Chitinase plays an important role in plant resistance against chitin containing pathogens by degrading chitin. Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is a major disease in cruciferous crops worldwide, including vegetable and rapeseed. Chitin is the main component of P. brassicae spore cell walls, chitinases can enhance the plant’s defense system as they act on chitin. However, the function of chitinases in P. brassicae has not reported. Here, we found that chitin is the functional component of P. brassicae by wheat germ agglutinin staining and commercial chitinase treatment . Chitin extracted from resting spores of P. brassicae was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermo gravimetry analysis.The chitinase PbChia1 was identified by chitin pull-down assays combined with LC-MS/MS method. We also showed that PbChia1 was a typical secreted chitinase, could bind to chitin and showed chitinase activity in vitro, significantly degrade the number of resting spores of P. brassicae and significantly relieve the severity of clubroot symptom, the biocontrol effect was 61.29%. Overexpression of PbChia1 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in susceptibility to P. brassicae, increase host survival rate and seed yields, and transgenic plants enhanced in chitin-triggered reactive oxygen species burst, MAPK activation and expression of immune-related genes. PbChia1 transgenic plants showed resistance to other pathogens, such as biotrophic bacteria Pst DC3000, necrotrophic fungi Sclerotinia sclerotiorum 1980 and Rhizoctonia solani. The findings indicate that chitinases PbChia1 is a candidate gene with potential application for broad spectrum disease resistance in breeding plants to prevent clubroot.

Studies across a broad range of disciplines–from psychiatry to cognitive science to behavioral neuroscience–have reported on whether the magnitude of contrast sensitivity alterations in one group or condition varies with spatial frequency. Significant interactions have often gone unexplained or have been used to argue for impairments in specific processing streams. Here, we show that interactions with spatial frequency may need to be re-evaluated if the inherent skew/heteroscedasticity was not taken into account or if refractive error could plausibly differ across groups or conditions. By re-analyzing a publicly available data set, we show that–when using raw contrast sensitivity data–schizophrenia patients exhibit an apparent contrast sensitivity impairment at low, but not high, spatial frequencies, but that when using log-transformed data or when using generalized estimating equations, this interaction reversed. The reversed interaction, but not the overall contrast sensitivity deficit, would disappear if groups were matched on visual acuity. However, matching groups in this way is probably only defensible if acuity differences arise from optical blur. These analyses reconcile seemingly discrepant findings in the literature and demonstrate that properly reporting contrast sensitivity interactions with spatial frequency requires accounting for refraction error and skew/heteroscedasticity.

The mutualism between plants and pollinators is built upon the trophic ecology of flowers and florivores. Yet the ecology of flowers-as-food is left implicit in most studies of plant-pollinator ecology, and it has been largely neglected in mainstream trophic ecology. This deficit is especially evident in an emerging issue of basic and applied significance: competition between pollinators for floral resources. In this synthesis, we start by exploring the notion of floral resource limitation upon which most studies concerning competition between pollinators are tacitly predicated. Both theoretical and empirical lines of evidence indicate that floral resource limitation must be understood as a complex ecological contingency; the question is not whether but when, where, and in what regions of floral trait space resources are limiting. Based on this premise, we propose a framework for understanding floral resource availability in terms of temporal, spatial, and functional structure. While this framework is conceptually intuitive, it is empirically and analytically demanding. We review existing methods for measuring and summarizing the multi-dimensional structure of floral resources, highlight their strengths and weakness, and identify opportunities for future methods development. We then discuss the causal relationships linking floral resource structure to species coexistence, plant-pollinator community dynamics, and exogenous drivers like climate, land use, and episodic disturbances. In its role as both cause and effect, floral resource structure mediates the relationship between behavioral ecology, landscape ecology, and coexistence theory with respect to flowers and florivores. Establishing floral resource structure as an object of study and application will both shed light on basic questions of community ecology and guide management decisions concerning contentious issues such as the compatibility of apiculture with wild pollinator conservation and the appropriate use of floral enhancements in agri-environment schemes.

Mirror Visual Feedback (MVF)-induced illusion of hand movements produces beneficial effects in patients with chronic pain. However, neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly known. Here we hypothesized that such an MVF-induced movement illusion may exert its effects by changing the activity in midline cortical areas of the pain neural matrix. Electrical stimuli with individually fixed intensity were applied to the left hand in healthy adults to produce painful and non-painful sensations during unilateral right-hand movements with such an MVF illusion and right and bilateral hand movements without MVF. During these events, electroencephalographic (EEG) activity was recorded from 64 scalp electrodes. Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of EEG alpha rhythms (8-12 Hz) indexed the neurophysiological oscillatory mechanisms inducing cortical activation. As compared to the painful sensations, the non-painful sensations were specifically characterized by (1) lower alpha ERD estimated in the cortical midline, angular gyrus, and lateral parietal regions during the experimental condition with MVF and (2) higher alpha ERD estimated in the lateral prefrontal and parietal regions during the control conditions without MVF. These core results suggest that the MVF-induced movement illusion may affect nociception and neurophysiological oscillatory mechanisms reducing the activation in cortical limbic and default mode regions.

The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with iron deficiency anemia is rare and underappreciated. In this case study, a 29-year-old presented with pleuritic chest pain. She was subsequently diagnosed with PE, due to IDA, which is attributed to heavy menstrual bleeding

Basal ganglia calcifications have been linked to a wide range of causes. Mostly it is an idiopathic finding, especially in elderly. Endocrinological and neurological disorders are major causatives. Hyperthyroidism was not related to this finding. We present a case of incidental basal ganglia calcification in man with Grave's disease.

Masked polycythemia vera due to iron deficiency anemiaKoma Hotta, MD1, Ryotaro Niwa, MD21Department of General Internal Medicine, Takatsuki Hospital, Osaka, Japan2Department of Hematology, Japanese Red Cross Takatsuki Hospital, Osaka, Japan

Due to the length of the reserve crown and roots of equine cheek teeth, especially in younger horses, their extraction (exodontia) can be a challenging procedure with the potential for many types of post-extraction complications to develop. The prevalence of post-extraction complications is greatly influenced by the exodontia technique used, with unacceptably high levels of complications with the traditional repulsion technique and conversely, low levels of complications with oral extraction performed by skilled operators. Recent objective studies on post-exodontia problems in horses have also highlighted some risk factors for the development of post-extraction problems including exodontia of rostral mandibular teeth in young horses, and exodontia of teeth with apical infections The recent recognition that some non-healing post-extraction equine alveoli suffer from a disorder very similar to dry socket in humans, may help clinicians to recognise, treat and possibly help prevent this disorder.

Manuscript Title: Atrial paced beat rocks the boat of a broad QRS tachycardia causing AVVA response. What is the mechanism?Key words: Atriofascicular pathway, BBRVT, dual AV nodal physiology

Introduction: The cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves outcome in patients with heart failure (HF). However approximately 30% of patients are non-responsive to CRT. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the left ventricle (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony (MD) and scar burden assessment as predictors of CRT response. Methods: We included in the study 56 sinus rhythm patients (male 35 [62.5 %], mean age 57.0 ± 11.5 years) with ischemic or nonischemic HF, and left bundle branch block with QRS duration ≥ 150 ms who underwent CRT-D implantation. Echocardiography, full physical examination, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile and gated blood pool single-photon emission computed tomography (gBPS) were performed at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Patients were grouped based on the response to CRT assessed by echocardiography. Results: Forty-five patients (80.3 %) were responder (RESP) and 11 (19.7 %) were non-responder (non-RESP) to CRT. RESP patients had higher LV anterior wall standard deviation (LV AW_SD) (p=0.0001) and lower summed rest score (SRS) (p=0.018) than non-RESP subjects. In multivariate logistic regression, LV AW_SD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.5275; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1472-2.0340; p=0.0037), SRS (OR 0.7299; 95% CI 0.5627-0.9469; p=0.0178) and HF non-ischemic etiology (OR 20.1425; 95% CI 1.2719-318.9961; p=0.0331) were independent predictors of CRT response. Conclusion: Ventricle dyssynchrony and scar burden assessed by cardiac gBPS and MPI are associated with response to CRT. Further investigations of their predictive significance are warranted.

Objects Recently, the involvement of basophils and IgE-type autoantibodies in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been elucidated using mouse models; however, few studies have been conducted in humans. In this study, the role of basophils and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) IgE in SLE was examined using human samples. Methods The correlation between disease activity and serum levels of anti-dsDNA IgE in SLE was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cytokines produced by IgE-stimulated basophils from healthy subjects were assessed using RNA sequences. The interaction of basophils and B cells to promote B cell differentiation was investigated using a co-culture system. The ability of basophils from patients with SLE with anti-dsDNA IgE to create cytokines promoting B cell differentiation in response to dsDNA was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Anti-dsDNA IgE levels in the serum of patients with SLE correlated with disease activity. Healthy donor basophils produced IL-3, IL-4, and TGF-β1 after anti-IgE stimulation. Co-culture of B cells with anti-IgE-stimulated basophils increased plasmablasts which were cancelled by neutralizing IL-4. After encountering the antigen, basophils released IL-4 more quickly than follicular helper T cells. Basophils isolated from patients with anti-dsDNA IgE promoted IL-4 expression by adding dsDNA. Conclusions These results suggest that basophils contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE by promoting B cell differentiation via dsDNA-specific IgE in patients similar to the process described in mouse models.

Title: Ecogeographic drivers of the spatial spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in Europe and North America, 2016-2022Authors: Jonathon D. Gass, Jr.1,2, Nichola J. Hill3, Elena N. Naumova4, Felicia B. Nutter1, Jonathan A. Runstadler11 Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA2 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA3 Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Boston, MA, USA4 Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USACorresponding author email: Jonathon.gass@tufts.eduSummary H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4. have caused outbreaks in Europe since 2016, and most recently these viruses were introduced to North America via avian migratory transport in December 2021. We sought to analyze the spatiotemporal extent of these viruses within the two continent outbreak system, and to characterize predictors of virus spread between geographic regions through a Bayesian phylodynamic generalized linear model (phylodynamic-GLM). Findings from this study reveal for the first time the geographic extent and directionality of the H5Nx HPAI virus outbreak system in Europe and North America during 2016-2022. Data demonstrate localized epidemics of H5Nx throughout Europe in the first several years of the epizootic, followed by a singular branching point where H5N1 viruses were introduced to North America via wild migratory birds, likely via stopover locations in the North Atlantic. Once in the US, H5Nx HPAI viruses spread at a greater rate between US-based regions along migratory flyways, and no evidence points to spread back to any European region. Our GLM demonstrated that geographic proximity is a predictor of virus spread between regions, which implies that inter-continental transport across the Atlantic is relatively rare and may require northward virus movement that coincides with spring migration of susceptible avian species to regions in the North Atlantic, possibly Iceland and Greenland. Finally, mean change in precipitation at destinations of viral transitions along phylogenetic branches was predicted to reduce H5Nx HPAI virus spread, which may reflect the effect of climate change on declines in host species abundance or changes in migratory patterns as a result of ecological alterations. Our data provide new knowledge about the spread and directionality of H5Nx HPAI virus dispersal in Europe and North America during an actively evolving outbreak, including predictors of virus movement between regions, which will contribute to surveillance and mitigation strategies as the outbreak unfolds, and in future instances of uncontained avian spread of HPAI viruses.Keywords: Influenza A virus, North Atlantic, wild birds, phylodynamic-GLM, outbreak, spatial spread

The current practice of treating cancer is a one-size-fits-all approach, in which patients with the same type and stage of cancer receive the same treatment. This approach is ineffective 75% of the time. With microRNA (miRNA) having been identified as a key biomarker of cancer, precision therapeutics based on miRNA should provide the highest specificity and sensitivity by virtue of their cancer-specific expression and stability. However, identifying particular miRNAs that play a key role in driving cancer remains a challenge, as the expression of some types of miRNAs is found to be significantly different between normal tissues and tumor tissues. The focus of this research is to create a pan-cancer solution using machine learning to identify key miRNAs as biomarkers of cancer, and predict drug combinations based on miRNA. Data from 23 cancer types from The Cancer Genome was used. Top miRNAs were identified as key biomarkers using ExtraTreesClassifier, and were validated through functional enrichment analysis and survival analysis. Three different models were implemented using Multi-label ML algorithms: K-NearestNeighbors, AdaBoostClassifier, and OneVsRestClassifier, with OneVsRestClassifier yielding the highest accuracy. The final model was tuned using cross validation and a novel Median Scoring Method, based on F1 Score, Jaccard Score, and Accuracy Score. The resulting solution overcomes the challenges of monotherapy and allows oncologists to prescribe anti-cancer drug combinations with high accuracy based on patients' miRNAs, yielding higher survivability.

Prenatal stress exposure (PSE) has been observed to exert a programming effect on the developing infant brain, possibly with long-lasting consequences on temperament, cognitive functions and the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. Several prior studies have revealed that PSE associates with alterations in neonate functional connectivity in the prefrontal regions and amygdala. In this study, we explored whether maternal psychological symptoms measured during the 24th gestational week had associations with neonate resting-state network metrics. 21 neonates (9 female) underwent resting-state fMRI scanning (mean gestation-corrected age at scan 26.95 days) to assess fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). The ReHO/fALFF maps were used in multiple regression analysis to investigate whether maternal self-reported anxiety and/or depressive symptoms associate with neonate functional brain features. Maternal psychological distress (composite score of depressive and anxiety symptoms) was positively associated with fALFF in the neonate medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed separately, exhibited similar but weaker associations. Post hoc seed-based connectivity analyses further showed that distal connectivity of mPFC covaried with PSE. No associations were found between neonate ReHo and PSE. These results offer preliminary evidence that PSE may affect functional features of the developing brain during gestation.

To enable the people involved in a software development process to communicate and reason close to their area of knowledge, we are investigating a method to formalize and integrate knowledge of multiple domains into domain models and into specifications in terms of those domain models. For this purpose, we have previously defined a set of method objectives, and an initial version of the method –called MuDForM. This paper reports on the methodical support for using a domain model as terminology to define other specifications, and feature specifications in particular. We performed a case study to validate how well the method helps in the specification of processes and to realize the case-specific objectives of the customer. The case study pertains to the formalization of the ISO26262 standard for functional safety in the automotive domain. We found that our method is suitable to systematically formalize a process that is described in natural language, such that there is a clear separation of domain-specific concepts, unambiguous process specifications, and concepts from outside the domain and process of interest. We have extended our method with concepts, steps, and guidelines for grammatical analysis, for the formalization of constraints, and for the specification of processes. The case-specific results are the unambiguous specification of a part of the ISO26262 processes.

Path planning of dual-arm robot is very complicated, and the efficiency of traditional algorithms is low. To solve this problem, the FT-heaps-A* algorithm is presented in this letter. A new parameter ‘FT’ is introduced to avoid the invalid path nodes in the high-dimensional environments. Then, the time required to maintain the open table structure is reduced by splitting the open table. Thus, the efficiency of path planning for the single manipulator is improved. Based on the above improved A* algorithm, a time series A* (TSA*) algorithm is proposed to plan the obstacle avoidance path of the dual-arm robot. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has higher path quality and efficiency than the traditional algorithms.

The application of new energy sources has a significant impact on the stability of power systems. In order to realize the coordinated design of multiple Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices in the wind-PV-thermal-bundled (WPTB) power transmission system to suppress the low-frequency oscillation (LFO) of the system. In this paper, the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and the Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) with additional power oscillation damping controller (PODC) are designed based on the tie-line transmission power signal to enhance the improvement effect of FACTS devices on system stability. The objective function is constructed by considering the transient voltage stability of the WPTB power transmission system, the real part of the eigenvalues and damping level of the LFO modes. And the coordinated and optimized design of Power System Stabilizer (PSS), SSSC-POD and STATCOM-POD is performed by the hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm (PSO-GA) and pattern analysis theory of LFO. Finally, the effectiveness of the designed parameter optimization method is verified by simulation under various operating conditions, including new energy unit output change and tie-line transmission power change.

Background. Endomertrial adenocarcinoma (EC) with early stage, high grade is rare seen metastasis. Here, we describe a unique case of axillary lymph node and breast metastasis from high grade endomertrial adenocarcinoma after a 4-year period. Cases. We presented a case of a 60-year-old woman with EC and received surgery in 2013. However, a metastatic tumor appeared at the axillary lymph node and the breast 4 years after surgery. Then she received an operation and 6 cycles adjuvant chemotherapy. 31 months following, she is alive without disease. Conclusions. A correct diagnosis should be made by combining the patient’s past clinical history, morphologic and immunohistochemical test results. Knowledge of this rare metastatic site will help the physician make the correct diagnosis.

Objectives: This study examines the epidemiological trend of gastric cancer (GC) in all Saudi Arabian administrative areas. It examines the incidence of diagnosed cases, the age-specific incidence rate (AIR), the crude incidence rate (CIR), and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) stratified by age group, year of diagnosis, and region. Methods: From 2004 to 2017, a retrospective descriptive epidemiological study of all GC cases recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) was conducted. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the sex ratio using version 20.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 4,066 GC cases were reported in the SCR. Riyadh, Najran, and Eastern Region had the highest overall ASIR of GC among males and females in Saudi Arabia (Males: 4.0, 3.8, and 3.8; Females: 2.6, 2.3 and 2.2 per 100,000 people). In contrast, Jazan had the lowest overall ASIR of GC among Saudi males and females (1.5 and 0.5 per 100,000 people, respectively). However, the overall ASIR of GC was statistically higher in men than in women (P-value 0.05), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.8 per 100,000 in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: There was a small decline in the CIRs and ASIRs of GC in Saudi Arabia Between 2004 and 2017. Riyadh, Najran, and the Eastern Region had the greatest prevalence of GC among males and females in Saudi Arabia. Men and women in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, were shown to be the least impacted by GC. In Saudi Arabia, the rates of GC were substantially greater among males than among females.

Background and methods: Around 5-20% of patients who undergo surgery for advanced gastric cancer have peritoneal carcinomatosis. Peritoneal recurrence rate is 10-54%, which is associated with poor prognosis. The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in advanced gastric cancer is not clearly defined. We conducted a meta-analysis, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, of the clinical trials and high-quality non-randomized studies evaluating the role of HIPEC in AGC over the last 10 years. Clinical data including overall survival, recurrence-free survival, overall recurrence rate, peritoneal recurrence rate, and complications analyzed using RevMan5.4. Results: Six randomized controlled trials and 10 nonrandomized studies, comprising a total of 1700 patients were included. HIPEC was associated with significantly improved OS at 3 (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.17-3.05) and 5 years (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.29-2.71). HIPEC was associated with reduced overall recurrence (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.80) and peritoneal recurrence (OR 0.22, 95% 0.11-0.47). HIPEC was not associated with increased complications. The occurrence of postoperative renal dysfunction was significantly higher in the HIPEC group (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.85-8.38). Conclusion: HIPEC may improve survival rates and reduce recurrence rates in patients with AGC, without any significant increase in complications with a favorable impact on survival.

Objective: The aims of this study were to establish a mathematical model to predict intrauterine adhesion (IUA) prognosis based on 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Design：Derivate retrospectively and validate prospectively. Setting: University affiliated hospitals Population: 668 IUA in the derivation cohort and 426 IUA in the validation cohort. Methods: Logistic regression analysis was used to develop prediction models to forecast the live birth rate following HA according to postoperative 3D-TVUS characteristics and hysteroscopy characteristics. The performance of each of the prediction models was compared by calculating the area under the curve (AUC). A nomogram was then constructed for the excellent model. Main Outcome Measures: General clinical information, 3D-TVUS characteristics and hysteroscopy characteristics. Results: Live birth was achieved by 242 IUA patients in the derivation cohort (n = 668) and by 150 in the validation cohort (n = 426). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the AUC for the models based on 3D-TVUS characteristics in the derivation and validation cohorts were 0.8506 and 0.8963, respectively, which was better than the models based on hysteroscopy characteristics. The calibration curve of the nomogram based on 3D-TVUS characteristics and a non-significant Hosmer–Lemeshow test statistic showed good calibration (P = 0.3064). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that postoperative 3D ultrasound characteristics could be predictive factors for live births among IUA patients and provide valuable reproductive guidance for women after HA.

Predicting the response of a cancer patient to a specific drug is a major goal in precision oncology. The current approach to cancer treatment is a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to comprehend tumor heterogeneity, results in 75% ineffectiveness of cancer treatment.

In this article we introduce an input-oriented democratic innovation-that we term 'TaxTrack'-which offers individual taxpayers the means to engage with their political economies in three ways. After joining the TaxTrack program, an individual can: (1) see and understand how much, and what types, of taxes they have contributed, (2) see and understand how their tax contributions are, or have been, used, and (3) control what their tax contributions can, or cannot, be spent on. We explain this democratic innovation in two ways. The first is through evocation to prefigure what the innovation could look like in future practise which raises the prospects for both good and problematic outcomes. The second is through formal theory to produce a detailed model of the innovation to assist theory building. We conclude by discussing three interactive outcomes of 'TaxTrack' through the democratic innovations literature to establish the beginnings of a theory for the model. This theory tells us that 'TaxTrack' can return benefits to its users and the democratic regimes in which they are located but it may also place restrictions on output-oriented innovations like Participatory Budgeting.

A document by Anton Porsteinsson. Click on the document to view its contents.