Article
Biology
Robert H. Cowie, Philippe Bouchet, Benoit Fontaine
Summary: There have been five Mass Extinction events in the history of Earth's biodiversity, and the Sixth Mass Extinction may currently be occurring due to human activities. While some dispute the existence of the Sixth Mass Extinction, arguing that the rate of species loss is not significantly different from background rates, this viewpoint is flawed due to the bias of the IUCN Red List. Incorporating estimates of invertebrate extinctions suggests that the current rate of extinction far surpasses background rates, pointing to the start of the Sixth Mass Extinction.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Biology
Yuanhe Yang, Yue Shi, Wenjuan Sun, Jinfeng Chang, Jianxiao Zhu, Leiyi Chen, Xin Wang, Yanpei Guo, Hongtu Zhang, Lingfei Yu, Shuqing Zhao, Kang Xu, Jiangling Zhu, Haihua Shen, Yuanyuan Wang, Yunfeng Peng, Xia Zhao, Xiangping Wang, Huifeng Hu, Shiping Chen, Mei Huang, Xuefa Wen, Shaopeng Wang, Biao Zhu, Shuli Niu, Zhiyao Tang, Lingli Liu, Jingyun Fang
Summary: Enhancing the terrestrial ecosystem carbon sink is crucial for slowing down the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration and achieving carbon neutrality. This review summarizes the progress in terrestrial C budget researches, clarifies spatial patterns and drivers of terrestrial C sources and sinks, and examines the role of terrestrial C sinks in achieving carbon neutrality.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Daniel W. Belsky, Avshalom Caspi, David L. Corcoran, Karen Sugden, Richie Poulton, Louise Arseneault, Andrea Baccarelli, Kartik Chamarti, Xu Gao, Eilis Hannon, Hona Lee Harrington, Renate Houts, Meeraj Kothari, Dayoon Kwon, Jonathan Mill, Joel Schwartz, Pantel Vokonas, Cuicui Wang, Benjamin S. Williams, Terrie E. Moffitt
Summary: This study reports a novel blood biomarker of aging called DunedinPACE, which was validated in five datasets. Results showed that DunedinPACE is associated with morbidity, disability, and mortality, and provides incremental prediction beyond the GrimAge clock. This finding is significant for gerontology and geroscience research.
Article
Biology
Christopher J. Neufeldt, Berati Cerikan, Mirko Cortese, Jamie Frankish, Ji-Young Lee, Agnieszka Plociennikowska, Florian Heigwer, Vibhu Prasad, Sebastian Joecks, Sandy S. Burkart, David Y. Zander, Baskaran Subramanian, Rayomand Gimi, Seetharamaiyer Padmanabhan, Radhakrishnan Iyer, Mathieu Gendarme, Bachir El Debs, Niels Halama, Uta Merle, Michael Boutros, Marco Binder, Ralf Bartenschlager
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to severe symptoms and long-lasting lung damage or death. This is often associated with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and low antiviral responses. A specific activation of NF-kappa B and block of IRF3 nuclear translocation were observed in infected cells. The inflammatory response is mediated by cGAS-STING activation and can be attenuated through STING-targeting drugs.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ailiang Qi, Dong Zhao, Fanhua Yu, Ali Asghar Heidari, Zongda Wu, Zhennao Cai, Fayadh Alenezi, Romany F. Mansour, Huiling Chen, Mayun Chen
Summary: This paper focuses on the study of COVID-19 X-ray image segmentation technology. A new multilevel image segmentation method based on the swarm intelligence algorithm is proposed, along with a designed image segmentation model. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves more stable and superior segmentation results at different threshold levels.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Christian Happi, Ifedayo Adetifa, Placide Mbala, Richard Njouom, Emmanuel Nakoune, Anise Happi, Nnaemeka Ndodo, Oyeronke Ayansola, Gerald Mboowa, Trevor Bedford, Richard A. Neher, Cornelius Roemer, Emma Hodcroft, Houriiyah Tegally, Aine O'Toole, Andrew Rambaut, Oliver Pybus, Moritz U. G. Kraemer, Eduan Wilkinson, Joana Isidro, Vitor Borges, Miguel Pinto, Joao Paulo Gomes, Lucas Freitas, Paola C. Resende, Raphael T. C. Lee, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Cheryl Baxter, Richard Lessells, Ahmed E. Ogwell, Yenew Kebede, Sofonias K. Tessema, Tulio de Oliveira
Summary: We propose a novel and non-discriminatory classification method for monkeypox virus diversity. Collaborating with the World Health Organization, we named three clades (I, IIa, and IIb) in the order of detection. Within IIb, which is responsible for the ongoing global outbreak, we identified multiple lineages (A.1, A.2, A.1.1, and B.1) to support real-time genomic surveillance.
Review
Biology
Yizhou Chen, Xu-Hua Yang, Zihan Wei, Ali Asghar Heidari, Nenggan Zheng, Zhicheng Li, Huiling Chen, Haigen Hu, Qianwei Zhou, Qiu Guan
Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive review and analysis of medical image augmentation, focusing on the advantages of different augmentation models, loss functions, and evaluation metrics. It explores the potential role of augmented models in limited training set scenarios and discusses the limitations and research directions in this field. The research shows that this field is still actively developing.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Hang Su, Dong Zhao, Hela Elmannai, Ali Asghar Heidari, Sami Bourouis, Zongda Wu, Zhennao Cai, Wenyong Gui, Mayun Chen
Summary: COVID-19 is spreading globally, and the diagnosis is usually based on examining chest radiographs. Manual processing of the images is not efficient and accurate enough. To improve the efficiency, this research proposes a multilevel thresholding image segmentation method based on an enhanced multiverse optimizer. The method achieves better segmentation results and can help medical organizations process COVID-19 chest radiography effectively.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Anoop Narayanan, Manju Narwal, Sydney A. Majowicz, Carmine Varricchio, Shay A. Toner, Carlo Ballatore, Andrea Brancale, Katsuhiko S. Murakami, Joyce Jose
Summary: In this study, a screening strategy for antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 was developed, which involves in-cell protease assay, antiviral and biochemical activity assessments, as well as structural determinations. Several protease inhibitors with low cytotoxicity were identified and their mechanisms of action were examined.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Keli Hu, Liping Zhao, Sheng Feng, Shengdong Zhang, Qianwei Zhou, Xiaozhi Gao, Yanhui Guo
Summary: In this paper, a novel method called NeutSS-PLP is proposed for polyp region extraction in colonoscopy images using a short connected saliency detection network with neutrosophic enhancement. Experimental results on two public datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for polyp extraction.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Timothy M. Brown, George C. Brainard, Christian Cajochen, Charles A. Czeisler, John P. Hanifin, Steven W. Lockley, Robert J. Lucas, Mirjam Muench, John B. O'Hagan, Stuart N. Peirson, Luke L. A. Price, Till Roenneberg, Luc J. M. Schlangen, Debra J. Skene, Manuel Spitschan, Celine Vetter, Phyllis C. Zee, Kenneth P. Wright
Summary: Ocular light exposure has significant effects on human health and well-being, affecting circadian rhythms, sleep, neuroendocrine and cognitive functions. Advances in understanding the mechanisms and emerging lighting technologies allow for the adjustment of lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. A new international standard provides a way to quantify the influence of light on retinal neurons, and this report provides lighting recommendations based on scientific consensus, with a focus on easily measured quantities.
Article
Biology
Mohammad Oves, Mohd Ahmar Rauf, Mohammad Aslam, Huda A. Qari, Hana Sonbol, Irfan Ahmad, Gaffar Sarwar Zaman, Mohd Saeed
Summary: The study focused on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plant extract as an alternative treatment for drug-resistant infections. The nanoparticles showed significant antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as promising efficacy against fungal pathogens. Additionally, the nanomaterials exhibited biocompatibility and potential anticancer activities against MDA MB-231 cells.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mazin A. Zamzami, Gulam Rabbani, Abrar Ahmad, Ahmad A. Basalah, Wesam H. Al-Sabban, Saeyoung Nate Ahn, Hani Choudhry
Summary: A fast, easy-to-use, low-cost, and quantitative electrochemical biosensor based on CNT-FET has been developed for quick and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen in fortified saliva samples. The biosensor exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity, and can save time, making it a valuable platform for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 S1 antigen from patient saliva.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Rongzhi Chen, Yiwen Deng, Yanglin Ding, Jingxin Guo, Jie Qiu, Bing Wang, Changsheng Wang, Yongyao Xie, Zhihua Zhang, Jiaxin Chen, Letian Chen, Chengcai Chu, Guangcun He, Zuhua He, Xuehui Huang, Yongzhong Xing, Shuhua Yang, Daoxin Xie, Yaoguang Liu, Jiayang Li
Summary: Rice, as one of the most important crops in the world, has seen significant progress in understanding molecular mechanisms and regulatory networks in various rice traits over the past few decades. Advanced technologies such as new genomics methods, high-throughput phenotyping platforms, precise genome-editing tools, environmental microbiome optimization, and synthetic methods will further enhance our understanding of unresolved molecular biology questions in rice and facilitate their integration into agricultural applications.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biology
Chongzhi Bai, Qiming Zhong, George Fu Gao
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 is a rapidly spreading enveloped RNA virus with 29 encoded proteins exhibiting high similarity to SARS-CoV proteins. Structural and functional research on SARS-CoV-2 proteins helps in understanding complex relationships between different components in the viral life cycle, aiding in the development of anti-CoV drugs and vaccines.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Abdel-Moneim Eid Abdel-Moneim, Mohamed T. El-Saadony, Abdelrazeq M. Shehata, Ahmed M. Saad, Sami Ali Aldhumri, Sahar M. Ouda, Noura M. Mesalam
Summary: This study investigated the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Spirulina extracts and biological selenium nanoparticles. The results showed that Spirulina extracts exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, with the methanolic extract showing the highest activity. The selenium nanoparticles synthesized by Bacillus subtilis AL43 also showed antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. Spirulina and selenium nanoparticles have potential for safe and reliable medical applications.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biology
Mohammad Shehab, Laith Abualigah, Qusai Shambour, Muhannad A. Abu-Hashem, Mohd Khaled Yousef Shambour, Ahmed Izzat Alsalibi, Amir H. Gandomi
Summary: Machine learning methods have been extensively applied in the medical field to enhance the reliability and accuracy of diagnostic systems. This survey provides a comprehensive review of the standard technologies and discusses five major medical applications of machine learning.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biology
Zohaib Salahuddin, Henry C. Woodruff, Avishek Chatterjee, Philippe Lambin
Summary: AI is increasingly used in clinical applications for diagnosis and treatment decisions, with deep neural networks showing equal or better performance than clinicians. However, their lack of interpretability calls for the development of methods to ensure their trustworthiness. Nine different types of interpretability methods have been identified for understanding deep learning models in medical image analysis, with ongoing research on improving interpretability and evaluation methods for deep neural networks.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Xin-Yao Sun, Xiang-Chun Ju, Yang Li, Peng-Ming Zeng, Jian Wu, Ying-Ying Zhou, Li-Bing Shen, Jian Dong, Yue-Jun Chen, Zhen-Ge Luo
Summary: This study successfully fused blood vessels and brain organoids to obtain vascularized brain organoids. The fused organoids not only had vascular network-like structures and increased number of neural progenitors, but also contained functional blood-brain barrier-like structures and microglial cells with immune functions.
Article
Biology
Zilong Zhang, Feifei Cui, Chen Cao, Qingsuo Wang, Quan Zou
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing analysis to identify macrophages as potentially associated with SARS-CoV-2 lung pathogenesis and ribosome-related pathways as potential therapeutic targets for COVID-19 lung infection. M1-like macrophages showed a strong relationship with severe COVID-19 patients, with upregulation of chemokine pathways leading to severe symptoms and down-regulation of ribosome and RNA activity pathways potentially leading to milder cases. Additionally, analysis of organ-specific susceptible cell types could provide further targets for COVID-19 therapy.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2022)
