Functional Perspective Research Articles

A Review of the Mysterious Roles of the Autonomic Ganglia Considered as Deep Intelligence Agency in the United States of the Brain.

For centuries, the brain has been considered a single organ from an anatomical and functional perspective. However, while the cerebral cortex, consisting of many lobes and lobules, generally creates voluntary actions, autonomous parts of the brain also carry out vital activities such as survival, reproduction, and nutrition. The functions of the group of organs that carry out basic vital activities are modulated by autonomous ganglia that work like the deep intelligence networks of the brain. Information and energy packets produced as different molecules in vital organs and sent to the autonomous ganglia are decoded. These packages are then made available for use by cells, tissues, and organs. This deep information, purified and summarized by the autonomic ganglia, is presented to the cerebral cortex after passing through the control of the brainstem and insula. As a result, the entire brain and all the organs under its control decide together what to do. From this conceptual perspective, the brain is a united states group with diferent states under its management; the autonomic ganglia can also be thought of as the brain's deep intelligence networks.

Acute effect of dry needling on trunk kinematics and balance of patients with non-specific low back pain

BackgroundLimited knowledge exists about the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) concerning the torso kinematics in patients with non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). Acute effects of DN in NS-LBP patients from a functional perspective were investigated. MethodsSixteen NS-LBP patients and 11 healthy individuals (HG) were examined. NS-LBP patients received a single session of DN at the lumbar region. Baseline and immediate post-treatment measurements during flexion-extension and lateral bending of the trunk were conducted for the NS-LBP patients. HG were measured only at baseline to be used as a reference of NS-LBP patients' initial condition. Algometry was applied in NS-LBP patients. Centre of pressure, range of motion of the trunk and its’ derivatives were obtained. FindingsHG performed significantly faster, smoother and with greater mobility in the performed tasks compared to the pre intervention measurements of the NS-LBP patients. For the NS-LBP patients, significant greater angular velocity in frontal plane and significant lower jerk in the sagittal plane were demonstrated post intervention. DN alleviated pain tolerance significantly at the L5 level. Regarding the effectiveness of the DN upon spine kinematics, their derivatives were more sensitive. InterpretationIt appeared that the pathological type of torso movement was acutely affected by DN. NS-LBP patients showcased smoother movement immediately after the intervention and better control as imprinted in the higher derivative of motion although range of motion did not improve. This quantitative variable may not be subjected to acute effects of DN but rather need additional time and training to be improved.

Alternative Splicing in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Leads to Dysregulated Immune System

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy that poses a significant global health threat, marked by a substantial increase in prevalence and mortality rates. Accounting for 90 % of pancreatic cancer cases, PDAC carries a dismal prognosis, and current therapeutic approaches, including immunotherapy, face challenges due to poor immunogenicity. This study aimed to discover differentially expressed immune genes shared between PDAC and normal samples from two datasets obtained from the NCBI GEO Dataset. The RNA-seq pipeline was employed for gene expression analysis, and enrichR facilitated functional enrichment analysis of biologically and statistically significant genes. Predictions of immune infiltration cells and corresponding genes, along with their immune responses, were made using the ScType database and the immunedeconv package, respectively. Verification of gene expression levels was conducted through GEPIA2, Expression Atlas, and literature review. Additionally, isoform-switching analysis of dysregulated genes aimed to uncover alternatively spliced pathogenic isoforms in PDAC. Notably, four immune genes (EPHA2 upregulated, GNG11, CRHBP, and FCER1A downregulated) were found to be common in both datasets and were highly implicated in PDAC. The dysregulated immune genes influenced molecular functions, including protein binding, transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase activity, protein tyrosine kinase activity, and cadherin binding for upregulated genes. Downregulated genes were associated with GTPase activity and ribonucleoside triphosphate phosphatase activity. This study suggests these immune genes as potential prognostic biomarkers for effective PDAC treatment. However, further investigations are essential to unravel the functional perspectives of potential isoforms.

Biotic and abiotic factors drive multi-trophic interactions among spiders at different spatial scales in urban greenspaces

Abstract Urbanization is often detrimental to biodiversity, yet urban greenspaces can be managed to provide habitat for many arthropods. Understanding how anthropogenic filters influence processes of community assembly in urban ecosystems will inform conservation of species such as spiders, which provide natural pest control. Spiders are abundant in urban areas, but the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors for structuring spider communities in urban greenspaces is unclear. We initiated the Cleveland Pocket Prairie Project in the legacy city of Cleveland, Ohio, where vacant lots and urban prairies were established across eight inner-city neighborhoods. In each greenspace, spiders were collected along with landscape and local environmental data in July 2017. Using a path analysis approach, we investigated the relative importance and strength of landscape and local environmental filters for influencing the structure of spider communities during mid-summer within this system. We found that spider community assembly was influenced by multiple abiotic and biotic drivers across spatial scales related to landscape composition, soil texture and quality, prey breadth, and habitat management designs. Web-building and active hunting spiders responded differently to these landscape and local drivers, highlighting the need to incorporate a functional perspective when studying community assembly. These findings suggest that a multi-scale approach to conservation management is needed to support biodiversity and associated biological control services in urban ecosystems.

Studying functions on coral reefs: past perspectives, current conundrums, and future potential

Function-based studies have opened a new chapter in our understanding of coral reefs. Unfortunately, we are opening this chapter as the world’s reefs rapidly transform. In this context, one of the most important roles of function-based studies is to inform coral reef conservation. At this critical juncture, we have a chance to reflect on where we have come from, and where we are going, in coral reef functional ecology, with specific consideration of what this means for our approaches to conserving reefs. As focal examples, we examine the role of corals on reefs, and the practice of culling crown-of-thorns starfish, from a functional perspective. We also consider how the papers in this special issue build on our current understanding. Ultimately, we highlight how robust scientific investigation, based on an understanding of ecosystem functions, will be key in helping us navigate reefs through the current coral reef crisis.

Illuminating the neuropeptide Y4 receptor and its ligand pancreatic polypeptide from a structural, functional, and therapeutic perspective

The neuropeptide Y4 receptor (Y4R), a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and the hormone pancreatic polypeptide (PP) are members of the neuropeptide Y family consisting of four receptors (Y1R, Y2R, Y4R, Y5R) and three highly homologous peptide ligands (neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, PP). In this family, the Y4R is of particular interest as it is the only subtype with high affinity to PP over NPY. The Y4R, as a mediator of PP signaling, has a pivotal role in appetite regulation and energy homeostasis, offering potential avenues for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as obesity. PP as anorexigenic peptide is released postprandial from the pancreas in response to food intake, induces satiety signals and contributes to hamper excessive food intake. Moreover, this system was also described to be associated with different types of cancer: overexpression of Y4R have been found in human adenocarcinoma cells, while elevated levels of PP are related to the development of pancreatic endocrine tumors. The pharmacological relevance of the Y4R advanced the search for potent and selective ligands for this receptor subtype, which will be significantly progressed through the elucidation of the active state PP-Y4R cryo-EM structure. This review summarizes the development of novel PP-derived ligands, like Obinepitide as dual Y2R/Y4R agonist in clinical trials or UR-AK86c as small hexapeptide agonist with picomolar affinity, as well as the first allosteric modulators that selectively target the Y4R, e.g. VU0506013 as potent Y4R positive allosteric modulator or (S)-VU0637120 as allosteric antagonist. Here, we provide valuable insights into the complex physiological functions of the Y4R and PP and the pharmacological relevance of the system in appetite regulation to open up new avenues for the development of tool compounds for targeted therapies with potential applications in metabolic disorders.

Genomic and Proteomic Analyses of Extracellular Products Reveal Major Virulence Factors Likely Accounting for Differences in Pathogenicity to Bivalves between Vibrio mediterranei Strains.

Vibrio mediterranei, a bacterial pathogen of bivalves, has exhibited strain-dependent virulence. The mechanisms behind the variations in bivalve pathogenicity between V. mediterranei strains have remained unclear. However, a preliminary analysis of the extracellular product (ECP) proteomes has revealed differences in protein compositions between low- and high-virulence strains; in addition to 1265 shared proteins, 127 proteins have been identified to be specific to one low-virulence strain and 95 proteins to be specific to two high-virulence strains. We further studied the ECP proteins of the three V. mediterranei strains from functional perspectives using integrated genomics and proteomics approaches. The results showed that lipid metabolism, transporter activity and membrane transporter pathways were more enriched in the ECPs of the two high-virulence strains than in those of the low-virulence strain. Additionally, 73 of the 95 high-virulence strain-specific proteins were found to have coding genes in the genome but were not expressed in the low-virulence strain. Moreover, comparisons with known virulence factors in the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB) and the Pathogen-Host Interactions Database (PHI-base) allowed us to predict more than 10 virulence factors in the categories of antimicrobial activity/competitive advantage, the effector delivery system and immune modulation, and the high-virulence strain-specific ECP proteins consisted of a greater percentage of known virulence factors than the low-virulence strain. Particularly, two virulence factors, MtrC and KatG, were identified in the ECPs of the two high-virulence strains but not in those of the low-virulence strain. Most coding genes of the ECP proteins including known virulence factors were identified on chromosome 1 of V. mediterranei. Our findings indicate that variations in virulence factor composition in the bacterial ECPs may partially account for the differences in the bivalve pathogenicity between V. mediterranei strains.

Gerakan Sosial Pelestarian Lingkungan Hidup Perspektif Struktural Fungsional (Kontribusi Benua Lestari Indonesia di Kota Tanggerang)

Basically, the relationship between nature and humans is an interdependent relationship with each other. A balanced relationship between nature and humans can form a good system. However, the fact is that environmental problems occur in various regions in Indonesia. People's habit of exploiting ingrained nature makes nature and the environment worse. The main idea in this study is the realization of the balance of the relationship between humans and nature through the formation of a social movement for environmental conservation. This study aims to review the existence of social movements and contributions in building environmental conservation and improving sustainable ecosystems. This research uses the knife analysis of sociological of human ecology, namely a functional structural perspective. This research uses a literature method that contains theories related to the problem under study and literature studies from various studies. The sources of data used in this study are scientific articles and previous research. The results showed that the social movement for environmental conservation carried out by the Sustainable Continent of Indonesia together with the people of Tanggerang City through concrete actions to care for the environment is a manifestation of the balance of the system between humans and nature as meant by a functional structural perspective. Ecosystem care actions are carried out in an effort to preserve the environment and pay attention to environmental sustainability for common life. The social movement of environmental conservation carried out in Tanggerang City can be an example of good implementation of nature for all Indonesian people.

Epigenetics and plant hormone dynamics: a functional and methodological perspective.

Plant hormones, pivotal regulators of plant growth, development, and response to environmental cues, have recently emerged as central modulators of epigenetic processes governing gene expression and phenotypic plasticity. This review addresses the complex interplay between plant hormones and epigenetic mechanisms, highlighting the diverse methodologies that have been harnessed to decipher these intricate relationships. We present a comprehensive overview to understand how phytohormones orchestrate epigenetic modifications, shaping plant adaptation and survival strategies. Conversely, we explore how epigenetic regulators ensure hormonal balance and regulate the signalling pathways of key plant hormones. Furthermore, our investigation includes a search for novel genes that are regulated by plant hormones under the control of epigenetic processes. Our review offers a contemporary overview of the epigenetic-plant hormone crosstalk, emphasizing its significance in plant growth, development, and potential agronomical applications.

Responses of multi-faceted benthic macroinvertebrates alpha and beta diversity to flooding in a highland floodplain

Flooding is an important process in natural fluvial floodplains. How the flood shapes aquatic community diversity in highland floodplains is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to unravel the multi-faceted responses of benthic macroinvertebrate diversity to flooding and habitat environments in the Baihe River Basin from a taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional perspective. We examined the alpha and beta diversity patterns of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the mainstream, tributaries, and oxbow lakes during the normal water and flood periods. The results showed that the traditional alpha taxonomic diversity (TD) varied across habitats, despite minor changes after flood pulse. Alpha phylogenetic diversity (PD) decreased and alpha functional diversity (FD) markedly increased after flooding, with functional traits transiting toward risk avoidance. While all the three facets of beta diversity significantly responded to habitat differences, beta TD and PD shifted in response to flooding. Species turnover prominently increased in beta TD and PD after flood pulse, which contrasted with a weaker response of this process in FD. The explanatory power of significant environmental factors on both alpha and beta diversity was reduced by flooding. Compared with traditional TD, cooperating multi-faceted diversity could better depict the responses of benthic macroinvertebrate communities to flooding. The assessment and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in highland floodplains should take into account the three facets of alpha and beta diversity.

Revisiting the degree of quick-return of the linkage considering programmable input for contemporary mechanical systems

Starting from the programmable motion performance of modern actuation technology, this study elucidates that the degree of quick-return in a mechanical system is no longer entirely dependent on mechanism design. A theoretical framework is proposed for analyzing and synthesizing the degree of quick-return in contemporary mechanical systems based on time efficiency. This study adopts a functional perspective, first extending the traditional definition describing the degree of quick-return mechanism to encompass broader mechanical systems. Subsequently, we present a general formula for calculating the time-ratio and travel velocity-ratio coefficients under contemporary technological conditions, supported by a detailed mathematical derivation. Finally, a corresponding procedure is established for analyzing and synthesizing the degree of quick-return in a mechanical system, fostering improved collaboration between managers and designers. Case studies demonstrate that designers can achieve the desired degree of quick-return in mechanical systems and robots by leveraging time efficiency. The theoretical framework introduced in this paper is versatile and can benefit various industries, notably the field of robotics. This broadens the applicability of the degree of quick-return concept, marking a significant advancement in enhancing the time efficiency of mechanical systems.

Mapping the architecture of the initiating phosphoglycosyl transferase from S. enterica O-antigen biosynthesis in a liponanoparticle

Bacterial cell surface glycoconjugates are critical for cell survival and for interactions between bacteria and their hosts. Consequently, the pathways responsible for their biosynthesis have untapped potential as therapeutic targets. The localization of many glycoconjugate biosynthesis enzymes to the membrane represents a significant challenge for expressing, purifying, and characterizing these enzymes. Here, we leverage cutting-edge detergent-free methods to stabilize, purify, and structurally characterize WbaP, a phosphoglycosyl transferase (PGT) from the Salmonella enterica (LT2) O-antigen biosynthesis. From a functional perspective, these studies establish WbaP as a homodimer, reveal the structural elements responsible for dimerization, shed light on the regulatory role of a domain of unknown function embedded within WbaP, and identify conserved structural motifs between PGTs and functionally unrelated UDP-sugar dehydratases. From a technological perspective, the strategy developed here is generalizable and provides a toolkit for studying other classes of small membrane proteins embedded in liponanoparticles beyond PGTs.

Compiling and applying atmospheric resource balance sheet in off-office auditing of leading cadres in China.

Atmospheric resources provide important support for human economic and social systems through their unique ecosystem service functions. Implementing the off-office auditing of atmospheric resources for leading cadres holds great strategic significance for fundamentally solve air pollution problems. Exploring the compilation of an atmospheric resource balance sheet is a necessary pre-step in the implementation of outgoing audits. In this paper, atmospheric resources are innovatively divided into atmospheric capacity resources and atmospheric quality resources from the perspective of the ecosystem service functions of atmospheric resources. The value of atmospheric resource assets is calculated by combining the environmental capacity value method and the environmental loss evaluation method. This study evaluates atmospheric ecological achievements based on the atmospheric resources balance sheet and related accounts as the data carrier and opens up the key "blocking point" of the off-office auditing of atmospheric resources. This paper takes Anhui Province as an example and applies the accounting results of the prepared atmospheric resource balance sheet to evaluate the atmospheric resource ecological achievements of leading cadres from 2016 to 2020. The results clearly reflect the ecological achievements and shortcomings of local leading cadres during their tenure.

Drivers of functional diversity in small-bodied mammals across a deforestation frontier in the Southern Brazilian Amazon

Deforestation remains the most pervasive driver of biodiversity erosion across tropical forests. Understanding how species can cope with such habitat changes is particularly important along the rapidly expanding agricultural frontiers. To do so, we used a functional perspective examining small mammal responses to habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation across the ‘Arc of Deforestation’ in the Southern Brazilian Amazon. Small mammals were surveyed using a combination of conventional and pitfall traps across 20 forest fragments—ranging from 42 to 4743 ha—in addition to two relatively continuous forest sites (> 7000 ha). These fragments lie isolated by a cattle pasture matrix of varying grazing intensity. We then analysed taxonomic and functional diversity patterns—represented by Simpson Diversity and Rao Quadratic entropy indices—in Generalised Linear Models containing local- to landscape-scale predictors of variation. Further, we used a functional trait composition approach based on community-weighted mean trait values to depict and predict small mammal functional variations across this degradation gradient. From a total of 847 individuals recorded belonging to 24 taxa, functional responses tended to follow the taxonomic diversity, both increasing with fragment area. The functional dimension further was promoted by low fire-related disturbance. Functional trait composition was mainly driven by habitat quality, represented by tree density, arthropod biomass, and fire-related disturbance. Our results reinforce that small forest fragments sustain depauperate small mammal assemblages both taxonomically and functionally. Accounting for habitat quality further allows for boosting the persistence across functional groups. Our findings can be used to improve the efficiency of management practices thereby maximising the multiple dimensions of small mammal diversity and their associated ecosystem services across tropical deforestation frontiers.

Parenting Children in A Religious Perspective of Fishermen's Families In Sinjai, Indonesia: Structural Functionalism Approach

Parents have an Islamic legal responsibility to raise children, which of course is carried out from conception to birth and school age, families living along the coast with fishermen status are responsible for making their children quality. This study aims to analyze and describe how fishing families, fathers, and mothers, have practiced Islamic parenting to form quality children. The research method used a qualitative-empirical approach analyzed using structural functionalism theory. The research stages explore the place that is the target of the research and then formulate theories that lead the researcher to look deeper into the problem being studied, the instruments in the researcher's own research because they are sensitive and react to environmental stimuli that are considered meaningful. The data collected is in a natural setting, it is expected that events will be experienced by individuals, the data collected is descriptive, in-depth interviews, documentation studies. The research results show that; The parenting pattern of fishing families is carried out during the conception period, namely; during pregnancy; When parents are pregnant with their child, they always control their words, behavior, honesty, and prayer before having sex. Birth period; Islamic preparation, welcoming with the call to azanand iqamat, salawat badar, aqiqah by giving a name according to Islamic recommendations. At school age, prepare for your child's needs and maintain interaction. From a structural functional perspective, the fishing community on the Sinjai coast carries out its function of caring for children by instilling religious values combined with cultural values.

Cultural connotation and bionic design application of foliage plants in Chinese gardens

Since the dawn of time, foliage plants have been the primary plant material used in the design of Chinese landscape gardens, and their rich cultural and historical heritage can serve as inspiration for design improvement and innovation. This study categorizes the decorative traits of foliage plants into three categories, aiming to explore their cultural characteristics and design applications. Special attention is given to the folkloric, cultural, religious, and totemic meanings of foliage plants. The various forms of bionic design based on the application of foliage plants are categorized and illustrated with specific cases. This exploration includes perspectives of morphology, texture, function, and imagery, all rooted in the theory of bionic design. The beauty of natural art, the humanistic attitude, and the advancement of function, material, and technology in product design can all be reflected in foliage plants as design elements.

Analysis of interlocking faults and reliability evaluation methods for communication networks of power information physical systems

The information physics system realizes the integration and interaction between them by the 3C technique. The application of scheduling automation, Substation Automation and Online Fault Recovery Technology Improves Emergency Response Capability, and Information Security issues are also embedded in the energy system. Power grid operation is facing more threats, and state space and failure scenarios are also more abundant, which poses new research needs and challenges for power system stability assessment. First, the physical interaction of information is analyzed. From the perspective of function, the CPPS hierarchy corresponds to the physical Electric power system, the information sub-station system and the main station system respectively. Then, taking the information node as the fault detection sample point, the chain fault model of the power information physical system is studied, and the abnormal response of the power information system is classified and identified, Finally, a failure response model and a failure recovery model are built. Finally, a simulation example is given for verification.

Specialist consensus on endoscopic surgery of the middle ear mastoid

This article discusses otoscopic middle ear mastoid surgery from multiple perspectives. Firstly, it discusses the indications and contraindications for surgery from the nature of the lesion and the imaging manifestations; secondly, it recommends the applicable equipment and describes the surgical approach in detail; finally, it summarizes the principles of the management of the operative cavity of the mastoid process in the middle ear from the perspectives of function and reconstruction. The purpose of this article is to illustrate otoscopic middle ear mastoid surgery with the aim of providing reference or guidance for performing related surgeries.

Molecular mechanisms of circular RNA in breast cancer: a narrative review.

Breast cancer is presently the most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a class of closed circRNAs lacking a 5'-end cap structure and a 3'-end polyA tail, which is highly stable and widely involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In recent years, accumulating studies have shown that circRNAs play an important role in the development and prognosis of breast cancer, but there are fewer literature reviews on their intrinsic molecular mechanisms which is the aim of this study. This review synthesizes the findings of literature retrieved from searches of PubMed and Google Scholar databases, hand searches, and authoritative texts. Citations mainly originate from the past 3 years. The articles need to describe the role of circRNA in breast cancer; no language restrictions were imposed. This review summarizes the latest relevant literature and systematically reviews the four main mechanisms of circRNA in breast cancer from the perspective of circRNA function. At the same time, we describe the formation mechanism, characterization, and biological functions of circRNAs. We reviewed the status of actual knowledge about circRNA biogenesis and functions and summarized novel findings regarding the molecular mechanism of circRNA in breast cancer. Meanwhile, this review explores the possibility of circRNAs for becoming new biodiagnostic indicators and therapeutic targets in breast cancer.

Systematic pan-cancer analysis of RNF186 with potential implications in progression and prognosis in human cancer

AimsCancer remains a significant global public health issue. There is growing proof that Ring Finger Protein 186 (RNF186) may play a function in pan-cancer, however, this has not yet been thoroughly determined. This study aims to analyze RNF186 with potential implications in progression and prognosis in human cancer. Materials and methodsA comprehensive bioinformatics approaches combined with experimental verification were used across 33 types of cancers in this study to conduct a pan-cancer investigation of RNF186 from the perspectives of gene expression, prognosis, genomic alterations, immunological markers, gene set, and function. Key findingsRNF186 is a valuable prognostic biomarker in several cancer types, especially breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) and uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC). The levels of RNF186 promoter methylation and genetic alterations may be responsible for some cancers' abnormal expression. Furthermore, RNF186 expression was determined to be associated with immune checkpoint genes. Analysis of RNF186-related genes revealed that proteasome and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were primarily involved in the cellular function of RNF186. Additionally, our research first confirmed that RNF186 may function as an oncogene and contribute to cancer proliferation, migration and invasion in UCEC. In contrast, RNF186 may play an inhibitory role in BRCA progression. This function depends on the ligase activity of RNF186. SignificanceThis study suggests that RNF186 is a novel critical target for tumor progression in BRCA and UCEC. It reveals that RNF186 may be associated with tumor immunotherapy, which may provide an effective predictive evaluation of the prognosis of immunotherapy.