fluorimetry analysis combined with cryo- and ambient-temperature X-ray crystallography and GNM-based transfer entropy calculations identify the key residues that participate in IP6 binding. Our data provide novel insights about the multilayered HIV-1 virion assembly process that involves the interplay of IP6 with PIP2, a phosphoinositide essential for the binding of Pr55Gag to membrane. IP6 and PIP2 have neighboring alternate binding sites within the same highly basic region (residues 18–33). This indicates that IP6 and PIP2 bindings are not mutually exclusive and may play a key role in coordinating virion particles’ membrane localization. Based on our three different IP6-MA complex crystal structures, we propose a new model that involves IP6 coordination of the oligomerization of outer MA and inner CA domain’s 2D layers during assembly and budding.
Local clustering via approximate heat kernel PageRank with subgraph sampling
Authors: Lu Zhenqi , Wahlström Johan , Nehorai Arye
Published: August 2021

Graph clustering, a fundamental technique in network science for understanding structures in complex systems, presents inherent problems. Though studied extensively in the literature, graph clustering in large systems remains particularly challenging because massive graphs incur a prohibitively large computational load. The heat kernel PageRank provides a quantitative ranking of nodes, and a local cluster can be efficiently found by performing a sweep over the heat kernel PageRank vector. But computing an exact heat kernel PageRank vector may be expensive, and approximate algorithms are often used instead. Most approximate algorithms compute the heat kernel PageRank vector on the whole graph, and thus are dependent on global structures. In this paper, we present an algorithm for approximating the heat kernel PageRank on a local subgraph. Moreover, we show that the number of computations required by the proposed algorithm is sublinear in terms of the expected size of the local cluster of interest, and that it provides a good approximation of the heat kernel PageRank, with approximation errors bounded by a probabilistic guarantee. Numerical experiments verify that the local clustering algorithm using our approximate heat kernel PageRank achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Potential of rice landraces with strong culms as genetic resources for improving lodging resistance against super typhoons
Authors: Nomura Tomohiro , Seki Yoshiaki , Matsuoka Makoto , Yano Kenji , Chigira Koki , Adachi Shunsuke , Piñera-Chavez Francisco J. , Reynolds Matthew , Ohkubo Satoshi , Ookawa Taiichiro
Published: August 2021

It is generally believed that rice landraces with long culms are susceptible to lodging, and have not been utilized for breeding to improve lodging resistance. However, little is known about the structural culm strength of landraces and their beneficial genetic loci. Therefore, in this study, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed using a rice population panel including Japanese rice landraces to identify beneficial loci associated with strong culms. As a result, the landraces were found to have higher structural culm strength and greater diversity than the breeding varieties. Genetic loci associated with strong culms were identified, and it was demonstrated that haplotypes with positive effects of those loci were present in a high proportion of these landraces. These results indicated that the utilization of the strong culm-associated loci present in Japanese rice landraces may further improve the lodging resistance of modern breeding varieties that have relied on semi-dwarfism.
Suitable binder for Li-ion battery anode produced from rice husk
Authors: Kumagai Seiji , Abe Yusuke , Tomioka Masahiro , Kabir Mahmudul
Published: August 2021

Rice husk (RH) is a globally abundant and sustainable bioresource composed of lignocellulose and inorganic components, the majority of which consist of silicon oxides (approximately 20% w/w in dried RH). In this work, a RH-derived C/SiOx composite (RHC) was prepared by carbonization at 1000 °C for use in Li-ion battery anodes. To find a suitable binder for RHC, the RHC-based electrodes were fabricated using two different contemporary aqueous binders: polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a combination of carboxymethyl cellulose and styrene butadiene rubber (CMC/SBR). The rate and cycling performances of the RHC electrodes with respect to the insertion/extraction of Li ions were evaluated in a half-cell configuration. The cell was shorted for 24 h to completely lithiate the RHC. Impedance analysis was conducted to identify the source of the increase in the resistance of the RHC electrodes. The RHC electrode fabricated using PAA exhibited higher specific capacity for Li-ion extraction during the cycling test. The PAA binder strengthened the electrode and alleviated the increase in electrode resistance caused by the formation of the interphase film. The high affinity of PAA for SiOx in RHC was responsible for the stabilization of the anodic performance of Li-ion batteries.
Validation of the mean systemic filling pressure assessment with preserved arterial blood flow by comparing two methods of calculation
Authors: De Blasi Roberto Alberto , Finazzi Stefano
Published: August 2021

We developed a method for measuring in vivo venular volumes and the mean systemic filling pressure in the limbs using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). We aimed to validate the NIRS methodology by comparing two independent methods of calculation based on different physiological approaches. Pressure–volumes (P–V) curves were recorded following graded venous occlusion on the forearm. Values from a P–V curves analysis model (method 1) were compared with data derived from a resistor-capacitance calculation model (method 2) based on arterial pressure and venous compliance. We tested these methods on 10 healthy participants at rest and during exercise and on 6 severely ill patients. Results from method 1 were comparable with those calculated by method 2. Venular volumes calculated using method 1 correlated linearly with those calculated using method 2 both in participants (R2 = 0.98) and in patients (R2 = 0.94). A good agreement between methods was shown with few values out of the range of ± 1.96 standard deviation. Our findings added mathematical consistency for the NIRS methodology validation in the venular P–V assessment with no flow interruption. Further research will be required to confirm the relevance of the methodology in the clinical setting.