bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of dielectric properties for assessment of liver ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo and during machine perfusion
Authors: Hou Jie , Liavåg Olav Magnus Ivar , Færden Ida Høy , Martinsen Ørjan Grøttem , Tønnessen Tor Inge , Line Pål-Dag , Hagness Morten , Høgetveit Jan Olav , Pischke Søren Erik , Strand-Amundsen Runar
Published: July 2022

There is a shortage of donor livers and patients consequently die on waiting lists worldwide. Livers are discarded if they are clinically judged to have a high risk of non-function following transplantation. With the aim of extending the pool of available donor livers, we assessed the condition of porcine livers by monitoring the microwave dielectric properties. A total of 21 livers were divided into three groups: control with no injury (CON), biliary injury by hepatic artery occlusion (AHEP), and overall hepatic injury by static cold storage (SCS). All were monitored for four hours in vivo, followed by ex vivo plurithermic machine perfusion (PMP). Permittivity data was modeled with a two-pole Cole–Cole equation, and dielectric properties from one-hour intervals were analyzed during in vivo and normothermic machine perfusion (NMP). A clear increasing trend in the conductivity was observed in vivo in the AHEP livers compared to the control livers. After four hours of NMP, separations in the conductivity were observed between the three groups. Our results indicate that dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) can be used to detect and differentiate liver injuries, opening for a standardized and reliable point of evaluation for livers prior to transplantation.
Proportion of ALGBT adult Brazilians, sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported violence
Authors: Spizzirri Giancarlo , Eufrásio Raí Álvares , Abdo Carmita Helena Najjar , Lima Maria Cristina Pereira
Published: July 2022

Asexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (ALGBT) individuals face worse life conditions and violence rates than their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. Brazil is often highlighted for having one of the highest rates of hate-related homicides against ALGBTs in the world. However, to date, Brazil’s ALGBT population has not been investigated with a representative sample, and basic information such as population size or sociodemographic characteristics are mostly based in non-systematic data. We aimed to assess the proportion of asexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and non-binary adults in Brazil, their sociodemographic characteristics, and self-reported violence rates. In 2018, a sample (n = 6000) of the Brazilian adult population answered a face-to-face survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics, gender identity, sexual orientation, and self-reported psychological, physical, verbal, and sexual violence. Among Brazilian adults, 12.04% are ALGBT: 5.76% asexual, 0.93% lesbian, 1.37% gay, 2.12% bisexual, 0.68 trans, and 1.18% non-binary. Compared to heterosexual cisgender men, most ALGBT individuals have worse socioeconomic indicators and higher rates of self-reported psychological and verbal violence. All ALGBT groups and heterosexual cisgender women reported sexual violence more often than heterosexual cisgender men. It was reported between 4 up to 25 times more often by heterosexual cisgender women and trans individuals, respectively. The rates of the other ALGBT groups sit among the two. Our findings provide evidence of the important size of the ALGBT Brazilian population, as well as their socioeconomic vulnerability, and concerning violence levels experienced by the group. Policy makers may refer to the present article in order to mitigate this population’s vulnerability and to better understand its sociodemographic characteristics.
Hydrologic regime alteration and influence factors in the Jialing River of the Yangtze River, China
Authors: Guo Wenxian , Jiao Xuyang , Zhou Haotong , Zhu Yongwei , Wang Hongxiang
Published: July 2022

Under the influence of climate alteration and human activities, the hydrological regime of rivers is changing dramatically, which has become a hot spot for water environment research. In this study, we quantitatively assessed the degree of hydrological variability of the Jialing River and the contribution of climate alteration and human activities to hydrological alterations using the ecohydrological indicator range of alteration (IHA-RVA) method and Budyko hypothesis formulations. The results showed that (1) The average annual runoff and the precipitation of Jialing River showed a decreasing trend, the potential evapotranspiration showed an increasing trend. (2) Compared with before the hydrological situation changed, the degree of alteration in the annual extreme streamflow is 31%, which is a low degree of alteration; the degree of alteration in monthly streamflow, annual extreme flow magnitude, extreme flow ephemeris, and streamflow alteration frequency are 51%, 43%, 54%, and 64% respectively, which are all moderate degrees of alteration; the overall hydrological alteration is 50%, which belongs to moderate alteration. (3) The contribution of precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and human activities to the runoff alteration is 61%, − 16%, and 55%, respectively. This study provides corresponding references for ecological restoration and sustainable development of the Yangtze River Basin in China.
Postoperative recovery patterns following discectomy surgery in patients with lumbar radiculopathy
Authors: Wang Shuaijin , Hebert Jeffrey J. , Abraham Edward , Vandewint Amanda , Bigney Erin , Richardson Eden , El-Mughayyar Dana , Attabib Najmedden , Wedderkopp Niels , Kingwell Stephen , Soroceanu Alex , Weber M. H. , Hall Hamilton , Finkelstein Joel , Bailey Christopher S. , Thomas Kenneth , Nataraj Andrew , Paquet Jerome , Johnson Michael G. , Fisher Charles , Rampersaud Y. Raja , Dea Nicolas , Small Chris , Manson Neil
Published: July 2022

This retrospective study of prospectively collected data aimed to identify unique pain and disability trajectories in patients following lumbar discectomy surgery. Patients of this study population presented chiefly with lumbar radiculopathy and underwent discectomy surgery from thirteen sites enrolled in the CSORN registry. Outcome variables of interest included numeric rating scales for leg/back pain and modified Oswestry disability index scores at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months post-operatively. Latent class growth analysis was used to identify distinct courses in each outcome. Data from 524 patients revealed three unique trajectories for leg pain (excellent = 18.4%, good = 55.4%, poor = 26.3%), disability (excellent = 59.7%, fair = 35.6%, poor = 4.7%) and back pain (excellent = 13.0%, good = 56.4%, poor = 30.6%). Construct validity was supported by statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients attaining the criteria for minimal important change (MIC; 30%) or clinical success in disability (50% or Oswestry score ≤ 22) (p < 0.001). The variable proportions of patients belonging to poor outcome trajectories shows a disconnect between improved disability and persistence of pain. It will be beneficial to incorporate this information into the realm of patient expectation setting in concert with future findings of potential factors predictive of subgroup membership.
Characterization of the remediation of chromium ion contamination with bentonite by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy
Authors: Cheng Hang , Huang Hao-chong , Yang Meng-fan , Yang Mei-hui , Yan He , Panezai Spozmai , Zheng Zhi-Yuan , Zhang Zhuo , Zhang Zi-li
Published: July 2022

Heavy metal pollution of agricultural and urban soils limits economic progress in the rapidly developing society. Terahertz technology is applied to detect heavy metal pollutants under existence of multiple pathways of their dissemination. In this study, terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is employed as an advanced probing technique in combination with traditional detecting methods to measure the adsorption ability of trivalent chromium ions on bentonite. The concentration of chromium ions and the weight of bentonite are known to influence on the adsorption capacity of the latter. It is tested here by both qualitative and quantitative measurements of two mentioned parameters. The adsorption process of chromium ions by bentonite is monitored using THz-TDS. The adsorptions signal from samples at 0.5 THz gradually increases with the increase of bentonite weight or chromium ion concentration. It would appear to indicate that terahertz could be used for quantitative detection of metal ions. Secondly, the ratios of results obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the THz-TDS ones are stabilized at 0.105  ±  0.014 as the bentonite weight or chromium ion concentration increase. Such finding confirms that terahertz technology can be used for the quantitative detection of metal ions. Using the relationship between the ICP-MS test results and the THz-TDS ones, the amplitude value of bentonite is obtained to be 13.925 at the concentration of chromium ions of 0.05 mol/L, the mass of bentonite sample involved in adsorption of 1.5 g, and the detection frequency in THz-TDS measurements of 0.5 THz. The adsorption coefficient of bentonite is calculated to be 1.44%. Increase of the chromium ion concentration to 0.2 mol/L, and the mass of bentonite involved in adsorption to 3 g leads to the increase of the amplitude corresponding to adsorbed chromium ions to about 19.463, and the adsorption coefficient to about 2.1%. Obtained results demonstrate that terahertz technology is promising to meet the ever-increasing requirements in mineral analyses for rapid detection of chemical contaminants and measurement of the adsorption efficiencies of materials.
Houseflies harbor less diverse microbiota under laboratory conditions but maintain a consistent set of host-associated bacteria
Authors: Voulgari-Kokota Anna , Beukeboom Leo W. , Wertheim Bregje , Salles Joana Falcao
Published: July 2022

The housefly (Musca domestica) is a wide-ranging insect, often associated with decaying matter from livestock and humans. The septic environments in which houseflies live are believed to be a rich source for microbial acquisition. Although the housefly can harbor a wide range of microorganisms, it is not yet well known which microbes are always recurrent, which are dispensable and which environmentally dependent. In the present study, we aim at identifying which microbes are recurrently associated with the housefly gut throughout the species’ life cycle and whether their acquisition relies on the fly’s living environment. We surveyed three housefly strains—two of them kept under standard laboratory conditions for a long time and one wild-caught. To track any shifts happening throughout the lifecycle of the housefly and to test the consistency of the revealed microbial communities, we sampled houseflies at five developmental stages over the course of four consecutive generations. Both the bacterial and fungal microbiota of five developmental stages were studied for all samples, using amplicon sequencing for the 16S and ITS1 rRNA gene, respectively. Results revealed diverse microbial communities yet consistent for each of the two distinct sampling environments. The wild-caught population showed a more diverse and more distinct gut microbiota than the two laboratory strains, even though the strain was phylogenetically similar and shared geographic origin with one of them. Two bacterial genera,MyroidesandProvidencia, and two yeasts,TrichosporonandCandida tropicalis,were present in all sampled larvae and pupae, regardless of the strain. Analysis of the provided diet revealed that the flies acquired the yeasts through feeding. Our main findings show that houseflies might lose microbial diversity when reared in controlled environments, however they can maintain a consistent set of bacteria. We conclude that although the environment can facilitate certain microbial transmission routes for the housefly, and despite the fungal microbiota being largely acquired through diet, the larval bacterial gut microbiome remains relatively consistent within the same developmental stage.
A co-polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorber for 5G n78 mobile devices at 3.5 GHz to reduce the specific absorption rate
Authors: Hannan Saif , Islam Mohammad Tariqul , Soliman Mohamed S. , Faruque Mohammad Rashed Iqbal , Misran Norbahiah , Islam Md. Shabiul
Published: July 2022

Specific absorption rate (SAR) by next-generation 5G mobile devices has become a burning question among engineers worldwide. 5G communication devices will be famous worldwide due to high-speed data transceiving, IoT-based mass applications, etc. Many antenna systems are being proposed for such mobile devices, but SAR is found at a higher rate that requires reduced for human health. This paper presents a metamaterial absorber (MMA) for SAR reduction from 5G n78 mobile devices at 3.5 GHz. The MMA is co-polarization insensitive at all possible incident angles to ensure absorption of unnecessary EM energies obeying the Poynting theorem for energy conservation and thus ensuring smooth communication by the devices. The unit cell size of the absorber is 0.114$$\lambda$$λmaking it design efficient for array implementation into mobile devices. This absorber has achieved a minimum of 33% reduction of SAR by applying to the 5G n78 mobile phone model, equivalent to SAR by GSM/LTE/UMTS band mobile phones and making it suitable for SAR reduction from next-generation 5G mobile devices.
Electric field created p–n junction in composite films made from carbon nanotubes, iron (III) sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Tsai Hsin-Jung , Ke Ching-You , Yang Yung-Kai , Hsu Wen-Kuang
Published: July 2022

Suspension made of Fe2(SO4)3(aq), polyvinyl alcohol and carbon nanotubes is placed in electric field to separate charges. Charges remain separated as suspension solidifies, forming composite films with cations and anions enriched at opposite sides. Polarized films behave as junction diodes with forward current and threshold voltage found to be 10–4–10–5 A and 2.4–2.6 V at ± 5 V. Rectification is preserved in strained composite films.
Clinical characteristics of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias with anti-Ro52/tripartite motif-containing 21 antibodies
Authors: Tahara Masahiro , Sakamoto Noriho , Satoh Minoru , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Yura Hirokazu , Yamasaki Kei , Kido Takashi , Fujino Yoshihisa , Hasegawa Tomoko , Tanaka Shin , Yatera Kazuhiro , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

Antibodies to Ro52/tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21), referred to as anti-Ro52, are found in patients diagnosed with diverse systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease and associated with interstitial lung diseases. However, little is known about the clinical characteristics of anti-Ro52 in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). We aimed to analyze the prevalence, co-existent autoantibodies, and clinical characteristics of anti-Ro52 in patients with IIP. The study enrolled 288 patients diagnosed with IIP. Clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings of IIP patients were compared between anti-Ro52 positives and negatives. Anti-Ro52 (20/288; 6.9%), anti-ARS (18/288; 6.3%), and anti-Ro60/SS-A (16/288; 5.6%) were the most common autoantibodies detected in IIP patients. Among 20 IIP patients who had anti-Ro52, anti-ARS was present in 8 (40%) patients. The criteria for interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) were significantly better fulfilled by patients with anti-Ro52 than those without (P = 0.001). Meeting serological domain (P < 0.001) and Raynaud’s phenomenon (P = 0.009) were significantly more common in the anti-Ro52-positive patients. Anti-Ro52-positive IIP patients have clinical features consistent with IPAF. Anti-Ro52 may have an important role in detecting the autoimmune phenotype in IIP patients.
Effects of drought stress during critical periods on the photosynthetic characteristics and production performance of Naked oat (Avena nuda L.)
Authors: Zhang Xinjun , Liu Wenting , Lv Yaci , Li Tianliang , Tang Jianzhao , Yang Xiaohong , Bai Jing , Jin Xin , Zhou Haitao
Published: July 2022

Revealing the effects of drought stress on the photosynthetic characteristics and yield of naked oats (Avena nuda L.) is significant for enhancing the productivity of oats. In this study, a potted experiment consisting of four water levels was conducted in the Bashang area of Hebei Province, China. The drought stress period was established as the continual 8 days during the jointing-heading stage. The aims were to reveal the impacts of drought stress on the photosynthetic characteristics and yield of naked oats during the critical stage. The results showed that the photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (Gs) decreased under all conditions of drought stress. The intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) decreased under light drought stress, while it increased under moderate and severe drought stress. The initial chlorophyll fluorescence rate (Fo) increased by 9.03–50.92% under drought stress, and the maximum fluorescence rate (Fm) decreased by 8.49–19.73% under drought stress. The photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) increased by 10.37–24.12% under drought stress. The yields decreased by 9.5–12.7%, 16.8–27.0% and 44.1–47.7% under light, moderate and severe drought stress during the critical stage, respectively. The grains per panicle decreased by 1.7–12.5%, 8.3–24.3% and 32.7–34.2% under light, moderate and severe drought stress conditions, respectively. The 1000-grain weight decreased by 5.7–8.6%, 12.7–14.5% and 16.8–19.1% under light, moderate and severe drought stress conditions, respectively. The panicle numbers did not vary significantly among the different drought stress treatments. The photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration all had significant positive relationships with the yield of naked oat (P < 0.01). Parameters of PS II except for Fo all had significant positive relationships with the yield of naked oats (P < 0.05). This study is significant for enhancing the production efficiency of naked oat under drought stress.
Multimodal NASH prognosis using 3D imaging flow cytometry and artificial intelligence to characterize liver cells
Authors: Subramanian Ramkumar , Tang Rui , Zhang Zunming , Joshi Vaidehi , Miner Jeffrey N. , Lo Yu-Hwa
Published: July 2022

To improve the understanding of the complex biological process underlying the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 3D imaging flow cytometry (3D-IFC) with transmission and side-scattered images were used to characterize hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and liver endothelial cell (LEC) morphology at single-cell resolution. In this study, HSC and LEC were obtained from biopsy-proven NASH subjects with early-stage NASH (F2-F3) and healthy controls. Here, we applied single-cell imaging and 3D digital reconstructions of healthy and diseased cells to analyze a spatially resolved set of morphometric cellular and texture parameters that showed regression with disease progression. By developing a customized autoencoder convolutional neural network (CNN) based on label-free cell transmission and side scattering images obtained from a 3D imaging flow cytometer, we demonstrated key regulated cell types involved in the development of NASH and cell classification performance superior to conventional machine learning methods.
Transcriptomic analysis of starch accumulation patterns in different glutinous sorghum seeds
Authors: Ke Fulai , Zhang Kuangye , Li Zhihua , Wang Jiaxu , Zhang Fei , Wu Han , Zhang Zhipeng , Lu Feng , Wang Yanqiu , Duan Youhou , Liu Zhiqiang , Zou Jianqiu , Zhu Kai
Published: July 2022

Sorghum is a high-quality raw material for brewing white wine, and the starch content in seeds has a large impact on brewing quality. Transcriptomic data obtained from a glutinous variety (Liaonian3) and a non-glutinous variety (Liaoza10) at 3, 18, and 30 days after pollination were analyzed to identify genes associated with starch accumulation. The amylopectin content was significantly higher in Liaonian3 compared to Liaoza10, but the amylose content and total starch content were lower. There were 6634 differentially expressed genes found in Liaoza10 between 3 and 18 d after pollination, and 779 differentially expressed genes between 18 and 30 d after pollination. In Liaonian3, there were 6768 differentially expressed genes between 3 and 18 d after pollination, and 7630 differentially expressed genes between 18 and 30 d after pollination. Genes were grouped by expression profiles over the three time points and the profiles were analyzed for enrichment of gene ontology terms and biochemical pathways. Profile 1 (decreasing expression from 3 to 30 d) for Liaoza10 was enriched in ribosomes, metabolic pathways, and carbon metabolic pathways. Profile 0 (decreasing expression from 3 to 18 d and consistent expression from 18 to 30 d) was enriched in pathways related to sugar or starch metabolism. Although the starch accumulation rate in Liaonian3 and Liaoza10 showed a profile of increasing and then decreasing, the expression of genes related to starch synthesis gradually decreased with time since pollination, demonstrating the complexity of starch synthesis. According to orthologous gene alignment and expression analysis, 19 genes such asentrzID_8068390andentrzID_8066807were found to be the key genes for starch synthesis and glutinous and non-glutinous differentiation in sorghum grains.
Ameliorative effects of endogenous and exogenous indole-3-acetic acid on atrazine stressed paddy field cyanobacterial biofertilizer Cylindrospermum stagnale
Authors: Ahmad Nazia , Yasin Durdana , Bano Fareha , Fatma Tasneem
Published: July 2022

Across the world, paddy fields naturally harbour cyanobacteria that function as biofertilizers and secrete various compounds like Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) that help organisms in regulating their growth. Also, paddy field farming utilizes large amounts of pesticides (e.g. atrazine); but their continued application in the agricultural field causes toxicity in non-target cyanobacterial species that hinder their performance as a biofertilizer. Hence, the current study is an attempt to ameliorate the atrazine stress in cyanobacterium Cylindrospermum stagnale by addition of IAA (1 mM each) under different atrazine levels (0, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140 µg/l). Atrazine toxicity affected C. stagnale in a dose-dependent manner further experiments revealed that both the exogenous and endogenous IAA mitigated the detrimental effects of atrazine. It reduced MDA content and simultaneously increased chlorophyll content, total protein content, and multiple antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)] at 140 µg/l. A molecular docking study revealed that the pesticide binds to the D1 protein of the photoelectric chain in photosynthesis. Hence, the application of IAA or cyanobacterial biofertilizer that secretes a sufficient amount of IAA may assist sustainable agriculture in counteracting the atrazine toxicity.
Effect of modified Total Body Recumbent Stepper training on exercise capacity and thioredoxin in COPD: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Duan Wentao , Zeng Dan , Huang Jin , Gu Jing , Li San , Zhou Wei , Ma Jinling , Jiang Yan , Zhu Liming , Xiang Xudong , Dai Aiguo
Published: July 2022

Exercise intolerance is one of the major symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exercise training can benefit COPD patients, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The modified Total Body Recumbent Stepper (TBRS, Nustep-T4) can benefit patients with stroke, spinal cord injury and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nevertheless, the effect of TBRS training alone on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in COPD patients remains largely unknown. We aimed to explore the effect of TBRS training on exercise capacity and the thioredoxin system (TRXS) in COPD patients to provide a novel rehabilitation modality and new theoretical basis for PR of COPD patients. Ninety stable COPD patients were randomly divided into a control group (NC group) and a TBRS training group (TBRS group), with 45 cases in each group. Subjects in the TBRS training group were scheduled to undergo TBRS endurance training triweekly for 12 weeks under the guidance of a rehabilitation therapist. We assessed the primary outcome: exercise capacity (6-min walking distance, 6MWD); and secondary outcomes: perception of dyspnoea (mMRC, Borg), the COPD assessment test (CAT), the BODE index, pulmonary function, the number of acute exacerbations of COPD and oxidative stress (TRXS) at one-year follow-up. Compared with before the intervention and the control group, after the intervention, the TBRS training group, exhibited an increase in the 6MWD (from 366.92 ± 85.81 to 484.10 ± 71.90, 484.10 ± 71.90 vs 370.63 ± 79.87,P < 0.01), while the scores on the BORG, mMRC, BODE index, CAT, and the number of acute exacerbations of COPD were reduced, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of TRXS was significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, no differences were found in PF parameters in the comparison with before the intervention or between groups. TBRS training can effectively increase exercise capacity, while there are indications that it can alleviate COPD-related dyspnoea and reduce the number of acute exacerbations of COPD. Interestingly, long-term regular TBRS training may reduce oxidative stress associated with COPD to increase exercise capacity.
Low-dose shift- and rotation-invariant diffraction recognition imaging
Authors: Latychevskaia Tatiana , Kohli Alice
Published: July 2022

A low-dose imaging technique which uses recognition rather than recording of a full high-resolution image is proposed. A structural hypothesis is verified by probing the object with only a few particles (photons, electrons). Each scattered particle is detected in the far field and its position on the detector is analysed by applying Bayesian statistics. Already a few detected particles are sufficient to confirm a structural hypothesis at a probability exceeding 95%. As an example, the method is demonstrated as an application in optical character recognition, where a hand-written number is recognized from a set of different written numbers. In other provided examples, the structural hypothesis of a single macromolecule is recognized from a diffraction pattern acquired at an extremely low radiation dose, less than one X-ray photon or electron per Å2, thus leaving the macromolecule practically without any radiation damage. The proposed principle of low-dose recognition can be utilized in various applications, ranging from optical character recognition and optical security elements to recognizing a certain protein or its conformation.
Alterations in corneal epithelial dendritic cell in Sjogren’s syndrome dry eye and clinical correlations
Authors: Hao Ran , Ding Yi , Li Xuemin
Published: July 2022

We aimed to investigate the density and morphology of corneal dendritic cells (DCs) in dry eye (DE) patients with or without Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). This study included 28 patients with Sjogren’s syndrome dry eye (SSDE), 33 patients with non-Sjogren’s syndrome dry eye (NSSDE), and 30 age and sex matched healthy volunteers. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) was used to investigate density and morphology (size, dendrites, and field) of DC. Compared with NSSDE and healthy group, SSDE showed significantly higher DC density, larger DC size, more DC dendrites with larger DC field (all P < 0.001). Comparison between NSSDE and healthy group demonstrated that DC density, dendrites and field were significantly higher in NSSDE. However, there was no significant difference in DC size (P = 0.076). DC density and morphological parameters showed significant associations with the systemic severity (salivary gland biopsy and serum antibodies) and ocular surface damage. The corneal epithelium DC density and morphological alterations were obvious in SSDE, which reflected higher level of immune activation and inflammatory response in SS. Marked correlations were found between DC density/morphology and systemic/ocular severity. Dynamic assessment of corneal DC may facilitate to clarify pathogenesis, stratify patient, and tailor treatment in SS patients.
Visceral adiposity is associated with metabolic profiles predictive of type 2 diabetes and myocardial infarction
Authors: Raheem Javeria , Sliz Eeva , Shin Jean , Holmes Michael V. , Pike G. Bruce , Richer Louis , Gaudet Daniel , Paus Tomas , Pausova Zdenka
Published: July 2022

Background

Visceral fat (VF) increases risk for cardiometabolic disease (CMD), the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Variations in the circulating metabolome predict the risk for CMD but whether or not this is related to VF is unknown. Further, CMD is now also present in adolescents, and the relationships between VF, circulating metabolome, and CMD may vary between adolescents and adults.

Methods

With an aim to add understanding to the metabolic variations in visceral obesity, we tested associations between VF, measured directly with magnetic resonance imaging, and 228 fasting serum metabolomic measures, quantified with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in 507 adults (36–65 years) and 938 adolescents (12–18 years). We further utilized data from published studies to estimate similarities between VF and CMD-associated metabolic profiles.

Results

Here we show that VF, independently of body mass index (BMI) or subcutaneous fat, is associated with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, fatty acids, and inflammation in both adults and adolescents, whereas the associations with amino acids, glucose, and intermediary metabolites are significant in adults only. BMI-adjusted metabolomic profile of VF resembles those predicting type 2 diabetes in adults (R2 = 0.88) and adolescents (R2 = 0.70), and myocardial infarction in adults (R2 = 0.59) and adolescents (R2 = 0.40); this is not the case for ischemic stroke (adults: R2 = 0.05, adolescents: R2 = 0.08).

Conclusions

Visceral adiposity is associated with metabolomic profiles predictive of type 2 diabetes and myocardial infarction even in normal-weight individuals and already in adolescence. Targeting factors contributing to the emergence and maintenance of these profiles might ameliorate their cumulative effects on cardiometabolic health.
Neuronal activity under transcranial radio-frequency stimulation in metal-free rodent brains in-vivo
Authors: Yaghmazadeh Omid , Vöröslakos Mihály , Alon Leeor , Carluccio Giuseppe , Collins Christopher , Sodickson Daniel K. , Buzsáki György
Published: July 2022

As the use of Radio Frequency (RF) technologies increases, the impact of RF radiation on neurological function continues to receive attention. Whether RF radiation can modulate ongoing neuronal activity by non-thermal mechanisms has been debated for decades. However, the interactions between radiated energy and metal-based neural probes during experimentation could impact neural activity, making interpretation of the results difficult. To address this problem, we modified a miniature 1-photon Ca2+ imaging device to record interference-free neural activity and compared the results to those acquired using metal-containing silicon probes. We monitored the neuronal activity of awake rodent-brains under RF energy exposure (at 950 MHz) and in sham control paradigms. Spiking activity was reliably affected by RF energy in metal containing systems. However, we did not observe neuronal responses using metal-free optical recordings at induced local electric field strengths up to 230 V/m. Our results suggest that RF exposure higher than levels that are allowed by regulatory limits in real-life scenarios do not affect neuronal activity.
Metabolism of Dietary Carbohydrates by Intestinal Bacteria
Authors: Gulsan EBRU Ece , Nowshad Farrhin , Jayaraman Arul , Lee Kyongbum
Published: July 2022

Carbohydrates are significant components of both plant- and animal-based human diets. Depending on the type of diet, calories from carbohydrates can account for more than 70% of total daily energy intake of human adults. Bacteria residing in the colon have greater access to complex carbohydrates, as these molecules are only partially digested in the stomach and not fully absorbed in the small intestine. Microbial metabolism of these dietary microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs) in the colon is important as organic acids such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced upon fermentation of MACs are important mediators of host physiology, including promoting intestinal epithelial barrier integrity and development of the immune system. Here we review the microbial metabolism of three different MACs (dietary fiber, polyphenols, and amino sugars) and the enzymes involved in their metabolism. We also discuss advances in tools such as metabolomics and metabolic modeling that are needed for identifying and characterizing products of MAC metabolism by gut bacteria, and suggest future directions of research for elucidating the mechanisms whereby these products influence host physiological processes.
Fat Absorption, Metabolism, and Global Regulation
Authors: Rana Nayaab , Mozaffari Peymaun , Asim Danial , Martinez-Guryn Kristina
Published: July 2022

Gut microbes have been associated with a wide variety of normal host functions as well as the development of diseases, including autoimmune, metabolic, and even neurological disorders. These relationships stem from complex host–microbe interactions originating in the gut that extend to distal regions of the body. The goal of this chapter is to provide an overview of gut microbe-mediated regulation of host nutrient digestion, absorption, and whole-body metabolism. We begin with a review of the literature evaluating the overall effects of obesity and westernized diets on the gut microbiota and how the resultant microbiota feeds forward on influencing host digestion and absorption in the gut. The latter part of the chapter will focus on how the gut microbiota regulates metabolism on a global scale influencing peripheral metabolic organs, including the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle. Altogether, this chapter highlights the mechanisms by which gut microbes regulate metabolism both locally in the gut and distally in metabolic tissues.
Early Life Microbiome Colonization and Human Health
Authors: Mims Tahliyah S. , Miyoshi Jun , Pierre Joseph F.
Published: July 2022

The early life assemblages of microbial community membership, diversity, and function within the gastrointestinal tract play fundamental roles in shaping host growth, body composition, and organ development and function, including the programming of immune systems, shaping central nervous system signaling and behaviour, and influencing metabolic set points. Abnormal colonization during this period may elevate the risk of chronic and metabolic disease throughout the lifespan. Research on the influence of microbial communities on neonatal health has historically been focused on the prevention and treatment of infectious disease during the neonatal and early adolescent period. Over the last decade, deeper insights into the role of normal human microbiome colonization in early life and childhood has grown substantially and strong evidence for its importance in human development has accumulated. Acquisition of an early life microbiome is influenced by the route of birth, nutrition composition and source, antibiotic and toxin exposures, geological location and home environment, and other pivotal factors. The microbiome appears to be dynamically developed during the first year of life but becomes more stabilized once community diversity and membership increases, along with compensatory and complementary host immune response. During microbial community assemblage, it is proposed that critical developmental immune windows are shaped that influence host homeostasis and disease risk in later life. This chapter will review this rapidly developing field and highlight the role of the microbiome in early life along with implications for long-term health during the lifespan.
The Gut Microbiome and Metabolic Surgery
Authors: Chaib Mehdi , Davis Matthew J. , Kubovec Stacey , Makowski Liza , Pierre Joseph F.
Published: July 2022

The prevalence of obesity has become an epidemic among westernized societies and a leading cause of non-communicable disease associated with numerous comorbidities, including diabetes, chronic inflammatory disease, and cancers. In the most morbidly obese patients, bariatric and metabolic surgical interventions are the most effective interventions for weight loss and are associated with rapid improvements in metabolic health. Contributing factors to the efficacy of metabolic surgery include changes in gut signaling pathways – including the enteric nervous system and enteroendocrine hormones – altered food preference, delayed absorption, enhanced thermogenesis, altered enterohepatic circulation, and reshaping of the gut microbiota communities. This chapter will focus on the rise of metabolic surgery for the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities, followed by the state of knowledge regarding mechanisms of action. Bariatric interventions alter the gut microbiome and its interaction with host metabolites, including bile acid pools. We review the interactions between the host, the gut microbiome, bile acid metabolites, and immune function underpinning improved metabolism in obesity, through central and peripheral mechanisms, following metabolic surgery.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy insights on the structure anisotropy and charge transfer in Chevrel Phase chalcogenides
Authors: Hyler Forrest P. , Wuille Bille Brian A. , Ortíz-Rodríguez Jessica C. , Sanz-Matias Ana , Roychoudhury Subhayan , Perryman Joseph T. , Patridge Christopher J. , Singstock Nicholas R. , Musgrave Charles B. , Prendergast David , Velázquez Jesús M.
Published: July 2022

The electronic structure and local coordination of binary (Mo6T8, T = S, Se, Te) and ternary Chevrel Phases (MxMo6T8, M = transition metal) are investigated for a range of metal intercalant and chalcogen compositions through XANES and EXAFS analyses.
Progress on the development of a metal salt-assisted ionization source for the mass spectrometric analysis of polymers
Authors: Muyizere Theoneste , Mukiza Janvier
Published: July 2022

Schematic illustration of development of metal salt-assisted ionization sources-mass spectrometry for soft ionization of polymers.
Gold-catalyzed redox cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition/reduction: direct access to 2-phosphoryl indolin-3-ones
Authors: Zhou Xingcui , Xiong Ting , Jiang Jun
Published: July 2022

A gold-catalyzed redox cycloisomerization/nucleophilic addition/reduction reaction of o-nitroalkynes with H-phosphorus oxides is established. Mechanistic studies suggest that phosphorus nucleophiles mediate the cleavage of the N–O bond as reductant.
Selective chlorination of iminosydnones for fast release of amide, sulfonamide and urea-containing drugs
Authors: Feng Minghao , Madegard Léa , Riomet Margaux , Louis Manon , Champagne Pier Alexandre , Pieters Grégory , Audisio Davide , Taran Frédéric
Published: July 2022

4-Chloro-iminosydnones are suitable mesoionic dipoles for the bioorthognal release of amide, urea or sulfonamide containing-drugs.
Catalytic cyclopropanation reactions with α-silyl-, germanyl- and stannyl carbenes generated from cyclopropenes
Authors: Coto Darío , Barbolla Iratxe , Vicente Rubén
Published: July 2022

Silylcyclopropenes are employed as precursors of α-silyl vinyl carbenes and trapped with alkenes.
Controllable synthesis of NiCo layered double hydroxide sheets on laser-induced graphene as electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Xing Xinru , Qu Zijie , Ge Lei , Sun Xinzhi , Li Feng
Published: July 2022

NiCo-LDH@P12-LIG electrodes are prepared using the laser-induced graphene under hydrothermal conditions, showing an areal specific capacitance of 2072 mF cm−2.
Strain-tunable magnetic and electronic properties of a CuCl3 monolayer
Authors: Lin Like , Liu Hanlu , Huang Yineng , Long Weiyu , Zhou Jian , Yao Xue , Jiang Qing , Lu Haiming
Published: July 2022

The CuCl3 monolayer exhibits ferromagnetic (FM) ordering at the ground state and has a transition to the antiferromagnetic (AFM) state when the strain is smaller than −6.8%. The Curie temperature (Tc) varies monotonously with the biaxial strain.
Modeling of laser-pulse induced small water cluster-(H2O)N (N = 1–10) decomposition on suitable metal cluster catalysts
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Cheng Xinlu , Zhang Hong
Published: July 2022

Understanding the microscopic mechanisms of electronic excitation in water clusters is a very important and challenging problem in a series of solar energy applications, such as solar water evaporation, photolysis, etc.
In situ grown CdS on 2D Cd-based porphyrin MOFs enhances the significant separation and transfer of charge carriers with an appropriate heterojunction during photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: He Youzhou , Jiang Guangmei , Zhang Chenghua , Tu Qingli , Jiang Yuxiao , Gu Li , Wang Song , Tan Juan , Jiang Menghan , Liu Xingyan
Published: July 2022

This work provided a novel and reliable idea for preparing the integrated metal-sulfides/2D-MOFs via in situ grown strategy to realize the significant separation and transfer of charge carriers.
One-pot production of a sea urchin-like alloy electrocatalyst for the oxygen electro-reduction reaction
Authors: Pham Hau Quoc , Huynh Tai Thien
Published: July 2022

A facile self-assembly strategy is explored to fabricate a sea-urchin-like alloy with the dominant (111) facets, demonstrating its outstanding ORR performance.
Recent developments on the transformation of CO2utilising ligand cooperation and related strategies
Authors: Ayyappan Ramaraj , Abdalghani Issam , Da Costa Rosenildo C. , Owen Gareth R.
Published: July 2022

An overview of metal–ligand cooperative strategies for the activation of CO2is presented. Cooperative methodologies are classified by the number of atoms between the metal and reactive site, (de)aromatisation processes and by metal–metal based cooperativity.
Sulfur-source-dependent phase-selective preparation of Cu3NiInSnS6nanocrystals and their optical and magnetic properties
Authors: Bian Qinghuan , Liao Huanxi , Tang Changcun , Li Kunjiao , Wan Jiabao , Xiao Yanhe , Cheng Baochang , Lei Shuijin
Published: July 2022

Wurtzite and zinc blende Cu3NiInSnS6nanocrystals with strong visible light absorption and superparamagnetic behavior are synthesized for the first time.
Exploring the structural dependence of metal-free carbon electrocatalysts on zinc-based metal–organic framework types
Authors: Si Wenfang , Xie Qianjie , Zhang Ruiyi , Wang Zheng , Shen Yehua , Uyama Hiroshi
Published: July 2022

The influence of metal-organic framework (MOF) type on the structure and oxygen reduction activity of derived metal-free carbon catalysts were systematically explored by employing a series of Zn-based MOFs and urea as sacrificial activator.
Effects of sample surface morphology on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang Yanhui , Zhang Zi , Li Yinchuan , Xiang Yong , Dong Jingtao , Wei Yongqing , Chang Songtao , Lu Rongsheng
Published: July 2022

The relationship between θ and the spectral characteristic parameters was found to follow the spatial distribution model of plasma: a cos4 θ + b. The relationship between Ra and spectral parameters is nearly linear.
Digital light processing 3D printing of hydrogels: a minireview
Authors: Ding Hongyao , Dong Min , Zheng Qiang , Wu Zi Liang
Published: July 2022

In this review, we give an overview of the recent advances in the field of DLP printing of hydrogels with emphases on materials selection, structure designs, and representative applications.
Protease-activated indocyanine green nanoprobes for intraoperative NIR fluorescence imaging of primary tumors
Authors: Lew Benjamin , George Mebin , Blair Steven , Zhu Zhongmin , Liang Zuodong , Ludwig Jamie , Kim Celeste Y. , Kim Kyekyoon (Kevin) , Gruev Viktor , Choi Hyungsoo
Published: July 2022

Protease-activated cationic gelatin nanoprobes encapsulating ICG for NIR fluorescence imaging of primary breast tumor with high selectivity and sensitivity.
An anti-oil-fouling superhydrophilic composite aerogel for solar saline alkali water desalination
Authors: Yan Jiayu , Zhang Zhen , Shi Yongxin , Che Qinglai , Miao Qing , Meng Guihua , Liu Zhiyong
Published: July 2022

An anti-oil-fouling superhydrophilic composite aerogel (ASG) with a rough surface and macroporous structure is prepared for the solar desalination of oil-in-water emulsion and saline alkali water.
Anchoring 1D nanochain-like Co3O4 on a 2D layered Ti3C2Tx MXene with outstanding electromagnetic absorption
Authors: Wu Chongmei , Liu Zhenying , Yuan Ziqing , Wang Yan , Xian Guiyang , Zhu Zhaolin , Xie Nan , Zhang Hanxin , Liu Yin , Kong Ling Bing
Published: July 2022

3D superstructure Ti3C2Tx/Co3O4 nanochain composites were synthesized through electrostatic self-assembly, in which 1D Co3O4 nanochains were anchored on a 2D layered Ti3C2Tx surface.
Novel ditopic 2-mercaptothiazoles and their sodium salts: synthesis, structural diversity and luminescence
Authors: Rogozhin Anton F. , Ilichev Vasily A. , Fagin Anatoly A. , Rumyantcev Roman V. , Fukin Georgy K. , Yablonskiy Artem N. , Andreev Boris A. , Bochkarev Mikhail N.
Published: July 2022

A set of novel ditopic 2-mercaptothiazoles has been synthesized. Depending on the nature of the bisthiazoles their sodium salts can form coordination compounds or 2D polymers.
Development of potent cholinesterase inhibitors based on a marine pharmacophore
Authors: Elumalai Vijayaragavan , Trobec Tomaž , Grundner Maja , Labriere Christophe , Frangež Robert , Sepčić Kristina , Hansen Jørn H. , Svenson Johan
Published: July 2022

Our study describes how potent and selective cholinesterase inhibitors can be prepared based on a marine pharmacophore.
Polyoxometalates with tunable third-order nonlinear optical and superbroadband optical limiting properties
Authors: Wang Long-Sheng , Wang Yue , Lv Chun-Lin , Guo Chao , Xing Fang-Yuan , Dong Yu-Jia , Xie Zheng , Zhou Shu-Yun , Wei Yong-Ge
Published: July 2022

Several polyoxomolybdovanadates with tunable structures and NLO properties, and their application as superbroadband optical limiters utilizing POM-doped gel glasses.
Solution phase synthesis of the less-known Form II crystalline red phosphorus
Authors: Sun Zhaojian , Zhang Bowen , Yan Qingfeng
Published: July 2022

Form II crystalline red phosphorus was grown by solvothermal reactions. XRD patterns match well with Roth’s results in 1947. Polyphosphide anions captured during phosphorus phase transformation support the “dissolution–crystallization” mechanism.
AIE and reversible mechanofluorochromism characteristics of new imidazole-based donor–π–acceptor dyes
Authors: Al Sharif Ohoud F. , Nhari Laila M. , El-Shishtawy Reda M. , Zayed Mohie E. M. , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: July 2022

Four new imidazole-based donor–π–acceptor 2a–2d dyes have been synthesized, and their solvatochromism, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and mechanofluorochromic (MFC) properties were investigated.
Cs2CO3 catalyzed direct aza-Michael addition of azoles to α,β-unsaturated malonates
Authors: Jiang Zi-Yu , Huang Zhe-Yao , Yang Hong , Zhou Lin , Li Qing-Han , Zhao Zhi-Gang
Published: July 2022

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of azole derivatives via a direct aza-Michael addition of azoles to α,β-unsaturated malonates has been successfully developed. A series of azole derivatives have been obtained in up to 94% yield.
Array-based chemical warfare agent discrimination via organophosphorus-H2O2 reaction-regulated chemiluminescence
Authors: Zhang Qiaoli , Yang Yang , Xia Junmei , Zhang Yingying , Liu Shilei , Yuan Zhiqin
Published: July 2022

A chemical warfare agent sensor array based on organophosphorus-H2O2 reaction-regulated chemiluminescence is proposed.
Characterisation of rare earth elements and toxic heavy metals in coal and coal fly ash
Authors: Okeme Ilemona C. , Crane Richard A. , Nash William M. , Ojonimi Theophilus I. , Scott Thomas B.
Published: July 2022

Significant amounts of rare earth elements, REEs (14% to 31%) and critical REEs (16 wt% to 38 wt%) in the fly ash samples were recovered in the acid-soluble fraction of the sequential extraction procedure using ethanoic acid.