The Paracingulate Sulcus Is a Unique Feature of the Medial Frontal Cortex Shared by Great Apes and Humans

Primate brains display a wide range of variation in size and cerebral gyrification, leading to the appearance of novel sulci in particular groups of species. We investigated sulcal organization in the medial frontal cortex of great apes, with a particular focus on the paracingulate sulcus (PCGS). Until recently, the presence of the PCGS was thought to be a structural feature unique to the human brain. However, upon closer examination, the PCGS has been observed as a variable feature that also may appear in chimpanzee brains. To understand the evolutionary origins of the sulcal anatomy in the medial frontal cortex of apes, we examined high-resolution MRI scans for the presence or absence of the PCGS and, when present, measured its length in a sample of ape brains (chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, and siamangs). We found that the PCGS is variable in its appearance among these species, being present in 23 to 50% of great ape individuals depending on the species, but not present in gibbons or siamangs. We did not find population level hemispheric lateralization patterns or sex differences in PCGS presence across species, and we did not detect a relationship between cerebral volume and PCGS occurrence or length. Our data suggest that the PCGS is a common sulcal variant present in great apes and humans due to a shared evolutionary ancestry.

Use of a reproduction practice by a whole ear in winter wheat primary seed farming

The article presents the results of field and laboratory studies from 2017 to 2020, on the basis of which a comprehensive assessment was given for the study of various sowing patterns (2, 3, 4, 5 ears/run.m with a width of interspaces of 45 cm) with a whole unfinished ear of winter soft wheat of the Lgovskaya 4 variety 4 in the nursery for testing offsprings of the first year in Kursk Region. It was found that when selecting whole ears by size, it is necessary to take into account the weight of grain in the ears, as the most variable feature. Inside the ear, a large density of plants was noted, which significantly reduced the nutritional area compared to the extreme plants in the ear. Plants inside the ear had similar conditions for nutrition and development in all sowing patterns. Extreme plants in the ear due to the larger food area were in better conditions. Productive bushiness decreased with thickening of crops with ears from 2.1 to 1.6 stems/plant. The density of the cenosis and yield, on the contrary, increased by 85% and 60.4%, respectively. The best conditions for the formation of a full-value seed crop were developed at 4 ears/lin.m, since maximum indicators were noted: the survival rate of plants from the ears was 84.1%, the yield of conditioned seeds was 93%, the germination energy was 95%, the smallest number of rejected families was 19%. The use of a compacted sowing pattern of 4 ears/lin.m in the first-year offspring testing nursery increased seed yield by 75% compared to the control.

Diabetic Retinopathy Environment-Wide Association Study (EWAS) in NHANES 2005–2008

Several circulating biomarkers are reported to be associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, their relative contributions to DR compared to known risk factors, such as hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia, remain unclear. In this data driven study, we used novel models to evaluate the associations of over 400 laboratory parameters with DR compared to the established risk factors. Methods: we performed an environment-wide association study (EWAS) of laboratory parameters available in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2008 in individuals with diabetes with DR as the outcome (test set). We employed independent variable (feature) selection approaches, including parallelised univariate regression modelling, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), penalised regression, and RandomForest™. These models were replicated in NHANES 2005–2006 (replication set). Our test and replication sets consisted of 1025 and 637 individuals with available DR status and laboratory data respectively. Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) was the strongest risk factor for DR. Our PCA-based approach produced a model that incorporated 18 principal components (PCs) that had an Area under the Curve (AUC) 0.796 (95% CI 0.761–0.832), while penalised regression identified a 9-feature model with 78.51% accuracy and AUC 0.74 (95% CI 0.72–0.77). RandomForest™ identified a 31-feature model with 78.4% accuracy and AUC 0.71 (95% CI 0.65–0.77). On grouping the selected variables in our RandomForest™, hyperglycaemia alone achieved AUC 0.72 (95% CI 0.68–0.76). The AUC increased to 0.84 (95% CI 0.78–0.9) when the model also included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, haematocrit, renal, and liver function tests.

Diabetic retinopathy environment-wide association study (EWAS) in NHANES 2005-8.

Background: Several circulating biomarkers are reported to be associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, their relative contributions to DR compared to known risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, remain unclear. In this data driven study, we used novel models to evaluate the associations of over 400 laboratory parameters with DR. Methods: We performed an environment-wide association study (EWAS) of laboratory parameters available in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-8 in individuals with diabetes with DR as the outcome (test set). We employed independent variable ('feature') selection approaches, including parallelized univariate regression modeling, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), penalized regression, and RandomForest. These models were replicated in NHANES 2005-6 (replication set). Findings: The test and replication set consisted of 1025 and 637 individuals with available DR status and laboratory data respectively. Glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) was the strongest risk factor for DR. Our PCA-based approach produced a model that incorporated 18 principal components (PCs) that had AUC 0.796 (95% CI 0.761-0.832), while penalized regression identified a 9-feature model with 78.51% accuracy and AUC 0.74 (95% CI 0.72-0.77). RandomForest identified a 31-feature model with 78.4% accuracy and AUC 0.71 (95% CI 0.65-0.77). On grouping the selected variables in our RandomForest, hyperglycemia alone achieved AUC 0.72 (95% CI 0.68-0.76). The AUC increased to 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.9) when the model also included hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hematocrit, renal and liver function tests. Interpretation: All models showed that the contributions of established risk factors of DR especially hyperglycemia outweigh other laboratory parameters available in NHANES.

The geolect of Plungė in terms of regressive assimilation of vowels I, U

Based on dialectometric methods, the article discusses the geolect of Plungė in terms of regressive assimilation of vowels i, u. The study material consists of about 9 hours of audio recordings, 57 sentences, recited by nine presenters of younger, middle and older generations. 6 words were chosen in which regressive assimilation of vowels can take place, i. e., the words with vowels i, u in accented, unaccented and shifted accent positions. Quantitative analysis of the material (sentences read by the presenters) was performed with the tools of the computer program Gabmap. Pseudo maps of networks, reference points, cluster analysis, as well as differential dialectal features were analyzed. The analysis performed using dialectometry methods shows that differences in limb reduction, word stem, consonant softening become apparent, but in many cases regressive assimilation of vowels i, u becomes the main variable feature. The operation/inaction of the regressive assimilation of vowels i, u is greatly influenced by accent. When vowels are accented, presenters of all generations pronounce them without regressive vowel assimilation. When the vowel i is unaccented, it is assimilated, and the vowel u is spelled narrowly by only a third of the presenters. Dual behavior exists in cases where vowels receive a shifted accent. The pronunciation of both vowels is approximate. Maintaining the main distinguishing feature of the residents of Plungė from the dialect of the residents of Telšiai, although inconsistent, would allow predicting that the linguistic dialect peculiarity of this area could compete with the language code of Telšiai – based on the Samogitian regiolect – or whether the regiolect itself would be / become dual-core (more detailed research based on a multi-faceted research model is needed to confirm this statement). The effect of regressive assimilation in the Plungė dialect, in the geolectic zone in general, can be both a proof of resemblance to the northern Samogitian Telšiai residents and a sign of a decrease in the importance of assimilation as a distinctive feature of the dialects.

Comparative genomic analysis of the secondary flagellar (flag-2) system in the order Enterobacterales

Background The order Enterobacterales encompasses a broad range of metabolically and ecologically versatile bacterial taxa, most of which are motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Flagellar biosynthesis has been linked to a primary flagella locus, flag -1, encompassing ~ 50 genes. A discrete locus, flag -2, encoding a distinct flagellar system, has been observed in a limited number of enterobacterial taxa, but its function remains largely uncharacterized. Results and Discussion Comparative genomic analyses showed that orthologous flag -2 loci are present in 592/4,028 taxa belonging to 5/8 and 31/76 families and genera, respectively, in the order Enterobacterales. Furthermore, the presence of only the outermost flag- 2 genes in many taxa suggests that this locus was far more prevalent and has subsequently been lost through gene deletion events. The flag -2 loci range in size from ~3.4 to 81.1 kilobases and code for between five and 102 distinct proteins. The discrepancy in size and protein number can be attributed to the presence of cargo gene islands within the loci. Evolutionary analyses revealed a complex evolutionary history for the flag -2 loci, representing ancestral elements in some taxa, while showing evidence of recent horizontal acquisition in other enterobacteria. Conclusions The flag -2 flagellar system is a fairly common, but highly variable feature among members of the Enterobacterales. Given the energetic burden of flagellar biosynthesis and functioning, the prevalence of a second flagellar system suggests it plays important biological roles in the enterobacteria and we postulate on its potential role as locomotory organ or as secretion system.

Comparative genomic analysis of the secondary flagellar (flag-2) system in the order Enterobacterales

Background The order Enterobacterales encompasses a broad range of metabolically and ecologically versatile bacterial taxa, most of which are motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Flagellar biosynthesis has been linked to a primary flagella locus, flag -1, encompassing ~ 50 genes. A discrete locus, flag -2, encoding a distinct flagellar system, has been observed in a limited number of enterobacterial taxa, but its function remains largely uncharacterized.Results and Discussion Comparative genomic analyses showed that orthologous flag -2 loci are present in 592/4,028 taxa belonging to 5/8 and 31/76 families and genera, respectively, in the order Enterobacterales. Furthermore, the presence of only the outermost flag- 2 genes in many taxa suggests that this locus was far more prevalent and has subsequently been lost through gene deletion events. The flag -2 loci range in size from ~3.4 to 81.1 kilobases and code for between five and 102 distinct proteins. The discrepancy in size and protein number can be attributed to the presence of cargo gene islands within the loci. Evolutionary analyses revealed a complex evolutionary history for the flag -2 loci, representing ancestral elements in some taxa, while showing evidence of recent horizontal acquisition in other enterobacteria.Conclusions The flag -2 flagellar system is a fairly common, but highly variable feature among members of the Enterobacterales. Given the energetic burden of flagellar biosynthesis and functioning, the prevalence of a second flagellar system suggests it plays important biological roles in the enterobacteria and we postulate on its potential role as locomotory organ or as secretion system.

Comparative genomic analysis of the secondary flagellar (flag-2) system in the order Enterobacterales

Background The order Enterobacterales encompasses a broad range of metabolically and ecologically versatile bacterial taxa, most of which are motile by means of peritrichous flagella. Flagellar biosynthesis has been linked to a primary flagella locus, flag -1, encompassing ~ 50 genes. A discrete locus, flag -2, encoding a distinct flagellar system, has been observed in a limited number of enterobacterial taxa, but its function remains largely uncharacterized.Results and Discussion Comparative genomic analyses showed that orthologous flag -2 loci are present in 592/4,028 taxa belonging to 5/8 and 31/76 families and genera, respectively, in the order Enterobacterales. Furthermore, the presence of the outermost flag- 2 genes only in many taxa suggest that this locus was far more prevalent and has subsequently been lost through gene deletion events. The flag -2 loci range in size from ~3.4 to 81.1 kilobases and code for between five and 102 distinct proteins. The discrepancy in size and protein number can be attributed to the presence of cargo gene islands within the loci. Evolutionary analyses revealed a complex evolutionary history for the flag -2 loci, representing ancestral elements in some taxa, while showing evidence of recent horizontal acquisition in other enterobacteria.Conclusions The flag -2 flagellar system is a relatively common, but highly variable feature among members of the Enterobacterales. Given the energetic burden of flagellar biosynthesis and functioning, the prevalence of a second flagellar system suggests it plays important biological roles in the enterobacteria and we postulate on its potential role as locomotory organ or as secretion system.