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Abstract Manual delineation of liver segments on computed tomography (CT) images for primary/secondary liver cancer (LC) patients is time-intensive and prone to inter/intra-observer variability. Therefore, we developed a deep-learning-based model to auto-contour liver segments and spleen on contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) images. We trained two models using 3d patch-based attention U-Net ( $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{paU}}-{\text{Net}}})$$ M paU - Net ) and 3d full resolution of nnU-Net ( $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{nnU}}-{\text{Net}}})$$ M nnU - Net ) to determine the best architecture ( $${\text{BA}})$$ BA ) . BA was used with vessels ( $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{Vess}}})$$ M Vess ) and spleen ( $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{seg}}+{\text{spleen}}})$$ M seg + spleen ) to assess the impact on segment contouring. Models were trained, validated, and tested on 160 ( $${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{RTTrain}}}$$ C RTTrain ), 40 ( $${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{RTVal}}}$$ C RTVal ), 33 ( $${{\text{C}}}_{{\text{LS}}}$$ C LS ), 25 (CCH) and 20 (CPVE) CECT of LC patients. $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{nnU}}-{\text{Net}}}$$ M nnU - Net outperformed $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{paU}}-{\text{Net}}}$$ M paU - Net across all segments with median differences in Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) ranging 0.03–0.05 (p 0.05), however, both were slightly better than $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{Vess}}}$$ M Vess by DSC up to 0.02. The final model, $${{\text{M}}}_{{\text{seg}}+{\text{spleen}}}$$ M seg + spleen , showed a mean DSC of 0.89, 0.82, 0.88, 0.87, 0.96, and 0.95 for segments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5–8, and spleen, respectively on entire test sets. Qualitatively, more than 85% of cases showed a Likert score $$\ge$$ ≥ 3 on test sets. Our final model provides clinically acceptable contours of liver segments and spleen which are usable in treatment planning.

Abstract Previous studies of DNA sequence and karyotypic data have revealed high genetic diversity in the Physalaemus cuvieri – Physalaemus ephippifer species complex—a group of small leptodactylid frogs in South America. To date, seven major genetic lineages have been recognized in this group, with species delimitation tests supporting four to seven of them as valid species. Among these, only P. ephippifer shows heteromorphic sex chromosomes, but the implications of cytogenetic divergence for the evolution of this group are unknown. We analyzed karyotypic, mitochondrial DNA, and 3RAD genomic data to characterize a putative contact zone between P. ephippifer and P. cuvieri Lineage 1, finding evidence for admixture and karyotypic evolution. We also describe preliminary evidence for admixture between two other members of this species complex—Lineage 1 and Lineage 3 of P. cuvieri. Our study sheds new light on evolutionary relationships in the P. cuvieri – P. ephippifer species complex, suggesting an important role of karyotypic divergence in its evolutionary history and underscoring the importance of hybridization as a mechanism of sex chromosome evolution in amphibians.

Abstract The Chaoyangopteridae is a clade of azhdarchoid pterosaurs that stands out in China, particularly in the Jehol Biota, as a Cretaceous group of medium-sized and high-crested pterosaurs. Herein, we describe a new species, Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov., based on two specimens, one tentatively referred to this taxon. This new species represents the most complete and well-preserved chaoyangopterid recorded to date. Along with a set of characters (low premaxillary crest above the nasoantorbital fenestra extending posteriorly, posterior premaxillary process arched and curving posteriorly, a slightly convex sternal articulation surface of coracoid, and a fibular shaft close to proximal articulation strongly arched posteriorly), this species also provides new information both on the unknown palatal region of this clade, and on the rarely preserved (in place) ear portion with stapes. Moreover, M. youhao sheds light on paleoecological aspects, while also giving new information about the taxonomic diversity of this peculiar group of Jiufotang pterosaurs.

Abstract 1H NMR-based metabolomics was used to study the effect of abrupt weaning on the blood metabolome of beef calves. Twenty Angus calves (258 ± 5 kg BW; 5 to 6 months old) were randomly assigned to a non-weaned (NW) group that remained grazing with their dam or a weaned (W) group that underwent abrupt separation from their dam to a separate paddock on d 0 of the study. Body weight, behaviour, and blood samples for cortisol and metabolomics were measured at d 0, 1, 2, 7, and 14 of the study. On d 1 and 2, W calves spent less time grazing and ruminating, and more time vocalising and walking, had a greater concentration of cortisol, NEFA, 3-hydroxybutyrate, betaine, creatine, and phenylalanine, and lesser abundance of tyrosine (P

Abstract In the present study a single screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) and chemometric techniques were utilized for forensic differentiation of Brazilian American lager beers. To differentiate Brazilian beers at the manufacturer and brand level, the classification techniques: soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), partial least squares regression discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and support vector machines discriminant analysis (SVM-DA) were tested. PLS-DA model presented an inconclusive assignment ratio of 20%. On the other hand, SIMCA models had a 0 inconclusive rate but an sensitivity close to 85%. While the non-linear technique (SVM-DA) showed an accuracy of 98%, with 95% sensitivity and 98% specificity. The SPCE-SVM-DA technique was then used to distinguish at brand level two highly frauded beers. The SPCE coupled with SVM-DA performed with an accuracy of 97% for the classification of both brands. Therefore, the proposed electrochemicalsensor configuration has been deemed an appropriate tool for discrimination of American lager beers according to their producer and brands.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep07865 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis-associated mortality in early childhood. Emerging clinical evidence suggest the efficacy of the postbiotic approach based on cow's milk fermentation with the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CBAL74 (FM-CBAL74) in preventing pediatric acute gastroenteritis, but the mechanisms of action are still poorly characterized. We evaluated the protective action of FM-CBAL74 in an in vitro model of RV infection in human enterocytes. The number of infected cells together with the relevant aspects of RV infection were assessed: epithelial barrier damage (tight-junction proteins and transepithelial electrical resistance evaluation), and inflammation (reactive oxygen species, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation). Pre-incubation with FM-CBA L74 resulted in an inhibition of epithelial barrier damage and inflammation mediated by mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation induced by RV infection. Modulating several protective mechanisms, the postbiotic FM-CBAL74 exerted a preventive action against RV infection. This approach could be a disrupting nutritional strategy against one of the most common killers for the pediatric age., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children. Bacillus clausii (B. clausii) is a spore-forming probiotic that is able to colonize the gut. A mixture of four B. clausii strains (O/C, T, SIN and N/R) is commonly used for the treatment of AGE, and it has been demonstrated that it can reduce the duration and severity of diarrhea in children with AGE. Few studies have sought to characterize the mechanisms responsible for such beneficial effects. Intestinal effects of probiotics are likely to be strain-specific. We conducted a series of in vitro experiments investigating the activities of this mixture of B. clausii strains on biomarkers of mucosal barrier integrity and immune function in a cellular model of Rotavirus infection. B. clausii protected enterocytes against Rotavirus-induced decrease in trans-epithelial electrical resistance, and up-regulated expression of mucin 5AC and tight junction proteins (occludin and zonula occludens-1), all of which are important for effective mucosal barrier function. B. clausii also inhibited reactive oxygen species production and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-8 and interferon-β) in Rotavirus-infected cells, and down-regulated pro-inflammatory Toll-like receptor 3 pathway gene expression. Such mechanisms likely contributed to the observed protective effects of B. clausii against reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in Rotavirus-infected enterocytes.

Epigenetic mechanisms could drive the disease course of cow's milk allergy (CMA) and formula choice could modulate these pathways. We compared the effect of two different dietary approaches on epigenetic mechanisms in CMA children. Randomized controlled trial on IgE-mediated CMA children receiving a 12-month treatment with extensively hydrolyzed casein formula containing the probiotic L.rhamnosus GG (EHCF + LGG) or with soy formula (SF). At the baseline, after 6 and 12 months of treatment FoxP3 methylation rate and its expression in CD4 + T cells were assessed. At same study points IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IFN-γ methylation rate, expression and serum concentration, miRNAs expression were also investigated. 20 children (10/group) were evaluated. Baseline demographic, clinical and epigenetic features were similar in the two study groups. At 6 and 12 months, EHCF + LGG group showed a significant increase in FoxP3 demethylation rate compared to SF group. At the same study points, EHCF + LGG group presented a higher increase in IL-4 and IL-5 and a higher reduction in IL-10 and IFN-γ DNA methylation rate compared to SF group. A different modulation of miR-155, -146a, -128 and -193a expression was observed in EHCF + LGG vs. SF. Dietary intervention could exert a different epigenetic modulation on the immune system in CMA children.

Progress in assisted reproductive technologies strongly relies on understanding the regulation of the dialogue between oocyte and cumulus cells (CCs). Little is known about the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the human cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). To this aim, publicly available RNA-sequencing data were analyzed to identify lncRNAs that were abundant in metaphase II (MII) oocytes (BCAR4, C3orf56, TUNAR, OOEP-AS1, CASC18, and LINC01118) and CCs (NEAT1, MALAT1, ANXA2P2, MEG3, IL6STP1, and VIM-AS1). These data were validated by RT-qPCR analysis using independent oocytes and CC samples. The functions of the identified lncRNAs were then predicted by constructing lncRNA-mRNA co-expression networks. This analysis suggested that MII oocyte lncRNAs could be involved in chromatin remodeling, cell pluripotency and in driving early embryonic development. CC lncRNAs were co-expressed with genes involved in apoptosis and extracellular matrix-related functions. A bioinformatic analysis of RNA-sequencing data to identify CC lncRNAs that are affected by maternal age showed that lncRNAs with age-related altered expression in CCs are essential for oocyte growth. This comprehensive analysis of lncRNAs expressed in human MII oocytes and CCs could provide biomarkers of oocyte quality for the development of non-invasive tests to identify embryos with high developmental potential.