Functional Variation Research Articles

Transient striations in an inductively coupled plasma during E-to-H transitions

Abstract Azimuthal transient striations are reported for inductively coupled Ar plasma during E-to-H transition at 200 mTorr. In this transient process, the number of striations increases with time, and striations ultimately disappear when the H mode is reached. An integrated model is developed to investigate the mechanism of this phenomenon. This integrated model incorporates a one-dimensional time-dependent fluid model with a perturbation analysis, as well as a circuit model for power coupling with the external radio-frequency driving source. Based on this integrated model, the development of striations is proposed to be a consequence of ionization instability due to the variation in the electron energy distribution function. The model results for the temporal evolution of the number of striations are in good agreement with the observed data.

Low-pressure inductively coupled plasmas in hydrogen: impact of gas heating on the spatial distribution of atomic hydrogen and vibrationally excited states

Non-equilibrium inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) operating in hydrogen are of significant interest for applications including large-area materials processing. Increasing control of spatial gas heating, which drives the formation of neutral species density gradients and the rate of gas-temperature-dependent reactions, is critical. In this study, we use 2D fluid-kinetic simulations with the Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model to investigate the spatially resolved production of atomic hydrogen in a low-pressure planar ICP operating in pure hydrogen (10–20 Pa or 0.075–0.15 Torr, 300 W). The reaction set incorporates self-consistent calculation of the spatially resolved gas temperature and 14 vibrationally excited states. We find that the formation of neutral-gas density gradients, which result from spatially non-uniform electrical power deposition at constant pressure, can drive significant variations in the vibrational distribution function and density of atomic hydrogen when gas heating is spatially resolved. This highlights the significance of spatial gas heating on the production of reactive species in relatively high-power-density plasma processing sources.

Major impacts of widespread structural variation on sorghum.

Genetic diversity is critical to crop breeding and improvement, and dissection of the genomic variation underlying agronomic traits can both assist breeding and give insight into basic biological mechanisms. Although recent genome analyses in plants reveal many structural variants (SVs), most current studies of crop genetic variation are dominated by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The extent of the impact of SVs on global trait variation, as well as their utility in genome-wide selection, is not yet understood. In this study, we built an SV data set based on whole-genome resequencing of diverse sorghum lines (n = 363), validated the correlation of photoperiod sensitivity and variety type, and identified SV hotspots underlying the divergent evolution of cellulosic and sweet sorghum. In addition, we showed the complementary contribution of SVs for heritability of traits related to sorghum adaptation. Importantly, inclusion of SV polymorphisms in association studies revealed genotype-phenotype associations not observed with SNPs alone. Three-way genome-wide association studies (GWAS) based on whole-genome SNP, SV, and integrated SNP + SV data sets showed substantial associations between SVs and sorghum traits. The addition of SVs to GWAS substantially increased heritability estimates for some traits, indicating their important contribution to functional allelic variation at the genome level. Our discovery of the widespread impacts of SVs on heritable gene expression variation could render a plausible mechanism for their disproportionate impact on phenotypic variation. This study expands our knowledge of SVs and emphasizes the extensive impacts of SVs on sorghum.

Physiological traits contribute to growth and adaptation of Mexican maize landraces.

Local adaptation of populations results from an interplay between their environment and genetics. If functional trait variation influences plant performance, populations can adapt to their local environment. However, populations may also respond plastically to environmental challenges, altering phenotype without shifting allele frequencies. The level of local adaptation in crop landraces and their capacity for plasticity in response to environmental change may predict their continued utility to farmers facing climate change. Yet we understand little about how physiological traits potentially underlying local adaptation of cultivars influence fitness. Farmers in Mexico-the crop center of origin for maize-manage and rely upon a high diversity of landraces. We studied maize grown in Chiapas, Mexico, where strong elevational gradients cover a relatively small geographic area. We reciprocally transplanted 12 populations sourced from three elevational zones (600, 1550 and 2150 m) back into those elevations for two years using a modified split-split plot design to model effects of environment, genetics, and their interaction. We studied physiological and growth traits, including photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, stomatal density, relative growth rate (RGR), and seed production. Maize fitness showed indications of local adaptation with highland and midland types performing poorly at warmer lowland locations, though patterns depended on the year. Several physiological traits, including stomatal conductance, were affected by G x E interactions, some of which indicated non-adaptive plastic responses with potential fitness implications. We discerned a significant positive relationship between fitness and relative growth rate. Growth rates in highland landraces were outperformed by midland and lowland landraces grown in high temperature, lowland garden. Lowland landrace stomatal conductance was diminished compared to that of highland landraces in the cooler highland garden. Thus, both adaptive and non-adaptive physiological responses of maize landraces in southern Mexico may have implications for fitness, as well as responses to climate change.

A comparative study of work function variations in III-V heterojunction and homojunction tunnel field-effect transistors

In this paper, we present a comparative study on the impact of work function variations (WFV) between the III-V heterojunction and homojunction tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) vis TCAD simulation. It reveals that, in general, the current variation of both devices decrease as the gate voltage increases, and the threshold voltage variations generally increase with the increase of threshold current. However, in comparison to homojunction TFET, heterojunction TFET exhibits the following two differences. 1) The current fluctuation is stronger near the device's OFF-state and weaker near the ON-state, and thus it has a stronger dependence on bias. 2) Both the threshold voltage fluctuations and its dependence on the threshold current are weaker. On the other hand, with an increase in grain size, both homojunction and heterojunction devices manifest more prominent performance fluctuations. Moreover, the dependence of these fluctuations on grain size is roughly comparable for these two device types. Finally, it is observed that 1) the significant current fluctuation at the OFF-state can be mitigated when the device's OFF-state is designed within a region with weaker gate control, and 2) the current normalized coefficient of variation parameter may be unreliable to assess the fluctuation for the case with a few “abnormal” high current values.

Multifunctionality of angiosperm floral bracts: a review.

Floral bracts (bracteoles, cataphylls) are leaf-like organs that subtend flowers or inflorescences but are of non-floral origin; they occur in a wide diversity of species, representing multiple independent origins, and exhibit great variation in form and function. Although much attention has been paid to bracts over the past 150 years, our understanding of their adaptive significance remains remarkably incomplete. This is because most studies of bract function and evolution focus on only one or a few selective factors. It is widely recognised that bracts experience selection mediated by pollinators, particularly for enhancing pollinator attraction through strong visual, olfactory, or echo-acoustic contrast with the background and through signalling the presence of pollinator rewards, either honestly (providing rewards for pollinators), or deceptively (attraction without reward or even trapping pollinators). However, studies in recent decades have demonstrated that bract evolution is also affected by agents other than pollinators. Bracts can protect flowers, fruits, or seeds from herbivores by displaying warning signals, camouflaging conspicuous reproductive organs, or by providing physical barriers or toxic chemicals. Reviews of published studies show that bracts can also promote seed dispersal and ameliorate the effects of abiotic stressors, such as low temperature, strong ultraviolet radiation, heavy rain, drought, and/or mechanical abrasion, on reproductive organs or for the plants' pollinators. In addition, green bracts and greening of colourful bracts after pollination promote photosynthetic activity, providing substantial carbon (photosynthates) for fruit or seed development, especially late in a plant's life cycle or season, when leaves have started to senesce. A further layer of complexity derives from the fact that the agents of selection driving the evolution of bracts vary between species and even between different developmental stages within a species, and selection by one agent can be reinforced or opposed by other agents. In summary, our survey of the literature reveals that bracts are multifunctional and subject to multiple agents of selection. To understand fully the functional and evolutionary significance of bracts, it is necessary to consider multiple selection agents throughout the life of the plant, using integrative approaches to data collection and analysis.

Multi-trait analysis characterizes the genetics of thyroid function and identifies causal associations with clinical implications

To date only a fraction of the genetic footprint of thyroid function has been clarified. We report a genome-wide association study meta-analysis of thyroid function in up to 271,040 individuals of European ancestry, including reference range thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free and total triiodothyronine (T3), proxies for metabolism (T3/FT4 ratio) as well as dichotomized high and low TSH levels. We revealed 259 independent significant associations for TSH (61% novel), 85 for FT4 (67% novel), and 62 novel signals for the T3 related traits. The loci explained 14.1%, 6.0%, 9.5% and 1.1% of the total variation in TSH, FT4, total T3 and free T3 concentrations, respectively. Genetic correlations indicate that TSH associated loci reflect the thyroid function determined by free T3, whereas the FT4 associations represent the thyroid hormone metabolism. Polygenic risk score and Mendelian randomization analyses showed the effects of genetically determined variation in thyroid function on various clinical outcomes, including cardiovascular risk factors and diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In conclusion, our results improve the understanding of thyroid hormone physiology and highlight the pleiotropic effects of thyroid function on various diseases.

Non-local BV functions and a denoising model with L 1 fidelity

Abstract We study a general total variation denoising model with weighted L 1 {L^{1}} fidelity, where the regularizing term is a non-local variation induced by a suitable (non-integrable) kernel K, and the approximation term is given by the L 1 {L^{1}} norm with respect to a non-singular measure with positively lower-bounded L ∞ {L^{\infty}} density. We provide a detailed analysis of the space of non-local BV \mathrm{BV} functions with finite total K-variation, with special emphasis on compactness, Lusin-type estimates, Sobolev embeddings and isoperimetric and monotonicity properties of the K-variation and the associated K-perimeter. Finally, we deal with the theory of Cheeger sets in this non-local setting and we apply it to the study of the fidelity in our model.

Calcineurin B-like protein ZmCBL8-1 promotes salt stress resistance in Arabidopsis.

ZmCBL8-1 enhances salt stress tolerance in maize by improving the antioxidant system to neutralize ROS homeostasis and inducing Na+/H+ antiporter gene expressions of leaves. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) as plant-specific calcium sensors have been explored for their roles in the regulation of abiotic stress tolerance. Further, the functional variations in ZmCBL8, encoding a component of the salt overly sensitive pathway, conferred the salt stress tolerance in maize. ZmCBL8-1 is a transcript of ZmCBL8 found in maize, but its function in the salt stress response is still unclear. The present study aimed to characterize the protein ZmCBL8-1 that was determined to be composed of 194 amino acids (aa) with three conserved EF hands responsible for binding Ca2+. However, a 20-aa fragment was found to be missing from its C-terminus relative to another transcript of ZmCBL8. Results indicated that it harbored a dual-lipid modification motif MGCXXS at its N-terminus and was located on the cell membrane. The accumulation of ZmCBL8-1 transcripts was high in the roots but relatively lower in the leaves of maize under normal condition. In contrast, its expression was significantly decreased in the roots, while increased in the leaves under NaCl treatment. The overexpression of ZmCBL8-1 resulted in higher salt stress resistance of transgenic Arabidopsis in a Ca2+-dependent manner relative to that of the wild type (WT). In ZmCBL8-1-overexpressing plants exposed to NaCl, the contents of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were decreased in comparison with those in the WT, and the expression of key genes involved in the antioxidant defense system and Na+/H+ antiporter were upregulated. These results suggested that ZmCBL8-1 played a positive role in the response of leaves to salt stress by inducing the expression of Na+/H+ antiporter genes and enhancing the antioxidant system to neutralize the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. These observations further indicate that ZmCBL8-1 confers salt stress tolerance, suggesting that transcriptional regulation of the ZmCBL8 gene is important for salt tolerance.

Comparative genomic analyses provide new insights into evolutionary history and conservation genomics of gorillas

Genome sequencing is a powerful tool to understand species evolutionary history, uncover genes under selection, which could be informative of local adaptation, and infer measures of genetic diversity, inbreeding and mutational load that could be used to inform conservation efforts. Gorillas, critically endangered primates, have received considerable attention and with the recently sequenced Bwindi mountain gorilla population, genomic data is now available from all gorilla subspecies and both mountain gorilla populations. Here, we reanalysed this rich dataset with a focus on evolutionary history, local adaptation and genomic parameters relevant for conservation. We estimate a recent split between western and eastern gorillas of 150,000–180,000 years ago, with gene flow around 20,000 years ago, primarily between the Cross River and Grauer’s gorilla subspecies. This gene flow event likely obscures evolutionary relationships within eastern gorillas: after excluding putatively introgressed genomic regions, we uncover a sister relationship between Virunga mountain gorillas and Grauer’s gorillas to the exclusion of Bwindi mountain gorillas. This makes mountain gorillas paraphyletic. Eastern gorillas are less genetically diverse and more inbred than western gorillas, yet we detected lower genetic load in the eastern species. Analyses of indels fit remarkably well with differences in genetic diversity across gorilla taxa as recovered with nucleotide diversity measures. We also identified genes under selection and unique gene variants specific for each gorilla subspecies, encoding, among others, traits involved in immunity, diet, muscular development, hair morphology and behavior. The presence of this functional variation suggests that the subspecies may be locally adapted. In conclusion, using extensive genomic resources we provide a comprehensive overview of gorilla genomic diversity, including a so-far understudied Bwindi mountain gorilla population, identify putative genes involved in local adaptation, and detect population-specific gene flow across gorilla species.

Variations in the plasticity of functional traits indicate the differential impacts of abiotic and biotic factors on the structure and growth of trees in tropical dry forest fragments

Abiotic and biotic factors have considerable impact on the plasticity of plant functional traits, which influences forest structure and productivity; however, their inter-relationships have not been quantified for fragmented tropical dry forest (TDF) ecosystems. We asked the following questions: (1) what are the variations in the plasticity of functional traits due to soil moisture availability in TDF fragments? (2) what are the roles of soil nutrients and forest disturbances in influencing variations in the plasticity of functional traits in the TDF fragments? and (3) how do the variations in the plasticity of functional traits influence the structure and productivity of TDF fragments? Based on linear mixed-effects results, we observed significant variations among tree species for soil moisture content (SMC) under the canopy and selected functional traits across forest fragments. We categorized tree species across fragments by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) analyses into three functional types, viz., low wood density high deciduous (LWHD), high wood density medium deciduous (HWMD), and high wood density low deciduous (HWLD). Assemblage of functional traits suggested that the LWHD functional type exhibits a drought-avoiding strategy, whereas HWMD and HWLD adopt a drought-tolerant strategy. Our study showed that the variations in functional trait plasticity and the structural attributes of trees in the three functional types exhibit contrasting affinity with SMC, soil nutrients, and disturbances, although the LWHD functional type was comparatively more influenced by soil resources and disturbances compared to HWMD and HWLD along the declining SMC and edge distance gradients. Plasticity in functional traits for the LWHD functional type exhibited greater variations in traits associated with the conservation of water and resources, whereas for HWMD and HWLD, the traits exhibiting greater plasticity were linked with higher productivity and water transport. The cumulative influence of SMC, disturbances, and functional trait variations was also visible in the relative abundance of functional types in large and small sized fragments. Our analysis further revealed the critical differences in the responses of functional trait plasticity of the coexisting tree species in TDF, which suggests that important deciduous endemic species with drought-avoiding strategies might be prone to strategic exclusion under expected rises in anthropogenic disturbances, habitat fragmentation, and resource limitations.

Cognitive Function Is Associated with the Genetically Determined Efficiency of DNA Repair Mechanisms.

Several modifiable risk factors for neurodegeneration and dementia have been identified, although individuals vary in their vulnerability despite a similar risk of exposure. This difference in vulnerability could be explained at least in part by the variability in DNA repair mechanisms' efficiency between individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test associations between documented, prevalent genetic variation (single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP) in DNA repair genes, cognitive function, and brain structure. Community-living participants (n = 488,159; 56.54 years (8.09); 54.2% female) taking part in the UK Biobank study and for whom cognitive and genetic measures were available were included. SNPs in base excision repair (BER) genes of the bifunctional DNA glycosylases OGG1 (rs1052133, rs104893751), NEIL1 (rs7402844, rs5745906), NEIL2 (rs6601606), NEIL3 (rs10013040, rs13112390, rs13112358, rs1395479), MUTYH (rs34612342, rs200165598), NTHL1 (rs150766139, rs2516739) were considered. Cognitive measures included fluid intelligence, the symbol-digit matching task, visual matching, and trail-making. Hierarchical regression and latent class analyses were used to test the associations between SNPs and cognitive measures. Associations between SNPs and brain measures were also tested in a subset of 39,060 participants. Statistically significant associations with cognition were detected for 12 out of the 13 SNPs analyzed. The strongest effects amounted to a 1-6% difference in cognitive function detected for NEIL1 (rs7402844), NEIL2 (rs6601606), and NTHL1 (rs2516739). Associations varied by age and sex, with stronger effects detected in middle-aged women. Weaker associations with brain measures were also detected. Variability in some BER genes is associated with cognitive function and brain structure and may explain variability in the risk for neurodegeneration and dementia.

DOP26 Metagenomic and metabolomic profiles in IBD: understanding microbial and metabolic shifts from a large deeply phenotyped cohort

Abstract Background Alterations in gut microbiota composition and functions are involved in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the role of specific bacterial taxa has been particularly pointed out. The role of microbiota-derived metabolites, including those produced from tryptophan, are major actors in host-microbiota interactions in health and in IBD. Large studies analyzing both gut microbiota and metabolomics data are scarce. Methods In the current study, we analyzed a total of 764 individuals from Saint Antoine Hospital cohort, including 447 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), 262 patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and 55 healthy subjects. We performed shotgun metagenomic sequencing on fecal samples and integrated the results with deep clinical phenotyping and targeted metabolomics data encompassing 294 different molecules. Results We observed strong changes in the taxonomic composition and functional capabilities of the microbiota in CD and UC patients compared to healthy subjects. Besides disease itself, the most important drivers of microbiota composition were the disease location (Montreal classification), recent antibiotic treatment, disease activity (flare vs remission) and history of ileocecal resection. Interestingly, IBD diagnosis explained much more the variations of microbiota functions than taxonomy. The decrease in microbiota diversity was stronger in CD than in UC. In parallel to a decreased amount of Faecalibacterium in IBD, we also observed a decrease in the diversity of Faecalibacterium strains, with a stronger decrease in CD. Our multifactorial analysis revealed specific microbial taxa and functions affected by disease-related factors. We particularly identified many correlations between tryptophan metabolites and microbial abundance. Targeted gene analysis of tryptophan-related enzymes in metagenomes further supported these findings. A network analysis considering bacterial taxa and metabolites revealed profound alterations in IBD with some specificities between CD and UC. Conclusion We pointed out new microbiome and metabolome alterations associated with IBD, with some phenotype specificities. Overall, our findings provide crucial information and a substantial resource for understanding the interactions between the host and microbiome in the context of IBD.

A novel method to design gradient porous structures with conformal density

This work introduces a rapid modeling method for gradient porous structures with conformal density, aiming to address the challenges of transitional variation of porosity, and control of complex gradient variations in multiple directions. In comparison to other methods, this approach overcomes the limitations associated with coordinate systems and shape functions when designing complex gradient variations in multiple directions while achieving density variation with shape under different gradients. The method involves mapping the volumetric distance field to a density field using control functions. By adhering to the constraints of the density field, it employs a weighted random sampling method to attain gradient sites with shape-adaptive distribution. Voronoi polyhedron are then constructed based on these sites, and smooth Voronoi struts are generated using strut distance fields and improved Boolean operations. The boundary adaptation of the porous structure is subsequently achieved based on the volumetric distance field. By establishing the relationship between density and volumetric distance field values, the study illustrates the similarity between density variation in the structure and gradient variations in the control function, indicating the controllability of density variation with shape. Furthermore, the method enables the integration design of structural shape and mechanical properties through adjustments to the number of sites, radius size of struts, and gradient control functions. Finally, the method was validated through numerical simulation and experiments, demonstrating its controllability and effectiveness in generating random porous structures with conformal density gradients, providing important theoretical and practical support for research and application in related fields.

Respiratory oscillometry testing in relation to exercise in healthy and asthmatic Thoroughbreds.

Racehorses may experience exercise-induced bronchodilation or bronchoconstriction, with potential differences between healthy and asthmatic individuals. To identify exercise-related lung function variations by oscillometry in racehorses, compare lung function between healthy and mild equine asthma (MEA) horses, assess oscillometry's potential as a predictor of racing fitness. Prospective case-control clinical study. Fourteen Thoroughbred racehorses (5 healthy, 9 MEA) underwent a protocol including respiratory oscillometry at rest, exercise with fitness monitoring, oscillometry at 15 and 45 min post-exercise, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) cytology. Oscillometry parameters (resistance [Rrs] and reactance [Xrs]) were compared within and between healthy and MEA groups at different timepoints. Associations between Rrs and Xrs at rest and 15 min post-exercise and BALf cytology and fitness indices were evaluated. MEA horses showed higher Rrs at 15 min post-exercise (0.6 ± 0.2 cmH2 O/L/s) than healthy horses (0.3 ± 0.1 cmH2 O/L/s) (p < 0.01). In healthy horses, Rrs decreased at 15 min post-exercise compared with resting values (0.5 ± 0.1 cmH2 O/L/s) (p = 0.04). In MEA horses, oscillometry parameters did not vary with time. Post-exercise Xrs inversely correlated with total haemosiderin score (p < 0.01, r2 = 0.51). Resting Rrs inversely correlated with speed at 200 bpm (p = 0.03, r2 = -0.61), and Xrs with maximum heart rate (HR) during exercise (p = 0.02, r2 = -0.62). Post-exercise Rrs inversely correlated with mean (p = 0.04, r2 = -0.60) and maximum speed (p = 0.04, r2 = -0.60), and HR variability (p < 0.01, r2 = -0.74). Small sample size, oscillometry repeatability not assessed, potential interference of upper airway obstructions, external variables influencing fitness indices. Oscillometry identified lung function differences between healthy and MEA horses at 15 min post-exercise. Only healthy horses exhibited exercise-induced bronchodilation. Oscillometry showed potential in predicting subclinical airway obstruction.

Marked variations in diversity and functions of gut microbiota between wild and domestic stag beetle Dorcus Hopei Hopei

BackgroundAlthough stag beetles are a popular saprophytic insect, their gut microbiome has been poorly studied. Here, 16 S rRNA gene sequencing was employed to reveal the gut microbiota composition and functional variations between wild and domestic Dorcus hopei hopei (Dhh) larval individuals.ResultsThe results indicated a significant difference between the wild and domestic Dhh gut microbiota., the domestic Dhh individuals contained more gut microbial taxa (e.g. genera Ralstonia and Methyloversatilis) with xenobiotic degrading functions. The wild Dhh possesses gut microbiota compositions (e.g. Turicibacter and Tyzzerella ) more appropriate for energy metabolism and potential growth. This study furthermore assigned all Dhh individuals by size into groups for data analysis; which indicated limited disparities between the gut microbiota of different-sized D. hopei hopei larvae.ConclusionThe outcome of this study illustrated that there exists a significant discrepancy in gut microbiota composition between wild and domestic Dhh larvae. In addition, the assemblage of gut microbiome in Dhh was primarily attributed to environmental influences instead of individual differences such as developmental potential or size. These findings will provide a valuable theoretical foundation for the protection of wild saprophytic insects and the potential utilization of the insect-associated intestinal microbiome in the future.

Anticoagulant effects of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin levels on the protein C pathway in young children.

The protein C (PC) pathway involves physiological anticoagulant factors (PC, protein S [PS], and factor V) and performs major anticoagulant functions in adults. Variations in overall PC pathway function due to dynamic changes in PC and PS in early childhood are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the contributions of PC pathway function during early childhood by measuring changes in plasma thrombin generation (TG) after administration of the PC activator protac. We evaluated correlations between anticoagulant factors and percentage of protac-induced coagulation inhibition (PiCi%). Before protac addition, TG in newborns (n = 35), infants (n = 42), young children (n = 35), and adults (n = 20) were 525 ± 74, 720 ± 96, 785 ± 53, and 802 ± 64mOD/min, and PiCi% were 42.1 ± 9.9, 69.8 ± 11.0, 82.9 ± 4.4, and 86.9 ± 3.4%, respectively. The distribution of PiCi% on the two axes of TG (with or without protac) changed continuously with age and differed from that of warfarin-treated plasma and adult PC- or PS-deficient plasma. PiCi% increased dynamically during infancy and correlated with PS levels in newborns and PC levels in young children. Addition of PC or fresh frozen plasma equivalent to approximately 25% PC to PC-deficient plasma improved PiCi%. This automatic measurement requires only a small sample volume and is useful for analysis of developmental hemostasis.

The Multifaceted Role of FUT8 in Tumorigenesis: From Pathways to Potential Clinical Applications.

FUT8, the sole glycosyltransferase responsible for N-glycan core fucosylation, plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and development. Aberrant FUT8 expression disrupts the function of critical cellular components and triggers the abnormality of tumor signaling pathways, leading to malignant transformations such as proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and immunosuppression. The association between FUT8 and unfavorable outcomes in various tumors underscores its potential as a valuable diagnostic marker. Given the remarkable variation in biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of FUT8 across different tumor types, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its complexity is imperative. Here, we review how FUT8 plays roles in tumorigenesis and development, and how this outcome could be utilized to develop potential clinical therapies for tumors.

Oxidation of cellulose fibers using LPMOs with varying allomorphic substrate preferences, oxidative regioselectivities, and domain structures

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are excellent candidates for enzymatic functionalization of natural polysaccharides, such as cellulose or chitin, and are gaining relevance in the search for renewable biomaterials. Here, we assessed the cellulose fiber modification potential and catalytic performance of eleven cellulose-active fungal AA9-type LPMOs, including C1-, C4-, and C1/C4-oxidizing LPMOs with and without CBM1 carbohydrate-binding modules, on cellulosic substrates with different degrees of crystallinity and polymer chain arrangement, namely, Cellulose I, Cellulose II, and amorphous cellulose. The potential of LPMOs for cellulose fiber modification varied among the LPMOs and depended primarily on operational stability and substrate binding, and, to some extent, also on regioselectivity and domain structure. While all tested LPMOs were active on natural Cellulose I-type fibers, activity on the Cellulose II allomorph was almost exclusively detected for LPMOs containing a CBM1 and LPMOs with activity on soluble hemicelluloses and cello-oligosaccharides, for example NcAA9C from Neurospora crassa. The single-domain variant of NcAA9C oxidized the cellulose fibers to a higher extent than its CBM-containing natural variant and released less soluble products, indicating a more dispersed oxidation pattern without a CBM. Our findings reveal great functional variation among cellulose-active LPMOs, laying the groundwork for further LPMO-based cellulose engineering.

The effects of low ambient temperature on steroidogenesis and mitochondrial functions in the testes of wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus)

Seasonal reproduction is a widely used breeding strategy in wildlife, especially vertebrates inhabiting temperate regions. Generally, ambient temperature is considered a significant factor influencing the reproductive status of animals. In the present study, wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), typical seasonal breeders, were used as an animal model to investigate the mechanism behind the impact of low ambient temperature on testicular function. To simulate the winter environment of wild ground squirrels, we lowered the temperature gradient in the rearing environment to 4 °C. At sampling, the body surface temperature of the squirrels reared under normal ambient temperature (22 °C, NAT group) and the low ambient temperature (4 °C, LAT group) were 31.5 °C and 22.8 °C, respectively. Subsequently, we conducted immunohistochemical assays, qPCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to examine the variations in testicular functions, as well as the dynamics and functions of mitochondria, in the squirrels of NAT and LAT groups. As a result, the levels of positive immunostaining for PCNA, P21, and P27 were significantly lower in the testes of LAT group, while the levels of immunostaining for Cleaved Caspase-3 and TUNEL were significantly higher. In addition, the low-temperature treatment reduced the expression level of steroidogenesis-related genes, including LHR, FSHR, GATA-4, P450scc, and P450arom, and decreased the testosterone concentration. Moreover, markers of mitochondrial fission and fusion, DRP1 and MFN2, respectively, were increased in the testes of LAT group. Additionally, the mRNA level of SOD1 was notably higher in the testes of LAT group. In conclusion, the low ambient temperature inhibited spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, as well as mitochondrial dynamics and functions in the testes of wild ground squirrels.