In silico analysis of Apostasia wallichii (Apostasioideae) and Ludisia discolor (Orchidoideae) orchids reveals different repeats composition despite the same genome size.

Repetitive sequences can lead to variation in DNA quantity and composition among species. The Orchidaceae, the largest angiosperm family, is divided into five subfamilies, with Apostasioideae as the basal group and Orchidoideae and Epidendroideae showing high diversification rates. Despite their different evolutionary paths, some species in these groups have similar nuclear DNA content. This study focuses on one example to understand the dynamics of major repetitive DNAs in the nucleus. We used Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data from Apostasia wallichii (Apostasioideae) and Ludisia discolor (Orchidoideae) to identify and quantify the most abundant repeats. The repetitive fraction varied in abundance (27.5% in L. discolor and 60.6% in A. wallichii) and composition, with LTR retrotransposons of different lineages being the most abundant repeats in each species. Satellite DNAs showed varying organization and abundance. Despite the unbalanced ratio between single-copy and repetitive DNA sequences, the two species had the same genome size, possibly due to the elimination of non-essential genes. This phenomenon has been observed in other Apostasia and likely led to the proliferation of transposable elements in A. wallichii. Deep genome information in the future will aid in understanding the contraction/expansion of gene families and the evolution of sequences in these genomes.

Minimal Quantization Model in Pilot-Wave Hydrodynamics.

Investigating how classical systems may manifest dynamics analogous to those of quantum systems is a broad subject of fundamental interest. Walking droplets, which self-propel through a resonant interaction with their own wave field, provide a unique macroscopic realization of wave-particle duality that exhibits behaviors previously thought exclusive to quantum particles. Despite significant efforts, elucidating the precise origin and form of the wave-mediated forces responsible for the walker's quantumlike behavior remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that, owing to wave interference, the force responsible for orbital quantization originates from waves excited near stationary points on the walker's past trajectory. Moreover, we derive a minimal model with the essential ingredients to capture quantized orbital dynamics, including quasiperiodic and chaotic orbits. Notably, this minimal model provides an explicit distinction between local forces, which account for the walker's preferred speed and wave-induced added mass, and spatiotemporal nonlocal forces responsible for quantization. The quantization mechanism revealed here is generic, and will thus play a role in other hydrodynamic quantum analogs.

Acceptance rate of post-placental plac ement of intrauterine devices during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acceptance rate of post-placental intrauterine device (PPIUD) placement during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and to to assess factors associated with PPIUD acceptance. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and August 2021. PPIUDs were offered to women scheduled for caesarean delivery or admitted in labour at the Women's Hospital of the University of Campinas. The study compared women according to whether they accepted or did not accept the IUD placement. The factors associated with PPIUD acceptance were analysed through bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: We enrolled 299 women (15.9% of the deliveries that occurred during study period), aged 26.8 ± 6.5 years; 41.8% were White, almost one third were primiparous, and 155/299 (51.8%) had a vaginal delivery. The PPIUD acceptance rate was 65.6%. The principal reason for refusal was the desire for another contraceptive (41.8%). Women with the highest likelihood of accepting a PPIUD were younger (<30 years old has 1.7 more likely or 74% greater), those without a partner (3.4 times more likely) and those after vaginal delivery (1.7 times more likely or 69% greater). CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 does not affected the PPIUD placement. PPIUD is a viable alternative during crisis in which women has difficult to access health services. Younger women, those without a partner and after vaginal delivery were more likely to accept a PPIUD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Post-placental IUDs are an alternative during periods of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger women, those without a partner and after vaginal delivery were more likely to accept a PPIUD during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ex vivo perfusion of the human placenta to investigate pregnancy pathologies.

Pregnancy pathologies including gestational diabetes, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia are common and significantly increase the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. Research to better understand the pathophysiology and improve diagnosis and treatment is therefore crucial. The ex vivo placenta perfusion model offers a unique system to study pregnancy pathology without the risk of harm to mother or fetus. The presence of a maternal and fetal circulation and intact villus tree, facilitates investigations into maternal-fetal transfer, altered hemodynamics and vascular reactivity in the human placenta. It also provides a platform to test novel therapeutic agents. Here we review the key studies which have utilized the ex vivo placenta perfusion model to study different aspects of such pregnancy pathologies.

Splitting of the magnetic encephalogram into «brain¼ and «non-brain¼ physiological signals based on the joint analysis of frequency-pattern functional tomograms and magnetic resonance images.

The article considers the problem of dividing the encephalography data into two time series, that generated by the brain and that generated by other electrical sources located in the human head. The magnetic encephalograms and magnetic resonance images of the head were recorded in the Center for Neuromagnetism at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Data obtained at McGill University and Montreal University were also used. Recordings were made in a magnetically shielded room and the gradiometers were designed to suppress external noise, making it possible to eliminate them from the data analysis. Magnetic encephalograms were analyzed by the method of functional tomography, based on the Fourier transform and on the solution of inverse problem for all frequencies. In this method, one spatial position is assigned to each frequency component. Magnetic resonance images of the head were evaluated to annotate the space to be included in the analysis. The included space was divided into two parts: «brain¼ and «non-brain¼. The frequency components were classified by the feature of their inclusion in one or the other part. The set of frequencies, designated as «brain¼, represented the partial spectrum of the brain signal, while the set of frequencies designated as «non-brain¼, represented the partial spectrum of the physiological noise produced by the head. Both partial spectra shared the same frequency band. From the partial spectra, a time series of the «brain¼ area signal and «non-brain¼ area head noise were reconstructed. Summary spectral power of the signal was found to be ten times greater than the noise. The proposed method makes it possible to analyze in detail both the signal and the noise components of the encephalogram and to filter the magnetic encephalogram.

Thermodynamics of a Minimal Algorithmic Cooling Refrigerator.

We investigate, theoretically and experimentally, the thermodynamic performance of a minimal three-qubit heat-bath algorithmic cooling refrigerator. We analytically compute the coefficient of performance, the cooling power, and the polarization of the target qubit for an arbitrary number of cycles, taking realistic experimental imperfections into account. We determine their fundamental upper bounds in the ideal reversible limit and show that these values may be experimentally approached using a system of three qubits in a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond.

Emerging Concepts in Innate Lymphoid Cells, Memory, and Reproduction.

Members of the innate immune system, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), encompass five major populations (Natural Killer (NK) cells, ILC1s, ILC2s, ILC3s, and lymphoid tissue inducer cells) whose functions include defense against pathogens, surveillance of tumorigenesis, and regulation of tissue homeostasis and remodeling. ILCs are present in the uterine environment of humans and mice and are dynamically regulated during the reproductive cycle and pregnancy. These cells have been repurposed to support pregnancy promoting maternal immune tolerance and placental development. To accomplish their tasks, immune cells employ several cellular and molecular mechanisms. They have the capacity to remember a previously encountered antigen and mount a more effective response to succeeding events. Memory responses are not an exclusive feature of the adaptive immune system, but also occur in innate immune cells. Innate immune memory has already been demonstrated in monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and ILCs. A population of decidual NK cells characterized by elevated expression of NKG2C and LILRB1 as well as a distinctive transcriptional and epigenetic profile was found to expand during subsequent pregnancies in humans. These cells secrete high amounts of interferon-γ and vascular endothelial growth factor likely favoring placentation. Similarly, uterine ILC1s in mice upregulate CXCR6 and expand in second pregnancies. These data provide evidence on the development of immunological memory of pregnancy. In this article, the characteristics, functions, and localization of ILCs are reviewed, emphasizing available data on the uterine environment. Following, the concept of innate immune memory and its mechanisms, which include epigenetic changes and metabolic rewiring, are presented. Finally, the emerging role of innate immune memory on reproduction is discussed. Advances in the comprehension of ILC functions and innate immune memory may contribute to uncovering the immunological mechanisms underlying female fertility/infertility, placental development, and distinct outcomes in second pregnancies related to higher birth weight and lower incidence of complications.

Assessing organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides in maize samples using MIP extraction and PSI-MS analyzes.

The indiscriminate utilization of agrochemicals causes environmental and animal life impacts. In this regard, methodologies have been developed to offer efficiency and quickness for agrochemicals detection. Due to their selectivity and molecular recognition sites, Molecular Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) have been widely employed in some areas, including biotechnology, waste analyses, foodstuff, biological fluids, and others. This work proposed developing a method to determine aminocarb, pirimicarb, dimethoate, omethoate, pyridaphenthion, and fenitrothion pesticides using molecularly imprinted polymer combined with solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) for clean-up and paper spray ionization mass spectrometry for their analysis. Extractions analysis for Aminocarb, Pirimicarb, and Omethoate using MIP-SPE showed better performance when compared with MIP and NIP. The R 2 values were found with R 2 > 0.98 for all pesticides, and LODs and LOQs values were 50 and 100 µg kg-1, respectively. The precision and accuracy were assessed at three concentration levels-low, medium, and high. The precision values (interday and intraday) were below 10%, and the variation of recovery was between 80 and 120% for all pesticides. Therefore, it was possible to verify the presence of two carbamates and five organophosphorus without the necessity of preconcentration samples with precision and good recovery. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05464-7.

Expression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Pediatric Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Possible Role in Carcinogenesis and Treatment Response.

The 5-year relative survival rate estimate of treated patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) is ∼50% since they generally present with tumor progression, relapse, metastasis, and/or chemoresistance. The expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in malignancies can affect the pharmacology of drugs commonly used in chemotherapy or confer susceptibility to development of chemical carcinogenesis; in addition, their specific tumor expression can be used as a therapeutic target. Using qPCR and Western blot assays, the expression of CYP1B1, CYP2E1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were analyzed in a cohort of tumor tissue paired with non-malignant adjacent tissue of patients with NRSTS. The mRNA and protein expression of CYP1B1, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4 were significantly increased in tumor tissue. We propose that the expression of these isoforms is related to carcinogenesis and chemoresistance frequently observed in these neoplasms.

Enhanced Interplay of Neuronal Coherence and Coupling in the Dying Human Brain.

The neurophysiological footprint of brain activity after cardiac arrest and during near-death experience (NDE) is not well understood. Although a hypoactive state of brain activity has been assumed, experimental animal studies have shown increased activity after cardiac arrest, particularly in the gamma-band, resulting from hypercapnia prior to and cessation of cerebral blood flow after cardiac arrest. No study has yet investigated this matter in humans. Here, we present continuous electroencephalography (EEG) recording from a dying human brain, obtained from an 87-year-old patient undergoing cardiac arrest after traumatic subdural hematoma. An increase of absolute power in gamma activity in the narrow and broad bands and a decrease in theta power is seen after suppression of bilateral hemispheric responses. After cardiac arrest, delta, beta, alpha and gamma power were decreased but a higher percentage of relative gamma power was observed when compared to the interictal interval. Cross-frequency coupling revealed modulation of left-hemispheric gamma activity by alpha and theta rhythms across all windows, even after cessation of cerebral blood flow. The strongest coupling is observed for narrow- and broad-band gamma activity by the alpha waves during left-sided suppression and after cardiac arrest. Albeit the influence of neuronal injury and swelling, our data provide the first evidence from the dying human brain in a non-experimental, real-life acute care clinical setting and advocate that the human brain may possess the capability to generate coordinated activity during the near-death period.

Smoking for two- effects of tobacco consumption on placenta.

Tobacco smoking is an important public health issue recognized by the world health organization as one of the most serious, preventable risk factors for developing a series of pregnancy pathologies. Maternal smoking is positively associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and gestational diabetes (GDM), but negatively associated with preeclampsia (PE). In this review, we examine epidemiological, clinical and laboratory studies of smoking effects on immunoregulation during pregnancy, trophoblast function, and placental vasculature development and metabolism. We aim to identify effects of tobacco smoke components on specific placental compartments or cells, which may contribute to the understanding of the influences of maternal smoking on placenta function in normal and pathological pregnancies. Data corroborates that in any trimester, smoking is unsafe for pregnancy and that its detrimental effects outweigh questionable benefits. The effects of maternal smoking on the maternal immune regulation throughout pregnancy and the impact of different tobacco products on fetal growth have not yet been fully understood. Smoking cessation rather than treatment with replacement therapies is recommended for future mothers because also single components of tobacco and its smoke may have detrimental effects on placental function.

Emergent order in hydrodynamic spin lattices.

Macroscale analogues1-3 of microscopic spin systems offer direct insights into fundamental physical principles, thereby advancing our understanding of synchronization phenomena4 and informing the design of novel classes of chiral metamaterials5-7. Here we introduce hydrodynamic spin lattices (HSLs) of 'walking' droplets as a class of active spin systems with particle-wave coupling. HSLs reveal various non-equilibrium symmetry-breaking phenomena, including transitions from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic order that can be controlled by varying the lattice geometry and system rotation8. Theoretical predictions based on a generalized Kuramoto model4 derived from first principles rationalize our experimental observations, establishing HSLs as a versatile platform for exploring active phase oscillator dynamics. The tunability of HSLs suggests exciting directions for future research, from active spin-wave dynamics to hydrodynamic analogue computation and droplet-based topological insulators.

Hazardous base surges of Taal's 2020 eruption.

After 43 years of repose, Taal Volcano erupted on 12 January 2020 forming hazardous base surges. Using field, remote sensing (i.e. UAV and LiDAR), and numerical methods, we gathered primary data to generate well-constrained observed information on dune bedform characteristics, impact dynamic pressures and velocities of base surges. This is to advance our knowledge on this type of hazard to understand and evaluate its consequences and risks. The dilute and wet surges traveled at 50-60 ms-1 near the crater rim and decelerated before making impact on coastal communities with dynamic pressures of at least 1.7 kPa. The base surges killed more than a thousand livestock in the southeast of Taal Volcano Island, and then traveled another ~ 600 m offshore. This work is a rare document of a complete, fresh, and practically undisturbed base surge deposit, important in the study of dune deposits formed by volcanic and other processes on Earth and other planets.

Discrete and periodic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation for a hydrodynamic active lattice.

A discrete and periodic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, coupled to a mean equation, is systematically derived from a driven and dissipative lattice oscillator model, close to the onset of a supercritical Andronov-Hopf bifurcation. The oscillator model is inspired by recent experiments exploring active vibrations of quasi-one-dimensional lattices of self-propelled millimetric droplets bouncing on a vertically vibrating fluid bath. Our systematic derivation provides a direct link between the constitutive properties of the lattice system and the coefficients of the resultant amplitude equations, paving the way to compare the emergent nonlinear dynamics-namely, the onset and formation of discrete dark solitons, breathers, and traveling waves-against experiments. The framework presented herein is expected to be applicable to a wider class of oscillators characterized by the presence of a dynamic coupling potential between particles. More broadly, our results point to deeper connections between nonlinear oscillators and the physics of active and driven matter.

Biomarkers of cytokine storm as red flags for severe and fatal COVID-19 cases: A living systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the laboratory parameters and biomarkers of the cytokine storm syndrome associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. METHODS: A search with standardized descriptors and synonyms was performed on November 28th, 2020 of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, LILACS, and IBECS to identify studies of interest. Grey literature searches and snowballing techniques were additionally utilized to identify yet-unpublished works and related citations. Two review authors independently screened the retrieved titles and abstracts, selected eligible studies for inclusion, extracted data from the included studies, and then assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Eligible studies were those including laboratory parameters-including serum interleukin-6 levels-from mild, moderate, or severe COVID-19 cases. Laboratory parameters, such as interleukin-6, ferritin, hematology, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer, were extracted from the studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using the laboratory data to estimate mean differences with associated 95% confidence intervals. DATA SYNTHESIS: The database search yielded 9,620 records; 40 studies (containing a total of 9,542 patients) were included in the final analysis. Twenty-one studies (n = 4,313) assessed laboratory data related to severe COVID-19 cases, eighteen studies (n = 4,681) assessed predictors for fatal COVID-19 cases and one study (n = 548) assessed laboratory biomarkers related to severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. Lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated levels of interleukin-6, ferritin, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, C-Reactive-Protein, procalcitonin, creatinine, neutrophils and leucocytes were associated with severe and fatal COVID-19 cases. CONCLUSIONS: This review points to interleukin-6, ferritin, leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-Reactive Protein, procalcitonin, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, and D-dimer as important biomarkers of cytokine storm syndrome. Elevated levels of interleukin-6 and hyperferritinemia should be considered as red flags of systemic inflammation and poor prognosis in COVID-19.

Broadening the definition of a nervous system to better understand the evolution of plants and animals.

Most textbook definitions recognize only animals as having nervous systems. However, for the past couple decades, botanists have been meticulously studying long-distance signaling systems in plants, and some researchers have stated that plants have a simple nervous system. Thus, an academic conflict has emerged between those who defend and those who deny the existence of a nervous system in plants. This article analyses that debate, and we propose an alternative to answering yes or no: broadening the definition of a nervous system to include plants. We claim that a definition broader than the current one, which is based only on a phylogenetic viewpoint, would be helpful in obtaining a deeper understanding of how evolution has driven the features of signal generation, transmission and processing in multicellular beings. Also, we propose two possible definitions and exemplify how broader a definition allows for new viewpoints on the evolution of plants, animals and the nervous system.

Influence of high glucose in the expression of miRNAs and IGF1R signaling pathway in human myometrial explants.

PURPOSE: Several roles are attributed to the myometrium including sperm and embryo transport, menstrual discharge, control of uterine blood flow, and labor. Although being a target of diabetes complications, the influence of high glucose on this compartment has been poorly investigated. Both miRNAs and IGF1R are associated with diabetic complications in different tissues. Herein, we examined the effects of high glucose on the expression of miRNAs and IGF1R signaling pathway in the human myometrium. METHODS: Human myometrial explants were cultivated for 48 h under either high or low glucose conditions. Thereafter, the conditioned medium was collected for biochemical analyses and the myometrial samples were processed for histological examination as well as miRNA and mRNA expression profiling by qPCR. RESULTS: Myometrial structure and morphology were well preserved after 48 h of cultivation in both high and low glucose conditions. Levels of lactate, creatinine, LDH and estrogen in the supernatant were similar between groups. An explorative screening by qPCR arrays revealed that 6 out of 754 investigated miRNAs were differentially expressed in the high glucose group. Data validation by single qPCR assays confirmed diminished expression of miR-215-5p and miR-296-5p, and also revealed reduced miR-497-3p levels. Accordingly, mRNA levels of IGF1R and its downstream mediators FOXO3 and PDCD4, which are potentially targeted by miR-497-3p, were elevated under high glucose conditions. In contrast, mRNA expression of IGF1, PTEN, and GLUT1 was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The human myometrium responds to short-term exposure (48 h) to high glucose concentrations by regulating the expression of miRNAs, IGF1R and its downstream targets.

Research on nanoparticles in human perfused placenta: State of the art and perspectives.

Increasing human exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) from various sources raises concerns for public health, especially for vulnerable risk groups like pregnant women and their developing fetuses. However, nanomedicine and the prospect of creating safe and effective NP-based formulations of drugs hold great promise to revolutionize treatment during pregnancy. With maternal and fetal health at stake, risks and opportunities of NPs in pregnancy need to be carefully investigated. Importantly, a comprehensive understanding of NP transport and effects at the placenta is urgently needed considering the central position of the placenta at the maternal-fetal interface and its many essential functions to enable successful pregnancy. The perfusion of human placental tissue provides a great opportunity to achieve predictive human relevant insights, circumventing uncertainties due to considerable differences in placental structure and function across species. Here, we have reviewed the current literature on the ex vivo human placenta perfusion of NPs. From 16 available studies, it was evident that placental uptake and transfer of NPs are highly dependent on their characteristics like size and surface modifications, which is in line with previous observations from in vitro and animal transport studies. These studies further revealed that special considerations apply for the perfusion of NPs and we identified relevant controls that should be implemented in future perfusion studies. While current studies mostly focused on placental transfer of NPs to conclude on potential fetal exposure, the ex vivo placental perfusion model has considerable potential to reveal novel insights on NP effects on placental tissue functionality and signaling that could indirectly affect maternal-fetal health.

Immunomodulatory properties of extracellular vesicles in the dialogue between placental and immune cells.

Extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication has been implicated in the cooperative alliance between trophoblast and immune cells toward maternal tolerance and placentation. Syncytiotrophoblast cells secrete EVs directly into the maternal circulation, which are taken up by immune cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. Initial evidence also shows that EVs produced by immune cells are, in turn, incorporated by trophoblast cells and modulate placental responses. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), proteins, and lipid mediators transported in EVs are able to influence proliferation, differentiation, cytokine production, and immunological responses of recipient cells. The molecular alphabet and cellular targets involved in this dialogue are being revealed. Nevertheless, several questions regarding the whole content, surface markers, and biological functions of EVs still remain to be investigated in both physiological and pathological conditions. Analysis of circulating EVs in maternal blood has the potential to serve as a minimally invasive approach to monitoring placental functions and immunological features of pregnancy, aiding in the diagnostics of complications. This review addresses the immunomodulatory properties of EVs and their tasks in the communication between placental and immune cells.