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Biology, Volume 11, Issue 4 (April 2022) – 140 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Numerous orchids worldwide have already been affected by climate change, exhibiting phenological alterations and distributional shifts. By using a species distribution modeling framework under different climatic models and scenarios for the future, we explored the effects of climate change on the iconic Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), which is broadly distributed in Europe. Environmentally suitable areas for this species are projected to shift northwards but downhill, while exhibiting a moderate range contraction in a wide variety of different scenarios. Although the expected loss of range will be moderate overall, severe contraction is expected at the southern limits of the species’ range (e.g., in the Balkans), offset by significant gains at the northern reaches, especially in the UK, Scandinavia, and the Baltic countries. View this paper
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17 pages, 6153 KiB  
Article
Biological Control Activity of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Burkholderia contaminans AY001 against Tomato Fusarium Wilt and Bacterial Speck Diseases
by A Yeong Heo, Young Mo Koo and Hyong Woo Choi
Biology 2022, 11(4), 619; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040619 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4368
Abstract
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is not only enhancing plant growth, but also inducing resistance against a broad range of pathogens, thus providing effective strategies to substitute chemical products. In this study, Burkholderia contaminans AY001 (AY001) is isolated based on its broad-spectrum antifungal [...] Read more.
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is not only enhancing plant growth, but also inducing resistance against a broad range of pathogens, thus providing effective strategies to substitute chemical products. In this study, Burkholderia contaminans AY001 (AY001) is isolated based on its broad-spectrum antifungal activity. AY001 not only inhibited fungal pathogen growth in dual culture and culture filtrate assays, but also showed various PGPR traits, such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, extracellular protease production, zinc solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis activities. Indeed, AY001 treatment significantly enhanced growth of tomato plants and enhanced resistance against two distinct pathogens, F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato. Real-time qPCR analyses revealed that AY001 treatment induced jasmonic acid/ethylene-dependent defense-related gene expression, suggesting its Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR)-eliciting activity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of culture filtrate of AY001 revealed production of antimicrobial compounds, including di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and pyrrolo [1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(phenylmethyl). Taken together, our newly isolated AY001 showed promising PGPR and ISR activities in tomato plants, suggesting its potential use as a biofertilizer and biocontrol agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Physiological and Molecular Basis of Stress Tolerance in Plants)
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12 pages, 9547 KiB  
Article
High-Fructose Diet Increases Renal ChREBPβ Expression, Leading to Intrarenal Fat Accumulation in a Rat Model with Metabolic Syndrome
by Ariel Bier, Eliyahu Shapira, Rawan Khasbab, Yehonatan Sharabi, Ehud Grossman and Avshalom Leibowitz
Biology 2022, 11(4), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040618 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1900
Abstract
Fructose consumption is associated with metabolic syndrome (MeS). Dysregulated lipid metabolism and ectopic lipid accumulation, such as in “fatty liver’’, are pivotal components of the syndrome. MeS is also associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate [...] Read more.
Fructose consumption is associated with metabolic syndrome (MeS). Dysregulated lipid metabolism and ectopic lipid accumulation, such as in “fatty liver’’, are pivotal components of the syndrome. MeS is also associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to evaluate kidney fructose metabolism and whether the addition of fructose leads to intrarenal fat accumulation. Sprague Dawley rats were fed either normal chow (Ctrl) or a high-fructose diet (HFrD). MeS features such as blood pressure and metabolic parameters in blood were measured. The kidneys were harvested for ChREBPβ and de novo lipogenesis (DNL) gene expression, triglyceride content and histopathology staining. HK2 (human kidney) cells were treated with fructose for 48 h and gene expression for ChREBPβ and DNL were determined. The HFrD rats exhibited higher blood pressure, glucose and triglyceride levels. The kidney weight of the HFrD rats was significantly higher than Ctrl rats. The difference can be explained by the higher triglyceride content in the HFrD kidneys. Oil red staining revealed lipid droplet formation in the HFrD kidneys, which was also supported by increased adipophilin mRNA expression. For ChREBPβ and its downstream genes, scd and fasn, mRNA expression was elevated in the HFrD kidneys. Treating HK2 cells with 40 mM fructose increased the expression of ChREBPβ. This study demonstrates that fructose consumption leads to intrarenal lipid accumulation and to the formation of a “fatty kidney”. This suggests a potential mechanism that can at least partially explain CKD development in fructose-induced MeS. Full article
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18 pages, 2448 KiB  
Article
An Integrated Monitoring Approach to the Evaluation of the Environmental Impact of an Inshore Mariculture Plant (Mar Grande of Taranto, Ionian Sea)
by Adriana Giangrande, Margherita Licciano, Daniele Arduini, Jacopo Borghese, Cataldo Pierri, Roberta Trani, Caterina Longo, Antonella Petrocelli, Patrizia Ricci, Giorgio Alabiso, Rosa Anna Cavallo, Maria Immacolata Acquaviva, Marcella Narracci and Loredana Stabili
Biology 2022, 11(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040617 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1783
Abstract
The results of an ex-ante survey aiming to assess the impact of a fish farm in the Mar Grande of Taranto (southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea) on the surrounding environment are reported. There, the implementation of an innovative IMTA plant was planned, with the [...] Read more.
The results of an ex-ante survey aiming to assess the impact of a fish farm in the Mar Grande of Taranto (southern Italy, Mediterranean Sea) on the surrounding environment are reported. There, the implementation of an innovative IMTA plant was planned, with the goals of environment bioremediation and commercially exploitable biomass production. Analyses were conducted in February and July 2018. Both seawater and sediments were sampled at the four corners of the fish farm to detect the existing biological and physico-chemical features. The investigation was performed to identify the best area of the farming plant for positioning the bioremediating system, but also to obtain a data baseline, to compare to the environmental status after the bioremediating action. Data were also analyzed by canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP). All the measurements, in particular, microbiology and macrobenthic community characterization using AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and the Multivariate-AMBI (M-AMBI) indices, suggest that the effect of fish farm waste was concentrated and limited to a small portion of the investigated area in relation to the direction of the main current. A site named A3, which was found to be the most impacted by the aquaculture activities, especially during the summer season, was chosen to place the bioremediation system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation of Marine Ecosystems: Selected Papers from MetroSea 2021)
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16 pages, 2596 KiB  
Article
Semen Modulates Cell Proliferation and Differentiation-Related Transcripts in the Pig Peri-Ovulatory Endometrium
by Jaume Gardela, Mateo Ruiz-Conca, Dominic Wright, Manel López-Béjar, Cristina A. Martínez, Heriberto Rodríguez-Martínez and Manuel Álvarez-Rodríguez
Biology 2022, 11(4), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040616 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2176
Abstract
Uterine homeostasis is maintained after mating by eliminating pathogens, foreign cells, and proteins by a transient inflammation of the uterus. Such inflammation does not occur in the oviductal sperm reservoir (utero-tubal junction, UTJ), colonized by a population of potentially fertile spermatozoa before the [...] Read more.
Uterine homeostasis is maintained after mating by eliminating pathogens, foreign cells, and proteins by a transient inflammation of the uterus. Such inflammation does not occur in the oviductal sperm reservoir (utero-tubal junction, UTJ), colonized by a population of potentially fertile spermatozoa before the inflammatory changes are triggered. Semen entry (spermatozoa and/or seminal plasma) modifies the expression of regulatory genes, including cell proliferation and differentiation-related transcripts. Considering pigs display a fractionated ejaculation, this study aims to determine whether different ejaculate fractions differentially modulate cell proliferation and differentiation-related transcripts in the sow reproductive tract during the peri-ovulatory stage. Using species-specific microarray analyses, the differential expression of 144 cell proliferation and differentiation-related transcripts was studied in specific segments: cervix (Cvx), distal and proximal uterus (DistUt, ProxUt), UTJ, isthmus (Isth), ampulla (Amp), and infundibulum (Inf) of the peri-ovulatory sow reproductive tract in response to semen and/or seminal plasma cervical deposition. Most mRNA expression changes were induced by mating. In addition, while mating upregulates the fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1, p-value DistUt = 0.0007; ProxUt = 0.0253) transcript in the endometrium, both its receptor, the fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1, p-value DistUt = 2.14 e−06; ProxUt = 0.0027; UTJ = 0.0458) transcript, and a potentiator of its biological effect, the fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1 (FGFBP1), were downregulated in the endometrium (p-value DistUt = 0.0068; ProxUt = 0.0011) and the UTJ (p-value UTJ = 0.0191). The FGFBP1 was downregulated in the whole oviduct after seminal depositions (p-value Isth = 0.0007; Amp = 0.0007; Inf = 6.87 e−05) and, interestingly, FGFR1 was downregulated in the endometrium in the absence of semen (p-value DistUt = 0.0097; ProxUt = 0.0456). In conclusion, the findings suggest that spermatozoa, seminal components, and the act of mating trigger, besides inflammation, differential mechanisms in the peri-ovulatory female reproductive tract, relevant for tissue repair. Full article
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13 pages, 697 KiB  
Article
Transvenous Lead Extraction in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Device: The Impact of Systemic and Local Infection on Clinical Outcomes—An ESC-EHRA ELECTRa (European Lead Extraction Controlled) Registry Substudy
by Igor Diemberger, Luca Segreti, Christopher A. Rinaldi, Jesper Hastrup Svendsen, Andrzej Kutarski, Arwa Younis, Cécile Laroche, Christophe Leclercq, Barbara Małecka, Przemyslaw Mitkowski, Maria Grazia Bongiorni and On behalf of the ELECTRa Investigators
Biology 2022, 11(4), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040615 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2086
Abstract
Background: Infections of cardiac implantable devices (CIEDI) have poor outcomes despite improvement in lead extraction (TLE) procedures. Methods: To explore the influence of CIEDI on the outcomes of TLE and the differences between patients with systemic (Sy) vs. local (Lo) CIEDI, we performed [...] Read more.
Background: Infections of cardiac implantable devices (CIEDI) have poor outcomes despite improvement in lead extraction (TLE) procedures. Methods: To explore the influence of CIEDI on the outcomes of TLE and the differences between patients with systemic (Sy) vs. local (Lo) CIEDI, we performed a sub-analysis of the EORP ELECTRa (European Lead Extraction ConTRolled) Registry. Results: Among 3555 patients enrolled by 73 centers in 19 Countries, the indication for TLE was CIEDI in 1850: 1170 with Lo-CIEDI and 680 with Sy-CIEDI. Patients with CIEDI had a worse in-hospital prognosis in terms of major complications (3.57% vs. 1.71%; p = 0.0007) and mortality (2.27% vs. 0.49%; p < 0.0001). Sy-CIEDI was an independent predictor of in-hospital death (H.R. 2.14; 95%CI 1.06–4.33. p = 0.0345). Patients with Sy-CIEDI more frequently had an initial CIED implant and a higher prevalence of comorbidities, while subjects with Lo-CIEDI had a higher prevalence of previous CIED procedures. Time from signs of CIEDI and TLE was longer for Lo-CIEDI despite a shorter pre-TLE antibiotic treatment. Conclusions: Patients with CIEDI have a worse in-hospital prognosis after TLE, especially for patients with Sy-CIEDI. These results raise the suspicion that in a relevant group of patients CIEDI can be systemic from the beginning without progression from Lo-CIEDI. Future research is needed to characterize this subgroup of patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biophysics Arrhythmias and Pacing)
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13 pages, 1154 KiB  
Review
Impact of Exercise Training on Depressive Symptoms in Cancer Patients: A Critical Analysis
by Priscila Marconcin, Adilson Marques, Gerson Ferrari, Élvio R. Gouveia, Miguel Peralta and Andreas Ihle
Biology 2022, 11(4), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040614 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2367
Abstract
Background: Cancer patients must deal with several health challenges, including emotional distress and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate evidence from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the efficacy of exercise on depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Methods: We searched for previous [...] Read more.
Background: Cancer patients must deal with several health challenges, including emotional distress and depressive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate evidence from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses about the efficacy of exercise on depressive symptoms in cancer patients. Methods: We searched for previous meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials on PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus, with data inception to 30 December 2021. Two independent researchers assessed the methodological quality using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2) instrument. Six meta-analyses were integrated. All included middle-aged and older adults. Five presented moderate quality, and one presented low quality. Results: Overall, a significant reduction in depressive symptoms was observed among the included studies. However, the heterogeneity between studies was high, and high-quality evidence for the efficacy of exercise on depressive symptoms was limited. Conclusions: Exercise could be a possibility in the treatment of depressive symptoms in cancer patients, especially when supervised and outside the home. The better dose of exercise needs to be clarified. More high-quality evidence is needed to better prescribe exercise to this vulnerable population. Full article
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17 pages, 2901 KiB  
Article
Kinetic Alterations in Resurgent Sodium Currents of Mutant Nav1.4 Channel in Two Patients Affected by Paramyotonia Congenita
by Ming-Jen Lee, Pi-Chen Lin, Ming-Hong Lin, Hsin-Ying Clair Chiou, Kai Wang and Chiung-Wei Huang
Biology 2022, 11(4), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040613 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1555
Abstract
Paramyotonia congenita (PMC) is a rare skeletal muscle disorder characterized by muscle stiffness upon repetitive exercise and cold exposure. PMC was reported to be caused by dominant mutations in the SCN4A gene encoding the α subunit of the Nav1.4 channel. Recently, [...] Read more.
Paramyotonia congenita (PMC) is a rare skeletal muscle disorder characterized by muscle stiffness upon repetitive exercise and cold exposure. PMC was reported to be caused by dominant mutations in the SCN4A gene encoding the α subunit of the Nav1.4 channel. Recently, we identified two missense mutations of the SCN4A gene, p.V781I and p.A1737T, in two PMC families. To evaluate the changes in electrophysiological properties caused by the mutations, both mutant and wild-type (WT) SCN4A genes were expressed in CHO-K1 and HEK-293T cells. Then, whole-cell patch-clamp recording was employed to study the altered gating of mutant channels. The activation curve of transient current showed a hyperpolarizing shift in both mutant Nav1.4 channels as compared to the WT channel, whereas there was a depolarizing shift in the fast inactivation curve. These changes confer to an increase in window current in the mutant channels. Further investigations demonstrated that the mutated channel proteins generate significantly larger resurgent currents as compared to the WT channel and take longer to attain the peak of resurgent current than the WT channel. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that p.V781I and p.A1737T mutations in the Nav1.4 channel increase both the sustained and the resurgent Na+ current, leading to membrane hyperexcitability with a lower firing threshold, which may influence the clinical phenotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Biology)
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13 pages, 2139 KiB  
Article
Understanding the Mechanism of Diabetes Mellitus in a LRBA-Deficient Patient
by Iman Hawari, Johan Ericsson, Basirudeen Syed Ahamed Kabeer, Damien Chaussabel, Asma Alsulaiti, Sanaa A. Sharari, Cristina Maccalli, Faiyaz Ahmad Khan and Khalid Hussain
Biology 2022, 11(4), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040612 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1987
Abstract
The scope of this study is to show that DM in a LRBA-deficient patient with a stop codon mutation (c.3999 G > A) was not mediated through autoimmunity. We have evaluated the ability of the proband’s T cells to be activated by assessing [...] Read more.
The scope of this study is to show that DM in a LRBA-deficient patient with a stop codon mutation (c.3999 G > A) was not mediated through autoimmunity. We have evaluated the ability of the proband’s T cells to be activated by assessing their CTLA-4 expression. A nonsignificant difference was seen in the CTLA-4 expression on CD3+ T cells compared to the healthy control at basal level and after stimulation with PMA/ionomycin. Blood transcriptomic analysis have shown a remarkable increase in abundance of transcripts related to CD71+ erythroid cells. There were no differences in the expression of modules related to autoimmunity diseases between the proband and pooled healthy controls. In addition, our novel findings show that siRNA knockdown of LRBA in mouse pancreatic β-cells leads reduced cellular proinsulin, insulin and consequently insulin secretion, without change in cell viability in cultured MIN6 cells. Full article
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16 pages, 2744 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Association Study Reveals That PvGUX1_1 Is Associated with Pod Stringlessness in Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
by Zhiyuan Liu, Shuo Gao, Helong Zhang, Zhaosheng Xu and Wei Qian
Biology 2022, 11(4), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040611 - 18 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1571
Abstract
Suture strings are a particularly important pod trait that determine the quality and texture of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The St locus on chromosome 2 has been described as a major locus associated with suture strings. However, the gene and genetic [...] Read more.
Suture strings are a particularly important pod trait that determine the quality and texture of snap beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The St locus on chromosome 2 has been described as a major locus associated with suture strings. However, the gene and genetic basis underlying this locus remain unknown. Here, we investigated the suture strings of 138 snap bean accessions across two years. A total of 3.66 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained by deep resequencing. Based on these SNPs, we identified a strong association signal on Chr02 and a promising candidate gene, PvGUX1_1. Further analysis revealed that the 2 bp deletion in the exon of PvGUX1_1 was significantly associated with stringlessness. Comparative mapping indicated that PvGUX1_1 was a domesticated locus and diverged from PvGUX1_2 during an early stage. Our study provides important insights into the genetic mechanism of suture string formation and useful information for snap bean improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)
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10 pages, 13062 KiB  
Article
Aquatic Therapy versus Standard Rehabilitation after Surgical Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Prospective Study
by Adrien Dufournet, Xue Ling Chong, Adrien Schwitzguébel, Corinne Bernimoulin, Myriam Carvalho, Hugo Bothorel and Alexandre Lädermann
Biology 2022, 11(4), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040610 - 17 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3374
Abstract
Introduction: Post-operative rehabilitation following rotator cuff tear repair (RCR) is important to promote tendon healing, restore strength, and recover normal function. Aquatic therapy in hot water allows body relaxation, which promotes patient conditioning for efficient rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to [...] Read more.
Introduction: Post-operative rehabilitation following rotator cuff tear repair (RCR) is important to promote tendon healing, restore strength, and recover normal function. Aquatic therapy in hot water allows body relaxation, which promotes patient conditioning for efficient rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess whether aquatic therapy is more efficient than standard (land-based) rehabilitation in terms of range of motion (ROM), function, and pain after arthroscopic RCR. Methods: We prospectively randomized 86 patients scheduled for arthroscopic RCR to either aquatic therapy (n = 44) or standard rehabilitation (n = 42) using block sizes of four or six. Patients were evaluated clinically at 1.5, 3, 6, and 24 months and using ultrasound (US) at 6 months. Two-way mixed ANOVA tests were performed to evaluate the effects of rehabilitation type (between-subjects factor) on ROM and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) over time (within-subjects factor). Post-hoc inter-group comparisons at each time point were also conducted using Wilcoxon rank sum tests or unpaired Student t-tests and adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni correction. Results: The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of demographic data or pre-operative characteristics, except for the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, which was lower in the aquatic therapy group (37.9 ± 23.6 vs. 55.6 ± 24.9, p = 0.019). The mixed model revealed the absence of interaction effect between the type of rehabilitation and time on PROMs and ROM except on the SANE score (p < 0.001), which was biased by the existing pre-operative difference mentioned above. Furthermore, none of the post-operative outcomes were statistically different between the two groups at 1.5, 3, 6, and 24 months. In addition, no significant difference could be noted regarding tendon healing rate (p = 0.443), complication (p = 0.349), workstop duration (0.585), or patient satisfaction (p = 0.663). Conclusion: Compared to the standard rehabilitation, the aquatic therapy did not yield superior clinical and functional outcomes after arthroscopic RCR when started immediately after the surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Bodywork: Applications in Health, Disease, and Rehabilitation)
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12 pages, 2087 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology of HCV and HBV in a High Endemic Area of Southern Italy: Opportunities from the COVID-19 Pandemic—Standardized National Screening or One Tailored to Local Epidemiology?
by Riccardo Nevola, Vincenzo Messina, Aldo Marrone, Nicola Coppola, Carolina Rescigno, Vincenzo Esposito, Vincenzo Sangiovanni, Ernesto Claar, Mariantonietta Pisaturo, Francesco Maria Fusco, Pietro Rosario, Antonio Izzi, Raffaella Pisapia, Valerio Rosato, Paolo Maggi and Luigi Elio Adinolfi
Biology 2022, 11(4), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040609 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1922
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the hospitalization of an unselected population with the possibility to evaluate the epidemiology of viral hepatitis. Thus, a retrospective multicenter study was conducted in an area of Southern Italy with the aim of assessing the prevalence of HCV [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the hospitalization of an unselected population with the possibility to evaluate the epidemiology of viral hepatitis. Thus, a retrospective multicenter study was conducted in an area of Southern Italy with the aim of assessing the prevalence of HCV and HBV markers and the ability of current screening program to capture cases. We evaluated 2126 hospitalized patients in seven COVID Centers of Naples and Caserta area in which 70% of the Campania population lives. HBsAg and HCV-Ab prevalence was 1.6% and 5.1%, respectively, with no differences between gender. Decade distribution for birth year shows a bimodal trend of HCV prevalence, with a peak (11.6%) in the decade 1930–1939 and a second peak (5.6%) for those born in 1960–1969. An analysis of the screening period imposed by the Italian government for those born between 1969 and 1989 shows that only 17% of cases of HCV infection could be captured. A small alignment of the screening period, i.e., those born from 1960 to 1984, would capture 40% of cases. The data confirm the high endemicity of our geographical area for hepatitis virus infections and underline the need for a tailored screening program according to the regional epidemiology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chronic Hepatitis C: Pathophysiology and Clinical Issues)
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22 pages, 742 KiB  
Review
Environmental Factors and the Risk of Developing Type 1 Diabetes—Old Disease and New Data
by Katarzyna Zorena, Małgorzata Michalska, Monika Kurpas, Marta Jaskulak, Anna Murawska and Saeid Rostami
Biology 2022, 11(4), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040608 - 16 Apr 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4799
Abstract
The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing worldwide. The onset of T1D usually occurs in childhood and is caused by the selective destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells (β-cells) by autoreactive T cells, leading to insulin deficiency. Despite advanced research and [...] Read more.
The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing worldwide. The onset of T1D usually occurs in childhood and is caused by the selective destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic islet cells (β-cells) by autoreactive T cells, leading to insulin deficiency. Despite advanced research and enormous progress in medicine, the causes of T1D are still not fully understood. Therefore, an extensive online search for scientific research on environmental factors associated with diabetes and the identification of new factors of unexplained etiology has been carried out using the PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. The search results were limited to the past 11 years of research and discovered 143 manuscripts published between 2011 and 2022. Additionally, 21 manuscripts from between 2000 and 2010 and 3 manuscripts from 1974 to 2000 were referenced for historical reference as the first studies showcasing a certain phenomenon or mechanism. More and more scientists are inclined to believe that environmental factors are responsible for the increased incidence of diabetes. Research results show that higher T1D incidence is associated with vitamin D deficiency, a colder climate, and pollution of the environment, as well as the influence of viral, bacterial, and yeast-like fungi infections. The key viral infections affecting the risk of developing T1DM are rubella virus, mumps virus, Coxsackie virus, cytomegalovirus, and enterovirus. Since 2020, i.e., from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more studies have been looking for a link between Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and diabetes development. A better understanding of the role of viral, bacterial, and yeast-like fungi infections related to the risk of T1DM in children and adolescents and the identification of new risk factors, especially those spread by the droplet route, is of great importance for people and families with diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulation of Viral Infection in Diabetes)
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15 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Detecting Blood Methylation Signatures in Response to Childhood Cancer Radiotherapy via Machine Learning Methods
by Zhandong Li, Wei Guo, Shijian Ding, Kaiyan Feng, Lin Lu, Tao Huang and Yudong Cai
Biology 2022, 11(4), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040607 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1639
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a helpful treatment for cancer, but it can also potentially cause changes in many molecules, resulting in adverse effects. Among these changes, the occurrence of abnormal DNA methylation patterns has alarmed scientists. To explore the influence of region-specific radiotherapy on blood [...] Read more.
Radiotherapy is a helpful treatment for cancer, but it can also potentially cause changes in many molecules, resulting in adverse effects. Among these changes, the occurrence of abnormal DNA methylation patterns has alarmed scientists. To explore the influence of region-specific radiotherapy on blood DNA methylation, we designed a computational workflow by using machine learning methods that can identify crucial methylation alterations related to treatment exposure. Irrelevant methylation features from the DNA methylation profiles of 2052 childhood cancer survivors were excluded via the Boruta method, and the remaining features were ranked using the minimum redundancy maximum relevance method to generate feature lists. These feature lists were then fed into the incremental feature selection method, which uses a combination of deep forest, k-nearest neighbor, random forest, and decision tree to find the most important methylation signatures and build the best classifiers and classification rules. Several methylation signatures and rules have been discovered and confirmed, allowing for a better understanding of methylation patterns in response to different treatment exposures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bioinformatics)
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11 pages, 483 KiB  
Review
Chronic Stress-Related Gastroenteric Pathology in Cheetah: Relation between Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors
by Sara Mangiaterra, Laurie Marker, Matteo Cerquetella, Livio Galosi, Andrea Marchegiani, Alessandra Gavazza and Giacomo Rossi
Biology 2022, 11(4), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040606 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3884
Abstract
The rapid decline of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) throughout their range and long-term studies of captive breeding has increased conservation action for this species including the study of chronic diseases. Gastritis is one of the captive diseases that leads to high mortality [...] Read more.
The rapid decline of cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) throughout their range and long-term studies of captive breeding has increased conservation action for this species including the study of chronic diseases. Gastritis is one of the captive diseases that leads to high mortality presented with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. The disease presents different histological lesions in the gastrointestinal tract that are characterized by inconstant and different clinical appearance in captive and free-range cheetahs. The aim of this review is to summarize the causes of chronic gastritis in the cheetah. Factors including diet, living conditions, infections with gastric Helicobacter-like organisms (GHLOs), the lack of genetic polymorphism and the cheetah’s specific-immunocompetence are analyzed. All studies on gastroenteric cheetah pathologies, conducted between 1991 (to the best of our knowledge, the first report on online databases) and 2021, are included in this review, highlighting the possible correlation between stress-related captive conditions and chronic gastric pathology. Full article
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22 pages, 4598 KiB  
Article
Diversity and Metabolism of Microbial Communities in a Hypersaline Lake along a Geochemical Gradient
by Alla V. Bryanskaya, Aleksandra A. Shipova, Alexei S. Rozanov, Oxana A. Kolpakova, Elena V. Lazareva, Yulia E. Uvarova, Vadim M. Efimov, Sergey M. Zhmodik, Oxana P. Taran, Tatyana N. Goryachkovskaya and Sergey E. Peltek
Biology 2022, 11(4), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040605 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2189
Abstract
In the south of western Siberia (Russia), there are many unique and unexplored soda, saline, and freshwater lakes. In this study, the results are presented on microbial diversity, its metabolic potential, and their relation with a set of geochemical parameters for a hypersaline [...] Read more.
In the south of western Siberia (Russia), there are many unique and unexplored soda, saline, and freshwater lakes. In this study, the results are presented on microbial diversity, its metabolic potential, and their relation with a set of geochemical parameters for a hypersaline lake ecosystem in the Novosibirsk region (Oblast). The metagenomic approach used in this work allowed us to determine the composition and structure of a floating microbial community, the upper layer of silt, and the strata of bottom sediments in a natural saline lake via two bioinformatic approaches, whose results are in good agreement with each other. In the floating microbial community and in the upper layers of the bottom sediment, bacteria of the Proteobacteria (Gammaproteobacteria), Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla were found to predominate. The lower layers were dominated by Proteobacteria (mainly Deltaproteobacteria), Gemmatimonadetes, Firmicutes, and Archaea. Metabolic pathways were reconstructed to investigate the metabolic potential of the microbial communities and other hypothetical roles of the microbial communities in the biogeochemical cycle. Relations between different taxa of microorganisms were identified, as was their potential role in biogeochemical transformations of C, N, and S in a comparative structural analysis that included various ecological niches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Environmental Biotechnology (AEB))
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22 pages, 2446 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity Trends in the Cultivated Potato: A Spatiotemporal Overview
by Martin Spanoghe, Thierry Marique, Alexandra Nirsha, Florence Esnault and Deborah Lanterbecq
Biology 2022, 11(4), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040604 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2412
Abstract
We investigated the changes in genetic diversity over time and space of the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for the period pre-1800 to 2021. A substantial panel of 1219 potato varieties, belonging to different spatiotemporal groups, was examined using a set of [...] Read more.
We investigated the changes in genetic diversity over time and space of the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) for the period pre-1800 to 2021. A substantial panel of 1219 potato varieties, belonging to different spatiotemporal groups, was examined using a set of 35 microsatellite markers (SSR). Genotypic data covering a total of 407 alleles was analyzed using both self-organizing map (SOM) and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) de novo and a priori clustering methods, respectively. Data analysis based on different models of genetic structuring provided evidence of (1) at least two early lineages that have been maintained since their initial introduction from the Andes into Europe in the 16th century, followed by later ones coming from reintroduction events from the US in the mid-1800s; (2) a level of diversity that has gradually evolved throughout the studied time periods and areas, with the most modern variety groups encompassing most of the diversity found in earlier decades; (3) the emergence of new genetic groups within the current population due to increases in the use of germplasm enhancement practices using exotic germplasms. In addition, analysis revealed significant genetic differentiation both among and within the spatiotemporal groups of germplasm studied. Our results therefore highlight that no major genetic narrowing events have occurred within the cultivated potato over the past three centuries. On the contrary, the genetic base shows promising signs of improvement, thanks to extensive breeding work that is gaining momentum. This overview could be drawn on not only to understand better how past decisions have impacted the current genetic cultivated potato resources, but also to develop appropriate new strategies for breeding programs consistent with the socio-economic and sustainability challenges faced by agrifood systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Improvement Now and Beyond)
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14 pages, 1687 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Hypothermia and Osmotic Shock on the Electrocardiogram of Adult Zebrafish
by Elodie Arel, Laura Rolland, Jérôme Thireau, Angelo Giovanni Torrente, Emilie Bechard, Jamie Bride, Chris Jopling, Marie Demion and Jean-Yves Le Guennec
Biology 2022, 11(4), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040603 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1826
Abstract
The use of zebrafish to explore cardiac physiology has been widely adopted within the scientific community. Whether this animal model can be used to determine drug cardiac toxicity via electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is still an ongoing question. Several reports indicate that the recording [...] Read more.
The use of zebrafish to explore cardiac physiology has been widely adopted within the scientific community. Whether this animal model can be used to determine drug cardiac toxicity via electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is still an ongoing question. Several reports indicate that the recording configuration severely affects the ECG waveforms and its derived-parameters, emphasizing the need for improved characterization. To address this problem, we recorded ECGs from adult zebrafish hearts in three different configurations (unexposed heart, exposed heart, and extracted heart) to identify the most reliable method to explore ECG recordings at baseline and in response to commonly used clinical therapies. We found that the exposed heart configuration provided the most reliable and reproducible ECG recordings of waveforms and intervals. We were unable to determine T wave morphology in unexposed hearts. In extracted hearts, ECG intervals were lengthened and P waves were unstable. However, in the exposed heart configuration, we were able to reliably record ECGs and subsequently establish the QT-RR relationship (Holzgrefe correction) in response to changes in heart rate. Full article
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13 pages, 768 KiB  
Article
Effects of Chlorophyll a and b in Reducing Genotoxicity of 2-Amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-F]quinoxaline (MeIQx)
by Serap Kocaoğlu Cenkci and Bülent Kaya
Biology 2022, 11(4), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040602 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1391
Abstract
In this study, the protective effects of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b (0.5 and 1 µM) against the heterocyclic amine compound 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx, 4.69 µM, 9.38 µM, 23.45 µM) with somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster are investigated. Chronic applications are [...] Read more.
In this study, the protective effects of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b (0.5 and 1 µM) against the heterocyclic amine compound 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx, 4.69 µM, 9.38 µM, 23.45 µM) with somatic mutation and recombination test in Drosophila melanogaster are investigated. Chronic applications are performed to transheterozygous larvae with respect to two recessive genes, mwh (multiple wing hair) and flr3 (flare), by using Drosophila strains. The genotoxic effects of MeIQx are primarily determined for third instars larvae. In antigenotoxicity studies, two different application groups are constituted. While for the first group doses of chlorophyll a, b, and MeIQx are given to the third instars larvae simultaneously, for the second group doses of MeIQx are applied at the third instars after doses of chlorophyll a and b are given to at the second instars larvae. Chlorophyll a and b are effective in reducing genotoxic effects of MeIQx by both applications on individuals and it is observed that the pretreatment method is much more effective than the simultaneous one. There are similar results for chlorophyll a and b in efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Toxicology)
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26 pages, 15651 KiB  
Review
Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context
by Lara Indra, David Errickson, Alexandria Young and Sandra Lösch
Biology 2022, 11(4), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040601 - 15 Apr 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5289
Abstract
Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the [...] Read more.
Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the deceased. Animal scavenging is a relatively common occurrence in forensic investigations. Even so, studies on the subject are scattered and rare, with most focussing on geographical areas outside of Europe. For that reason, we intend to collate the literature to provide an account of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers in Europe, their impacts on human remains, and their implications for forensic investigations. Here, we provide an overview of forensic aspects where the knowledge of animal scavenging is crucial, as well as an account of potential scavengers of human remains in Europe and their typical alterations to soft tissue and, in particular, to bones. In addition, we are the first to provide a guide for forensic practitioners to identify the presence of vertebrate scavenging and subsequently inform outdoor search strategies for affected human remains. Full article
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16 pages, 7989 KiB  
Article
Traumatic Brain Injury Characteristics Predictive of Subsequent Sleep-Wake Disturbances in Pediatric Patients
by Brittany Gerald, J. Bryce Ortiz, Tabitha R. F. Green, S. Danielle Brown, P. David Adelson, Sean M. Murphy and Rachel K. Rowe
Biology 2022, 11(4), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040600 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2261
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to examine characteristics of TBI and patient demographics that might be predictive of subsequent SWD development. This single-institution retrospective study included patients [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), and to examine characteristics of TBI and patient demographics that might be predictive of subsequent SWD development. This single-institution retrospective study included patients diagnosed with a TBI during 2008–2019 who also had a subsequent diagnosis of an SWD. Data were collected using ICD-9/10 codes for 207 patients and included the following: age at initial TBI, gender, TBI severity, number of TBIs diagnosed prior to SWD diagnosis, type of SWD, and time from initial TBI to SWD diagnosis. Multinomial logit and negative-binomial models were fit to investigate whether the multiple types of SWD and the time to onset of SWD following TBI could be predicted by patient variables. Distributions of SWD diagnosed after TBI were similar between genders. The probability of insomnia increased with increasing patient age. The probability of ‘difficulty sleeping’ was highest in 7–9 year-old TBI patients. Older TBI patients had shorter time to SWD onset than younger patients. Patients with severe TBI had the shortest time to SWD onset, whereas patients with mild or moderate TBI had comparable times to SWD onset. Multiple TBI characteristics and patient demographics were predictive of a subsequent SWD diagnosis in the pediatric population. This is an important step toward increasing education among providers, parents, and patients about the risk of developing SWD following TBI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Neuroscience)
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17 pages, 2508 KiB  
Article
Phylogeny and Metabolic Potential of the Candidate Phylum SAR324
by Lukas Malfertheiner, Clara Martínez-Pérez, Zihao Zhao, Gerhard J. Herndl and Federico Baltar
Biology 2022, 11(4), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040599 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3483
Abstract
The bacterial SAR324 cluster is ubiquitous and abundant in the ocean, especially around hydrothermal vents and in the deep sea, where it can account for up to 30% of the whole bacterial community. According to a new taxonomy generated using multiple universal protein-coding [...] Read more.
The bacterial SAR324 cluster is ubiquitous and abundant in the ocean, especially around hydrothermal vents and in the deep sea, where it can account for up to 30% of the whole bacterial community. According to a new taxonomy generated using multiple universal protein-coding genes (instead of the previously used 16S rRNA single gene marker), the former Deltaproteobacteria cluster SAR324 has been classified since 2018 as its own phylum. Yet, very little is known about its phylogeny and metabolic potential. We downloaded all publicly available SAR324 genomes (65) from all natural environments and reconstructed 18 new genomes using publicly available oceanic metagenomic data and unpublished data from the waters underneath the Ross Ice Shelf. We calculated a global SAR324 phylogenetic tree and identified six clusters (namely 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D) within this clade. Genome annotation and metatranscriptome read mapping showed that SAR324 clades possess a flexible array of genes suited for survival in various environments. Clades 2A and 2C are mostly present in the surface mesopelagic layers of global oceans, while clade 2D dominates in deeper regions. Our results show that SAR324 has a very versatile and broad metabolic potential, including many heterotrophic, but also autotrophic pathways. While one surface water associated clade (2A) seems to use proteorhodopsin to gain energy from solar radiation, some deep-sea genomes from clade 2D contain the complete Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle gene repertoire to fix carbon. This, in addition to a variety of other genes and pathways for both oxic (e.g., dimethylsulfoniopropionate degradation) and anoxic (e.g., dissimilatory sulfate reduction, anaerobic benzoate degradation) conditions, can help explain the ubiquitous presence of SAR324 in aquatic habitats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Ecology and Evolution in Extreme Environments)
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17 pages, 1924 KiB  
Article
Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus avium Isolated from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Romania—Retrospective Study and Brief Review
by Dan Alexandru Toc, Stanca Lucia Pandrea, Alexandru Botan, Razvan Marian Mihaila, Carmen Anca Costache, Ioana Alina Colosi and Lia Monica Junie
Biology 2022, 11(4), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040598 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4282
Abstract
(1) Background: This paper aims to provide a description of non-faecalis non-faecium enterococci isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Romania and to briefly review the existing literature regarding the involvement of Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus avium in human infections [...] Read more.
(1) Background: This paper aims to provide a description of non-faecalis non-faecium enterococci isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Romania and to briefly review the existing literature regarding the involvement of Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus avium in human infections and their antimicrobial resistance patterns; (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all Enteroccocus species isolated from the “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology from Cluj-Napoca during one year focusing on non-faecalis non-faecium Enterococci. A brief review of the literature was performed using case reports involving Enterococcus raffinosus, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus avium; (3) Results: Only 58 out of 658 Enteroccocus isolates were non-faecalis non-faecium and met the inclusion criteria. These species were isolated more often (p < 0.05) from the surgical ward from mixed etiology infections with E. coli. In our review, we included 39 case reports involving E. raffinosus, E. durans and E. avium; (4) Conclusions: Isolation of non-faecalis non-faecium enterococci displays an emerging trend with crucial healthcare consequences. Based on the analysis of the case reports, E. avium seems to be involved more often in neurological infections, E. durans in endocarditis, while E. raffinosus displays a more heterogenous distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Diversity and Microbial Resistance)
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24 pages, 2575 KiB  
Review
An Insight into Abiotic Stress and Influx Tolerance Mechanisms in Plants to Cope in Saline Environments
by Zarmina Gul, Zhong-Hua Tang, Muhammad Arif and Zhang Ye
Biology 2022, 11(4), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040597 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 4398
Abstract
Salinity is significant abiotic stress that affects the majority of agricultural, irrigated, and cultivated land. It is an issue of global importance, causing many socio-economic problems. Salt stress mainly occurs due to two factors: (1) soil type and (2) irrigation water. It is [...] Read more.
Salinity is significant abiotic stress that affects the majority of agricultural, irrigated, and cultivated land. It is an issue of global importance, causing many socio-economic problems. Salt stress mainly occurs due to two factors: (1) soil type and (2) irrigation water. It is a major environmental constraint, limiting crop growth, plant productivity, and agricultural yield. Soil salinity is a major problem that considerably distorts ecological habitats in arid and semi-arid regions. Excess salts in the soil affect plant nutrient uptake and osmotic balance, leading to osmotic and ionic stress. Plant adaptation or tolerance to salinity stress involves complex physiological traits, metabolic pathways, the production of enzymes, compatible solutes, metabolites, and molecular or genetic networks. Different plant species have different salt overly sensitive pathways and high-affinity K+ channel transporters that maintain ion homeostasis. However, little progress has been made in developing salt-tolerant crop varieties using different breeding approaches. This review highlights the interlinking of plant morpho-physiological, molecular, biochemical, and genetic approaches to produce salt-tolerant plant species. Most of the research emphasizes the significance of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stressors. Plant growth, survival, and yield can be stabilized by utilizing this knowledge using different breeding and agronomical techniques. This information marks existing research areas and future gaps that require more attention to reveal new salt tolerance determinants in plants—in the future, creating genetically modified plants could help increase crop growth and the toleration of saline environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Physiological and Molecular Basis of Stress Tolerance in Plants)
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21 pages, 44852 KiB  
Article
Commonly Prescribed Anticoagulants Exert Anticancer Effects in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells In Vitro
by Li-Qiao R. Ling, Zichen Lin, Rita Paolini, Camile S. Farah, Michael McCullough, Mathew A. W. T. Lim and Antonio Celentano
Biology 2022, 11(4), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040596 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2920
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer. With anticoagulant usage on the rise, it is important to elucidate their potential effects on tumour biology and interactions with chemotherapeutics. The aim of the present study was to investigate [...] Read more.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck cancer. With anticoagulant usage on the rise, it is important to elucidate their potential effects on tumour biology and interactions with chemotherapeutics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anticoagulants on OSCC cell lines and their interactions with the drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Cell proliferation was assessed using an MTS in vitro assay in two human OSCC cell lines (H357/H400) and in normal oral keratinocytes (OKF6) treated with the 5-FU (0.2/1/5/10 μg/mL), conventional anticoagulants warfarin (1/5/10/20 μM) and heparin (5/20/80 U), as well as four new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran (5/10/20 μM), rivaroxaban (5/10/20 μM), apixaban (0.1/1/5 μg/mL), and edoxaban (5/10/20 μM). Cell migration was assessed at 3 h intervals up to18 h using a wound healing assay. Our results clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that commonly prescribed anticoagulants exert in vitro antiproliferative effects on OSCC cells. Furthermore, treatment with some anticoagulants reduced the migration of OSCC cell lines. Nevertheless, most of the anticoagulants tested reduced the effectiveness of the chemotherapeutic agent tested, 5-FU, highlighting potential flaws in the current pharmacological management of these patients. Our findings showed the need for the immediate translation of this research to preclinical animal models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Patho-Mechanisms Associated with Oral Autoimmune Disease and Cancer)
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13 pages, 1392 KiB  
Article
SERPINE1 rs6092 Variant Is Related to Plasma Coagulation Proteins in Patients with Severe COVID-19 from a Tertiary Care Hospital
by Ingrid Fricke-Galindo, Ivette Buendia-Roldan, Leslie Chavez-Galan, Gloria Pérez-Rubio, Rafael de Jesús Hernández-Zenteno, Espiridión Ramos-Martinez, Armando Zazueta-Márquez, Felipe Reyes-Melendres, Aimé Alarcón-Dionet, Javier Guzmán-Vargas, Omar Andrés Bravo-Gutiérrez, Teresa Quintero-Puerta, Ilse Adriana Gutiérrez-Pérez, Alejandro Ortega-Martínez, Enrique Ambrocio-Ortiz, Karol J. Nava-Quiroz, José Luis Bañuelos-Flores, María Esther Jaime-Capetillo, Mayra Mejía, Jorge Rojas-Serrano and Ramcés Falfán-Valenciaadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Biology 2022, 11(4), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040595 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3208
Abstract
An impaired coagulation process has been described in patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Nevertheless, the implication of coagulation-related genes has not been explored. We aimed to evaluate the impact of F5 rs6025 and SERPINE1 rs6092 on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) [...] Read more.
An impaired coagulation process has been described in patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Nevertheless, the implication of coagulation-related genes has not been explored. We aimed to evaluate the impact of F5 rs6025 and SERPINE1 rs6092 on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) requirement and the levels of coagulation proteins among patients with severe COVID-19. Four-hundred fifty-five patients with severe COVID-19 were genotyped using TaqMan assays. Coagulation-related proteins (P-Selectin, D-dimer, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1, tissue plasminogen activator [tPA], plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and Factor IX) were assessed by cytometric bead arrays in one- and two-time determinations. Accordingly, SERPINE1 rs6092, P-Selectin (GG 385 pg/mL vs. AG+AA 632 pg/mL, p = 0.0037), and tPA (GG 1858 pg/mL vs. AG+AA 2546 pg/mL, p = 0.0284) levels were different. Patients carrying the CT F5-rs6025 genotype exhibited lower levels of factor IX (CC 17,136 pg/mL vs. CT 10,247 pg/mL, p = 0.0355). Coagulation proteins were also different among IMV patients than non-IMV. PSGL-1 levels were significantly increased in the late stage of COVID-19 (>10 days). The frequencies of F5 rs6025 and SERPINE1 rs6092 variants were not different among IMV and non-IMV. The SERPINE1 rs6092 variant is related to the impaired coagulation process in patients with COVID-19 severe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Regulation of Inflammatory Diseases)
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16 pages, 1583 KiB  
Article
Optimisation of Biomass Production and Nutritional Value of Two Marine Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), Skeletonema costatum and Chaetoceros calcitrans
by Carolina R. V. Bastos, Inês B. Maia, Hugo Pereira, João Navalho and João C. S. Varela
Biology 2022, 11(4), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040594 - 14 Apr 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3498
Abstract
S. costatum and C. calcitrans are two cosmopolitan high-value centric diatoms, with a rich nutritional profile. The following work optimised the culture medium of S. costatum and C. calcitrans cultures, respectively, in a stepwise process as follows: 2.4 mM and 1.2 mM of [...] Read more.
S. costatum and C. calcitrans are two cosmopolitan high-value centric diatoms, with a rich nutritional profile. The following work optimised the culture medium of S. costatum and C. calcitrans cultures, respectively, in a stepwise process as follows: 2.4 mM and 1.2 mM of silicate, 4 mM of nitrate, 100 µM of phosphate, 20 and 80 µM iron, and 0.5 mL L−1 of micronutrients. The results that were obtained revealed an increase in biomass productivity with a 1.8- and 3.2-fold increase in biomass that was produced by S. costatum and C. calcitrans, respectively. The biochemical profile showed an increase in high-value PUFAs such as 2.6-fold and 2.3-fold increase in EPA for S. costatum and C. calcitrans, respectively, whilst a 2.6-fold increase in DHA was detected in S. costatum cultures. The present work provides the basic tools for the industrial cultivation of S. costatum and C. calcitrans with enhanced productivity as well as improved biomass quality, two factors which are highly relevant for a more effective application of these diatoms to aquaculture and nutraceutical production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Microalgae Biotechnology)
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12 pages, 1178 KiB  
Article
Acute Effect of Electromyostimulation Superimposed on Running on Maximal Velocity, Metabolism, and Perceived Exertion
by Holger Stephan, Thorsten Hagedorn, Udo Frank Wehmeier, Fabian Tomschi and Thomas Hilberg
Biology 2022, 11(4), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040593 - 14 Apr 2022
Viewed by 1646
Abstract
Electromyostimulation has been shown to intensify exercise when superimposed on cycling. However, little is known about the application during running, which might help to prevent injuries linked to high running volumes, as intensification of running allows for a reduction in training volume. Therefore, [...] Read more.
Electromyostimulation has been shown to intensify exercise when superimposed on cycling. However, little is known about the application during running, which might help to prevent injuries linked to high running volumes, as intensification of running allows for a reduction in training volume. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the effects of electromyostimulation superimposed on running. Men who were no younger than 18 and no older than 35 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Exclusion criteria were previous experience with electromyostimulation training, the presence of a contraindication according to the manufacturer, or a contraindication to physical activity. A sample of 22 healthy males with an ordinary performance capability accomplished three similar cardiopulmonary treadmill tests until exhaustion in a crossover study design that included lactate measurements and interrogations of perceived exertion. The first test was conducted without electromyostimulation and was followed in a randomized order by the second and the third test condition with 30 or 85 Hz stimulation, respectively, of the lower body. Superimposed electromyostimulation significantly reduced the maximal achieved velocity (control 15.6 ± 1.1 vs. 30 Hz 15.1 ± 1.2, p = 0.002; vs. 85 Hz 14.9 ± 1.1 km/h, p < 0.001), increased the perceived exertion at 10, 12 and 14 km/h (85 Hz + 0.7, p = 0.036; +0.9, p = 0.007; +1.3, p < 0.001; 30 Hz + 0.7, p = 0.025; +1.0, p = 0.002; +1.2, p < 0.001), and induced a significantly higher oxygen uptake at 8 km/h (85 Hz + 1.1, p = 0.006; 30 Hz + 0.9 mL·min−1·kg−1, p = 0.042), 10 km/h (30 Hz + 0.9 mL·min−1·kg−1, p = 0.032), and 14 km/h (85 Hz + 1.0 mL·min−1·kg−1, p = 0.011). Both electromyostimulation conditions significantly limited the maximal lactate level (30 Hz p = 0.046; 85 Hz p < 0.001) and 85 Hz also the recovery lactate level (p < 0.001). Superimposed electromyostimulation is feasible and intensifies running. Coaches and athletes could benefit from the increased training stimulus by reducing running velocity or volume, by combining endurance and strength training, and also by inducing better adaptations while maintaining the same velocity or volume. Therefore, electromyostimulation superimposed on running could be an interesting training tool for runners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Extreme Sport on Body Functions)
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19 pages, 2307 KiB  
Article
The Self-Organization of Marine Microbial Networks under Evolutionary and Ecological Processes: Observations and Modeling
by Zhenghua Liu, Jianjun Wang, Delong Meng, Liangzhi Li, Xueduan Liu, Yabing Gu, Qingyun Yan, Chengying Jiang and Huaqun Yin
Biology 2022, 11(4), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040592 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1801
Abstract
Evolutionary and ecological processes are primary drivers of ecological network constrictions. However, the ways that these processes underpin self-organization and modularity in networks are poorly understood. Here, we performed network analyses to explore the evolutionary and ecological effects on global marine microbial co-occurrence [...] Read more.
Evolutionary and ecological processes are primary drivers of ecological network constrictions. However, the ways that these processes underpin self-organization and modularity in networks are poorly understood. Here, we performed network analyses to explore the evolutionary and ecological effects on global marine microbial co-occurrence networks across multiple network levels, including those of nodes, motifs, modules and whole networks. We found that both direct and indirect species interactions were evolutionarily and ecologically constrained across at least four network levels. Compared to ecological processes, evolutionary processes generally showed stronger long-lasting effects on indirect interactions and dominated the network assembly of particle-associated communities in spatially homogeneous environments. Regarding the large network path distance, the contributions of either processes to species interactions generally decrease and almost disappear when network path distance is larger than six. Accordingly, we developed a novel mathematical model based on scale-free networks by considering the joint effects of evolutionary and ecological processes. We simulated the self-organization of microbial co-occurrence networks and found that long-lasting effects increased network stability via decreasing link gain or loss. Overall, these results revealed that evolutionary and ecological processes played key roles in the self-organization and modularization of microbial co-occurrence networks. Full article
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11 pages, 1359 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Fluctuations Entrain the Circadian Rhythm of Locomotor Activity in Zebrafish: Can Cryptochrome Be Involved?
by Viacheslav V. Krylov, Evgeny I. Izvekov, Vera V. Pavlova, Natalia A. Pankova and Elena A. Osipova
Biology 2022, 11(4), 591; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040591 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2403
Abstract
In the 1960s, it was hypothesized that slow magnetic fluctuations could be a secondary zeitgeber for biological circadian rhythms. However, no comprehensive experimental research has been carried out to test the entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by this zeitgeber. We studied the circadian [...] Read more.
In the 1960s, it was hypothesized that slow magnetic fluctuations could be a secondary zeitgeber for biological circadian rhythms. However, no comprehensive experimental research has been carried out to test the entrainment of free-running circadian rhythms by this zeitgeber. We studied the circadian patterns of the locomotor activity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) under different combinations of light regimes and slow magnetic fluctuations, based on a record of natural geomagnetic variation. A rapid synchronization of activity rhythms to an unusual 24:12 light/dark cycle was found under magnetic fluctuations with a period of 36 h. Under constant illumination, significant locomotor activity rhythms with 26.17 h and 33.07 h periods were registered in zebrafish exposed to magnetic fluctuations of 26.8 h and 33.76 h, respectively. The results reveal the potential of magnetic fluctuations for entrainment of circadian rhythms in zebrafish and genuine prospects to manipulate circadian oscillators via magnetic fields. The putative mechanisms responsible for the entrainment are discussed, including the possible role of cryptochromes. Full article
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26 pages, 2094 KiB  
Article
Prostanoid Signaling in Cancers: Expression and Regulation Patterns of Enzymes and Receptors
by Pavel V. Ershov, Evgeniy O. Yablokov, Leonid A. Kaluzhskiy, Yuri V. Mezentsev and Alexis S. Ivanov
Biology 2022, 11(4), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11040590 - 13 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2970
Abstract
Cancer-associated disturbance of prostanoid signaling provides an aberrant accumulation of prostanoids. This signaling consists of 19 target genes, encoding metabolic enzymes and G-protein-coupled receptors, and prostanoids (prostacyclin, thromboxane, and prostaglandins E2, F, D2, H2). The [...] Read more.
Cancer-associated disturbance of prostanoid signaling provides an aberrant accumulation of prostanoids. This signaling consists of 19 target genes, encoding metabolic enzymes and G-protein-coupled receptors, and prostanoids (prostacyclin, thromboxane, and prostaglandins E2, F, D2, H2). The study addresses the systems biology analysis of target genes in 24 solid tumors using a data mining pipeline. We analyzed differential expression patterns of genes and proteins, promoter methylation status as well as tissue-specific master regulators and microRNAs. Tumor types were clustered into several groups according to gene expression patterns. Target genes were characterized as low mutated in tumors, with the exception of melanoma. We found at least six ubiquitin ligases and eight protein kinases that post-translationally modified the most connected proteins PTGES3 and PTGIS. Models of regulation of PTGIS and PTGIR gene expression in lung and uterine cancers were suggested. For the first time, we found associations between the patient’s overall survival rates with nine multigene transcriptomics signatures in eight tumors. Expression patterns of each of the six target genes have predictive value with respect to cytostatic therapy response. One of the consequences of the study is an assumption of prostanoid-dependent (or independent) tumor phenotypes. Thus, pharmacologic targeting the prostanoid signaling could be a probable additional anticancer strategy. Full article
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