bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH VARIASI WAKTU PENAHANAN DAN TEBAL BENDA KERJA HASIL QUENCHING TERHADAP SIFAT MEKANIK BAJA STAINLESS STEEL MARTENSIT
Authors: Saragih Dian Juanda Philip , Subagyo
Published: November 2021

Baja tahan karat martensitik merupakan salah satu baja paduan yang paling sering dijumpai dalam menjalani kehidupan sehari-hari, seperti turbin blade, instrumen bedah dan lain sebagainya. Baja tahan karat martensitik, terlihat jelas yang berarti memiliki sifat tahan karat atau korosi menjadikan baja ini dapat dijadikan struktur martensit yang keras sehingga dapat digunakan sebagai bahan utama untuk pembuatan alat-alat keras yang tahan korosi dan aus. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh waktu penahanan dan ketebalan benda kerja terhadap sifat mekanik pada baja tahan karat martensitik pada proses hardening. Untuk metode penelitian ini menggunakan metode experimental untuk menguji pengaruh waktu penahanan dan ketebalan benda kerja terhadap sifat mekanik baja tahan karat matensitik. Hasil pada penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa baja AISI 410 hasil hardening dengan variasi holding time menghasilkan nilai kekerasan tertinggi dan nilai impact yang paling baik didapatkan pada holding time 30 menit dengan nilai kekerasan 448 HV dan nilai impact 0,146 J/mm2, sedangkan untuk variasi ketebalan benda menghasilkan nilai kekerasan tertinggi dan nilai impact yang paling didapatkan pada  ketebalan benda  2,5 mm dengan nilai kekerasan  449 HV dan nilai impact 0,17 J/mm2.

Kata kunci : Quenching, sifat mekanik, stainless steel martensit, ketebalan benda, waktu penahanan
SISTEM KONTROL DAN PEMBERITAHUAN STATUS PELADEN JARAK JAUH BERBASIS CHATBOT
Authors: Dian Hanifudin Subhi  , Aldi Wirawan  , Syehfi Amali
Published: November 2021

Sistem kontrol dan pemberitahuan status peladen jarak jauh berbasis chatbot merupakan pemanfaatan Telegram Messenger untuk melakukan kontrol (remote server) pada peladen. Kontrol dapat dilakukan pada lingkungan peladen dengan jaringan lokal (intranet) tanpa perlu melakukan pengaturan VPN (Virtual Private Network). Pemberitahuan status peladen dikirimkan secara terjadwal setiap 30 menit sekali kepada pengguna. Pengujian usabilitas dilakukan untuk menguji pendekatan ini sehingga dapat menjadi alternatif solusi bagi praktisi jaringan dalam mengelola peladen. Dalam pemanfaatan penelitian ini didapatkan hasil sebesar 86,41% dari sisi usabilitas penggunaan.
СОЦИАЛЬНОЕ СТРУКТУРИРОВАНИЕ ЭПИДЕМИЧЕСКОГО (НЕ)БЛАГОПОЛУЧИЯ В ИСТОРИИ ЗАПАДНОЕВРОПЕЙСКИХ ОБЩЕСТВ XIV – XX ВЕКОВ
Authors: Бояркина Сания Исааковна
Published: October 2021

В статье представлены результаты междисциплинарного исследования проблемы сохранения эпидемических угроз на территории европейских стран, в результате которого было выявлено, что социальная эволюция сопровождалась сменой эпидемических трендов, динамика которых определялась происходившими эпидемически значимыми социетальными и структурно-институциональными преобразованиями: изменением объемов миграции и урбанизации, развитием санитарно-коммунальной и материальной среды, социальных институтов, ответственных за формирование доступных каналов статусной мобильности, социальную защиту и охрану здоровья, изменением индивидуальных паттернов отношения к здоровью и практикам его поддержания. В то же время, как показывает история европейских обществ, эти факторы не способны полностью исключать эпидемии из жизни обществ; становясь модератором эпидемических процессов, они предрасполагают к исчезновению одних и появлению других инфекционных агентов; корректируя эволюционные пути развития патогенов, приводят к отбору наиболее адаптированных к оказываемым антропогенным воздействиям, что в условиях глобализации общественных отношений и распространения эффектов социальных детерминант эпидемий, сформированных внутри каждой страны мира, далеко за их пределы, приводит к формированию глобальной сети социально-эпидемических угроз благополучию мирового сообщества.
МОЛОДЫЕ УЧЕНЫЕ О ГЛОБАЛЬНЫХ ВЫЗОВАХ: ПАНДЕМИЯ COVID-19 В РУСЛЕ МЕДИЦИНСКОЙ АНТРОПОЛОГИИ
Authors: Маничкин Нестор Александрович
Published: October 2021

Автор рассматривает научные доклады, представленные на заседании секции «Медицинская антропология и глобальные вызовы», которое состоялось 17 ноября 2020 года в рамках ежегодной международной конференции молодых ученых «Актуальные вопросы этнологии и антропологии», организованной ИЭА РАН. Представлен анализ прозвучавших докладов, а также обсуждений и дискуссий, возникавших вокруг них. В анализируемых работах осмыслялись различные глобальные вызовы современности; а значительная их часть были посвящены проблемам, связанным с пандемией COVID-19.
Catechol 1,2-Dioxygenase From Paracoccus sp. MKU1—A Greener and Cleaner Bio-Machinery for cis, cis-Muconic Acid Production by Recombinant E. coli
Authors: Aravind Manikka Kubendran , Varalakshmi Perumal , John Swamidoss Abraham , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem
Published: November 2021

Cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA) is known for its industrial importance as a precursor for the synthesis of several biopolymers. Catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C12O) is involved in aromatic compounds catabolism and ccMA synthesis in a greener and cleaner way. This is the first study on C12O gene from a metabolically versatile Paracoccus sp. MKU1, which was cloned and expressed in E. coli to produce ccMA from catechol. From the E. coli transformant, recombinant C12O enzyme was purified and found to be a homotrimer with a subunit size of 38.6 kDa. The apparent Km and Vmax for C12O was 12.89 µM and 310.1 U.mg−1, respectively, evidencing high affinity to catechol than previously reported C12Os. The predicted 3D-structure of C12O from MKU1 consisted of five α-helices in N-terminus, one α-helix in C-terminus, and nine β-sheets in C-terminus. Moreover, a unique α-helix signature ‘EESIHAN’ was identified in C-terminus between 271 and 277 amino acids, however the molecular insight of conservative α-helix remains obscure. Further, fed-batch culture was employed using recombinant E. coli expressing C12O gene from Paracoccus sp. MKU1 to produce ccMA by whole-cells catalyzed bioconversion of catechol. With the successive supply of 120 mM catechol, the transformant produced 91.4 mM (12.99 g/L) of ccMA in 6 h with the purity of 95.7%. This single step conversion of catechol to ccMA using whole-cells reactions of recombinants did not generate any by-products in the reaction mixtures. Thus, the recombinant E. coli expressing high activity C12O from Paracoccus sp. MKU1 holds promise as a potential candidate for yielding high concentrations of ccMA at faster rates in low cost settings.
The RNA Methyltransferase METTL3 Promotes Endothelial Progenitor Cell Angiogenesis in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis via the PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Jiang Weidong , Zhu Peiqi , Huang Fangfang , Zhao Zhenchen , Zhang Tao , An Xiaoning , Liao Fengchun , Guo Lina , Liu Yan , Zhou Nuo , Huang Xuanping
Published: November 2021

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is used to treat large bone defects in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Successful DO-mediated bone regeneration is dependent upon angiogenesis, and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are key mediators of angiogenic processes. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase has been identified as an important regulator of diverse biological processes, but its role in EPC-mediated angiogenesis during DO remains to be clarified. In the present study, we found that the level of m6A modification was significantly elevated during the process of DO and that it was also increased in the context of EPC angiogenesis under hypoxic conditions, which was characterized by increased METTL3 levels. After knocking down METTL3 in EPCs, m6A RNA methylation, proliferation, tube formation, migration, and chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) angiogenic activity were inhibited, whereas the opposite was observed upon the overexpression of METTL3. Mechanistically, METTL3 silencing reduced the levels of VEGF and PI3Kp110 as well as the phosphorylation of AKT, whereas METTL3 overexpression reduced these levels. SC79-mediated AKT phosphorylation was also able to restore the angiogenic capabilities of METTL3-deficient EPCs in vitro and ex vivo. In vivo, METTL3-overexpressing EPCs were additionally transplanted into the DO callus, significantly enhancing bone regeneration as evidenced by improved radiological and histological manifestations in a canine mandibular DO model after consolidation over a 4-week period. Overall, these results indicate that METTL3 accelerates bone regeneration during DO by enhancing EPC angiogenesis via the PI3K/AKT pathway.
A Comparative Analysis of Gene and Protein Expression Throughout a Full 28-Day Retinal Regeneration Time-Course in Adult Zebrafish
Authors: Kramer Ashley C. , Gurdziel Katherine , Thummel Ryan
Published: November 2021

Following photoreceptors ablation by intense light exposure, adult zebrafish are capable of complete regeneration due to the ability of their Müller glia (MG) to re-enter the cell cycle, creating progenitors that differentiate into new photoreceptors. The majority of previous reports on retinal regeneration focused on the first few days of the regenerative response, which include MG cell-cycle re-entry and progenitor cell proliferation. With this study, we analyzed the full 28-day time-course of regeneration by pairing a detailed morphological/immunological analysis with RNA-seq transcriptional profiling at 8 key time points during retinal regeneration. We observed several novel findings. First, we provide evidence for two separate peaks of MG gliosis, with the secondary gliotic peak occurring after MG cell-cycle re-entry. Second, we highlight a distinct transcriptional shift between 5- and 10-days post lesion that highlights the transition from progenitor proliferation to differentiation into new photoreceptors. Third, we show distinctly different patterns of transcriptional recovery of the photoreceptor opsins at 28 days post lesion. Finally, using differential gene expression analysis, we revealed that the established functional recovery of the retina at 28 days post lesion does not, in fact, return to an undamaged transcriptional state, potentially redefining what the field considers complete regeneration. Together, to our knowledge, this work represents the first histological and transcriptomic map of a 28-day time-course of retinal regeneration in adult zebrafish.
Quiescence Through the Prism of Evolution
Authors: Daignan-Fornier Bertrand , Laporte Damien , Sagot Isabelle
Published: October 2021

Being able to reproduce and survive is fundamental to all forms of life. In primitive unicellular organisms, the emergence of quiescence as a reversible proliferation arrest has most likely improved cell survival under unfavorable environmental conditions. During evolution, with the repeated appearances of multicellularity, several aspects of unicellular quiescence were conserved while new quiescent cell intrinsic abilities arose. We propose that the formation of a microenvironment by neighboring cells has allowed disconnecting quiescence from nutritional cues. In this new context, non-proliferative cells can stay metabolically active, potentially authorizing the emergence of new quiescent cell properties, and thereby favoring cell specialization. Through its co-evolution with cell specialization, quiescence may have been a key motor of the fascinating diversity of multicellular complexity.
Insights Into the Role of DNA Methylation in Immune Cell Development and Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Li Lifang , Wang Yimeng , Huang Gan , Li Xia , Xie Zhiguo , Zhou Zhiguang
Published: November 2021

To date, nearly 100 autoimmune diseases have been an area of focus, and these diseases bring health challenges to approximately 5% of the population worldwide. As a type of disease caused by tolerance breakdown, both environmental and genetic risk factors contribute to autoimmune disease development. However, in most cases, there are still gaps in our understanding of disease pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. Therefore, more detailed knowledge of disease pathogenesis and potential therapies is indispensable. DNA methylation, which does not affect the DNA sequence, is one of the key epigenetic silencing mechanisms and has been indicated to play a key role in gene expression regulation and to participate in the development of certain autoimmune diseases. Potential epigenetic regulation via DNA methylation has garnered more attention as a disease biomarker in recent years. In this review, we clarify the basic function and distribution of DNA methylation, evaluate its effects on gene expression and discuss related key enzymes. In addition, we summarize recent aberrant DNA methylation modifications identified in the most important cell types related to several autoimmune diseases and then provide potential directions for better diagnosing and monitoring disease progression driven by epigenetic control, which may broaden our understanding and contribute to further epigenetic research in autoimmune diseases.
miR-6807-5p Inhibited the Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Through Directly Targeting METTL7A
Authors: Wang Ning , Han Xiao , Yang Haoqing , Xia Dengsheng , Fan Zhipeng
Published: November 2021

Background: Tooth tissue regeneration mediated by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has become the most ideal treatment. Although the known regulatory mechanism and some achievements have been discovered, directional differentiation cannot effectively induce regeneration of tooth tissue. In this study, we intended to explore the function and mechanism of miR-6807-5p and its target gene METTL7A in odontogenic differentiation.

Methods: In this study, human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were used. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alizarin red staining (ARS), and calcium ion quantification were used to detect the odontogenic differentiation of miR-6807-5p and METTL7A. Real-time RT-PCR, western blot, dual-luciferase reporter assay, and pull-down assay with biotinylated miRNA were used to confirm that METTL7A was the downstream gene of miR-6807-5p. Protein mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) were used to detect that SNRNP200 was the co-binding protein of METTL7A.

Results: After mineralized induction, the odontogenic differentiation was enhanced in the miR-6807-5p-knockdown group and weakened in the miR-6807-5p-overexpressed group compared with the control group. METTL7A was the downstream target of miR-6807-5p. After mineralized induction, the odontogenic differentiation was weakened in the METTL7A-knockdown group and enhanced in the METTL7A-overexpressed group compared with the control group. SNRNP200 was the co-binding protein of METTL7A. The knockdown of SNRNP200 inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.

Conclusion: This study verified that miR-6807-5p inhibited the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. The binding site of miR-6807-5p was the 3′UTR region of METTL7A, which was silenced by miR-6807-5p. METTL7A promoted the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs. SNRNP200, a co-binding protein of METTL7A, promoted the odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.
The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate in Latin America: Knowledge Gaps and the Urgency to Translate Science Into Action
Authors: Muelbert Mônica M. C. , Copertino Margareth , Cotrim da Cunha Leticia , Lewis Mirtha Noemi , Polejack Andrei , Peña-Puch Angelina del Carmen , Rivera-Arriaga Evelia
Published: November 2021

Climate Change hazards to social-ecological systems are well-documented and the time to act is now. The IPCC-SROCC used the best available scientific knowledge to identify paths for effective adaptation and mitigation of climate change impacts on the ocean and cryosphere. Despite all the evidence highlighted by SROCC and the key role of the ocean and cryosphere for climate change at all levels, Latin America (LA) faces challenges to take effective action mostly due to socio-economic vulnerability, political instability and overall technical capacities. Countries have adopted diverse actions as the information needed by policy makers has been made available, not necessarily in accessible and inclusive ways. Regional imbalance in economic development, technological level, capacity development, societal involvement, and governmental oversight have contributed to skewed geographical and technological gaps of knowledge on key ecosystems and specific areas preventing effective climate actions/solutions. We analyze the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) from the region as proxies to the incorporation of IPCC recommendations. The gaps and opportunities for the uptake of ocean and climate science to political decision making is discussed as five key aspects: (i) climate assessment information and regional policies, (ii) knowledge production, (iii) knowledge accessibility, (iv) knowledge impact to policy, and (v) long term monitoring for decision making. We advocate that the uptake of SROCC findings in LA policies can be enhanced by: (a) embracing local realities and incorporating local, traditional and indigenous knowledge; (b) empowering locals to convey local knowledge to global assessments and adapt findings to local realities; (c) enhancing regional research capabilities; and (d) securing long-term sustainable ocean observations. Local and regional participation in knowledge production and provision enhances communication pathways, climate literacy and engagement which are key for effective action to be reflected in governance. Currently, the lack of accessible and inclusive information at the local level hampers the overall understanding, integration and engagement of the society to mitigate climate effects, perpetuates regional heterogeneity and threatens the efforts to reverse the course of climate change in LA. Local researchers should be empowered, encouraged, rewarded and better included in global climate-ocean scientific assessments.
Better CRT Response in Patients Who Underwent Atrioventricular Node Ablation or Upgrade From Pacemaker: A Nomogram to Predict CRT Response
Authors: Xiao Pei-Lin , Cai Cheng , Zhang Pei , Han Jie , Mulpuru Siva K. , Deshmukh Abhishek J. , Yin Yue-Hui , Cha Yong-Mei
Published: November 2021

Background: Response rates for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients without intrinsic left bundle-branch block (LBBB) morphology are poor.

Objective: We sought to develop a nomogram model to predict response to CRT in patients without intrinsic LBBB.

Methods: We searched electronic health records for patients without intrinsic LBBB who underwent CRT at Mayo Clinic. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed for the odds of response to CRT and risk of death, respectively. Results were used to develop the nomogram model.

Results: 761 patients without intrinsic LBBB were identified. Six months after CRT, 47.8% of patients demonstrated improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction by more than 5%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 95.9, 82.4, and 66.70%, respectively. Patients with CRT upgrade from pacemaker [odds ratio (OR), 1.67 (95% CI, 1.05–2.66)] or atrioventricular node (AVN) ablation [OR, 1.69 (95% CI, 1.09–2.64)] had a greater odds of CRT response than those patients who had new implant, or who did not undergo AVN ablation. Patients with right bundle-branch block had a low response rate (39.2%). Patients undergoing AVN ablation had a lower mortality rate than those without ablation [hazard ratio, 0.65 (95% CI, 0.46–0.91)]. Eight clinical variables were automatically selected to build a nomogram model and predict CRT response. The model had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.63–0.78).

Conclusions: Among patients without intrinsic LBBB undergoing CRT, upgrade from pacemaker and AVN ablation were favorable factors in achieving CRT response and better long-term outcomes.
Preoperative Liver Function Test Abnormalities Were Associated With Short-Term and Long-Term Prognosis in Cardiac Surgery Patients Without Liver Disease
Authors: Shang Liqun , Ao Yuanhan , Lv Linhua , Lv Lihua , Zhang Yubi , Hou Jian , Yao Jianping , Wu Zhongkai
Published: November 2021

Aims: To explore the value of preoperative liver function tests (LFTs) for the prognosis of cardiac surgery patients without liver disease.

Methods: The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database was used to extract the clinical data. Adult cardiac patients (≥18 years) without liver disease in the database were enrolled. The association of LFTs with the time of hospital stay and ICU stay was analyzed with the Spearman correlation. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify LFTs that were independent prognostic factors of mortality.

Results: A total of 2,565 patients were enrolled in this study. Albumin (ALB) was negatively associated with the time of hospital stay and ICU stay, while alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin were positively associated with the time of hospital stay and ICU stay (all p < 0.001). Abnormal ALB, ALT, AST, and total bilirubin were associated with lower 90-day and 4-year survival (all p < 0.001) and could be used as independent risk factors for hospital mortality and 90-day mortality. However, only ALB and total bilirubin were independent risk factors for 4-year mortality.

Conclusion: Preoperative LFT abnormalities were associated with short-term and long-term prognosis of cardiac surgery patients without liver disease.
Systematical Evaluation of Three Gridded Daily Precipitation Products Against Rain Gauge Observations Over Central Asia
Authors: Dilinuer Tuoliewubieke , Yao Junqiang , Chen Jing , Zhao Yong , Mao Weiyi , Li Jiangang , Yang Lianmei
Published: November 2021

Understanding the precipitation variability and extreme precipitation over arid Central Asia (CA) has largely been hampered by the lack of daily precipitation observations. The gridded precipitation datasets over CA are large discrepancies. Here, three gauge-based gridded daily precipitation products from Asian Precipitation Highly-Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation (APHRODITE), Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC), and Climate Prediction Center Based Analysis of Global Daily Precipitation (CPC_global) were assessed and compared with 49 rain gauge daily observations precipitation (OBS) from January 1985 to December 2015 using different time-scales over CA and different climate regimes, specifically Northern CA with temperate continental climate (NCA), Southwestern CA with dry arid desert climate (SWCA), and Southeastern CA with Mediterranean continental climate (SECA). Four accuracy indices [correlation coefficient (R), Bias, root mean square error (RMSE), and relative bias (RBias)] were employed to evaluate the performance of the three products in depicting the spatiotemporal features of precipitation variation over CA at multiple time scales (including daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly). The mean annual and daily precipitation of OBS and three gridded products exhibit the trend of a gradual precipitation decreased from SECA to NCA and SWCA. The best overall performance was obtained for APHRODITE and GPCC for daily and annual time-scale, whereas CPC shows noticeable underestimation precipitation in SECA. The monthly precipitation depicted distinct features with a bimodal pattern with a peak in March and another in December, include the SECA and SWCA regions. In contrast, precipitation was concentrated in summer with the peak in July over the NCA region. At monthly scale terms, APHRODITE was more accurate in the wet seasons (winter and spring months) in SWCA and SECA. Additionally, GPCC has fairly better capability in summer months in NCA. Considering the spatial distribution, the bias variability was largerly in mountainous areas than in the plains. Temporally, the bias largerly in the dry seasons than in the wet seasons. At the interannual variability scale, GPCC was capable of qualitatively increasing the CA (NCA and SECA) precipitation during the last 21 years, while APHRODITE underestimated the trends. The CPC overestimated the precipitation trends over all regions. This study can serve as a reference for selecting daily precipitation products with low densities of stations, complex topographies, and similar climatic regions.
Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Ecosystems in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Progression
Authors: Yan Ting , Qiu Wangwang , Weng Huaiyu , Fan Youben , Zhou Guangwen , Yang Zhili
Published: November 2021

Background

Despite extensive research, the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) ecosystem is poorly characterized and, in particular, locoregional progression. Available evidence supports that single-cell transcriptome sequencing (Sc-RNA seq) can dissect tumor ecosystems.

Methods

Tissue samples from one PTC patient, including matched primary tumor (Ca), lymph node (LN) metastasis, and paracancerous tissue (PCa), were subjected to Sc-RNA seq with 10×Genomics. Dual-label immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm the existence of cell subtypes in a separate cohort.

Results

11,805 cell transcriptomes were profiled, cell landscapes of PTC were composed of malignant follicular epithelial cells (MFECs), CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, B cells, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Between Ca and LN ecosystems, the proportions of MFEC and interstitial cells were similar, less than 1/25(229/6,694, 361/3,895), while the proportion of normal follicular epithelial cells (NFECs) and interstitial cells was > 2 in PCa (455/171). NFECs in PCa formed a separate cluster, while MFECs in Ca and LN exhibited a profound transcriptional overlap, and the interstitial cells among these samples had an overall concordance in their identity and representation, albeit with some distinctions in terms of the cell percentage per subset. A fraction of the B cell subpopulation in Ca expressed inhibitory receptors, while their respective ligand genes were clearly transcribed in T cell and malignant epithelial cell clusters, while some CD8+ T cells in both Ca and LN produced high levels of inhibitory receptors whose respective ligands were overexpressed in some CD4+ T cells. Three CAF subtypes in Ca and LN were identified, which may be due to mutual transitions.

Conclusions

Our data provide new insights into the PTC ecosystem and highlight the differences in ecosystems in PTC progression, which updates our understanding of PTC biology and will improve individualized patient treatment.
Dietary Modification for Reproductive Health in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shang Yujie , Zhou Huifang , He Ruohan , Lu Wentian
Published: November 2021

Objective

Diet has been reported as the first-line management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the relationship between diet and fertility in PCOS is still controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether diet could promote reproductive health in women with PCOS while providing evidence-based nutrition advice for clinical practice.

Methods

Seven databases, including Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and some Chinese database, were searched up to January 31, 2021. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of diet in women with PCOS were included. Based on a preregistered protocol (PROSPERO CRD42019140454), the systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Two reviewers made study selection, data extraction and bias assessment independently. Risk ratios and mean difference with 95% confidence intervals were assessed by a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity within comparisons was evaluated by Cochran’s Q test and quantified by the I-squared (I2) statistic.

Results

Twenty RCTs with 1113 participants were included. Results showed diet significantly related to improved fertility outcomes (increasing clinical pregnancy, ovulation and menstrual regularity rate; reducing miscarriage rate), reproductive endocrine [increasing sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG); decreasing Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), free androgen index (FAI), total testosterone (T)] and clinical hyperandrogenism (hirsutism assessed by Ferriman-Gallwey score) in PCOS. Specifically, subgroup analyses indicated low-carbohydrate diets were superior in optimizing reproductive outcomes and calorie restriction was critical in ameliorating hyperandrogenism. Additionally, the positive effects were associated with the treatment duration. The longer the duration, the greater the improvement was.

Conclusion

Overall, diet is an effective intervention for improving fertility health, thus professional and dynamic dietary advice should be offered to all PCOS patients, based on the changeable circumstances, personal needs and expectations of the individuals.
Advances in the Safe Disposal and Comprehensive Utilization of Spent Carbon Anode From Aluminum Electrolysis: Prospects for Extraction and Application of Carbon Resources From Hazardous Waste
Authors: Li Bin , Zhou Jun , Yao Zhen , Peng Qian , Liu Mengnan , Li Xiaoqing , Liu Wei
Published: November 2021

Spent carbon anode (SCA) is a dangerous solid waste that is continuously discharged from the aluminum electrolysis industry and has a large number of valuable resources and a high risk of environmental pollution. Its safe disposal and resource utilization have become a resource and environmental problem that must be solved urgently. Current methods for SCA disposal include flotation, vacuum metallurgy, physical activation, roasting, bubbling fluidized bed combustion, alkali fusion, alkali leaching, and chemical leaching combined with high temperature graphitization. In this paper, the material composition, resource properties, and environmental risks of SCA are discussed. Working principle, treatment process, advantages and disadvantages of the above methods are also briefly described and compared. Results showed that flotation is the safest disposal and comprehensive utilization technology that is suitable for characteristics of SCA raw materials and has the most large-scale application potential. In addition, characteristics of SCA recovery products are correlated to the recycling of aluminum reduction cells. This technology can alleviate the shortage of high-quality petroleum coke resources in China’s carbon material industry and the high cost of raw materials in aluminum electrolysis industry.
Intraspecific Competition, Habitat Quality, Niche Partitioning, and Causes of Intrasexual Territoriality for a Reintroduced Carnivoran
Authors: Facka Aaron N. , Powell Roger A.
Published: November 2021

Animals exploring a new environment develop cognitive maps using diverse sensory input and, thereby, gain information needed to establish home ranges. Experiencing, and learning information about, resources should be advantageous to the resident of a home range while lack of such information should put invaders into the home range at a disadvantage. Conspecifics, especially, should avoid the home ranges of one another to ensure that they do not experience reduced resource availability caused by resource depression or depletion. Yet, encountering conspecific competitors of different sexes may elicit responses that can lead to spacing on a landscape that has different costs and benefits on males and females. We tested the hypothesis that female fishers (Pekania pennanti) avoid competition from both males and female conspecifics whereas male fishers avoid competition only from other males. We reintroduced fishers onto our study site in the presence or absence of competitors’ home ranges during late 2009 through 2011. Using satellite transmitters (Argos) and land-based (VHF) telemetry, we monitored fishers and estimated their locations, movements and use of the surrounding landscape during their first 500 days after release. All fishers settled in relatively high-quality habitat but females that encountered the home ranges of conspecifics moved farther, explored larger areas, and settled farther from their release locations than did females that did not encounter a conspecific’s home range. Male fishers exhibited diverse responses upon encountering the home ranges of conspecifics. Thus, female fishers avoid conspecific competition from all fishers, but males tolerate, or impose, competition with females, apparently to increase mating opportunities. These observations are consistent with the movements and strategies of other solitary carnivores.
Distinct Genetic Structure Reflects Ploidy Level Differentiation in Newly Discovered, Extremely Small Populations of Xanthocyparis vietnamensis from Southwestern China
Authors: Jiang Yuliang , Ju Tsam , Neaves Linda E. , Li Jialiang , Tan Weining , Huang Yusong , Liu Yan , Mao Kangshan
Published: November 2021

Population genetic assessment is crucial for the conservation and management of threatened species.Xanthocyparis vietnamensisis an endangered species that is currently restricted to karst mountains in southwestern China and Vietnam. This rare conifer was first recorded in 2002 from northern Vietnam and then in 2013 from Guangxi, China, yet nothing is known about its genetic diversity nor ploidy level variation, although previous cytological study suggest that Vietnamese populations are tetraploids. There have been about 45 individuals found to date in Guangxi, China. Here, we genotyped 33X. vietnamensisindividuals using 20 newly developed, polymorphic microsatellite loci, to assess the genetic variability of its extremely small populations. The genetic diversity ofX. vietnamensis(HE= 0.511) was lower than that of two other heliophile species,Calocedrus macrolepisandFokienia hodginsii, which have similar distribution ranges. This is consistent with the signature of a genetic bottleneck detected inX. vietnamensis. Although the population genetic differentiation coefficient across loci is moderate (FST= 0.125), STRUCTURE analysis revealed two distinct genetic clusters, namely the northern and southern population groups; DAPC analysis grouped the southern populations together in one cluster separate from the northern populations; AMOVA analysis detected a significant genetic differentiation between the two population groups (FRT= 0.089,p< 0.05), and BARRIER analysis detected a genetic barrier between them. Moreover, we detected differentiation in ploidy level between northern and southern populations, sampled individuals from the former and the later are all diploid and tetraploid cytotypes with mean genome sizes of 26.08 and 48.02 pg/2C, respectively. We deduced that heterogeneous geomorphology and historical events (e.g., human deforestation, Quaternary climate oscillations) may have contributed to population fragmentation and small population size inX. vietnamensis. Considering both genetic and ploidy level differentiation, we propose that two different management units (northern and southern) should be considered and a combination ofin situandex situconservation measures should be employed to preserve populations of this endangered species in southwestern China in the light of our findings.
Mendelian Randomization Identifies the Potential Causal Impact of Dietary Patterns on Circulating Blood Metabolites
Authors: Taba Nele , Valge Hanna-Kristel , Metspalu Andres , Esko Tõnu , Wilson James F. , Fischer Krista , Pirastu Nicola
Published: November 2021

Nutrition plays an important role in the development and progress of several health conditions, but the exact mechanism is often still unclear. Blood metabolites are likely candidates to be mediating these relationships, as their levels are strongly dependent on the frequency of consumption of several foods/drinks. Understanding the causal effect of food on metabolites is thus of extreme importance. To establish these effects, we utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization using the genetic variants associated with dietary traits as instrumental variables. The estimates of single-nucleotide polymorphisms’ effects on exposures were obtained from a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 25 individual and 15 principal-component dietary traits, whereas the ones for outcomes were obtained from a GWAS of 123 blood metabolites measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We identified 413 potentially causal links between food and metabolites, replicating previous findings, such as the association between increased oily fish consumption and higher DHA, and highlighting several novel associations. Most of the associations were related to very-low-density, intermediate-density (IDL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). For example, we found that constituents of IDL particles and large LDL particles were raised by coffee and alcohol while lowered by an overall healthier diet and fruit consumption. Our findings provide a strong base of evidence for planning future RCTs aimed at understanding the role of diet in determining blood metabolite levels.
Low APOA-1 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Is Associated With DNA Methylation and Poor Overall Survival
Authors: Guo Yingyun , Huang Binglu , Li Ruixue , Li Jiao , Tian Shan , Peng Cheng , Dong Weiguo
Published: November 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent fatal malignancy, and it has a poor prognosis. Apolipoprotein 1 (APOA-1), the main protein component of high-density lipoproteins, is involved in numerous biological processes. Thus, this study was performed to detect the clinical significance of APOA-1 mRNA, APOA-1 expression, and APOA-1DNA methylation in patients with HCC.

Methods: Data mining was performed using clinical and survival data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Oncomine databases. The serum concentration of APOA-1 was measured in 316 patients with HCC and 100 healthy individuals at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, and the intact clinical information was reviewed and determined using univariate and multivariate Cox hazard models.

Results: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that APOA-1 mRNA was present at lower levels in the serum of patients with HCC than in that of healthy individuals, and there was a strong negative correlation between levels of APOA-1 mRNA and APOA-1 DNA methylation. High expression of APOA-1 transcription correlated with better overall survival (p = 0.003), and APOA-1 hypermethylation correlated with progress-free survival (p = 0.045) in HCC sufferers. Next, the clinical data analysis demonstrated that APOA-1 protein levels in the serum were significantly lower in patients with HCC than in healthy controls. Furthermore, the expression of APOA-1 was significantly associated with some significant clinical indexes, and elevated APOA-1 expression was significantly associated with favorable (OS; HR:1.693, 95% CI: 1.194–2.401, p = 0.003) and better progression-free survival (PFS; HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.194–2.401, p = 0.045). Finally, enrichment analysis suggested that co-expressed genes of APOA-1 were involved in lipoprotein metabolism and FOXA2/3 transcription factor networks.

Conclusion: APOA-1 mRNA expression is negatively regulated by DNA methylation in HCC. Low expression of APOA-1 might be a potential risk biomarker to predict survival in patients with HCC.
GPR35 in Intestinal Diseases: From Risk Gene to Function
Authors: Kaya Berna , Melhem Hassan , Niess Jan Hendrik
Published: November 2021

Diet and gut microbial metabolites mediate host immune responses and are central to the maintenance of intestinal health. The metabolite-sensing G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) bind metabolites and trigger signals that are important for the host cell function, survival, proliferation and expansion. On the contrary, inadequate signaling of these metabolite-sensing GPCRs most likely participate to the development of diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In the intestine, metabolite-sensing GPCRs are highly expressed by epithelial cells and by specific subsets of immune cells. Such receptors provide an important link between immune system, gut microbiota and metabolic system. Member of these receptors, GPR35, a class A rhodopsin-like GPCR, has been shown to be activated by the metabolites tryptophan-derived kynurenic acid (KYNA), the chemokine CXCL17 and phospholipid derivate lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) species. There have been studies on GPR35 in the context of intestinal diseases since its identification as a risk gene for IBD. In this review, we discuss the pharmacology of GPR35 including its proposed endogenous and synthetic ligands as well as its antagonists. We elaborate on the risk variants of GPR35 implicated in gut-related diseases and the mechanisms by which GPR35 contribute to intestinal homeostasis.
DC-SIGN Mediates the Interaction Between Neutrophils and Leishmania amazonensis-Infected Dendritic Cells to Promote DC Maturation and Parasite Elimination
Authors: Tiburcio Rafael , Melo Léon Dimitri , Nunes Sara , Barbosa Ana Luísa Augusto , de Oliveira Elaine Carvalho , Suarez Martha , Borges Valéria M. , Tavares Natalia , Brodskyn Claudia Ida
Published: November 2021

Background

Leishmaniasis is a neglected arthropod-borne disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Successful Leishmania infections require the mitigation of immune cell functions leading to parasite survival and proliferation. A large body of evidence highlights the involvement of neutrophils (PMNs) and dendritic cells (DCs) in the establishment of immunological responses against these parasites. However, few studies, contemplate to what extent these cells interact synergistically to constrain Leishmania infection.

Objective

We sought to investigate how PMNs and infected DCs interact in an in vitro model of Leishmania amazonensis infection.

Material and Methods

Briefly, human PMNs and DCs were purified from the peripheral blood of healthy donors. Next, PMNs were activated with fibronectin and subsequently co-cultured with L. amazonensis-infected DCs.

Results

We observed that L. amazonensis-infected DC exhibited lower rates of infection when co-cultivated with either resting or activated PMNs. Surprisingly, we found that the release of neutrophil enzymes was not involved in Leishmania killing. Next, we showed that the interaction between PMNs and infected-DCs was intermediated by DC-SIGN, further suggesting that parasite elimination occurs in a contact-dependent manner. Furthermore, we also observed that TNFα and ROS production was dependent on DC-SIGN-mediated contact, as well as parasite elimination is dependent on TNFα production in the co-culture. Finally, we observed that direct contact between PMNs and DCs are required to restore the expression of DC maturation molecules during L. amazonensis infection.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the engagement of direct contact between PMNs and L. amazonensis-infected DC via DC-SIGN is required for the production of inflammatory mediators with subsequent parasite elimination and DC maturation.
Immune Profiling of Cord Blood From Preterm and Term Infants Reveals Distinct Differences in Pro-Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Anderson Jeremy , Thang Cao Minh , Thanh Le Quang , Dai Vo Thi Trang , Phan Van Thanh , Nhu Bui Thi Hong , Trang Do Ngoc Xuan , Trinh Phan Thi Phuong , Nguyen Thuong Vu , Toan Nguyen Trong , Harpur Christopher M. , Mulholland Kim , Pellicci Daniel G. , Do Lien Anh Ha , Licciardi Paul V.
Published: November 2021

Background

Preterm infants are highly vulnerable to infectious disease. While many factors are likely to contribute to this enhanced susceptibility, the immature nature of the preterm immune system is postulated as one key factor.

Methods

In our study, we used high-dimensional flow cytometry and cytokine assays to characterise the immune profiles in 25 preterm (range: 30.4-34.1 weeks gestational age) and 25 term infant (range: 37-40 weeks gestational age) cord blood samples.

Results

We found that preterm infants exhibit reduced frequencies of monocytes, CD56bright NK cells, CD8+ T-cells, γδ T-cells and an increased frequency of intermediate monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, central memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, Tregs and transitional B-cells compared to term infants. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17A were lower in preterm infants in addition to chemokines IL-8, eotaxin, MIP-1α and MIP-1β. However, IL-15 and MCP-1 were higher in preterm infants.

Conclusion

Overall, we identify key differences in pro-inflammatory immune profiles between preterm and term infants. These findings may help to explain why preterm infants are more susceptible to infectious disease during early life and facilitate the development of targeted interventions to protect this highly vulnerable group.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy in Lung Cancer: Potential and Challenges
Authors: Xiao Bu-Fan , Zhang Jing-Tao , Zhu Yu-Ge , Cui Xin-Run , Lu Zhe-Ming , Yu Ben-Tong , Wu Nan
Published: November 2021

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has exhibited a substantial clinical response in hematological malignancies, including B-cell leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Therefore, the feasibility of using CAR-T cells to treat solid tumors is actively evaluated. Currently, multiple basic research projects and clinical trials are being conducted to treat lung cancer with CAR-T cell therapy. Although numerous advances in CAR-T cell therapy have been made in hematological tumors, the technology still entails considerable challenges in treating lung cancer, such as on−target, of−tumor toxicity, paucity of tumor-specific antigen targets, T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, and low infiltration level of immune cells into solid tumor niches, which are even more complicated than their application in hematological tumors. Thus, progress in the scientific understanding of tumor immunology and improvements in the manufacture of cell products are advancing the clinical translation of these important cellular immunotherapies. This review focused on the latest research progress of CAR-T cell therapy in lung cancer treatment and for the first time, demonstrated the underlying challenges and future engineering strategies for the clinical application of CAR-T cell therapy against lung cancer.