Browse Articles

Effect of resistant compartment on pathogen strategy in partially migratory populations

Migration, the recurring movement of animals between habitats, can exert pressures on the pathogens they host. Properties of host populations can determine pathogen strategy (e.g. virulence) to increase pathogen fitness. To study the effect of adding a resistant compartment on virulence evolution, we developed an SIRS model and examined the winning pathogen strategy across different rates of recovery and of immunity loss. We find that when hosts spend a relatively long time in the resistant compartment, a more virulent pathogen evolves. These results have implications in conservation of migratory animal populations afflicted by disease.

Metre-scale vertical zonation of corals and sponges on a deep-marine cliff reflects trophic resource partitioning

Microevolution and phylogenomic study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus type A

Communal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes mild to severe illnesses, predominantly in older adults, or people with certain chronic medical conditions, and in children. Symptoms may include rhinorrhea, cough, fever, and dyspnea. In most cases, the infection is mild and resolves on its own, but in some cases, it can lead to more serious illness such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. The RSV genome codes for ten proteins, NS1, NS2, N, P, M, SH, G, F, M2 and L. We aimed to identify the RSV geographical transmission pattern based on parsimony and investigate hotspot regions across the complete RSV genomes. We employed Viral Evolutionary Network Analysis System on full-length available RSV genomes and with HyPhy for elucidating type of selection pressure. These results indicated that RSV strains circulating in South and North America are not mixed to the European samples, however, genomes reported from Australia are the direct decedents of European samples. Samples reported from the United Kingdom exhibited significant diversity, spanning almost every cluster. This report provides a complete mutational analysis of all the individual RSV genes, and particularly the 31 hotspot substituting regions circulating across the globe in RSV type A samples. Further, protein G and L displayed higher level of codons experienced positive selection. This analysis of RSV type A highlights mutational frequencies across the whole genome, offering valuable insights for epidemiological control and drug development.

Retraction Note: Relationship between melatonin receptor 1B and insulin receptor substrate 1 polymorphisms with gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A new therapy to alleviate the inflammatory injury of piglet intestine caused by short-distance transportation——music

The purpose of this study was to explore whether music can reduce stress in animals by regulating the activity of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal cortex (HPA) axis and reducing the concentration of cortisol. The control group was not played with any music or mechanical noise, the music group played music before and during transport, and the noise group played noise before and during transport as a positive control. The results showed that after two-hours of transportation, the concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in the music group were lower than that in the control and the noise groups, while the cortisol level in the noise group was higher than that in the music and the control groups. Plasma concentrations of D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase in the music group were lower than those in the control group and the noise group, and the noise group was higher than the control group. In addition, the concentrations of jejunal inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in the music group were lower than those in the control group and the noise group, but there was no difference of interleukin-12 in the three groups. However, there was no significant difference in Illinois-6, Illinois-12 and INF-γ between the noise group and the control group. The contents of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and glutathione peroxidase in the music group had no changes compared with those in the control group, while the contents of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde in the noise group were higher than the control and the music groups, and the content of glutathione peroxidase was decreased. Compared with the music group, differently expressed genes analysis also showed that the mRNA expression level of inflammatory genes in the jejunum of the music group’ piglets decreased. In addition, compared with the music group, some Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to inflammation were highly expressed in the control group. In conclusion, our results showed that musical stimulation can reduce the inflammatory response of piglets caused by transportation by reducing the activity of HPA axis. Noise increased the activity of HPA axis, which aggravated the intestinal damage of piglets and caused intestinal oxidative damage

The economic burden of Myasthenia gravis from the patient´s perspective and reflected in German claims data

Abstract Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder resulting in exertion-dependent muscle fatigability. Affecting all age groups MG is a chronic disease with unpredictable fluctuations and a range of symptom expression which can require costly immunosuppressive therapy and intensive care critically influencing economic burden. Here we aim to elucidate both the personal and societal economic burden of MG. Data were used from two sources: (1) a cross sectional study of MG patients registered in the German Myasthenia Society (DMG) collected by a survey in 2019 (n = 1660), and (2) from a dataset provided by a German health insurance company covering the period from 01/01/2014 to 31/12/2019 (n = 750) and categorized to similar subgroups for comparison. Individual and societal economic burden was highest in patients with intensified medical treatment. Absence days from work per patient year in the first year after index in claims data were 67.1 days (95% CI 66.1–68.2) (referring to n = 260 non-retired patients). Of 686 patients with early onset (< 50 years) MG 260 (41.2%) reported loss of income due to MG in DMG data. Average inpatient costs from claims data in patients with intensified treatment (38,669€; 95% CI 38,627–38,712€) were particularly high compared with standard treatment (2980€; 95% CI 2975–2986€) and to no MG-related treatment (887€; 95% CI 877–886€). MG represents a major economic burden for the individual and the health care system. The costs are positively associated with the severity of disease. The economic burden is particularly high for working patients. UCB Pharma provided financial support for the subanalysis, but was not involved in the design of the study. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03979521, submitted: June 7, 2019, first patient enrolled: May 1, 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03979521.

The role of livelihood diversification in agricultural modernization among tribal farmers in Bangladesh: A binary logistic model approach

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of livelihood diversification on tribal farmers’ decision to adopt modern agricultural practices, while also examining the profitability of various agricultural practices and identifying key challenges and policy recommendations for enhancing the sustainability of tribal farming livelihoods in Bangladesh. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire during the month of February 2021 from 115 tribal farmers, followed by a simple random sampling technique. In the study area, only 9.57% of farmers were involved in crop cultivation. The study calculated that human labor cost was the highest in rice production (about 37%). The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of rice production, livestock rearing, and homestead gardening was estimated at 1.46, 1.41, and 1.09, respectively. Among all agricultural components practiced by the tribal farmers, rice production was more efficient than others. The binary logistic regression findings showed that livelihood diversification, age of the farmers, access to information, household income, and farming experience had a significant influence on the adoption decision of modern agricultural practices. Therefore, promoting livelihood diversification among tribal farmers is crucial for enhancing their resilience and income sustainability. This could include providing training, access to markets, and financial support for activities such as poultry and livestock rearing and non-farm enterprises like homestead gardening.

Establishment of an alternative splicing prognostic risk model and identification of FN1 as a potential biomarker in glioblastoma multiforme

Hypothalamic opsin 3 suppresses MC4R signaling and potentiates Kir7.1 to promote food consumption

Mammalian opsin 3 (OPN3) is a member of the opsin family of G-protein-coupled receptors with ambiguous light sensitivity. OPN3 was first identified in the brain (and named encephalopsin) and subsequently found to be expressed in other tissues. In adipocytes, OPN3 is necessary for light responses that modulate lipolysis and glucose uptake, while OPN3 in human skin melanocytes regulates pigmentation in a light-independent manner. Despite its initial discovery in the brain, OPN3 functional mechanisms in the brain remain elusive. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of OPN3 function in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. We show that Opn3 is coexpressed with the melanocortin 4 receptor ( Mc4r ) in a population of PVN neurons, where it negatively regulates MC4R-mediated cAMP signaling in a specific and Gα i/o -dependent manner. Under baseline conditions, OPN3 via Gα i/o potentiates the activity of the inward rectifying Kir7.1 channel, previously shown to be closed in response to agonist-mediated activation of MC4R in a Gα s -independent manner. In mice, we found that Opn3 in Mc4r -expressing neurons regulates food consumption. Our results reveal the first mechanistic insight into OPN3 function in the hypothalamus, uncovering a unique mechanism by which OPN3 functions to potentiate Kir7.1 activity and negatively regulate MC4R-mediated cAMP signaling, thereby promoting food intake.

Visual recognition of honeybee behavior patterns at the hive entrance

This study presents a novel method for automatically recognizing honeybee behavior patterns at the hive entrance, significantly contributing to beekeeping and hive management. Utilizing advanced YOLOv8 models for detection and segmentation, our approach analyzes various aspects of bee behavior, including location, direction, path trajectory, and movement speed within a designated area on the hive’s landing board. The system effectively detects multiple bee activities such as foraging, fanning, washboarding, and defense, achieving a mean detection accuracy of 98% and operating at speeds of up to 36 fps, surpassing state-of-the-art methods in both speed and accuracy. Key contributions include the development of a comprehensive dataset with 7200 frames from eight beehives, the introduction of the first known research focused on recognizing bee behavior patterns through visual analysis at the hive entrance, and a comparative evaluation of various object detection and tracking algorithms tailored for bee detection and behavior recognition. Our findings indicate that this method enhances monitoring capabilities for beekeepers while reducing the need for manual inspections, thereby minimizing disturbances to the bees. By analyzing spatial trajectories and occurrence density maps, the proposed framework provides robust identification of overlapping behaviors, facilitating timely interventions when necessary. This work lays the groundwork for future automated monitoring systems aimed at improving hive health and productivity.

Distribution characteristics of top SOC in different forest types of Genhe in the Greater Khingan Range of Inner Mongolia

Abstract Soil serves as the largest active carbon reservoir in terrestrial ecosystems, playing a pivotal role in carbon sequestration. The study area is situated in Genhe City, on the western slope of the northern segment of the Greater Khingan Range in Inner Mongolia. We utilized a TOC/TN analyzer to measure the soil organic carbon (SOC) content and applied data analysis methods, including the coefficient of variation and the semivariogram function model, to examine the spatial distribution characteristics of SOC content in the surface layer. The results showed that the variation range of SOC content in the 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm soil layers of the four types of forest land sampling points is 100.98–327.59 g/kg and 44.22–322.71 g/kg. Within the same forest land, SOC content decreases with increasing soil depth. Overall, as latitude increases, the top SOC content shows an upward trend. However, in the Hanma region, the relationship between SOC content and latitude varies across different soil layers. This variation may be attributed to differences in vegetation, topography, and altitude. We believe that latitude, forest type, and altitude all influence the spatial distribution of SOC content. These findings provide a scientific basis and reference for establishing the spatial distribution patterns of top SOC content.

LiAlSiO4-coated Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 cathode: Enhancing Li-ion battery performance

The lithium fast ion conductor LiAlSiO4 demonstrates exceptional lithium-ion transmission properties alongside remarkable chemical stability. Utilizing sol-gel techniques, we synthesized LiAlSiO4-coated cathode materials (LNCM@LASO) based on Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 to enhance their electrochemical performance. Rm space groups were identified in all materials through high-intensity diffraction peaks, indicating the presence of hexagonal layered α-NaFeO2 structures. Benefiting from the coating layer of LiAlSiO4, the conductivity and electrochemical performance of Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 are significantly improved. Compared with the unmodified LASO-0 sample (42.27%), the LASO-3 sample exhibits a superior initial coulomb efficiency of 66.02%. At various charge/discharge rates (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 C), the LASO-3 electrode exhibits specific discharge capacities of 210.6, 189.3, 168.1, 151.8, and 125.2 mAh·g−1, correspondingly. Upon reverting the current density from 2 C to 0.1 C, the discharge capacity of the LASO-3 electrode rebounds to 206.4 mAh·g−1. After 100 cycles at 0.1 C, the LASO-3 electrode achieves a peak capacity retention rate of 88.9%. The superior conductive properties and chemical stability of the LNCM@LASO enhance the electron and ion transfer, thereby preventing electrolyte attack and boosting the electrochemical performance. This research marks a crucial step towards developing high-capacity, low-cost lithium-ion batteries with wide-ranging implications across multiple disciplines and industries.

Multitarget mechanism of MYC inhibition by the bacterial lon protease in disease

Abstract Identifying specific inhibitors of the MYC oncogene has been challenging, due to off target effects associated with MYC inhibition. This study investigated how the recombinant Escherichia coli Lon protease (rLon), which targets MYC in human cells, inhibits MYC over-activation in models of infection and cancer. In silico predictions identified specific peptide domains of bacterial Lon that target MYC and the affinity of these peptides for MYC was investigated by surface plasmon resonance. The N-terminal domain of rLon was shown to interact with the C-terminal, leucine zipper domain of MYC and MAX and to prevent MYC/MAX dimerization. Furthermore, rLon targeted and degraded c-MYC in vitro and in cellular models, through the peptidase domain. In a model of kidney infection, rLon treatment prevented, c-MYC, N-MYC and L-MYC over-expression, MYC-dependent gene expression, specifically renal toxicity genes and pathology, suggesting that rLon recognizes and corrects MYC dysregulation in this disease. The findings describe a multitarget mechanism of MYC inhibition by rLon, and the combined effects achieved by the Lon domains, targeting different MYC epitopes and MYC-dependent functions, with no evidence of toxicity or detrimental effects on homeostatic MYC expression.

Maternal vitamin D status in relation to cardiometabolic risk factors in children from the Norwegian Environmental Biobank

Background Maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) status has been associated with birth weight and childhood growth. Further, maternal 25OHD status may also influence cardiometabolic outcomes in childhood. This study investigated the association between maternal 25OHD concentration in pregnancy and markers of cardiometabolic risk in 7–12-year-old children. Methods Data were obtained from the Norwegian Environmental Biobank (NEB) including 244 mother-child pairs in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) participating in NEB part I and II. Childhood outcomes investigated were z-scores of anthropometrics, blood lipids and hormones. Associations between maternal 25OHD and individual cardiometabolic risk factors in children were assessed by linear regression, adjusted for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal education, child’s sex, age and BMI, and tested for interaction with pre-pregnancy BMI. Results Per 10 nmol/L increase in maternal 25OHD, childhood adiponectin z-score increased by 0.067 standard deviations (p = 0.039). There were no associations between maternal 25OHD concentration and any other cardiometabolic risk factor in childhood. Conclusion The results indicate that higher maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy may be related to higher childhood adiponectin z-score, but not with any other cardiometabolic risk marker. Whether adiponectin could be one pathway linking vitamin D to cardiometabolic health remains to be determined.

Histomorphometric analysis of anterior cruciate ligament bundles and anatomical insights into injury mechanisms

Accuracy of next-generation sequencing for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Early, rapid and precise diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy is difficult. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been used for the diagnosis of TB in some high-income countries. We completed the protocol of the study in order to better guide the systematic review and meta-analysis for evaluating the role of NGS in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy, which was the purpose of the current study. Methods We designed and drafted this protocol as per the Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Three English databases (Cochrane Library, Embase and Medline via PubMed) and two Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Database) will be used to search for relevant studies. We followed the PICT principles to develop the eligibility criteria. Once the final compliant literature is identified, we will extract the valid information from the literature for statistical analysis. We will assess the quality of the included studies using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. When there are more than 4 eligible studies, we will use Stata (version 15.0; Stata Corp., College Station, TX, the USA) with midas module to conduct the relevant meta-analysis and plot the relevant forest plots and curves. When there are less than 4 eligible studies, we will use Meta-DiSc (version 1.4) to perform the associated meta-analysis and plot the associated forest plots and curves. We will use the I2 statistic to assess heterogeneity between included studies. We will conduct meta-regression analysis, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis to explore possible sources of heterogeneity when significant heterogeneity exists. Systematic review registration PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42024568791

Kinetics of NS1 and anti-NS1 IgG following dengue infection reveals likely early formation of immune complexes in secondary infected patients

Factors associated with concordance of mother-child (6–23 months) dietary diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background Inadequate dietary diversity is a major contributor to undernutrition, and compromises the health of both mothers and children. Available evidence demonstrates a significant association between maternal and child dietary diversity. However, there is limited evidence about the factors influencing the concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Therefore, we investigated the factors associated with the concordance of mother-child dietary diversity in SSA. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted based on the recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) data of eight Sub-Saharan African countries. A total weighted sample of 29,138 mother-child pairs within the five years preceding the survey was included. A mixed-effect binary logistic regression model was employed to identify factors associated with concordance between mother-child dietary diversity. Variable with p-value < 0.2 in the bivariable mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis was considered for the multivariable analysis. In the multivariable mixed-effect binary logistic regression analysis, the Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were reported. The percentage of agreement between mothers and children with minimum dietary diversity was assessed using kappa statistics. Results The concordance of dietary diversity between mother-child pairs in SSA was 74.48% (95% CI: 73.98, 74.98). A higher likelihood of mother-child dietary diversity concordance was significantly associated with mothers who had a primary level of education (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.31, 1.53) and those who were divorced or widowed (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.29, 1.84). Conversely, lower odds of concordance were observed among mothers with higher education (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.85), those exposed to media (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.83), and mothers belonging to poorer (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.88), middle-income (AOR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.89), richer (AOR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.88), and richest (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.83) households. Conclusion The findings highlight that the dietary diversity concordance between mother-child pairs in sub-Saharan Africa is moderate at 74.48%. However, the factors influencing concordance suggest socio-economic and educational disparities. Mothers with a primary education level and those who were divorced or widowed had higher concordance with their children’s dietary diversity, indicating their potential prioritization of family dietary habits despite limited resources or support systems. On the other hand, lower concordance among mothers with higher education and those exposed to media suggest that these groups may adopt more individualized dietary practices. Furthermore, households with higher economic status, surprisingly, exhibited lower concordance, which may indicate resource allocation differences within wealthier families or greater dietary autonomy among children. Globally, one-fourth of children aged 6–23 months and two-thirds of women of reproductive age suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, primarily due to inadequate dietary diversity [1–3]. It is estimated that 50–70% of the global disease burden is associated with poor dietary patterns and malnutrition [4]. In Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), where many impoverished and rural households depend on starchy staples due to limited access to diverse foods, only 20% of children meet minimum acceptable dietary standards, exacerbating malnutrition and related health challenges [5,6]. Dietary Diversity (DD) is recognized as a key indicator of a healthy diet, reflecting the variety of food groups consumed within 24 hours [7]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), DD serves as a proxy for child feeding practices, with consumption from at least four different food groups indicating that the child likely consumed an animal-source food, a fruit or vegetable, and a staple food such as grains, roots, or tubers [8].

Discrimination of inherent characteristics of susceptible and resistant strains of Anopheles gambiae by explainable artificial intelligence analysis of flight trajectories

Abstract Understanding mosquito behaviours is vital for the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), which have been successfully deployed in sub-Saharan Africa to reduce disease transmission, particularly malaria. However, rising insecticide resistance (IR) among mosquito populations, owing to genetic and behavioural changes, poses a significant challenge. We present a machine learning pipeline that successfully distinguishes between innate IR and insecticide-susceptible (IS) mosquito flight behaviours independent of insecticidal exposure by analysing trajectory data. Data-driven methods are introduced to accommodate common tracking system shortcomings that occur due to mosquito positions being occluded by the bednet or other objects. Trajectories, obtained from room-scale tracking of two IR and two IS strains around a human-baited, untreated bednet, were analysed using features such as velocity, acceleration, and geometric descriptors. Using these features, an XGBoost model achieved a balanced accuracy of 0.743 and a ROC AUC of 0.813 in classifying IR from IS mosquitoes. SHAP analysis helped decipher that IR mosquitoes tend to fly slower with more directed flight paths and lower variability than IS—traits that are likely a fitness advantage by enhancing their ability to respond more quickly to bloodmeal cues. This approach provides valuable insights based on flight behaviour that can reveal the action of interventions and insecticides on mosquito physiology.

Structures and functions of the limited natural polyclonal antibody response to parvovirus infection

Host antibody responses are key components in the protection of animals against pathogens, yet the defining properties of viral antigens and induction of B cell responses that result in varied protection are still poorly understood. Parvoviruses are simple molecular structures that display 60 repeated motifs on their capsid surface, and rapidly induce strong antibody responses that protect animals from infection. We recently showed that following canine parvovirus infection of its natural host, the polyclonal response in the sera contained only two or three dominant antibodies that bound two epitopes on the capsid. Here, we characterize key antibodies present in that immune response, identifying their sequences, defining their binding properties on the capsid by cryoelectron microscopic (cryoEM) analysis, and testing their effects on viral infectivity. Two antibodies sharing the same heavy chain bound to the side of the capsid threefold spike (B-site), while another distinct antibody bound close to the threefold axis (A-site). The epitopes of these antibodies overlapped the binding site of the host receptor, the transferrin receptor type-1, but to varying degrees. The antibodies varied widely in their neutralization efficiencies as either immunoglobulins (IgGs) or monomeric antigen-binding fragments (Fabs), which was consistent with their ability to compete for the receptor. The monoclonal antibodies characterized here matched the structures from the cryoEM analysis of polyclonal sera, including those present in a different dog than the monoclonal source. This shows that after infection, a focused response to the viral antigen is produced that protects against infection.