Stock Market Interdependence and Trade Relations: A Correlation Test for the U.S. and Its Trading Partners

Based on the well-established trade relations between the U.S. and its major trading partners, this paper examines the robustness of the trade relation hypothesis which, in some recent studies, argues that difference in trade relations among countries can significantly explain difference in the stock market interdependence. The generalized VDC analysis is employed to measure the stock market interdependence, and the correlation test with bootstrap procedure is applied to test the hypothesis. The results indicate that the hypothesis is hardly as a general rule.

Protection Against Cardiac Injury by Small Ca\u3csup\u3e2 +\u3c/sup\u3e-Sensitive K\u3csup\u3e+\u3c/sup\u3e Channels Identified in Guinea Pig Cardiac Inner Mitochondrial Membrane

We tested if small conductance, Ca2 +‐sensitive K+ channels (SKCa) precondition hearts against ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury by improving mitochondrial (m) bioenergetics, if O2‐derived free radicals are required to initiate protection via SKCa channels, and, importantly, if SKCa channels are present in cardiac cell inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM). NADH and FAD, superoxide (O2−), and m[Ca2 +] were measured in guinea pig isolated hearts by fluorescence spectrophotometry. SKCa and IKCa channel opener DCEBIO (DCEB) was given for 10 min and ended 20 min before IR. Either TBAP, a dismutator of O2−, NS8593, an antagonist of SKCa isoforms, or other KCa and KATP channel antagonists, were given before DCEB and before ischemia. DCEB treatment resulted in a 2-fold increase in LV pressure on reperfusion and a 2.5 fold decrease in infarct size vs. non-treated hearts associated with reduced O2− and m[Ca2 +], and more normalized NADH and FAD during IR. Only NS8593 and TBAP antagonized protection by DCEB. Localization of SKCa channels to mitochondria and IMM was evidenced by a) identification of purified mSKCa protein by Western blotting, immuno-histochemical staining, confocal microscopy, and immuno-gold electron microscopy, b) 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy of IMM protein, c) [Ca2 +]‐dependence of mSKCa channels in planar lipid bilayers, and d) matrix K+ influx induced by DCEB and blocked by SKCa antagonist UCL1684. This study shows that 1) SKCa channels are located and functional in IMM, 2) mSKCa channel opening by DCEB leads to protection that is O2−dependent, and 3) protection by DCEB is evident beginning during ischemia

Application of diffusion kurtosis imaging in neonatal brain development

BackgroundDeviations from the regular pattern of growth and development could lead to early childhood diseases, suggesting the importance of evaluating early brain development. Through this study, we aimed to explore the changing patterns of white matter and gray matter during neonatal brain development using diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).Materials and methodsIn total, 42 full-term neonates (within 28 days of birth) underwent conventional brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DKI. The DKI metrics (including kurtosis parameters and diffusion parameters) of white matter and deep gray matter were measured. DKI metrics from the different regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated using the Kruskal–Wallis test and Bonferroni method. Spearman rank correlation analysis of the DKI metrics was conducted, and the age at the time of brain MRI acquisition was calculated. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their age at the time of brain MRI acquisition: the first group, neonates aged ≤7 days; the second group, neonates aged 8–14 days; and the third group, neonates aged 15–28 days. The rate of change in DKI metrics relative to the first group was computed.ResultsThe mean kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (Ka), radial kurtosis (Kr), and fractional anisotropy (FA) values showed positive correlations, whereas mean diffusion (MD), axial diffusion (Da), and radial diffusion (Dr) values showed negative correlations with the age at the time of brain MRI acquisition. The absolute correlation coefficients between MK values of almost all ROIs (except genu of the corpus callosum and frontal white matter) and the age at the time of brain MRI acquisition were greater than other metrics. The kurtosis parameters and FA values of central white matter were significantly higher than that of peripheral white matter, whereas the MD and Dr values were significantly lower than that of peripheral white matter. The MK value of the posterior limb of the internal capsule was the highest among the white matter areas. The FA value of the splenium of the corpus callosum was significantly higher than that of the other white matter areas. The kurtosis parameters and FA values of globus pallidus and thalamus were significantly higher than those of the caudate nucleus and putamen, whereas the Da and Dr values of globus pallidus and thalamus were significantly lower than those of the caudate nucleus and putamen. The relative change rates of kurtosis parameters and FA values of all ROIs were greater than those of MD, Da, and Dr values. The amplitude of MK values of almost all ROIs (except for the genu of the corpus callosum and central white matter of the centrum semiovale level) was greater than that of other metrics. The relative change rates of the Kr values of most ROIs were greater than those of the Ka value, and the relative change rates of the Dr values of most ROIs were greater than those of the Da value.ConclusionDKI parameters showed potential advantages in detecting the changes in brain microstructure during neonatal brain development

Pathway and kinetics of cyhalothrin biodegradation by Bacillus thuringiensis strain ZS-19

10.1038/srep08784Scientific Reports

Scaling from single-point sap velocity measurements to stand transpiration in a multispecies deciduous forest: Uncertainty sources, stand structure effect, and future scenarios

9 páginas.-- 5 figuras.-- 2 tablas.-- 58 referencias[EN] A major challenge in studies estimating stand water use in mixed-species forests is how to effectively scale data from individual trees to the stand. This is the case for forest ecosystems in the northeastern USA where differences in water use among species and across different size classes have not been extensively studied, despite their relevance for a wide range of ecosystem services. Our objectives were to assess the importance of different sources of variability on transpiration upscaling and explore the potential impacts of future shifts in species composition on the forest water budget. We measured sap velocity in five tree species (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Acer rubrum L., Acer saccharum Marsh., Betula alleghaniensis Britton, and Betula papyrifera Marsh.) in a mature stand and a young stand in New Hampshire, USA. Our results showed that the greatest potential source of error was radial variability and that tree size was more important than species in determining sap velocity. Total sapwood area was demonstrated to exert a strong controlling influence on transpiration, varying depending on tree size and species. We conclude that the effect of potential species shifts on transpiration will depend on the sap velocity, determined not only by radial variation and tree size, but also by the sapwood area distribution in the stand.[FR] Les études dont le but est d'estimer l'utilisation de l'eau a` l'échelle du peuplement dans les forêts mélangées font face a` un défi majeur : comment passer efficacement de l'échelle des arbres individuels a` l'échelle du peuplement. C'est le cas pour les écosystèmes forestiers dans le nord-est des États-Unis où les différences dans l'utilisation de l'eau entre les espèces et parmi les différentes catégories de taille n'ont pas fait l'objet d'études approfondies malgré leur pertinence pour une vaste gamme de services de l'écosystème. Nos objectifs consistaient a` évaluer l'importance des différentes sources de variation sur l'extrapolation de la transpiration et a` explorer les impacts potentiels des changements futurs dans la composition en espèces sur le bilan hydrique de la forêt. Nous avons mesuré la vitesse de la sève chez cinq espèces d'arbre (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh., Acer rubrum L., Acer saccharum Marsh., Betula alleghaniensis Britton et Betula papyrifera Marsh.) dans un peuplement mature et dans un jeune peuplement au New Hampshire (É.-U.). Nos résultats ont montré que la plus grande source potentielle d'erreur était la variation radiale et que la vitesse de la sève était davantage déterminée par la taille des arbres que par l'espèce. La surface totale de bois d'aubier avait un effet très déterminant sur la transpiration qui variait selon la taille et l'espèce d'arbre. Nous concluons que l'effet des changements potentiels dans la composition en espèces sur la transpiration dépendra de la vitesse de la sève qui est principalement déterminée par la variation radiale et la taille des arbres mais aussi de la distribution de la surface de bois d'aubier dans le peuplement.This work was funded by the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station. The Bartlett Experimental Forest is operated by the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station. S. Mcgraw, P. Pellissier, C. Breton, S. Alvarado-Barrientos, R. Snyder, and Z. Aldag assisted in the field and in the lab. The 2011 stand inventory was led by S. Goswami. Tree heights were measured and compiled by C. Blodgett, T. Fahey, and L. Liu. A. Richardson shared meteorology and solar radiation data from the Bartlett Amerflux tower. The stands used in this experiment are maintained and monitored by the MELNHE project under the direction of R. Yanai and M. Fisk, with funding from NSF grants DEB 0235650 and DEB 0949324Peer reviewe

Comparative Genomic Analysis Reveals Extensive Genetic Variations of WRKYs in Solanaceae and Functional Variations of CaWRKYs in Pepper

As a conserved protein family, WRKY has been shown to be involved in multiple biological processes in plants. However, the mechanism of functional diversity for WRKYs in pepper has not been well elucidated. Here, a total of 223 WRKY members from solanaceae crops including pepper, tomato and potato, were analyzed using comparative genomics. A tremendous genetic variation among WRKY members of different solanaceous plants or groups was demonstrated by the comparison of some WRKY features, including number/size, group constitution, gene structure, and domain composition. The phylogenetic analysis showed that except for the known WRKY groups (I, IIa/b/c/d/e and III), two extra WRKY subgroups specifically existed in solanaceous plants, which were named group IIf and group IIg in this study, and their genetic variations were also revealed by the characteristics of some group IIf and IIg WRKYs. Except for the extensive genetic variations, certain degrees of conservatism for solanaceae WRKYs were also revealed. Moreover, the variant zinc-finger structure (CX4,7CX22-24HXC) in group III of solanaceae WRKYs was identified. Expression profiles of CaWRKY genes suggested their potential roles in pepper development and stress responses, and demonstrated a functional division pattern for pepper CaWRKYs. Furthermore, functional analysis using virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) revealed critical roles of two CaWRKYs (CaWRKY45 and CaWRKY58) in plant responses to disease and drought, respectively. This study provides a solid foundation for further dissection of the evolutionary and functional diversity of solanaceae WRKYs in crop plants

The value of synthetic MRI in detecting the brain changes and hearing impairment of children with sensorineural hearing loss

IntroductionSensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) can arise from a diverse range of congenital and acquired factors. Detecting it early is pivotal for nurturing speech, language, and cognitive development in children with SNHL. In our study, we utilized synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (SyMRI) to assess alterations in both gray and white matter within the brains of children affected by SNHL.MethodsThe study encompassed both children diagnosed with SNHL and a control group of children with normal hearing {1.5-month-olds (n = 52) and 3-month-olds (n = 78)}. Participants were categorized based on their auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, delineated into normal, mild, moderate, and severe subgroups.Clinical parameters were included and assessed the correlation with SNHL. Quantitative analysis of brain morphology was conducted using SyMRI scans, yielding data on brain segmentation and relaxation time.Through both univariate and multivariate analyses, independent factors predictive of SNHL were identified. The efficacy of the prediction model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, with visualization facilitated through the utilization of a nomogram. It's important to note that due to the constraints of our research, we worked with a relatively small sample size.ResultsNeonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NH) and children with inner ear malformation (IEM) were associated with the onset of SNHL both at 1.5 and 3-month groups. At 3-month group, the moderate and severe subgroups exhibited elevated quantitative T1 values in the inferior colliculus (IC), lateral lemniscus (LL), and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) compared to the normal group. Additionally, WMV, WMF, MYF, and MYV were significantly reduced relative to the normal group. Additionally, SNHL-children with IEM had high T1 values in IC, and LL and reduced WMV, WMF, MYV and MYF values as compared with SNHL-children without IEM at 3-month group. LL-T1 and WMF were independent risk factors associated with SNHL. Consequently, a prediction model was devised based on LL-T1 and WMF. ROC for training set, validation set and external set were 0.865, 0.806, and 0.736, respectively.ConclusionThe integration of T1 quantitative values and brain volume segmentation offers a valuable tool for tracking brain development in children affected by SNHL and assessing the progression of the condition's severity

A hub gene signature as a therapeutic target and biomarker for sepsis and geriatric sepsis-induced ARDS concomitant with COVID-19 infection

BackgroundCOVID-19 and sepsis represent formidable public health challenges, characterized by incompletely elucidated molecular mechanisms. Elucidating the interplay between COVID-19 and sepsis, particularly in geriatric patients suffering from sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), is of paramount importance for identifying potential therapeutic interventions to mitigate hospitalization and mortality risks.MethodsWe employed bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify hub genes, shared pathways, molecular biomarkers, and candidate therapeutics for managing sepsis and sepsis-induced ARDS in the context of COVID-19 infection, as well as co-existing or sequentially occurring infections. We corroborated these hub genes utilizing murine sepsis-ARDS models and blood samples derived from geriatric patients afflicted by sepsis-induced ARDS.ResultsOur investigation revealed 189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared among COVID-19 and sepsis datasets. We constructed a protein-protein interaction network, unearthing pivotal hub genes and modules. Notably, nine hub genes displayed significant alterations and correlations with critical inflammatory mediators of pulmonary injury in murine septic lungs. Simultaneously, 12 displayed significant changes and correlations with a neutrophil-recruiting chemokine in geriatric patients with sepsis-induced ARDS. Of these, six hub genes (CD247, CD2, CD40LG, KLRB1, LCN2, RETN) showed significant alterations across COVID-19, sepsis, and geriatric sepsis-induced ARDS. Our single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of hub genes across diverse immune cell types furnished insights into disease pathogenesis. Functional analysis underscored the interconnection between sepsis/sepsis-ARDS and COVID-19, enabling us to pinpoint potential therapeutic targets, transcription factor-gene interactions, DEG-microRNA co-regulatory networks, and prospective drug and chemical compound interactions involving hub genes.ConclusionOur investigation offers potential therapeutic targets/biomarkers, sheds light on the immune response in geriatric patients with sepsis-induced ARDS, emphasizes the association between sepsis/sepsis-ARDS and COVID-19, and proposes prospective alternative pathways for targeted therapeutic interventions

Purification and Characterization of a Novel Chlorpyrifos Hydrolase from Cladosporium cladosporioides Hu-01

Chlorpyrifos is of great environmental concern due to its widespread use in the past several decades and its potential toxic effects on human health. Thus, the degradation study of chlorpyrifos has become increasing important in recent years. A fungus capable of using chlorpyrifos as the sole carbon source was isolated from organophosphate-contaminated soil and characterized as Cladosporium cladosporioides Hu-01 (collection number: CCTCC M 20711). A novel chlorpyrifos hydrolase from cell extract was purified 35.6-fold to apparent homogeneity with 38.5% overall recovery by ammoniumsulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography and anion-exchange chromatography. It is a monomeric structure with a molecular mass of 38.3 kDa. The pI value was estimated to be 5.2. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 6.5 and 40°C, respectively. No cofactors were required for the chlorpyrifos-hydrolysis activity. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Hg2+, Fe3+, DTT, β-mercaptoethanol and SDS, whereas slight inhibitory effects (5–10% inhibition) were observed in the presence of Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, and EDTA. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed various organophosphorus insecticides with P-O and P-S bond. Chlorpyrifos was the preferred substrate. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme for chlorpyrifos were 6.7974 μM and 2.6473 μmol·min−1, respectively. Both NH2-terminal sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) identified an amino acid sequence MEPDGELSALTQGANS, which shared no similarity with any reported organophosphate-hydrolyzing enzymes. These results suggested that the purified enzyme was a novel hydrolase and might conceivably be developed to fulfill the practical requirements to enable its use in situ for detoxification of chlorpyrifos. Finally, this is the first described chlorpyrifos hydrolase from fungus