bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CODE-SWITCHING USED BY CHEF JUNA ON DEDDY CORBUZIER PODCAST
Authors: Muliana Rahmi Sri , Mubarak Zia Hisni
Published: April 2022

The phenomenon of code-switching these days can be found easily on social media, such as Instagram, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and so on. The purpose of this research was to analyze the types of code-switching on the YouTube platform, especially in the Deddy Corbuzier Podcast video that invited Chef Juna as a guest. This research was a descriptive qualitative to study a sociolinguistic phenomenon. The observational method and non-participatory technique were used for collecting the data. The types of code-switching were analyzed using the theory explained by Poplack. The researchers found there were three types of code-switching: tag-switching, inter-sentential code-switching, and intra-sentential code-switching. The result showed the most common type of conversation which can be found in the Deddy Corbuzier Podcast was inter-sentential code-switching. Based on the result, it can be concluded the used of code-switching between the presenter and the guest showed intelligence by using more than one language during communication.
THE TYPES OF POLITENESS STRATEGY IN “17 AGAIN” MOVIE SCRIPT: PRAGMATIC APPROACH
Authors: Safitri Vira , Ambalegin Ambalegin
Published: April 2022

Politeness strategy is a language phenomenon that is based on the form and purpose of each. Strategy is needed to deliver communication with meaning and purpose to be conveyed and interpreted properly. This study aimed to identify and analyze the politeness strategy used in the “17 Again” movie script. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach in research. The movie script of “17 Again” is used as a data source in this research. This research used Brown and Levinson theory about the types of politeness strategies. The results of the study found that there were 15 data politeness strategies found in the movie script, which were divided into: positive politeness (4), negative politeness (2), bald-on record (6), and off record (3). This research has significances which are theoretically and practically. This research theoretically is expected to contribute about future research in pragmatics especially for the types of politeness strategy. Practically this research is expected to be a comparison and support for future researchers.
TRANSLATION METHODS AND QUALITY OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION IN MY SISTER’S KEEPER MOVIE
Authors: Wijaksono Rizki Nugroho , Hilman Evert Haryanto , Mustolih Ahmad
Published: April 2022

This research analyzed idiomatic expressions in My Sister’s Keeper movie based on Newmark’s theory. This research aimed to identify the types of translation methods in translating idiomatic expression and the quality of translation based on Nababan’s theory used in translating idiomatic expression found in My Sister’s Keeper movie. This research used descriptive qualitative method. The data were collected through documentation because the data were taken from the dialogues of the transcript in My Sister’s Keeper movie. The result of this research showed that there were 109 data which contain types of translation methods applied in idiomatic expressions, which were; word-for-word translation with 14 data (13%), literal translation with 18 data (16%), faithful translation with 9 data (8%), semantic translation with 12 data (11%), adaptation translation with 5 data (5%), free translation with 3 data (3%), idiomatic translation with 29 data (27%), and communicative translation with 19 data (17%). Afterward, the raters indicated the result of the translation quality assessment showed that 12 data were scored less accurate and 4 less acceptable, all in all, other data showed a high-level accuracy, acceptability, and readability. The most frequently types of translation method were idiomatic translation because idiomatic translation more commonly used in idiomatic expression which to distorted nuances of meaning by preferring colloquialisms.
NLRP3-Mediated Inflammation in Atherosclerosis and Associated Therapeutics
Authors: Lu Na , Cheng Weijia , Liu Dongling , Liu Gang , Cui Can , Feng Chaoli , Wang Xianwei
Published: April 2022

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a crucial constituent of the body’s innate immune system, and a multiprotein platform which is initiated by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Its activation leads to caspase-1 maturation and release of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, and subsequently causes pyroptosis. Recently, the excess activation of NLRP3 inflammasome has been confirmed to mediate inflammatory responses and to participate in genesis and development of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the progress on the discovery of specific inhibitors against the NLRP3 inflammasome and the upstream and downstream inflammatory factors has become potential targets for clinical treatment. Here we review the recently described mechanisms about the NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and discuss emphatically the pharmacological interventions using statins and natural medication for atherosclerosis associated with NLRP3 inflammasome.
A Theoretical Model for the Charging Dynamics of Associating Ionic Liquids
Authors: Cheng Jin , Tao Haolan , Ma Ke , Yang Jie , Lian Cheng , Liu Honglai , Wu Jianzhong
Published: April 2022

Association between cations and anions plays an important role in the interfacial structure of room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) and their electrochemical performance. Whereas great efforts have been devoted to investigating the association effect on the equilibrium properties of ILs, a molecular-level understanding of the charging dynamics is yet to be established. Here, we propose a theoretical procedure combining reaction kinetics and the modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck (MPNP) equations to study the influences of ionic association on the dynamics of electrical double layer (EDL) in response to an applied voltage. The ionic association introduces a new decay length λS and relaxation time scale τRC=λSL/D, where L is the system size and D is ion diffusivity, that are distinctively different those corresponding to non-associative systems. Analytical expressions have been obtained to reveal the quantitative relations between the dynamic timescales and the association strength.
Strategies for Glycoengineering Therapeutic Proteins
Authors: Dammen-Brower Kris , Epler Paige , Zhu Stanley , Bernstein Zachary J. , Stabach Paul R. , Braddock Demetrios T. , Spangler Jamie B. , Yarema Kevin J.
Published: April 2022

Almost all therapeutic proteins are glycosylated, with the carbohydrate component playing a long-established, substantial role in the safety and pharmacokinetic properties of this dominant category of drugs. In the past few years and moving forward, glycosylation is increasingly being implicated in the pharmacodynamics and therapeutic efficacy of therapeutic proteins. This article provides illustrative examples of drugs that have already been improved through glycoengineering including cytokines exemplified by erythropoietin (EPO), enzymes (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase 1, ENPP1), and IgG antibodies (e.g., afucosylated Gazyva®, Poteligeo®, Fasenra™, and Uplizna®). In the future, the deliberate modification of therapeutic protein glycosylation will become more prevalent as glycoengineering strategies, including sophisticated computer-aided tools for “building in” glycans sites, acceptance of a broad range of production systems with various glycosylation capabilities, and supplementation methods for introducing non-natural metabolites into glycosylation pathways further develop and become more accessible.
Experimental Study on the Accumulation Characteristics and Mechanism of Landslide Debris Dam
Authors: Xie Xiangping , Wang Xiaojun , Zhao Shenzhou , Li Zhongli , Qin Xuyang , Xu Shu
Published: April 2022

According to physical model tests, we analyzed the accumulation characteristics of landslide dams formed under three different slope characteristics, namely, uniform slope, parallel slope, and intersecting slope and investigated the accumulation mechanisms of the debris dams. The relationship between slope types and accumulation characteristics was also explored using the tracer particle analysis method. The damming process and accumulation mechanism of the landslide dam were changed with slope conditions, which lead to the difference in the accumulation characteristics of the dam, especially in transverse cross-sectional shape and grain size distribution. The transverse cross-sectional shape of the landslide dams formed by different slope conditions can be divided into three categories: the flat pattern, unidirectional pattern, and undulating pattern. The characteristics of the slope body are closely related to those of the landslide dam with respect to debris distribution. The debris distributions in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the slope body are consistent with those in the longitudinal and sliding regions of the dam. A general inverse grading characteristic of debris gains occurs in the vertical direction of landslide dams. For the uniform and parallel slopes, obvious inverse grading distribution is induced by overall-starting initiation of the slope body and strong vertical infiltration of the fine sands during the movement. However, inverse grading distribution is generated by the effects of pushing–climbing and lateral infiltration that existed among particles caused by a layered-starting mode for the intersecting slope body. This study provides a basis for the prediction of landslide dam formation and backtracks the initial structure of the slope.
Life Modifications and PCOS: Old Story But New Tales
Authors: Gu Yuanyuan , Zhou Guannan , Zhou Fangyue , Wu Qiongwei , Ma Chengbin , Zhang Yi , Ding Jingxin , Hua Keqin
Published: April 2022

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is defined as a kind of endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects female individuals of reproductive age. Lifestyle modifications, including diet modifications, exercise, and behavioral modification, appear to alleviate the metabolic dysfunction and improve the reproductive disorders of PCOS patients (particularly in obese women). Therefore, lifestyle modifications have been gradually acknowledged as the first-line management for PCOS, especially in obese patients with PCOS. However, the mechanism of lifestyle modifications in PCOS, the appropriate composition of diet modifications, and the applicable type of exercise modifications for specific female populations are rarely reported. We conducted a systematic review and enrolled 10 randomized controlled trials for inclusion in a certain selection. In this review, we summarized the existing research on lifestyle modifications in PCOS. We aimed to illustrate the relationship between lifestyle modifications and PCOS (referring to hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance as well as obesity) and also considered the priorities for future research. These results might be an invaluable tool to serve as a guide in lifestyle modifications as the intervention for PCOS and other related endocrine disorders.
Effect of Blastocyst Morphology and Developmental Rate on Euploidy and Live Birth Rates in Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy Cycles With Single-Embryo Transfer
Authors: Li Na , Guan Yichun , Ren Bingnan , Zhang Yuchao , Du Yulin , Kong Hongjiao , Zhang Yongjie , Lou Hua
Published: April 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether blastocyst morphology and developmental rate are associated with euploidy and live birth rates (LBRs) in single euploid frozen–thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

This study included 431 preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles followed by 393 FET cycles performed at our center from June 2017 to March 2021. All cycles were analyzed for euploidy based on blastocyst morphology (good, average and poor), developmental stage (day 5 and 6) and maternal age (< 35 and ≥ 35 years old). Multivariate logistic analysis models were used to identify the independent effects of conventional blastocyst morphology, developmental rate and morphological parameters (degree of blastocoele expansion, and grade of inner cell mass and trophectoderm (TE)) on LBRs.

Results

In the group of women aged < 35 years, compared with poor-quality blastocysts, good-quality blastocysts (62.90% vs. 32.46%; odds ratio (OR) 3.163, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.247–4.451; P < 0.001) and average-quality blastocysts (46.70% vs. 32.46%; OR 1.665, 95% CI 1.287–2.154; P < 0.001) had significantly higher euploidy rates. Additionally, day 5 blastocysts were associated with higher euploidy rates than day 6 blastocysts (49.28% vs. 35.02%; OR 1.506, 95% CI 1.191–1.903; P= 0.001). In the group of women aged ≥ 35 years, euploidy rates were also associated with blastocyst morphology, with 41.86%, 45.65% and 24.39% of good, average and poor-quality embryos, respectively, exhibiting euploidy. However, no relationship was seen between euploidy and blastocyst developmental rate. Multiple logistic regression analysis show that overall blastocyst morphology of euploid embryos was not associated with LBR, only embryos with A-grade TE had significantly higher LBRs than those with C-grade TE (62.71% vs. 45.40%; OR 2.189, 95% CI 1.166–4.109; P=0.015). Similarly, LBRs were significantly higher when day 5 blastocysts were transferred than when day 6 blastocysts were transferred (57.75% vs. 41.67%; OR 2.132, 95% CI 1.370–3.318; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Poor-quality embryos have reduced rates of euploidy. However, blastocyst developmental rate only significantly associates with euploidy rates in women aged younger than 35. Furthermore, only TE grade and blastocyst developmental rate are significantly associated with LBRs following FET cycles.
Disruption of Pituitary Gonadotrope Activity in Male Rats After Short- or Long-Term High-Fat Diets Is Not Associated With Pituitary Inflammation
Authors: Garrel Ghislaine , Rouch Claude , L’Hôte David , Tazi Salma , Kassis Nadim , Giton Frank , Dairou Julien , Dournaud Pascal , Gressens Pierre , Magnan Christophe , Cruciani-Guglielmacci Céline , Cohen-Tannoudji Joëlle
Published: April 2022

Overnutrition is associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways in metabolically linked organs and an early hypothalamic inflammation is now known to disrupt the central control of metabolic function. Because we demonstrated that fatty acids (FA) target the pituitary and affect gonadotropin synthesis, we asked whether overnutrition induces pituitary inflammation that may contribute to obesity-associated disorders in the control of reproduction. We analyzed pituitary inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in male rats fed a short- (4 weeks) or long-term (20 weeks) high-fat diet. The effect of diet enrichment with the ω3 polyunsaturated FA, DHA, was also analyzed. After only 4 weeks and before weight gain of rats, high-fat diet caused a significant decrease in pituitary gonadotropin and hypothalamic GnRH transcript levels despite unchanged testosterone and inhibin B levels. Contrasting with the hypothalamus, there was no concomitant increases in gene expression of pituitary inflammatory mediators and even a reduction of prototypical cytokines such as interleukin-1β and TNF-α. No inflammation was still detected in the pituitary after 20 weeks although gonadotropin transcripts and circulating levels were still altered. Gonadotropins were the only pituitary hormones remaining affected at this stage of the regimen, underlying a differential susceptibility of pituitary lineages to metabolic disorders. DHA enrichment of the diet did not prevent alterations of gonadotrope activity due to either a long- or a short-term high-fat diet although it blocked early hypothalamic inflammation and attenuated several metabolic effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that high-fat diet-induced defects in gonadotrope activity in male rats occurred despite a lack of pituitary inflammation.
Next Generation Bone Marrow Adiposity Researchers: Report From the 1st BMAS Summer School 2021
Authors: Labella Rossella , Little-Letsinger Sarah , Avilkina Viktorjia , Sarkis Rita , Tencerova Michaela , Vlug Annegreet , Palmisano Biagio
Published: April 2022

The first International Summer School on Bone Marrow Adiposity was organized by members of Bone Marrow Adiposity Society and held virtually on September 6-8 2021. The goal of this meeting was to bring together young scientists interested in learning about bone marrow adipose tissue biology and pathology. Fifty-two researchers from different backgrounds and fields, ranging from bone physiopathology to adipose tissue biology and hematology, participated in the summer school. The meeting featured three keynote lectures on the fundamentals of bone marrow adiposity, three scientific workshops on technical considerations in studying bone marrow adiposity, and six motivational and career development lectures, spanning from scientific writing to academic career progression. Moreover, twenty-one participants presented their work in the form of posters. In this report we highlight key moments and lessons learned from the event.
Proposing Strategies for Efficiency Improvement by Using a Residential Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Co-Generation System in a Small-Scale Apartment Building
Authors: Chang Han , Lee In-Hee , Zhai Bin-Qing , Yang Yi-Jun , Hou Yao-Long
Published: April 2022

The high levels of energy consumption commonly seen today have severe consequences. For example, energy consumption in buildings traditionally takes the form of electricity generated from fossil fuels, which causes serious air pollution. Hence, the efficient application of clean energy systems in buildings is crucial. An increasing number of small-scale apartment buildings, such as single-room apartments and dormitories, have emerged as modern culture, and societal trends have led to a greater number of people living on their own. In this study, two strategies were proposed to improve the efficiency of solid oxide fuel cell co-generation systems (SOFC–CGSs) in small-scale apartments. A small-scale apartment building in Busan, Korea, was selected as the research object to verify the effect of the proposed strategies. One strategy was sharing a single SOFC–CGS among multiple households, and the other was integrating an SOFC–CGS with a photovoltaic (PV) system. The efficiency of the SOFC–CGS is expected to improve under these two operational strategies. In addition, the two proposed operational strategies were combined to improve the efficiency of the SOFC–CGS. To verify the proposed strategies, various simulations were conducted in this study. The simulation results indicate that each of the proposed strategies can improve the efficiency of the SOFC–CGS and save energy to varying degrees.
A Unified Modeling Scheme of Modular Multilevel Converter for Hybrid AC/DC Power Grids
Authors: Xie Xingfeng , Wu Zaijun , Hu Qinran , Quan Xiangjun , Dou Xiaobo , Cao Xiaoyong
Published: April 2022

Modular multilevel converters (MMCs), as one of the core components of hybrid AC/DC power grids, become the preferred converter topology and show good developments. Urgently, a general MMC modeling scheme with good model accuracy needs to be developed to realize small-signal analyses and designs for the large-scale AC/DC power grids easily. This paper proposes a unified modeling scheme (UMS) for MMC systems in a synchronous rotating (dq) reference frame. Based on the dynamic phasor theory and with the proposed modular decouple modeling (MDM), the nonlinear state-space model of the overall MMC system can be obtained by configuring and connecting the input and output of the state-space model of each subsystem. Besides, the unified controller, modeling different control modes, normalizes the MMC systems modeling. Simultaneously, with the proposal of UMS, linearization and splicing could be uesd to develop a small-signal model of the overall MMC system directly. Therefore, the proposed model is suitable for simulating the large-scale hybrid AC/DC power grids and analyzing the stability of small-signal. Finally, the simulation results verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed modeling method.
Numerical Investigation of Pollutant Transport in a Realistic Terrain with the SPH-SWE Method
Authors: Tian Lirong , Gu Shenglong , Wu Yushuai , Wu Haitao , Zhang Chi
Published: April 2022

A large amount of wastewater from industrial and urban residents enters rivers and lakes through the sewage outlet, causing a deterioration of water quality near the sewage outlet. The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) formulation based on the open-source Fortran code SPHysics is extended to solve the advective diffusion for the evolution of the pollution distribution with the shallow water equation (SWE). Several numerical cases, such as the uniform flow and dam-break flows in one and two dimensions, are studied to verify the accuracy of the present SPH-SWE diffusion model. The results are in good agreement with the analytical solutions. The concentration of the negative value and oscillation could be avoided. It demonstrates that the current SPH-SWE diffusion model has good stability and reliability for solving the pollutant transport equation. The actual terrain case is also simulated to predict the concentration distribution of the river. The concentration is distributed in the center of the Nanmenxia River, where the flow velocity is relatively high. The simulation results are reasonable, implying that it has a high potential in predicting the diffusion process of pollutants in the actual terrain.
Strong Behavioral Effects of Omnivorous Fish on Amphibian Oviposition Habitat Selection: Potential Consequences for Ecosystem Shifts
Authors: Kloskowski Janusz , Nieoczym Marek
Published: April 2022

Perceived predation risk to offspring may have similar ultimate community-level impacts to those of consumptive trophic interactions. The present study investigated the behavioral effects of common carpCyprinus carpio–an omnivorous fish capable of triggering an ecosystem shift to an algae-dominated state–on anurans, using a natural experiment conducted in a system of fish-stocked ponds. We compared oviposition patterns and larval densities of anurans and abundance of zooplankton and phytoplankton in ponds where fish were virtually absent and ponds where common carp was dominant. All studied anuran species bred in fish-poor ponds, while in ponds with high fish densities most of them oviposited infrequently or virtually did not breed. Oviposition habitat selection coupled with fish trophic pressure resulted in diametrically different tadpole densities between fish-poor and fish-dominated ponds. The alimentary tract contents of tadpoles of three locally common anurans,Pelobates fuscus,Hyla orientalis, andRana temporaria, contained large numbers of unicellular algae, but also significant numbers of zooplanktonic grazers. According to stable nitrogen isotope analyses, tadpoles occupied a trophic level similar to a primary consumer, snailLymnaea stagnalis, indicating that they fed mainly on algae. While total biomass of crustacean zooplankton did not differ between pond types, chlorophyllaconcentrations were low in fish-poor ponds compared to fish-dominated ponds and negatively related to total tadpole biomass. Our findings indicate that scarcity of anuran larvae, resulting mainly from the behavioral responses of breeding anurans to fish predation risk, may facilitate algal production, although ecosystem shifts in the presence of fish occur along more pathways than a top-down cascade.
The Causal Relationship Between Blood Lipids and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Risk: A Bidirectional Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Wang Mingzhu , Huang Shuo , Lin Xiaoying , Wen Chengping , He Zhixing , Huang Lin
Published: April 2022

Background: Although observational studies have demonstrated that blood lipids were associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the causality of this association remains elusive as traditional observational studies were prone to confounding and reverse causality biases. Here, this study attempted to reveal the potential causal link between SLE and the levels of four blood lipids (HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, TG, and TC).

Methods: Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was employed to explore the unconfounded causal associations between the four blood lipids and SLE. In addition, regression-based Multivariate MR (MVMR) to quantify the possible mediation effects of blood lipids on SLE. After a rigorous evaluation of the quality of studies, the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the four blood lipids were selected from the Global Lipids Genetic Consortium (GLGC) consisted of 188,577 individuals of European ancestry, and the SNPs related to SLE were selected from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) database named IEU GWAS. Subsequently, MR analyses were conducted with inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, simple mode, and MR-Egger regression. Sensitivity analyses were performed to verify whether heterogeneity and pleiotropy led to bias in the MR results.

Results: Bidirectional two-sample MR results demonstrated that there was no significant causal association between SLE and the four blood lipids (When setting SLE as outcome, HDL cholesterol and SLE, IVW OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.05∼1.66, p = 1.78E-02; LDL cholesterol and SLE, IVW OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04∼1.53, p = 2.04E-02; TG and SLE, IVW OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.71∼1.51, p = 8.44E-01; TC and SLE, IVW OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.89∼1.29, p = 4.42E-01; When setting SLE as exposure, SLE and HDL cholesterol, IVW OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99∼1.01, p = 9.51E-01; SLE and LDL cholesterol, IVW OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98∼1.00, p = 3.14E-01; SLE and TG, IVW OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98∼1.00, p = 1.30E-02; SLE and TC, IVW OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.98∼1.00, p = 1.56E-01). Our MVMR analysis also provided little evidence that genetically determined lipid traits were significantly associated with the risk of SLE (HDL cholesterol and SLE, p = 9.63E-02; LDL cholesterol and SLE, p = 9.63E-02; TG and SLE, p = 8.44E-01; TC and SLE, p = 4.42E-01).

Conclusion: In conclusion, these data provide evidence that genetic changes in lipid traits are not significantly associated with SLE risk in the European population.
NCP-BiRW: A Hybrid Approach for Predicting Long Noncoding RNA-Disease Associations by Network Consistency Projection and Bi-Random Walk
Authors: Liu Yanling , Yang Hong , Zheng Chu , Wang Ke , Yan Jingjing , Cao Hongyan , Zhang Yanbo
Published: April 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play significant roles in the disease process. Understanding the pathological mechanisms of lncRNAs during the course of various diseases will help clinicians prevent and treat diseases. With the emergence of high-throughput techniques, many biological experiments have been developed to study lncRNA-disease associations. Because experimental methods are costly, slow, and laborious, a growing number of computational models have emerged. Here, we present a new approach using network consistency projection and bi-random walk (NCP-BiRW) to infer hidden lncRNA-disease associations. First, integrated similarity networks for lncRNAs and diseases were constructed by merging similarity information. Subsequently, network consistency projection was applied to calculate space projection scores for lncRNAs and diseases, which were then introduced into a bi-random walk method for association prediction. To test model performance, we employed 5- and 10-fold cross-validation, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve as the evaluation indicator. The computational results showed that our method outperformed the other five advanced algorithms. In addition, the novel method was applied to another dataset in the Mammalian ncRNA-Disease Repository (MNDR) database and showed excellent performance. Finally, case studies were carried out on atherosclerosis and leukemia to confirm the effectiveness of our method in practice. In conclusion, we could infer lncRNA-disease associations using the NCP-BiRW model, which may benefit biomedical studies in the future.
A Sequence Obfuscation Method for Protecting Personal Genomic Privacy
Authors: Wan Shibiao , Wang Jieqiong
Published: April 2022

With the technological advances in recent decades, determining whole genome sequencing of a person has become feasible and affordable. As a result, large-scale individual genomic sequences are produced and collected for genetic medical diagnoses and cancer drug discovery, which, however, simultaneously poses serious challenges to the protection of personal genomic privacy. It is highly urgent to develop methods which make the personal genomic data both utilizable and confidential. Existing genomic privacy-protection methods are either time-consuming for encryption or with low accuracy of data recovery. To tackle these problems, this paper proposes a sequence similarity-based obfuscation method, namely IterMegaBLAST, for fast and reliable protection of personal genomic privacy. Specifically, given a randomly selected sequence from a dataset of genomic sequences, we first use MegaBLAST to find its most similar sequence from the dataset. These two aligned sequences form a cluster, for which an obfuscated sequence was generated via a DNA generalization lattice scheme. These procedures are iteratively performed until all of the sequences in the dataset are clustered and their obfuscated sequences are generated. Experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate that under the same degree of anonymity, IterMegaBLAST significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art approaches in terms of both utility accuracy and time complexity.
Research Progress of Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on Digestive System Cancers
Authors: Wang Jingting , Ma Xiao , Ma Zhongjun , Ma Yan , Wang Jing , Cao Bangwei
Published: April 2022

Immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors has gradually entered a new era of precision medicine. In view of the limited clinical benefits of immunotherapy in patients with digestive system cancers, as well as the side-effects and high treatment costs, development of biomarkers to predict the efficacy of immune therapy is a key imperative. In this article, we review the available evidence of the value of microsatellite mismatch repair, tumor mutation burden, specific mutated genes or pathways, PD-L1 expression, immune-related adverse reactions, blood biomarkers, and patient-related biomarkers in predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy against digestive system cancers. Establishment of dynamic personalized prediction models based on multiple biomarkers is a promising area for future research.
Immunovirotherapy for Pediatric Solid Tumors: A Promising Treatment That is Becoming a Reality
Authors: de la Nava Daniel , Selvi Kadir Mert , Alonso Marta M.
Published: April 2022

Immunotherapy has seen tremendous strides in the last decade, acquiring a prominent position at the forefront of cancer treatment since it has been proven to be efficacious for a wide variety of tumors. Nevertheless, while immunotherapy has changed the paradigm of adult tumor treatment, this progress has not yet been translated to the pediatric solid tumor population. For this reason, alternative curative therapies are urgently needed for the most aggressive pediatric tumors. In recent years, oncolytic virotherapy has consolidated as a feasible strategy for cancer treatment, not only for its tumor-specific effects and safety profile but also for its capacity to trigger an antitumor immune response. This review will summarize the current status of immunovirotherapy to treat cancer, focusing on pediatric solid malignancies. We will revisit previous basic, translational, and clinical research and discuss advances in overcoming the existing barriers and limitations to translate this promising therapeutic as an every-day cancer treatment for the pediatric and young adult populations.
High Titers of Low Affinity Antibodies in COVID-19 Patients Are Associated With Disease Severity
Authors: Hendriks Jan , Schasfoort Richard , Koerselman Michelle , Dannenberg Maureen , Cornet Alexander Daniel , Beishuizen Albertus , van der Palen Job , Krabbe Johannes , Mulder Alide H. L. , Karperien Marcel
Published: April 2022

Background

Almost 2 years from the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there is still a lot unknown how the humoral response affects disease progression. In this study, we investigated humoral antibody responses against specific SARS-CoV2 proteins, their strength of binding, and their relationship with COVID severity and clinical information. Furthermore, we studied the interactions of the specific receptor-binding domain (RBD) in more depth by characterizing specific antibody response to a peptide library.

Materials and Methods

We measured specific antibodies of isotypes IgM, IgG, and IgA, as well as their binding strength against the SARS-CoV2 antigens RBD, NCP, S1, and S1S2 in sera of 76 COVID-19 patients using surface plasmon resonance imaging. In addition, these samples were analyzed using a peptide epitope mapping assay, which consists of a library of peptides originating from the RBD.

Results

A positive association was observed between disease severity and IgG antibody titers against all SARS-CoV2 proteins and additionally for IgM and IgA antibodies directed against RBD. Interestingly, in contrast to the titer of antibodies, the binding strength went down with increasing disease severity. Within the critically ill patient group, a positive association with pulmonary embolism, d-dimer, and antibody titers was observed.

Conclusion

In critically ill patients, antibody production is high, but affinity is low, and maturation is impaired. This may play a role in disease exacerbation and could be valuable as a prognostic marker for predicting severity.
Impact of IDO1 and IDO2 on the B Cell Immune Response
Authors: Merlo Lauren M. F. , Peng Weidan , Mandik-Nayak Laura
Published: April 2022

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)1 and IDO2 are closely related tryptophan catabolizing enzymes that have immunomodulatory properties. Although initially studied as modifiers of T cell activity, emerging evidence suggests IDO1 and IDO2 also have important roles as modulators of B cell function. In this context, IDO1 and IDO2 appear to play opposite roles, with IDO1 inhibiting and IDO2 driving inflammatory B cell responses. In this mini review, we discuss the evidence for IDO1 and IDO2 modulation of B cell function, focusing on the effect of these enzymes on autoimmunity, allergic responses, protective immunity, and response to pathogens. We summarize strategies to target IDO1 and/or IDO2 as potential therapeutics for inflammatory autoimmune disease and highlight outstanding questions and areas that require future study.
The Lysosome Origin of Biosilica Machinery in the Demospongiae Model Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret, 1789)
Authors: Pozzolini Marina , Mikšík Ivan , Ghignone Stefano , Oliveri Caterina , Tassara Eleonora , Giovine Marco
Published: April 2022

The silicification mechanism in sponges is a biologically controlled process where the complex and amazing shape of spicules is the result of the hierarchical assembly of silicon particles to form a composite structure with organic compounds, mainly constituted by proteins. In this work, using an integrated approach of transcriptomic and proteomic analysis, we describe the protein content of sponge spicules in the marine demosponge Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret, 1789). Proteins from spicules were obtained via an ammonium fluoride extraction procedure to remove the inorganic silica followed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The resulting data of LC-MS/MS analysis of the extracted SDS-PAGE bands were then processed with the MASCOT software to search against a database consisting of transcripts and predicted proteins of P. ficiformis. The results revealed a very heterogeneous group of 21 proteins, including silicatein beta, different isoforms of cathepsins, proteins with strong homologies with enzymes like sulphatases, glycosidases, lipid-related proteins, phosphatases, and some others with unknown function. Most of the proteins found here have structures and domains attributable to lysosomes enzymes and for this reason it could be related to these cellular structures the evolutionary origin of the biosilica machinery in sponges.
Microplastics in Sediment of Kuakata Beach, Bangladesh: Occurrence, Spatial Distribution, and Risk Assessment
Authors: Banik Partho , Hossain M. Belal , Nur As-Ad Ujjaman , Choudhury Tasrina Rabia , Liba Samia Islam , Yu Jimmy , Noman Md. Abu , Sun Jun
Published: April 2022

Kuakata beach, known as Daughter of Sea in Bangladesh, has drawn a growing number of tourists from all over the world, leading to the higher use of single plastic products. This study was a first attempt to describe the occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in Kuakata beach sediments. A total of 24 surface sediment samples were collected from the intertidal zone of the beach, and MPs were extracted using the density separation method and a stereomicroscope. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for qualitative and quantitative identification. The results revealed that the average MPs in the beach sediment were 232 ± 52 items kg–1 dry weight, which was much higher than many other sandy beaches throughout the world. Analyses of variance showed a significant (p < 0.01) difference among the mean abundance of MPs in sampling points. Fibers were dominated in every sampling point with an average of 123 ± 27 item kg–1. Most of the MPs observed were colored (60%), and the rest were transparent (40%). It was found that the size range of 1–5 mm MPs constituted over half (55%) of total MPs covering an average value of 127 ± 34 items kg–1. Three polymer types were identified in the sediment samples through FTIR analysis which followed the decreasing order of polyethylene terephthalate > polyethylene > polypropylene. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between the abundance of MPs and the finer grain size of sediment (p = 0.055; r = 0.7), indicating grain size-controlled the density of MPs. The pollution load index was assessed to estimate the ecological risk and found that the beach sediment of Kuakata belonged to the risk category I of the pollution index. This investigation provided preliminary information on MPs pollution in the marine ecosystem that the policymakers can use to take appropriate management approaches.
Dissolved Organic Matter and Activities of Extracellular Enzymes in Two Lagoons (South China Sea) Affected by Aquaculture
Authors: Ou Linjian , Li Jianting , Zhang Xianyang , Wang Zhou , Zou Jian , Lu Songhui
Published: April 2022

Xincun Lagoon and Li’an Lagoon are typical tropical lagoons containing unique seagrass meadow and mangrove forest ecosystems. However, nutrient pollution from human activities threatens ecosystem health in these areas. A year-long bimonthly survey was carried out to study the bioavailability of organic nutrients through hydrolysis of the extracellular enzymes β-glucosidase (GLU), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the two lagoons. The results showed that the nutrient statuses in Xincun Lagoon and Li’an Lagoon were highly variable and enriched with organic nutrients, especially nitrogen. Organic nitrogen and phosphorus were actively recycled in the lagoons through active LAP and AP hydrolysis. The enzyme activities were mostly produced by particulate-associated bacteria and were positively regulated by the existence of organic nutrients. The enzymatic stoichiometry results indicated the importance of dissolved proteins and aminopolysaccharides as sources of both carbon and nitrogen and a potential phosphorus limitation on microbial growth in the lagoons. Our results emphasized the importance of EEAs in the recycling of organic nutrients and the potential influence of enriched organic nutrients on both microorganisms and plants in Xincun Lagoon and Li’an Lagoon.
A Study on the Outcome of Targeted Temperature Management Comparing Cardiac Arrest Patients Who Received Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation With Those Who Did Not, Using the Nationwide TIMECARD Multicenter Registry
Authors: Liou Fang-Yu , Tsai Min-Shan , Kuo Li-Kuo , Hsu Hsin-Hui , Lai Chih-Hung , Lin Kun-Chang , Huang Wei-Chun
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

Targeted temperature management (TTM) is associated with decreased mortality and improved neurological function after cardiac arrest. Additionally, studies have shown that bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BCPR) doubled the survival of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) compared to patients who received no BPCR (no-BCPR). However, the outcome benefits of BCPR on patients who received TTM are not fully understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the outcome differences between BCPR and no-BCPR in patients who received TTM after cardiac arrest.

Methods

The Taiwan Network of Targeted Temperature Management for Cardiac Arrest (TIMECARD) multicenter registry established a study cohort and a database for patients receiving TTM between January 2013 and September 2019. A total of 580 patients were enrolled and divided into 376 and 204 patients in the BCPR and no-BCPR groups, respectively.

Results

Compared to the no-BCPR group, the BCPR group had a better hospital discharge and survival rate (42.25 vs. 31.86%, P = 0.0305). The BCPR group also had a better neurological outcome at hospital discharge. It had a higher average GCS score (11.3 vs. 8.31, P < 0.0001) and a lower average Glasgow–Pittsburgh cerebral performance category (CPC) scale score (2.14 vs. 2.98, P < 0.0001). After undertaking a multiple logistic regression analysis, it was found that BCPR was a significant positive predictor for in-hospital survival (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.45–0.97, P = 0.0363).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that BCPR had a positive survival and neurological impact on the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients receiving TTM after cardiac arrest.
Non-Invasive Monitoring of Core Body Temperature for Targeted Temperature Management in Post-Cardiac Arrest Care
Authors: Fiorini Kyle , Tamasi Tanya , Dorie Justin , Hegazy Ahmed F. , Lee Ting-Yim , Slessarev Marat
Published: April 2022

Importance

Accurate monitoring of core body temperature is integral to targeted temperature management (TTM) following cardiac arrest. However, there are no reliable non-invasive methods for monitoring temperature during TTM.

Objectives

We compared the accuracy and precision of a novel non-invasive Zero-Heat-Flux Thermometer (SpotOn™) to a standard invasive esophageal probe in a cohort of patients undergoing TTM post-cardiac arrest.

Design, Setting, and Participants

We prospectively enrolled 20 patients undergoing post-cardiac arrest care in the intensive care units at the London Health Sciences Centre in London, Canada. A SpotOn™ probe was applied on each patient's forehead, while an esophageal temperature probe was inserted, and both temperature readings were recorded at 1-min intervals for the duration of TTM.

Main outcomes and Measures

We compared the SpotOn™ and esophageal monitors using the Bland–Altman analysis and the Pearson correlation, with accuracy set as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included precision and correlation. Bias exceeding 0.1°C and limits of agreement exceeding 0.5°C were considered clinically important.

Results

Sixteen (80%) of patients had complete data used in the final analysis. The median (interquartile range) duration of recording was 38 (12–56) h. Compared to the esophageal probe, SpotOn™ had a bias of 0.06 ± 0.45°C and 95% limits of agreement of −0.83 to 0.95°C. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.9663–0.9678), with a two-tailed p < 0.0001.

Conclusion and Relevance

The SpotOn™ is an accurate method that may enable non-invasive monitoring of core body temperature during TTM, although its precision is slightly worse than the predefined 0.5°C when compared to invasive esophageal probe.
The Microbial Metagenome of Eluates Obtained From the Surface of Broccoli Heads Subjected to Different Light Treatments
Authors: Zeng Shixian , Cui Jingchun , Xiong Jinliang , Yuan Shuzhi , Yue Xiaozhen , Guan Wenqiang , Gao Lipu , Liu Jia , Zuo Jinhua , Wang Qing
Published: April 2022

Foodborne illnesses present a major threat to public health and are frequently attributed to foodborne pathogens present on fresh produce. Some opportunistic pathogens of broccoli are also responsible for causing head rot. Three different light treatments, UV-C, red LED (50 μml/m2/s), and UV-C + LED were used to treat broccoli prior to or during storage. Following the light treatments, microorganisms present in eluates obtained from the surface of broccoli heads were characterized using a metagenomic approach. Metagenomic DNA libraries were subjected to high-throughput sequencing on an Illumina Hiseq platform. Results indicated that the combined treatment of LED red light and UV-C provided the best sensory preservation of broccoli, followed by LED red light and then UV-C. The bacterial communities in the eluates obtained from the surface of broccoli heads in all three light treatments were primarily represented at the phylum level by Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, while fungal communities were primarily represented by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Further analysis indicated that the all three light treatments reduced the presence of foodborne pathogens and bacterial taxa responsible for broccoli spoilage. While UV-C had a significant inhibitory effect on Botrytis cinerea, the light treatments increased the relative abundance of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Results indicate that a metagenomic approach can be used to detect pathogenic bacteria and fungi on fresh vegetables and assess the impact of management practices, such as light treatments, designed to maintain postharvest quality, on the composition of the microbiome present on the surface of harvested produce.
Morphology and Phylogeny Reveal Five Novel Species in the Genus Cordyceps (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) From Yunnan, China
Authors: Dong Quan-Ying , Wang Yao , Wang Zhi-Qin , Tang De-Xiang , Zhao Zhi-Yuan , Wu Hui-Juan , Yu Hong
Published: April 2022

The current study was aimed to introduce five new species of Cordyceps from Yunnan, with morphological descriptions, illustrations, color photographs, phylogenetic placement, associated host, and a comparison with allied taxa. The five new species were morphologically distinct from all other Cordyceps sensu lato species, and it was also suggested that they should differ from other species in the genus Cordyceps based on combined multigene analyses. Employing DNA nucleotide sequences of the nrLSU, nrSSU, tef-1α, rpb1, and rpb2, the five new species were recognized in the clade of Cordyceps by using molecular phylogenetic analyses, including five well-supported subclades: three new species, Cordyceps bullispora, Cordyceps longiphialis, and Cordyceps nabanheensis, were found in the subclade of C. pruinosa, and two new species, Cordyceps pseudotenuipes and Cordyceps simaoensis, were located in the subclade of C. tenuipes. The five novel species shared similar morphologies to other species in the genus Cordyceps, with fleshy and brightly pigmented stromata; perithecia superficial to completely immersed, ordinal in arrangement; and hyaline asci, with thickened cylindrical ascus apex. The morphological characteristics of 66 species in Cordyceps sensu stricto, namely, 5 novel species and 61 known taxa, were also compared.