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A genome for Cissus illustrates features underlying the evolutionary success in dry s...
Haiping Xin
Yi Wang

Haiping Xin

and 24 more

July 20, 2022
Cissus is the largest genus in Vitaceae and is mainly distributed in the tropics and subtropics. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a photosynthetic adaptation for the occurrence of succulent leaves or stems, indicates that convergent evolution occurred in response to drought stress during species radiation. Here, we provided the chromosomal level assembly of Cissus rotundifolia (an endemic species in Eastern Africa) and genome-wide comparison with grape to understand genome divergence within an ancient eudicot family. Extensive transcriptome data were produced to illustrate the genetics underpinning C. rotundifolia’s ecological adaption to seasonal aridity. The modern karyotype and smaller genome of C. rotundifolia (n = 12, 350.69 Mb/1C), which lack further whole-genome duplication, were mainly derived from gross chromosomal rearrangement such as fusions and segmental duplications, whilst sculpted by a very recent burst of retrotransposons activity. Bias on local gene amplification contributed to its remarkable functional divergence with grape and the specific proliferated genes associated with abiotic and biotic responses (e.g., HSP-20, NBS-LRR) enabled C. rotundifolia to survive in a hostile environment. Re-organization of existing enzymes of CAM characterized as diurnal expression patterns of relevant genes further confer to its present thriver in dry savannas.
A retrospective multicenter study of the prognostic impacts of platelet augmentation...
Jun Zhang
Liling Han

Jun Zhang

and 5 more

July 20, 2022
Background: Hepatoblastoma (HB) combined with secondary thrombocytosis is a common clinical condition. There is still no consensus on the need for antiplatelet therapy in patients with both HB and secondary thrombocytosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 229 children with HB who visited and were followed up at three hospitals from July 2013 to July 2019. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to calculate overall survival (OS), the log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate between groups, and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of independent prognostic factors. Results: The one-year, three-year, and five-year OS of 229 children was 90.9, 83.0, and 79.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that age >96 months, metastasis, antiplatelet therapy, and AFP<100ng/ml were independent risk factors for OS, while tumor rupture and PLT >450x10 9/L were not. Among the intermediate-risk children in the high platelet group, the survival rate after antiplatelet therapy was 52.3±6.1%, which was significantly lower than that following non-antiplatelet therapy (82.6±5.1%) ( P=0.036). Conclusion: Our findings confirm that secondary thrombocytosis is not an independent risk factor of OS in HB. We don’t recommend antiplatelet therapy for children with hepatoblastoma combined with secondary thrombocytosis.
ALLEVIATION OF SOIL SALINITY EMPLOYING ORGANIC AMENDMENTS TO RESTORE FERTILITY AND SU...
Ajay Neeraj
R.Y. Hiranmai

Ajay Neeraj

and 1 more

July 20, 2022
Agricultural practices modified the soil quality considerably inputs to the soil in terms of irrigation, fertilizer, and crop variety influenced soil fertility. The quality and quantity of irrigating water modify soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties and productivity. Soil is affected by natural and anthropogenic activities, and it is reflected in different agricultural lands. Salinity is one of the significant issues affecting agriculture by; increasing the soil salt content and modifying the mineral composition turn imbalances the organic matter, biotic community, and biogeochemical cycling. Agricultural, domestic, and industrial activities produce various organic wastes recycled for soil quality improvement. These organic sources can be converted to organic matter of soil and balance exchangeable ions, and manage the soil properties. This review paper is prepared by referring to the research and review articles published in reputed journals concerning soil quality, salinity and reclamation of saline soil using organic wastes, composts, vermicompost and organic matter. The comprehensive study of research exhibits that the organic matter from the biowastes can be a resource for modifying the saline soil and improving crop production.
Can SIF and NPQ be used in the photosynthesis rate simulation of plants subjected to...
Shaomin Shi
Sen Lu

Shaomin Shi

and 5 more

July 20, 2022
Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has been used to estimate leaf-level net CO 2 assimilation by a mechanistic light reaction (MLR-SIF) equation. However, the application of this model would be limited by the challenging measurement and estimation of input parameters (e.g. fraction of open PSII reaction centres, q L). We modified the MLR-SIF model by replacing q L by the easily obtained parameters (non-photochemical quenching [NPQ]) to facilitate its application. We employed synchronous measurements of gas exchanges, ChlF parameters and SIF for Leymus chinensis, Populus tomentosa Carrières and Ulmus pumila var. sabulosa under the soil–water deficit and rehydration process to test the robustness of the modified MLR-SIF model. Our results demonstrated that for L. chinensis the net photosynthesis rate dynamics under severe soil–water stress and saturated water condition were effectively captured by the modified MLR-SIF model ( R 2 = 0.75–0.92, RMSE = 1.11–3.56) . For P. tomentosa Carrières and U. pumila var. sabulosa, the net photosynthesis rates were predicted by the modified MLR-SIF model with good accuracy ( R 2 = 0.86, RMSE = 9.44; R 2 = 0.88, RMSE = 4.16) across the water deficit and rehydration condition . However, the electron transport rate estimated by the modified MLR-SIF model uncoupled with the photosynthetic capacity ( r 2 = -0.13) and lowered the net photosynthesis rate simulation precision ( R 2 = 0.35, RMSE = 3.41) for L. chinensis under mild drought stress and saturated light intensities. The electron transport rate estimated by the modified MLR-SIF model downregulated the photosynthetic capacity for P. tomentosa Carrières ( r 2 = 0.32) and U. pumila var. sabulosa ( r 2 = 0.22) under mild drought stress. The shift of the Rubisco and RUBP limited state cross-points, the dynamic photosynthesis parameters across the plant species and the alternative electron sinks under soil–water deficit and rehydration process influenced the simulation precision of the modified MLR-SIF model. Our modified MLR-SIF model provided a basis for understanding and inferring the photosynthetic rate by SIF and NPQ under water stress.
Comparison of machine learning algorithms to predict optimal dwelling time for packag...
Aria Wahyutama
Mintae Hwang

Aria Wahyutama

and 1 more

July 20, 2022
This paper shows the comparison between several well-known classification algorithms in Machine Learning with the purpose to find the most suitable algorithm to predict the dwelling time i.e., how long a certain tourist should stay in a particular tourist spot. This dwelling time prediction can be adopted for tour and travel agents to provide optimal scheduling for their package tour. The algorithm in question is strictly for classification because in this case, the dwelling time does not require a very specific number of minutes, thus the time can be classified and restricted into several time frames. The origin and features of the dataset are described in this paper as well as the comparison methodology to show the procedure of how the comparison was made. Lastly, the performance results will be used to determine which algorithm to use for this specific case and it will be shown in a form of a graph
Current update of Coriandrum sativum L. (Coriander): potential use on Inflammatory bo...
 Kiran  Bala
Indu Melkani

Kiran Bala

and 4 more

July 20, 2022
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a member of the Apiaceae family is valued for both its cooking and therapeutic use. Various studies shows that it possesses Anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative-hypnotic, anticonvulsant, memory-improving, or facial dyskinesia-improvement, Neuroprotective, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, insecticidal, antioxidant, cardiovascular, Hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory (IBD), analgesic, ant diabetic, mutagenic, ant mutagenic, anticancer, gastrointestinal, deodorizing, dermatological, diuretic, reproductive, hepatoprotective, detoxification and other various pharmacological effects. All components of this plant are used as flavouring agents or as conventional treatments for a variety of diseases mainly Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The parts of this plant help to treat collitus by changing the levels of MPO, colon samples, ulcer index. The Coriandrum sativum phytochemical analysis revealed that it included tannins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, alkaloids, phenolic, flavonoids, fatty acids, sterols and glycosides in addition to its essential oil. Linalool is the main essential oil treating collitus and ulcer. Additionally, it had a wide variety of minerals, trace elements, vitamins, proteins, lipids, carbs and fibers with significant nutritional qualities. Coriander propagate worldwide easily, but mostly grown in India, Netherlands, Myanmar, Romania, France, Spain, Italy and all other countries. This review is designed to give an overview on chemical constituents, cultivation, pharmacological actions traditional uses, side effects of Coriandrum sativum Linn.
Verbenalin attenuates hepatic damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in alcohol-associa...
Jiahui Dong
Changlin Du

Jiahui Dong

and 12 more

July 20, 2022
Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is one of the predominant causes of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, effective therapy for ASH is still lacking. Notably, increasing evidence indicates ferroptosis may counteract the injury of the ASH. We recently identified a novel strategy for attenuating ASH by an effective adjuvant via ferroptosis through targeting MDMX. Verbenalin, which is a major compound in Verbena officials L (Verbenaceae), is generally recognized as a kind of safe food by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In this study, we found for the first time that Verbenalin is protective against alcoholic liver injury through transmission electron microscopy, Fe2+ content detection and other research methods. Its effect can not only inhibit oxidative stress such as MDA, SOD, GSH, ROS, 4-HNE and other related indicators, but also inhibit the ferroptosis of hepatocytes caused by alcohol. It was further confirmed by computer docking that verbenalin was targeted to inhibit MDMX activity, promote PPAR-alpha activation, and inhibit alcohol-induced ferroptosis in hepatocytes. Hence, Verbenalin might be employed as a promising natural supplement for alcoholic liver injury drug therapy.
TIGAR suppresses ER stress-induced neuronal injury through targeting ATF4-signaling i...
Lei Chen
Jie Tang

Lei Chen

and 7 more

July 20, 2022
Abstract Background and Purpose Previous studies have shown that TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator) protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via the improvement of the redox and energy homeostasis of neurons. TIGAR is found in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nucleus but its role in ER stress is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the ER and nuclear translocation of TIGAR during ER stress and the influences of the nuclear TIGAR in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced ER stress. Experimental Approach Mice were subjected to the middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. Cultured neurons were treated with oxygen and glucose deprivation, tunicamycin or thapsigargin. Key Results The increases in ATF4 target genes and ER stress-induced neuronal apoptosis were reduced by overexpression of TIGAR. Furthermore, increases in the localization of TIGAR and ATF4 to the nucleus were observed after in vitro and in vivo cerebral ischemia/reperfusion or ER stress models. The nuclear TIGAR interacts with ATF4 and inhibits the transcription of downstream pro-apoptotic genes of ATF4, resulting in protection against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Intriguingly, the translocation of TIGAR to the ER and nucleus and inhibition of the transcription of ATF4 is depend on Q141/K145 of TIGAR instead of its phosphatase activity and mitochondrial localization domains. Conclusion and Implications These results suggest that TIGAR translocates to the ER and the nucleus to interact with ATF4 after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced ER stress via its Q141/K145. The study uncovered a novel neuroprotective mechanism of TIGAR through regulating ER stress via a ATF4-mediated signaling pathway.
Novel potent blockers for TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimers as potential antidepressants
Elliot Lee
Jung-eun Park

Elliot Lee

and 16 more

July 20, 2022
Background and Purpose: TREK-1 (TWIK-related potassium channel-1) is a subunit of the two-pore domain potassium (K2p) channel and is widely expressed in the brain. TREK-1 knockout mice were shown to have antidepressant-like effects, providing evidence for the channel’s potential as a therapeutic target. However, currently there is no good pharmacological inhibitor specifically targeting TREK-1 containing K2p channels that also displays similar antidepressant-like effects. Experimental Approach: We sought to find selective and potent inhibitors for TREK-1 related dimers both in vitro and in vivo. We synthesized and evaluated 2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl piperidine derivatives yielding a library from which many TREK-1 targeting candidates emerged. Key Results: Hydroxyl-phenyl- (2a), piperidino- (2g), and pyrrolidino- (2h) piperidinyl substituted compounds showed high potencies to TREK-1 homodimers with significant antidepressant-like effects in forced swim test and tail suspension test. Interestingly, these compounds were found to have high potencies to TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimers, contrastingly, difluoropiperidinyl-4-fluorophenoxy (3e) and 4-hydroxyphenyl-piperidinyl-4-fluorophenoxy (3j) compounds had high potencies to TREK-1 homodimer but lower potency to TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimers without significant antidepressant-like effects. We observed positive correlation between inhibition potency to TWIK-1/TREK-1 and immobility time, and no correlation between inhibition potency to TREK-1 homodimer and immobility time. This was consistent with molecular docking simulations of selected compounds to TREK-1 homodimeric and TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimeric models. Existing antidepressant fluoxetine was also found to potently inhibit TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimers. Conclusion and Implications: Our study reveals novel potent TWIK-1/TREK-1 inhibitors 2a, 2g, and 2h as potential antidepressants and suggest that the TWIK-1/TREK-1 heterodimer could be a potential novel molecular therapeutic target for antidepressants.
Whole genome sequencing and molecular epidemiology of the 2021 African swine fever vi...
Steven M. Lakin
Vivian O'Donnell

Steven M. Lakin

and 8 more

July 27, 2022
African swine fever (ASF) is a high-consequence transboundary disease of domestic and wild swine often characterized by high case mortality rates. On July 29, 2021, the Dominican Republic announced the African swine fever virus (ASFV) had been detected in samples collected in early- to mid-July 2021. Retrospective testing of samples collected as part of a collaborative surveillance project between the United States and the Dominican Republic identified ASFV in samples collected as early as May 13, 2021. These detections represent a new outbreak of ASF in the Dominican Republic, which had been declared free of the disease since 1981. Overall, 73 whole genomes of ASFV were sequenced from clinical samples received during the outbreak across 18 provinces. The genomic sequence data have been deposited in public databases to support and expand global data sharing on this impactful disease. While the sequences show a high degree of nucleotide identity to publicly available ASFV genomes from Europe and Asia, they are genetically distant from genomes in the public repositories by at least 8 previously undescribed single nucleotide polymorphisms.
A case of hemorrhagic shock in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1
Yutaro Sakaguchi
Hiromu Okano

Yutaro Sakaguchi

and 4 more

July 20, 2022
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is not known to cause serious vascular complications. This report describes a 49-year-old man with NF1 who presented to our hospital in hemorrhagic shock due to vascular leakage within a neurofibroma tumor. Physicians should be aware that NF1 can cause a wide variety of vascular lesions.
Shell engineering in soft alginate-based capsules for culturing liver tumoroids
Xuan Peng
Zeljko Janicjievic

Xuan Peng

and 6 more

July 20, 2022
Functional interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment is still not sufficiently understood, which motivates the tremendous interest for the development of numerous in vitro and in vivo tumor models. Diverse parameters, e.g., transport of nutrients and metabolites, availability of space in the confinement, interaction with scaffolds, etc. make an impact on the size, shape, and metabolism of the tumoroids. Herein, we demonstrate the fluidics-based low-cost methodology to reproducibly generate the alginate and alginate-chitosan microcapsules and apply it to grow human hepatoma (HepG2) tumoroids of different dimensions and geometries. Focusing specifically on the composition and thickness of the hydrogel shell, permeability of the microcapsules is selectively tuned. The diffusion of the selected benchmark molecules through the shell has been systematically investigated using both, experiments and simulations, which is essential to ensure efficient mass transfer of small molecules and prevent large substances from reaching the encapsulated cells. Depending on available space, phenotypically different 3D cell assemblies have been observed inside the capsules, varying in the tightness of cell aggregations and their shapes. Metabolic activity of tumoroids in microcapsules was confirmed by tracking the turnover of testosterone to androstenedione with chromatography studies in a metabolic assay. Because of the high reproducibility, compartmentalization, and facile tuning of the shell thickness and permeability, our system is not only a great platform for the formation of cancer tumoroids, but also a promising tool for the design and engineering of other cells.
Shared histological and immunohistological findings in two patients with generalized...
Fariba Ghalamkarpour
muriel.cario andre

Fariba Ghalamkarpour

and 2 more

July 20, 2022
Two patients with concomitant vitiligo and autoimmune atrophic gastritis a comparative histological study on skin and gastric mucosa were preformed.Common findings were seen in both specimens .Down expression of E-Cadherin and Collagen IV leading to detachment of melanocytes and parietal cells in addition to CD8 and CD4 Infiltration were detected.
Experimental Analysis and Numerical Simulation of Ignition Delay Time of Diesel Fuel...
Claudio Santana
Jose Barros

Claudio Santana

and 1 more

July 20, 2022
The present work consisted in developing computational routine for prediction and characterization ignition delay time in shock tube. The work was the development of computational routines to characterize the shock wave parameters the ignition delay times of diesel to validate the experimental tests carried out in shock tube conducted by Santana and compare it with the experimental tests and numerical simulations carried out by others authors available in the literature. A linear regression of the experimental tests conducted by Santana et al [3] with conventional diesel was performed to obtain the Arrhenius equation for numerical simulation of the ignition delay time of diesel under the following conditions: temperatures from 880 to 1300K, pressures 24 bar and equivalence ratio 1. The results show good prediction between experimental and simulations. Were found delay times ranging from 425 to 1890μs. Considering all temperature range, the difference between the experimental and simulated test was approximately 15%, this difference also can be explained by the measurement in the shock tube, that the ignition delay time was calculated by the time difference between the passage of the shock wave by the pressure sensor and the start of the ignition detected by the luminosity detection sensor.
The Cauchy problem for the non-isentropic compressible MHD fluids: optimal time-decay...
Wenting Huang
Shengbin Fu

Wenting Huang

and 1 more

July 20, 2022
This paper is concerned with the time-decay rates of the strong solutions of the three dimensional non-isentropic compressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) system. First, motivated by Pu–Guo’s result [Z. Angew. Math. Phys. 64 (2013) 519–538], we establish the existence result of a unique local-in-time strong solution for the MHD system. Then, we derive a priori estimates and use the continuity argument to obtain the global-in-time solution, where the initial data should be bounded in L1-norm and is small in H2-norm. Finally, based on Fourier theory and the idea of cancellation of a low-medium frequent part as in [Sci. China Math. 65 (2022) 1199–1228], we get the optimal time-decay rates (including highest-order derivatives) of strong solutions for non-isentropic MHD fluids. Our result is the first one concerning with the optimal decay estimates of the highest-order derivatives of the non-isentropic MHD system.
Sex-based Outcomes after Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Sarah Yousef
Forozan Navid

Sarah Yousef

and 8 more

July 20, 2022
Background: While prior data have suggested worse outcomes in women after acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair when compared to men, results have been inconsistent across studies over time. This study sought to evaluate the impact of sex on short- and long-term outcomes after ATAAD repair. Methods: This was a retrospective study utilizing an institutional database of ATAAD repairs from 2007 to 2021. Patients were stratified according to sex. Kaplan-Meier survival estimation and multivariable Cox regression were performed. Supplementary analysis using propensity score matching was also performed. Results: Of the 601 patients who underwent ATAAD repair, 361 were males (60.1%) and 240 (39.9%) were females. Females were significantly older, more likely to have hypertension, and more likely to have chronic lung disease. Females were also significantly more likely than males to undergo hemiarch replacement, while males were significantly more likely than females to undergo total arch replacement and frozen elephant trunk. Operative mortality was 9.4% among males and 13.8% among females, though this was not a statistically significant difference (p=0.098). Postoperative complications were comparable between groups. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were similar for men and women, and, on multivariable Cox regression, sex was not significantly associated with long-term survival (HR 1.00, 95% CI: 0.73, 1.37, p=0.986). Outcomes remained comparable after supplementary propensity score matched analysis. Conclusion: ATAAD repair can be performed with comparable short-term and long-term outcomes in both men and women.
Hemodynamic Follow-Up after Valve-in-Valve TAVR for Failed Aortic Bioprosthesis
Manuel Wilbring
Utz Kappert

Manuel Wilbring

and 7 more

July 20, 2022
Background VIV-TAVR is established and provides good initial clinical and hemodynamic outcomes. Lacking long-term durability data baffle the expand to lower risk patients. For those purposes, the present study adds a hemodynamic 3-years follow-up. Methods A total of 77 patients underwent VIV-TAVR for failing aortic bioprosthesis during a 7-years period. Predominant mode of failure was stenosis in 87.0%. Patients had a mean age of 79.4±5.8 years and a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 30.8±15.7%. The STS-PROM averaged 5.79±2.63%. Clinical results and hemodynamic outcomes are reported for 30-days, 1-, 2- and 3-years. Completeness of follow-up was 100% with 44 patients at risk after 3-years. Follow-up ranged up to 7.1 years. Results Majority of the surgical valves were stented (94.8%) with a mean labeled size of 23.1±2.3mm and true-ID of 20.4±2.6mm. A true-ID ≤21mm had 58.4% of the patients. Self-expanding valves were implanted in 68.8% (mean labeled size 24.1±1.8mm) and balloon-expanded in 31.2% (mean size 24.1±1.8mm). No patient died intraoperatively. Hospital mortality was 1.3% and three-years survival 57.1%. All patients experienced an initial significant dPmean-reduction to 16.8±7.1mmHg. After 3-years mean dPmean raised to 26.0±12.2mmHg. This observation was independent from true-ID or type of TAVR-prosthesis. Patients with a true-ID ≤21mm had a higher initial (18.3±5.3mmHg vs. 14.9±7.1mmHg; p=0.005) and dPmean after 1-year (29.2±8.2mmHg vs. 13.0±6.7mmHg; p=0.004). There were no significant differences in survival. Conclusions VIV-TAVR is safe and effective in the early period. In surgical valves with a true-ID≤21mm inferior hemodynamic and survival outcomes must be expected. Nonetheless, also patients with larger true-ID’s showed steadily increasing transvalvular gradients. This raises concern about durability.
Duodenal diverticula perforation caused by an impacted bezoar successfully treated en...
takeshi tadokoro
Koichi oishi

takeshi tadokoro

and 11 more

July 20, 2022
Duodenal diverticula perforation due to an impacted bezoar is a rare disease. Surgical treatment is associated with high rates of complications and mortality; therefore, treatment strategies must be carefully decided. Endoscopic treatment offers significant benefits to patients over surgery.
On Molecular Topological Characterization of Triangular and Rhombus Shaped Kekulene T...
Arulperumjothi M
Savari Prabhu

Arulperumjothi M

and 4 more

July 20, 2022
Cycloarenes are a particular category of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have intrigued the experimental world for decades owing to the distinctiveness of their atomic and electrical configurations. They are suitable venues for investigating fundamental problems of aromaticity, particularly those involving the π-electron distribution in complex aromatic structures. Cycloarenes have recently attracted much attention due to their distribution as analogs for graphene pores. Kekulene is the member of this family that has been studied the most. For decades, its electrical structure has been a source of contention. It’s a doughnut-shaped chemical structure of circularly stacked benzene rings with interesting structural characteristics that lend themselves to experimental investigations like π-electron conjugation circuits. To predict their properties, topological characterization of such structures is required. This paper discusses two new series of big polycyclic compounds made by tessellating many kekulene doughnuts to make a hypothetical molecular belt with multiple cavities
Evaluation of Steric Entanglement in Coiled-coil and Domain-swapped Protein Interface...
Michael Blaber

Michael Blaber

July 20, 2022
Oligomeric protein interfaces involve non-covalent attractive forces plus potential steric entanglement. 70 years ago, Crick proposed a “Knobs in Holes” model for coiled-coil protein interfaces. Subsequently, modifications to this model have been proposed, describing either a “leucine zipper”, “jigsaw puzzle”, or a “peptide Velcro” interface. These principally describe forms of steric entanglement that may enhance oligomer stability; however, such entanglement has not been rigorously evaluated since it is not possible to experimentally eliminate intrinsic noncovalent attractive forces. 3D printing provides a novel means to evaluate steric entanglement of protein interfaces in the absence of attractive forces. Surprisingly, quantitation of the energy required to dissociate various coiled-coil protein interfaces of 3D printed protein models suggests minimal steric entanglement. Conversely, evaluation of domain swapped interfaces of symmetric protein oligomers, differing by circular permutation, identifies extensive potential steric entanglement. Combined with available experimental data, the results suggest that steric entanglement of a protein interface can contribute to kinetic trapping of both folding and unfolding pathways. Steric entanglement of protein interfaces is therefore postulated to be an undesirable property for naturally evolved and designed protein oligomers.
Notes of hypopigmentation in mantled howler monkeys Alouatta palliata (Gray 1849): Fi...
Cristian Barros-Diaz
Silvia Vela Pinela

Cristian Barros-Diaz

and 6 more

July 20, 2022
The existence of hypopigmentation such as leucism is the result of inbreeding in isolated populations of wildlife and it is associated with environmental stressors. This anomaly may reduce survival rates. Leucism has been record in wildlife, but overall, it is considered very rare. There have been few records of mantled howler monkeys with leucism in Mexico and Costa Rica, but whole-body leucism in howler monkeys from South America was unknown. In this article, we report for the first-time documented cases of whole-body leucism in young individuals of mantled howler monkeys Alouatta palliata in an isolated remanent of tropical dry forest in southwestern Ecuador known as Cerro Blanco Protective Forest. In total, we found two individuals: a juvenile female and a juvenile male in October 2021. We also include a short report about the observation of two seedlings of Dichapetalum (Dichapetalaceae) showing albinism. The report of howler monkeys with whole-body leucism may be caused by the interaction of two processes: inbreeding because of isolated populations and air pollution with sulphur. Thus, immediate management strategies must be considered to significantly increase connectivity with other populations of howler monkeys and reduce air pollution in Guayaquil. Our findings also reveal that hypopigmentation is becoming more frequent in howler monkey´s population along its distributional range. Therefore, we encourage the community to consider a regional management strategy.
Two aspects of longevity are associated with the rate of loss of telomeres in birds
F. Stephen Dobson
Quentin Schull

F. Stephen Dobson

and 2 more

July 20, 2022
Telomeres, the terminal repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of linear chromosomes, have strong associations with longevity in some major taxa. Longevity has been linked to rate of decline in telomere length in birds and mammals, and absolute telomere length seems to be associated with body mass in mammals. Using a phylogenetic comparative method and 30 species of birds, we examined longevity (reflected by maximum lifespan), absolute telomere length, the rate of change in telomere length (TROC), and body mass (often strongly associated with longevity) to ascertain their degree of association. We divided lifespan into two life-history components, one reflected by body size (measured as body mass), and a component that was statistically independent of body mass. While both lifespan and body mass were strongly associated with a family tree of the species (viz., the phylogeny of the species), telomere measures were not. Telomere length was not significantly associated with longevity or body mass, or our measure of mass-independent lifespan. TROC, however, was strongly associated with mass-independent lifespan, but to a lesser degree with body mass. Our results supported an association of TROC and longevity, in particular longevity that was independent of body size and part of the pace-of-life syndrome of life histories.
Differential patterns of fish sensitization in Asian populations: implication for pre...
Christine Yee Yan Wai
Nicki Y.H. Leung

Christine Yee Yan Wai

and 19 more

July 20, 2022
Background The current diagnostics of fish allergy lack sufficient accuracy such that more reliable tests such as component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) are urgently needed. This study aimed at identifying fish allergens of salmon and grass carp and evaluating the sensitization pattern towards the identified allergens in fish allergic subjects from two distinct populations in Asia. Methods One hundred and three fish allergic subjects were recruited from Hong Kong (67 subjects) and Japan (46 subjects). Western blot and mass spectrometry were used to identify allergens from salmon and grass carp. Fish allergens were purified and tested against 96 sera on ELISA to analyze patients’ sensitization pattern. The protein profiles of salmon meat prepared under different cooking methods until core temperature reached 80°C were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Results Three common allergens between salmon and grass carp, namely enolase, glycerldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and parvalbumin, and two salmon-specific allergens collagen and aldolase were identified. Parvalbumin was the major allergen for both fishes showing an overall sensitization rate of 74.7%, followed by collagen (38.9%), aldolase (38.5%) and enolase (17.8%). Japanese subjects showed more diverse allergen sensitization pattern and more frequent IgE-binding to heat-labile salmon allergens. Compared with steaming and boiling, cooking by baking and frying retained more fish proteins inclusive of heat-labile allergens. Conclusions Fish allergic patients from different Asian populations show varying fish allergen sensitization profiles. The relevant extracts and components for diagnosis are population-dependent but parvalbumin and collagen are important biomarkers. Cooking methods modify allergen composition of salmon and appear to influence patients’ allergic manifestations.
First detection of foot-and-mouth disease O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 virus lineage, Indonesia,...
Edy Budi Susila
Rosmalina Sari Dewi Daulay

Edy Budi Susila

and 13 more

July 19, 2022
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals which has been well documented as one of the major animal diseases that causing serious economic loss of livestock sectors. The disease is endemic in many countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. Indonesia has declared disease-free country since 1986 and the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) has recognised Indonesia as FMD-free country without vaccination in 1990. However, FMD virus was detected from a number of disease outbreaks in cattle and goat in Indonesia in May 2022. This study report for the first time the detection and identification of serotype O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 lineage in Indonesia. Although the Indonesian serotype O/ME-SA/Ind-2001 viruses appeared belonging to the Ind-2001e sublineage, they formed a unique cluster with 95.3% average nucleotide sequence similarity to Ind-2001e viruses from other Asia countries. The source of virus incursion into Indonesia is still unresolved; however, illegal trade of live animals from endemic areas in Southeast Asia is the suspected route which should be further investigated.
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