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Abstract Clustering can identify the natural structure that is inherent to measured data. For single-cell omics, clustering finds cells with similar molecular phenotype after which cell types are annotated. Leiden clustering is one of the algorithms of choice in the single-cell community. In the field of spatial omics, Leiden is often categorized as a “non-spatial” clustering method. However, we show that by integrating spatial information at various steps Leiden clustering is rendered into a computationally highly performant, spatially aware clustering method that compares well with state-of-the art spatial clustering algorithms.

[Objective] The study aims to explore the characteristics of ecological niche, interspecific connectivity, and community stability of dominant species in the herbaceous community of the forest and creek ecotone in Dehang Geopark, with the expectation of providing a theoretical foundation for the protection of the herbaceous communities and sustainable development in the area. [Methods] The authors employed a suite of analytical methods including niche determination, variance ratio, Chi-square test, Spearman rank correlation test, and association coefficient to examine the ecological niches and interspecific associations of the dominant herbaceous species within three creeks in Dehang Geopark. [Results] (1) In the Jiulong Creek and Yuquan Creek, Pilea pumila occupies the widest ecological niche, whereas in the Hangxia Creek, Boehmeria spicata has the broadest ecological niche. The average ecological niche overlap indices for Jiulong Creek, Hangxia Creek, and Yuquan Creek are generally low. This indicates that the interspecific competition among dominant species in the herbaceous communities of the forest and creek ecotone is weak, and there is not a high degree of similarity in the demand for environmental resources. (2) The overall and interspecific associations of the herbaceous plants in the three streams are mainly characterized by non-significant negative connections, with relatively low interspecific connectivity, and are mostly independently distributed. (3) The community is currently in an unstable state, and the succession and development of the herbaceous community are influenced by both internal and external factors of the community. [Conclusion] In Dehang Geopark, the herbaceous community in the forest and creek ecotone has weak interspecific associations, with species being independently distributed, indicating that the community is in an unstable state.

Mangrove restoration efforts have increased in order to help combat their decline globally. While restoration efforts often focus on planting seedlings, underlying chronic issues, including disrupted hydrological regimes, can hinder restoration success. While improving hydrology may be more cost-effective and have higher success rates than planting seedlings alone, hydrological restoration success in this form is poorly understood. Restoration assessments can employ a functional equivalency approach, comparing restoration areas over time with natural, reference forests in order to quantify the relative effectiveness of different restoration approaches. Here, we employ the use of baseline community ecology metrics along with stable isotopes to track changes in the community and trophic structure and enable time estimates for establishing mangrove functional equivalency. We examined a mangrove system impacted by road construction and recently targeted for hydrological restoration within the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Florida, USA. Samples were collected along a gradient of degradation, from a heavily degraded zone, with mostly dead trees, to a transition zone, with a high number of saplings, to a full canopy zone, with mature trees, and into a reference zone with dense, mature mangrove trees. The transition, full canopy, and reference zones were dominated by annelids, gastropods, isopods, and fiddler crabs. Diversity was lower in the dead zone; these taxa were enriched in 13C relative to those found in all the other zones, indicating a shift in the dominant carbon source from mangrove detritus (reference zone) to algae (dead zone). Community-wide isotope niche metrics also distinguished zones, likely reflecting dominant primary food resources (baseline organic matter) present. Our results suggest that stable isotope niche metrics provide a useful tool for tracking mangrove degradation gradients. These baseline data provide critical information on the ecosystem functioning in mangrove habitats following hydrological restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to analyze ecotourism in the Danube Delta in 2023 versus 2019 using the data from National Institute of Statistics. The methodology included description of the main ideas from the studied literature, data processing using fixed indices, polynomial regression equations, R square, comparisons, and showing the results in graphics and tables. The results showed that ecotourism niches in the Delta are: bird watching, wildlife watching and studying, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, cycling, trekking, boat tours on the canals, admiring the sunrise and sunset, tasting the specific dishes of the local gastronomy, enjoying taking part to the local traditional folk events, visiting the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve for getting knowledge and enriching the scientific horizon. In this way, both tourists and the locals become aware of the importance of ecotourism for the sustainable development of the environment, the preservation of biodiversity and assuring the economic and social development of the residents and their communities. In 2023, in the Danube Delta, there were 493 accommodation units by 94% more than in 2019. Also, in 2023, the number of beds reached 10,942, being by 51.8% higher versus 2019. In 2023, the Delta received 136,979 eco-tourists (82.3 % of the 2019 level. Romanians are dominant with a share of 93.4%. Foreigners' weight was only 43.8% in 2023 of the 2019 level. In consequence, the overnight stays were 286,255 in 2023, by 25.4% smaller and the Romanians' share was only 80%. The main causes are the Covid-19 pandemic in the year 2020 and the war in Ukraine. In 2023, 5,621 tourists, of which 72.4% Romanians visited the Biosphere Reserve. The key aspects which need more attention in the future are: investing more in infrastructure, assuring labor force according to the needs, diversification of facilities and tourism activities, making the resident population to be more involved in the management of natural resources and solving the community problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) give rise to all cell types of the hematopoietic system through various processes, including asymmetric divisions. However, the contribution of stromal cells of the hematopoietic niches in the control of HSPC asymmetric divisions remains unknown. Using polyacrylamide microwells as minimalist niches, we show that specific heterotypic interactions with osteoblast and endothelial cells promote asymmetric divisions of human HSPCs. Upon interaction, HSPCs polarize in interphase with the centrosome, the Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes positioned close to the site of contact. Subsequently, during mitosis, HSPCs orient their spindle perpendicular to the plane of contact. This division mode gives rise to siblings with unequal amounts of lysosomes and of the differentiation marker CD34. Such asymmetric inheritance generates heterogeneity in the progeny, which is likely to contribute to the plasticity of the early steps of hematopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial stem/progenitor cells are a type of stem cells with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple cell types. They exist in the endometrium and form niches with their neighbor cells and extracellular matrix. The interaction between endometrial stem/progenitor cells and niches plays an important role in maintaining, repairing, and regenerating the endometrial structure and function. This review will discuss the characteristics and functions of endometrial stem/progenitor cells and their niches, the mechanisms of their interaction, and their roles in endometrial regeneration and diseases. Finally, the prospects for their applications will also be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Owadów-Brzezinki palaeontological site is known for its very well-preserved fossils of Late Jurassic vertebrates, such as numerous fossil fish teeth and occasional dental bones. Some of these represent well-studied taxa, including the most common large predatory fish, with notable examples of caturoids (such as Strobilodus sp.) and pachycormids (Orthocormus teyleri). The current study presents the microstructure and histological features of the teeth of the selected specimens of the above taxa. They are determined through examinations of tooth cross-sections under thin microscopic observations and by the usage of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The above inspections, combined with aspects of external tooth morphology, allowed us to determine the palaeoecology of the aforementioned taxa of large predatory fish. It is concluded that examined Caturoidea displayed a rather homogenous dentition belonging to the intermediate cut/slash guild, characterized by an internal orthodentin histology with prominent incremental Andresen growth lines of differing form, indicating living in a highly variable, unstable environment. The teeth of pachycormid specimen (O. teyleri) can be characterized as having denteon-based orthodentin histology, with a rapid rate of tooth eruption and a heterodont, elongated specialist dentition of the piercing guild. The observed structural differences in the teeth suggest a different niche distribution between the taxa studied. They help to explain how these predatory ray-finned fishes may have coexisted both in the local environment of the Owadów-Brzezinki and in the wider, more global context of Late Jurassic shallow marine environments. In addition, the tooth samples are characterised by pronounced surface bioerosion with traces of Mycellites ossifragus durophagous fungal activity, indicating an intense bioerosion caused by these microorganisms after the death of the fish.

Heterogeneity in forests might promote biodiversity not only through an increase in niche volume but also through other processes, such as an increase in resources and their spatial distribution. However, negative relationships between heterogeneity and biodiversity have also been observed, which may indicate that heterogeneity acts as a filter for some species. This study examined the effects of different facets of heterogeneity in forest stands, i.e. deadwood, plant diversity, forest stand structure, and micro-scale topography, on the ecological (functional-phylogenetic) diversity and redundancy of nine animal groups: moths, true bugs, different functional groups of beetles, spiders, birds, and bats. Overall, we found positive effects of heterogeneity on ecological diversity and redundancy. Although the effect of heterogeneity at the local scale was moderate compared with the general effect of region, greater heterogeneity could be beneficial to some species groups and lead to more resilient species communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in the development of hematological malignancies, specifically focusing on B-cell lymphoma and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The TME consists of various cell types that support the growth and survival of malignant cells, impacting treatment response. The authors emphasize the importance of targeting the TME in tumor immunotherapy and suggest potential therapeutic approaches. They also discuss the role of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in tumor development and the potential of TAM immunotherapy in solid tumors. Additionally, the article examines the interaction between AML cells and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in promoting leukemogenesis and suggests targeting the Notch signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic strategy. The authors also discuss the impact of the metabolic niche within the TME on immune cell function and propose that understanding this modulation could lead to more effective targeted therapies for antitumor immune responses. [Extracted from the article]

The nine currently recognized species of moa (Order – Dinornithiformes; Bonaparte 1853) suffered extinction soon after New Zealand was settled by humans.  They were the result of an evolutionary radiation that produced a unique guild of birds – giant, and totally wingless species that evolved in the absence of non-volant mammals.   Recent advances in dating and paleoclimatology, and compilations of data on distributions of the nine species of moa, along with information on the geographic, topographic, climatic and edaphic characteristics of sites from which moa remains have been recovered, enabled us to test whether their evolutionary radiation truly was ‘adaptive’, producing ecologically distinct species.  Randomization, resampling analyses of moa distributions across North and South Islands revealed highly significant geographic and ecological segregation, with different species tending to occupy different islands, regions within islands, or elevations within regions.  Quadratic Discriminant Analyses demonstrated niche segregation at even finer scales, including that based on vegetation-defined habitats and on local climatic, topographic and edaphic conditions.  Moa distributions also appear to have been dynamic over time, shifting in their upper elevational limits as climatic conditions changed and vegetative zones shifted upward during the Holocene Epoch.  Our ongoing studies are building on the results presented here to explore the temporal dynamics of moa distributions, assess differential responses of moa species to natural and anthropogenic drivers, and determine how these forces may have combined to cause the extinction of moa just a few centuries ago.

Acute oak decline is a high-impact disease causing necrotic lesions on the trunk, crown thinning and the eventual death of oak. Four bacterial species are associated with the lesions—Brenneria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans, Rahnella victoriana and Lonsdalea Britannica—although an epi-/endophytic lifestyle has also been suggested for these bacteria. However, little is known about their environmental reservoirs or their pathway to endophytic colonisation. This work aimed to investigate the ability of the four AOD-associated bacterial species to survive for prolonged periods within rhizosphere soil, leaves and acorns in vitro, and to design an appropriate method for their recovery. This method was trialled on field samples related to healthy and symptomatic oaks. The in vitro study showed that the majority of these species could survive for at least six weeks within each sample type. Results from the field samples demonstrated that R. victoriana and G. quercinecans appear environmentally widespread, indicating multiple routes of endophytic colonisation might be plausible. B. goodwinii and L. britannica were only identified from acorns from healthy and symptomatic trees, indicating they may be inherited members of the endophytic seed microbiome and, despite their ability to survive outside of the host, their environmental occurrence is limited. Future research should focus on preventative measures targeting the abiotic factors of AOD, how endophytic bacteria shift to a pathogenic cycle and the identification of resilient seed stock that is less susceptible to AOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continued exploration of the diversity of lactic acid bacteria in little-studied ecological niches represents a fundamental activity to understand the diffusion and biotechnological significance of this heterogeneous class of prokaryotes. In this study, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains were isolated from Tunisian vegetable sources, including fermented olive and fermented pepper, and from dead locust intestines, which were subsequently evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157:H7 CECT 4267 and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4031, as well as against some fungi, including Penicillium expansum, Aspergilus niger, and Botrytis cinerea. In addition, their resistance to oro-gastro-intestinal transit, aggregation capabilities, biofilm production capacity, adhesion to human enterocyte-like cells, and cytotoxicity to colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line were determined. Further, adhesion to tomatoes and the biocontrol potential of this model food matrix were analyzed. It was found that all the strains were able to inhibit the indicator growth, mostly through organic acid production. Furthermore, these strains showed promising probiotic traits, including in vitro tolerance to oro-gastrointestinal conditions, and adhesion to abiotic surfaces and Caco-2 cells. Moreover, all tested Lpb. plantarum strains were able to adhere to tomatoes with similar rates (4.0–6.0 LogCFU/g tomato). The co-culture of LAB strains with pathogens on tomatoes showed that Lpb. plantarum could be a good candidate to control pathogen growth. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to guarantee their use as probiotic strains for biocontrol on food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: Little is known about the ability of individual species to grow successfully outside of their realized niche. Here, the vitality of two epiphytic bryophyte and two epiphytic lichen species were assessed in their fundamental and realized niches in the Pacific Northwest coniferous forest at low, mid, and high elevations. Methods: Two lowland epiphytic bryophyte species (Frullania nisquallensis, Neckera douglasii) and one lowland epiphytic lichen species (Usnea longissima) were transplanted to sites at mid and high elevations. One high‐elevation epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia rugosa) was transplanted to mid and low elevations. Results: The fundamental and realized niches of F. nisquallensis and U. longissima are similar, and they can both survive outside of their realized niches. For N. douglasii, dispersal limitations could shape its distribution along elevation and local microclimate conditions could be important for its vitality. Conclusions: Certain bryophyte and lichen species can survive outside of their realized niches, information that can contribute to knowledge about species niches along elevational gradients. Future studies should focus on cryptogam species interactions in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a long time after the end of large-scale student unrest in the 1970s Japan stood out by a comparatively low level of protest. Yet spectacular waves of mass-protest returned with the anti-nuke mobilizations following the 2011 Fukushima meltdown and other 'post-2011' movements. In this paper I develop an analytical framework inspired by the multi-level perspective in transition studies to illuminate two questions: how can the relatively low level of protest in Japan before 2011 – in particular the so called 'ice age' of protest from the 1970s to the early 2000s – be explained, and what enabled the recovery of protest afterwards, starting in the early 2000s and leading up to the post-2011 protest cycle? I point to the crucial role played on the one hand by niches in the form of social movement spaces in fostering oppositional discourses and on the other hand by landscape changes that destabilized the established politico-cultural regime. A crucial role was played by the creative work of freeter activists in social movement spaces during the 1990s who reinvented activism in response to stigmatization of open protest after the collective trauma of the perceived defeat of the New Left in the 1970s. This creative work was a precondition for the rise of protest movements in the early 2000s which in turn prepared the way for the post-2011 protest wave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between biology and the psy disciplines (psychology, psychiatry, and psychotherapy) is a complex one. Many scholars have criticized how these disciplines have been biologized in the 20th century, especially since the emergence of psychopharmacology, neuroscience, and genetic research. However, biology is not just a laboratory-based science of chemical compounds, scanners, and DNA sequencing, but also a field science based on observations of organisms in their milieus. In this paper, we draw a contrast between laboratory-based biology with a focus on brains and genes, and an ecology-based biology with a focus on lives and niches. Our argument is philosophical in nature – building partly on Wittgenstein as a "philosopher of life" – to the effect that the psy sciences need not just less biologization of the former kind, but also more biologization of the latter kind to avoid a prevalent mentalism. Not least when it comes to an understanding of psychological distress, which can favorably be viewed situationally and coupled to human lives in ecological niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Owadów-Brzezinki palaeontological site is known for its very well-preserved fossils of Late Jurassic vertebrates, such as numerous fossil fish teeth and occasional dental bones. Some of these represent well-studied taxa, including the most common large predatory fish, with notable examples of caturoids (such as Strobilodus sp.) and pachycormids (Orthocormus teyleri). The current study presents the microstructure and histological features of the teeth of the selected specimens of the above taxa. They are determined through examinations of tooth cross-sections under thin microscopic observations and by the usage of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The above inspections, combined with aspects of external tooth morphology, allowed us to determine the palaeoecology of the aforementioned taxa of large predatory fish. It is concluded that examined Caturoidea displayed a rather homogenous dentition belonging to the intermediate cut/slash guild, characterized by an internal orthodentin histology with prominent incremental Andresen growth lines of differing form, indicating living in a highly variable, unstable environment. The teeth of pachycormid specimen (O. teyleri) can be characterized as having denteon-based orthodentin histology, with a rapid rate of tooth eruption and a heterodont, elongated specialist dentition of the piercing guild. The observed structural differences in the teeth suggest a different niche distribution between the taxa studied. They help to explain how these predatory ray-finned fishes may have coexisted both in the local environment of the Owadów-Brzezinki and in the wider, more global context of Late Jurassic shallow marine environments. In addition, the tooth samples are characterised by pronounced surface bioerosion with traces of Mycellites ossifragus durophagous fungal activity, indicating an intense bioerosion caused by these microorganisms after the death of the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidimensional approaches examining complex trait-niche relationships are crucial to understand community assembly. This is particularly important across habitat transformation gradients because specialists are progressively substituted by generalists and, despite increasing functional homogenization, in both specialist and generalist communities niche partitioning is apparent. Here, in line with the continuum hypothesis, we expected that divergent trait-niche relationships would arise in passerine assemblages across the natural-to-urban transformation gradient. More specifically, we expected that traits linking form to function would be more important in less transformed habitats, while population density and traits linked to dispersal and dominance would predominate in more transformed habitats. Accordingly, we found that beak length and its interaction with tarsus length correlated significantly with isotopic niches in natural and rural habitats, where specialists predominate. Conversely, body size and aggressiveness only showed significant relationships with isotopic niches with increasing habitat transformation, where generalists prevail. Interestingly, we recorded a mix of these processes in rural habitats, which acted as a frontier between these two domains. Our study is thus important in showing that a complex combination of morphological and behavioral traits determine niche characteristics, and that these relationships are dynamic across habitat transformation gradients.

Seagrass meadows provide essential ecosystem services globally in the context of climate change. However, seagrass is being degraded at an accelerated rate globally due to ocean warming, ocean acidification, aquaculture, and human activities. The need for more information on seagrasses’ spatial distribution and health status is a serious impediment to their conservation and management. Therefore, we propose a new hybrid machine learning model (RF-SWOA) that integrates the sinusoidal chaos map whale optimization algorithm (SWOA) with a random forest (RF) model to accurately model the suitable habitat of potential seagrasses. This study combines in situ sampling data with multivariate remote sensing data to train and validate hybrid machine learning models. It shows that RF-SWOA can predict potential seagrass habitat suitability more accurately and efficiently than RF. It also shows that the two most important factors affecting the potential seagrass habitat suitability on Hainan Island in China are distance to land (38.2%) and depth to sea (25.9%). This paper not only demonstrates the effectiveness of a hybrid machine learning model but also provides a more accurate machine learning model approach for predicting the potential suitability distribution of seagrasses. This research can help identify seagrass suitability distribution areas and thus develop conservation strategies to restore healthy seagrass ecosystems.

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of transvaginal repair and hysteroscopic resection in improving niche associated postmenstrual spotting.MethodsThe improvement rate of postmenstrual spotting in women who underwent transvaginal repair or hysteroscopic resection treatment was assessed retrospectively in patients accepted at the Niche Sub-Specialty Clinic in International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital between June 2017 and June 2019. Postoperative spotting symptom within one year after surgery, pre- and postoperative anatomical indicators, women' satisfaction with menstruation and other perioperative parameters were compared between the two groups.Results68 patients in the transvaginal group and 70 patients in the hysteroscopic group were included for analysis. The improvement rate of postmenstrual spotting in the transvaginal group at the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months after surgery was 87%, 88%, 84%, and 85%, significantly higher than 61%, 68%, 66%, and 68% in the hysteroscopic group, respectively (P 0.05). After surgery, the disappearance rates of the niche are 68% in transvaginal group and 38% in hysteroscopic group, however, hysteroscopic resection had shorter operative time and hospitalization duration, less complications, and lower hospitalization costs.ConclusionBoth treatments can improve the spotting symptom and anatomical structures of uterine lower segments with niches. Transvaginal repair is better in thickening the residual myometrium than hysteroscopic resection, however, hysteroscopic resection has shorter operative time and hospitalization duration, less complications, and lower hospitalization costs.

Acute oak decline is a high-impact disease causing necrotic lesions on the trunk, crown thinning and the eventual death of oak. Four bacterial species are associated with the lesions—Brenneria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans, Rahnella victoriana and Lonsdalea Britannica—although an epi-/endophytic lifestyle has also been suggested for these bacteria. However, little is known about their environmental reservoirs or their pathway to endophytic colonisation. This work aimed to investigate the ability of the four AOD-associated bacterial species to survive for prolonged periods within rhizosphere soil, leaves and acorns in vitro, and to design an appropriate method for their recovery. This method was trialled on field samples related to healthy and symptomatic oaks. The in vitro study showed that the majority of these species could survive for at least six weeks within each sample type. Results from the field samples demonstrated that R. victoriana and G. quercinecans appear environmentally widespread, indicating multiple routes of endophytic colonisation might be plausible. B. goodwinii and L. britannica were only identified from acorns from healthy and symptomatic trees, indicating they may be inherited members of the endophytic seed microbiome and, despite their ability to survive outside of the host, their environmental occurrence is limited. Future research should focus on preventative measures targeting the abiotic factors of AOD, how endophytic bacteria shift to a pathogenic cycle and the identification of resilient seed stock that is less susceptible to AOD.

The continued exploration of the diversity of lactic acid bacteria in little-studied ecological niches represents a fundamental activity to understand the diffusion and biotechnological significance of this heterogeneous class of prokaryotes. In this study, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) strains were isolated from Tunisian vegetable sources, including fermented olive and fermented pepper, and from dead locust intestines, which were subsequently evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157:H7 CECT 4267 and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4031, as well as against some fungi, including Penicillium expansum, Aspergilus niger, and Botrytis cinerea. In addition, their resistance to oro-gastro-intestinal transit, aggregation capabilities, biofilm production capacity, adhesion to human enterocyte-like cells, and cytotoxicity to colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line were determined. Further, adhesion to tomatoes and the biocontrol potential of this model food matrix were analyzed. It was found that all the strains were able to inhibit the indicator growth, mostly through organic acid production. Furthermore, these strains showed promising probiotic traits, including in vitro tolerance to oro-gastrointestinal conditions, and adhesion to abiotic surfaces and Caco-2 cells. Moreover, all tested Lpb. plantarum strains were able to adhere to tomatoes with similar rates (4.0–6.0 LogCFU/g tomato). The co-culture of LAB strains with pathogens on tomatoes showed that Lpb. plantarum could be a good candidate to control pathogen growth. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to guarantee their use as probiotic strains for biocontrol on food matrices.

Eccrine sweat gland (SG) restrictedly exists in mouse foot pads indicating that mouse plantar dermis (PD) contains the SG lineage-restricted niches. However, it is still unclear how these niches can affect stem cell fate towards SG. In this study, we tried to find the key cues by which stem cells sense and interact with the SG lineage-specific niches both in vivo and in vitro. Firstly, we used transcriptomics RNA sequencing analysis to screen differentially expressed genes between SG cells and epidermal stem cells (ES), and used proteomic analysis to screen differentially expressed proteins between PD and dorsal dermis (DD). Notch1 was found differentially expressed in both gene and protein levels, and was closely related to SG morphogenesis based on Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Secondly, the spatial-temporal changes of Notch1 during embryonic and post-natal development of SG were detected. Thirdly, mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were introduced into SG-like cells in vitro in order to further verify the possible roles of Notch1. Results revealed that Notch1 was continuously down-regulated along with the process of SG morphogenesis in vivo, and also along with the process that MSCs differentiated into SG-like cells in vitro. Hence, we suggest that Notch1 possibly acts as with roles of "gatekeeper" during SG development and regulates the interactions between stem cells and the SG lineage-specific niches. This study might help for understanding mechanisms of embryonic SG organogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disentangling regional and local drivers of species richness in communities is a long-term focus of ecology. Regional species pools affect local communities by providing their constituent species. Additionally, the amount and variety of resources enhance diversity locally. Here, we investigated whether the same ecological factor (vegetation complexity) shapes both regional and local species richness and thus drives local diversity both indirectly (via pool size) and directly (via facilitating the coexistence of species). We studied passerine birds of woodlands and forests in eastern Australia. We quantified regional species pool size and sampled local bird communities at 63 transects spanning 3,000 km. We estimated canopy height both regionally using satellite imagery and locally using vegetation sampling in the field. We studied how species pool size changed with regional canopy height and water availability, and how local species richness changed with pool size and local canopy height. Local species richness increased with both local canopy height and the size of the regional species pool. Pool size, in turn, increased with regional canopy height, which itself increased with water availability. Moreover, local species richness expressed as a proportion of the regional pool also increased with local canopy height. In sum, vegetation complexity indexed by canopy height had a doubly positive effect on local species richness: indirectly by promoting a large regional species pool and directly by facilitating the coexistence of disproportionately many species locally. Regional pools were larger in tall forests probably due to the legacy of extensive moist forests that once covered most of Australia, thus providing a sizeable potential for speciation, diversification, and species persistence. Local species richness was greater in tall, more productive forests with more vegetation layers likely due to more and varied resources (i.e., more potential niches), allowing the coexistence of more individuals and species of consumers.

• Sustainability transitions research and policy treat households in a narrow way. • A new conceptual model for deliberate household experimentation is presented. • Households appreciate the opportunity to experiment. • Households find low-waste living very difficult. • Future research and policy should explore the model in more domains and territories. Sustainability transitions research and policy treat households and the home in a narrow way. The paper reviews niche-based experimentation and social-practice theory informed sustainability transitions literature to develop a novel framework for deliberate household experimentation. The usefulness of the framework is explored in an action research project on low-waste living in Melbourne. Data was collected through interviews, weekly self-reports and three participatory workshops. The research confirms the usefulness of the framework and offers reflections on deliberate household experimentation. The conclusion is that similar to other niche spaces, household niches are instrumental in demonstrating, learning about, advocating for and critiquing different aspects of sustainability transitions. But in contrast to other niche spaces, households are deeply embedded in the everyday life of what matters to people. If the transition to low-waste living is to be successful, it needs to be planned from the perspective of everyday household life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, accumulating evidence has elucidated the important role of T cells with stem-like characteristics in long-term maintenance of T cell responses and better patient outcomes after immunotherapy. The fate of TSL cells has been correlated with many physiological and pathological human processes. In this review, we described present advances demonstrating that stem-like T (TSL) cells are central players in human health and disease. We interpreted the evolutionary characteristics, mechanism and functions of TSL cells. Moreover, we discuss the import role of distinct niches and how they affect the stemness of TSL cells. Furthermore, we also outlined currently available strategies to generate TSL cells and associated affecting factors. Moreover, we summarized implication of TSL cells in therapies in two areas: stemness enhancement for vaccines, ICB, and adoptive T cell therapies, and stemness disruption for autoimmune disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidimensional approaches examining complex trait-niche relationships are crucial to understand community assembly. This is particularly important across habitat transformation gradients because specialists are progressively substituted by generalists and, despite increasing functional homogenization, in both specialist and generalist communities niche partitioning is apparent. Here, in line with the continuum hypothesis, we expected that divergent trait-niche relationships would arise in passerine assemblages across the natural-to-urban transformation gradient. More specifically, we expected that traits linking form to function would be more important in less transformed habitats, while population density and traits linked to dispersal and dominance would predominate in more transformed habitats. Accordingly, we found that beak length and its interaction with tarsus length correlated significantly with isotopic niches in natural and rural habitats, where specialists predominate. Conversely, body size and aggressiveness only showed significant relationships with isotopic niches with increasing habitat transformation, where generalists prevail. Interestingly, we recorded a mix of these processes in rural habitats, which acted as a frontier between these two domains. Our study is thus important in showing that a complex combination of morphological and behavioral traits determine niche characteristics, and that these relationships are dynamic across habitat transformation gradients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpreting tissue architecture plays an important role in gaining a better understanding of healthy tissue development and disease. Novel molecular detection and imaging techniques make it possible to locate many different types of objects, such as cells and/or mRNAs, and map their location across the tissue space. In this review, we present several methods that provide quantification and statistical verification of observed patterns in the tissue architecture. We categorize these methods into three main groups: Spatial statistics on a single type of object, two types of objects, and multiple types of objects. We discuss the methods in relation to four hypotheses regarding the methods' capability to distinguish random and non-random distributions of objects across a tissue sample, and present a number of openly available tools where these methods are provided. We also discuss other spatial statistics methods compatible with other types of input data.

Interpreting tissue architecture plays an important role in gaining a better understanding of healthy tissue development and disease. Novel molecular detection and imaging techniques make it possible to locate many different types of objects, such as cells and/or mRNAs, and map their location across the tissue space. In this review, we present several methods that provide quantification and statistical verification of observed patterns in the tissue architecture. We categorize these methods into three main groups: Spatial statistics on a single type of object, two types of objects, and multiple types of objects. We discuss the methods in relation to four hypotheses regarding the methods' capability to distinguish random and non-random distributions of objects across a tissue sample, and present a number of openly available tools where these methods are provided. We also discuss other spatial statistics methods compatible with other types of input data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy production by means of ATP synthesis in cancer cells has been investigated frequently as a potential therapeutic target in this century. Both (an)aerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) have been studied. Here, we review recent literature on energy production in glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) and leukemic stem cells (LSCs) versus their normal counterparts, neural stem cells (NSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), respectively. These two cancer stem cell types were compared because their niches in glioblastoma tumors and in bone marrow are similar. In this study, it became apparent that (1) ATP is produced in NSCs and HSCs by anaerobic glycolysis, whereas fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is essential for their stem cell fate and (2) ATP is produced in GSCs and LSCs by OXPHOS despite the hypoxic conditions in their niches with FAO and amino acids providing its substrate. These metabolic processes appeared to be under tight control of cellular regulation mechanisms which are discussed in depth. However, our conclusion is that systemic therapeutic targeting of ATP production via glycolysis or OXPHOS is not an attractive option because of its unwanted side effects in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shape and spatial organization -the anatomy- of a tissue profoundly influences its function. Knowledge of the anatomical relationships between parent and daughter cells is necessary to understand differentiation and how the crosstalk between the different cells in the tissue leads to physiological maintenance and pathological perturbations. Blood cell production takes place in the bone marrow through the progressive differentiation of stem cells and progenitors. These are maintained and regulated by a heterogeneous microenvironment composed of stromal and hematopoietic cells. While hematopoiesis has been studied in extraordinary detail through functional and multiomics approaches, much less is known about the spatial organization of blood production and how local cues from the microenvironment influence this anatomy. Here, we discuss some of the studies that revealed a complex anatomy of hematopoiesis where discrete local microenvironments spatially organize and regulate specific subsets of hematopoietic stem cells and/or progenitors. We focus on the open questions in the field and discuss how new tools and technological advances are poised to transform our understanding of the anatomy of hematopoiesis.

The shape and spatial organization -the anatomy- of a tissue profoundly influences its function. Knowledge of the anatomical relationships between parent and daughter cells is necessary to understand differentiation and how the crosstalk between the different cells in the tissue leads to physiological maintenance and pathological perturbations. Blood cell production takes place in the bone marrow through the progressive differentiation of stem cells and progenitors. These are maintained and regulated by a heterogeneous microenvironment composed of stromal and hematopoietic cells. While hematopoiesis has been studied in extraordinary detail through functional and multiomics approaches, much less is known about the spatial organization of blood production and how local cues from the microenvironment influence this anatomy. Here, we discuss some of the studies that revealed a complex anatomy of hematopoiesis where discrete local microenvironments spatially organize and regulate specific subsets of hematopoietic stem cells and/or progenitors. We focus on the open questions in the field and discuss how new tools and technological advances are poised to transform our understanding of the anatomy of hematopoiesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2017 and 2018, a project on the development of technological alternatives for the sustainable production of greenhouse vegetables was implemented, with the aim of innovating the change in the horticultural production matrix to contribute to the reduction of the effect of climate change on the Puerto La Boca area, Jipijapa, Ecuador. In order to fulfill this objective, various activities were developed, articulating the three substantive axes of the State University of the South of Manabí, such as academia, research and linking, with the participation of the same university, the Agro-artisan Association of Puerto la Boca, the Decentralized Autonomous Government (DAG Municipal) and the private company. The substantive functions were articulated through the development of knowledge and technologies, the strengthening of the capacities of the producers, the realization of field days, as well as the systematic involvement of students (in research, pre-professional practices and bonding) and teachers in the activities The results achieved were the development of a technological offer such as tomato (Alambra, Itaipu and Baikor), pepper (Macantro and Tandara) and melon (Kapaz and Kazik) hybrids and methods [Integrated disease management (IDM) and management integrated vegetables (MIV)] more appropriate and timely as the development of a strategy based on four fundamental principles such as: a) The alternation of systemic and contact fungicides, b) non-application of the systemic fungicide more than three times c) the use of microorganisms (Bacillus and/or Trichoderma) that replace the contact fungicide and d) the reduction in the number of applications. These technologies and methodologies were made available to producers, so that they achieve better products and give them the opportunity to achieve business with better profitability margins in differentiated market niches (supermarkets); as well as the strengthening of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the producers.

The article attempts to present the entanglement of niche music in the digital distribution of sound. The 21st century was supposed to be the age of niches – in accordance with the concept of a “long tail”. How does niche music function in a situation of universal access, omnivorousness and culture of excess? Does the listener appreciate the possibility of using a huge musical base or does the lost listener try to use the indications of the algorithm; what are his preferences; is he listening to selected music (genre, performer)? Or perhaps, music is for him an uninterrupted stream of sound, treated in an incredibly functional way.

In this article, the contents of the niche-chambers situated within the perimeter wall of the Early Formative temple Tulán-54, located in the south-east of the Circumpuna Atacameña, are described and analyzed. The identification of animal bones, remains of lithic debris, of copper ore and ceramic fragments, as well as the burial of an adult, a metate offering and an entire Tilocalar-Los Morros type vessel, dated to 2640 BP (2765 to 2715 cal BP), indicate a relationship with the temple founding events. An infant burial found inside a sealed chamber of the ceremonial architecture was dated to 2600 BP (2750 to 2700 / 2630 to 2620 / 2560 to 2540 cal. BP), a period synchronous with the use of the niches. The nature and dating of the associated contexts are discussed in general and we reach the conclusion that the evidence found in the niches-chambers was part of the early performance practices of the temple.

The cornea comprises a pool of self-regenerating epithelial cells that are crucial to preserving clarity and visibility. Limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs), which live in a specialized stem cell niche (SCN), are crucial for the survival of the human corneal epithelium. They live at the bottom of the limbal crypts, in a physically enclosed microenvironment with a number of neighboring niche cells. Scientists also simplified features of these diverse microenvironments for more analysis in situ by designing and recreating features of different SCNs. Recent methods for regenerating the corneal epithelium after serious trauma, including burns and allergic assaults, focus mainly on regenerating the LESCs. Mesenchymal stem cells, which can transform into self-renewing and skeletal tissues, hold immense interest for tissue engineering and innovative medicinal exploration. This review summarizes all types of LESCs, identity and location of the human epithelial stem cells (HESCs), reconstruction of LSCN and artificial stem cells for self-renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the habitat preferences of various bryophytes on a landscape in which calcareous and granitic rocks interdigitate. On both substrates, plots were placed in sunny dry locations, shady dry locations, and along streams in wet locations. In other words, six habitat types were studied in a factorial design involving edaphics × moisture. Wet granitic habitat had the highest species richness, whereas wet calcareous habitat had the lowest species richness. In dry sites, shady plots had higher richness than sunny plots, regardless of edaphics. Particular species varied widely in their preferences with at least one species being an indicator for each of the six habitats, e.g.: "fan-form tubers Bryaceae" was specialized on granitic wet habitat; Grimmia lisae was specialized on granitic shady habitat; Grimmia montana was specialized on granitic sunny habitat; Didymodon tophaceous was specialized on calcareous wet habitat; Orthotrichum cupulatum + hallii was specialized on calcareous shady habitat; Grimmia anodon was specialized on calcareous sunny habitat. The composition of the bryophyte assemblages was very strongly affected by the interaction of calcareous-versus-granitic × dry-versus-wet; the wet calcareous assemblage was the most distinctive. To the extent possible, we classified the various species into guilds (e.g., the calcicolous rheophyte guild) taking into account generalization versus specialization. In summary, we found remarkable interactions between edaphics and wetness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]