bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteogenomic Landscape and Clinical Characterization of GH-Producing Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Tanaka Tomoaki , Yamato Azusa , Nagano Hidekazu , Gao Yue , Matsuda Tatsuya , Hashimoto Naoko , Nakayama Akitoshi , Yamagata Kazuyuki , Yokoyama Masataka , Gong Yingbo , Shi Xiaoyan , Horiguchi Kentaro , Iwadate Yasuo , Fukuyo Masaki , Rahmutulla Bahityar , Kaneda Atsushi , Hasegawa Yoshinori , Kawashima Yusuke , Ohara Osamu , Ishikawa Tetsuo , Kawakami Eiryo , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Inoshita Naoko , Fukuhara Noriaki , Nishioka Hiroshi , Yamada Shozo
Published: May 2022

The clinical characteristics of growth hormone (GH)-producing pituitary adenomas vary across patients. In this study, we aimed to integrate the genetic alterations, protein expression profiles, transcriptomes, and clinical characteristics of GH-producing pituitary adenomas to detect molecules associated with acromegaly characteristics. Targeted capture sequencing and copy number analysis of 36 genes and non-targeted proteomics analysis were performed on fresh-frozen samples from 121 sporadic GH-producing pituitary adenomas. Targeted capture sequencing revealed GNAS as the only driver gene, as previously reported. Classification by consensus clustering using both RNA sequencing and proteomics revealed many similarities between the proteome and the transcriptome. Gene ontology analysis was performed for differentially expressed proteins between wild-type and mutant GNAS samples identified by non-targeted proteomics analysis and involved in G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways. The results suggested that GNAS mutations impact endocrinological features in acromegaly through GPCR pathway induction. ATP2A2 and ARID5B correlated with the GH change rate in the octreotide loading test, and WWC3, SERINC1, and ZFAND3 correlated with the tumor volume change rate after somatostatin analog treatment. These results identified a biological connection between GNAS mutations and the clinical and biochemical characteristics of acromegaly, revealing novel molecules associated with acromegaly that may affect medical treatment efficacy.
Wiltse TTIF approach for the treatment of single-segment thoracic spinal tuberculosis in the elderly with osteoporosis: a retrospective study of 20 cases
Authors: Zeng Hao , Yang Jinsong , Liao Simi , Liang Yingfang , Moro Abu , Ou Yufu , Su Haixia , Li Gui , Wang Dongling , Chen Guanghui , Qin Hongyu
Published: May 2022

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of Wiltse approach transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF) for the treatment of single-segment thoracic spinal tuberculosis in elderly patients with and osteoporosis and neurological deficits.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of 20 elderly patients who underwent Wiltse approach TTIF in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. The follow-up time was 37.15±7.37 months (range 24-48 months); and the preoperative kyphotic angle was 35.41±6.71°. The Frankel spinal cord injury classification was used to assess the degree of neurological deficit. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are used to track the activity of tuberculosis (TB). While femoral neck bone mineral density measurement T value (BMD T) was used to assess the degree of osteoporosis.ResultThe 20 elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) were completely cured without recurrence. The postoperative kyphotic angle was 8.80±0.79°, without significant loss of correction at the last follow-up. Bone graft fusion was observed within 6-9 months with all patients reporting that their back pains were relieved. The neurological condition of all patients improved after the operation.ConclusionsWiltse TTIF treatment combined with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is adequate for obtaining satisfactory healing of single-segment thoracic tuberculosis in elderly patients with osteoporosis.
MISPR: An automated infrastructure for high-throughput DFT and MD simulations
Authors: Atwi Rasha , Bliss Matthew , Makeev Maxim , Rajput Nav Nidhi
Published: May 2022

Computational tools provide a unique opportunity to study and design optimal materials by enhancing our ability to comprehend the connections between their atomistic structure and functional properties. However, designing materials with tailored functionalities is complicated due to the necessity to integrate various computational-chemistry software (not necessarily compatible with one another), the heterogeneous nature of the generated data, and the need to explore vast chemical and parameter spaces. The latter is especially important to avoid bias in scattered data points-based models and derive statistical trends only accessible by systematic datasets. Here, we introduce a robust high-throughput multi-scale computational infrastructure coined MISPR (Materials Informatics for Structure-Property Relationships) that seamlessly integrates classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with density functional theory (DFT). By enabling high-performance data analytics and coupling between different methods and scales, MISPR addresses critical challenges arising from the needs of automated workflow management and data provenance recording. The major features of MISPR include automated DFT and MD simulations, error handling, derivation of molecular and ensemble properties, and creation of output databases that organize results from individual calculations to enable reproducibility and transparency. In this work, we describe fully automated DFT workflows implemented in MISPR to compute various properties such as nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift, binding energy, bond dissociation energy, and redox potential with support for multiple methods such as electron transfer and proton-coupled electron transfer reactions. The infrastructure also enables the characterization of large-scale ensemble properties by providing MD workflows that calculate a wide range of structural and dynamical properties in liquid solutions. MISPR employs the methodologies of materials informatics to facilitate understanding and prediction of phenomenological structure-property relationships, which are crucial to designing novel optimal materials for numerous scientific applications and engineering technologies.
Microbial Oil Production from Waste Rose Pulp by Newly Isolated Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus 6
Authors: KIVANC Merih , Otuzbiroglu Ayşe
Published: May 2022

Objective
The pulp, remaining after the rose oil and rose water are extracted from the rose, are left around and cannot be utilized economically. It was aimed in this study to produce microbial oil for the first time by means of W. subpeliculosa in medium containing waste rose pulp as a carbon source. The aim of ceasing the high amount of rose pulp to be a pollutant and also making contribution to the biodiesel production, which is a cheap and environmentally-friendly fuel for the national economy.
Methods
Two applications were made on the waste rose pulp. One of them is that the waste rose pulp has been treated with water. In the second application, it was pretreated with 1% H2SO4. “Box Behnken Experimental Design Method”, having 3 variables with 2 replicates from 15 experimental points, was used in the optimization experiments with the response surface method of the lipid production parameters, containing temperature, and inoculum age and inoculum volume.
Results
45% oil yield was obtained from W. subpelliculosus with the waste rose pulp treated with acid and the microbial lipid was produced for the first time in this study. The profile of fatty acid produced consists of 45% palmitic acid, 42,62% stearic acid and 7,38% oleic acid and its fatty acid composition is highly similar to the vegetable oil acids.
Conclusion
It is considered to be a suitable material for biodiesel production.
Production of microalgal-based carbon encapsulated iron nanoparticles (ME-nFe) to remove heavy metals in wastewater
Authors: Mantovani Marco , Collina Elena , Lasagni Marina , Marazzi Francesca , Mezzanotte Valeria
Published: May 2022

The integration of microalgae-bacteria consortia within existing wastewater treatment plants as alternative biological treatment could be an interesting option to improve the sustainability of these facilities. However, the fate of the produced biomass is decisive to make that option economically attractive. The present study aimed to valorize the microalgae grown at a pilot scale and used for the treatment of the centrate from municipal sewage sludge, producing microalgal-based iron nanoparticles (ME-nFe), by hydrothermal carbonization. The final product had high carbon content, strong sorbent power, and reducing properties, due to the presence of zerovalent iron. Different synthesis conditions were tested, comparing iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate (Fe (NO 3 ) 3 ·9H 2 O) and ammonium iron (III) sulfate dodecahydrate (NH 4 Fe (SO 4 ) 2 ·12 H 2 O) as iron sources, four different Fe/C molar ratios (0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2) and three process temperatures (180, 200, 225 °C). Based on the characterization of all the prototypes, the best one (having a specific area of 110 m 2 g -1 ) was chosen and tested for the removal of selected heavy metals by Jar tests. The removal of copper, zinc, cadmium, and nickel from the treated effluent from the wastewater treatment plant was 99.6%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 80.3%, respectively, also for very low starting concentrations (1 mg L -1 ). The removal of total chromium, on the contrary, was only 12.4%. Thanks to the magnetic properties the same batch of ME-nFE was recovered and used effectively for three consecutive Jar tests.
Facile synthesis of hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads as a filter medium for efficient removal of phosphate from water
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Liu Tang , Wu Deyi
Published: May 2022

The removal and recovery of phosphate from water using adsorption technology require that the adsorbent material is easily separable from treated water. Continuous efforts are still awaited to develop additional efficient phosphate adsorbents that are economical to fabricate. In this study, hydrous zirconia-impregnated chitosan beads (HZCB) containing different Zr/chitosan ratios were synthesized using a facile scheme. We found that HZCB with a Zr/amine molar ratio of ~ 1 (HZCB-1) possessed excellent stability and phosphate removal performance. This optimized material was characterized with XRD, SEM, FTIR, XPS, specific surface area and point of zero charge measurements. The maximum adsorption capacity was 42.02 mg/g (at pH ~ 6.7). The adsorption kinetics were best described by a pseudosecond-order model, and the rate constant of HZCB-1 was much lower than that of its powder but was similar to the commercial bead product Ferrolox. The removal of phosphate depended substantially upon pH and was enhanced by lowering the pH. Good selectivity of HZCB-1 for phosphate was observed, although the coexistence of sulfate produced a significant negative effect. Direct coordination of phosphate to Zr atoms by replacing hydroxyls was the dominant adsorption mechanism (~ 85%), while chitosan also contributed to phosphate removal (~ 15%). Adsorbed phosphate was successfully eluted by an NaOH solution, and the material obtained after desorption and regeneration was able to be repeatedly used. The results of column studies indicated that this material could be implemented in long-term application.
Diagnostic value of circN4BP2L2 in type I and type II epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Ning Li , Lang Jinghe , Long Bo , Wu Lingying
Published: May 2022

Background: CircN4BP2L2 was previously identified to be significantly decreased in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and was associated with disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma circN4BP2L2 using the unifying model of type I and type II EOC.Methods: A total of 540 plasma samples were obtained from 180 EOC patients, 180 benign ovarian cyst patients, and 180 healthy volunteers. CircN4BP2L2 was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating curve (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were estimated.Results: Low level of circN4BP2L2 was associated with advanced tumor stage (p < 0.01) in type I EOC. Decreased circN4BP2L2 was associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) (p = 0.04) in type II EOC. The expression level of circN4BP2L2 in type I was similar to that in type II. CircN4BP2L2 could significantly separate type I or type II from benign or normal cohort (p < 0.01). Early-stage type I or type II EOC vs benign or normal cohort could also be distinguished by circN4BP2L2 (p < 0.01).Conclusions: CircN4BP2L2 might serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker for both type I and type II EOC. The diagnostic safety for circN4BP2L2 in early-stage type I or type II EOC is also acceptable. Further large-scale well-designed studies are warranted to investigate whether circN4BP2L2 is specific for all histologic subgroups.
Research on the driving factors of NPP changes in the Southwest Karst area of China
Authors: Ma Bingxin , Jing Juanli , Liu Bing , Xu Yong , Dou Shiqing , He Hongchang
Published: May 2022

Net Primary Production (NPP) is an essential component of the terrestrial carbon cycle and an essential factor of ecological processes. In global change research, it was the core content to study the driving forces of NPP change. In this paper, we focused on the Southwest Karst area of China and analyzed the response mechanisms of NPP to topography, land-use types, climatic change and human activities. Our results showed that: (1) Changes in elevation and slope lead to significant differences in the spatial distribution of NPP. With the increase of elevation and slope, NPP first increased and then decreased, their critical values were 2000m and 15°, respectively. (2) NPP varied significantly among different land-use types. The average NPP of the forest was the highest, and the average NPP of cultivated land increased fastest. (3) Temperature and precipitation had the most substantial influence on NPP, both of them promoted the increase of NPP, and the effect of temperature was more obvious in the Southwest Karst area. (4) Ecological engineering significantly promoted the change of NPP, while animal husbandry significantly inhibited the change of NPP. (5) There were significant spatial differences in the driving effects and corresponding contributions of climatic change and human activities; both of them promoted the increase of NPP in the Southwest Karst area of China. Under climatic change and human activities, NPP increased by 1.24 gC·m− 2·yr− 1 and 2.29 gC·m− 2·yr− 1, respectively. The contributions rates of climatic change and human activities separately accounted for 35% and 65%. The contribution of human activities on NPP was much higher than that of climatic change in the Southwest Karst area, the results suggested that we should focus on the role of human activities on NPP change.
Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the air quality and surface urban heat island effect within the main urban area of Urumqi, China
Authors: Ahmed Gulbakram , Mei Zan
Published: May 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 posed a serious threat to humanity worldwide. However, the reduction in man-made pollutants during COVID-19 restrictions improved the ecological environment of cities to a certain extent. Using multi-source remote sensing data, this study explored the spatiotemporal variations in air pollutant concentrations during the epidemic prevention and control period in Urumqi, and quantitatively analyzed the impact of different air pollutants on the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII) within the study area. The results of this study showed that during COVID-19 restrictions, concentrations of air pollutants decreased in the main urban area of Urumqi and the air quality improved. The most obvious decrease in the NO2 concentration, by 77% and 15%, occurred in the middle of the first (January 25 to March 20, 2020) and second (July 21 to September 1, 2020) COVID-19 restriction periods, respectively, compared with the corresponding period in 2019. Air pollutant concentrations and the SUHII were significantly and positively correlated, and NO2 had the strongest correlation with the SUHII. This study revealed that variations in the air quality characteristics and the thermal environment were observed in the study area during the COVID-19 restrictions, and the quantitative relationship between them provides a theoretical basis and reference value for improving the air and ecological environment quality within the study area.
Prevention of carcinogen-induced oral cancers by Polymeric back tea polyphenols via modulation of EGFR-Akt-mTOR pathway
Authors: Nimbalkar Vaishnavi K. , Gangar Jeet , Shai Saptarsi , Rane Pallavi , Mohanta Subham , Kannan Sadhana , Ingle Arvind , Mittal Neha , Rane Swapnil , Mahimkar Manoj B.
Published: May 2022

The overexpression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and dysregulation of its downstream effector pathways are important molecular hallmarks of oral cancers. Present study investigates the chemopreventive potential of polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs)/thearubigins (TRs) in the hamster model of oral carcinogenesis as well as determine the effect of PBPs on EGFR and the molecular players in the EGFR pathway. In dose-dependent manner, pre and concurrent treatment with PBPs (1.5%, 5%, 10%) decreased the number and volume of macroscopic tumors as well as the number and area of microscopic lesions. Interestingly, at 10% dose of PBPs, no macroscopic or microscopic tumors were observed. We observed PBPs mediated dose-dependent decrease in oxidative DNA damage (8OHdG); inflammation (COX-2); proliferation (PCNA, Cyclin D1); expression of EGFR, and its downstream signaling kinases (pAkt, Akt, and mTOR); hypoxia (HIF1α) and angiogenesis (VEGF). There was also a PBPs mediated dose-dependent increase in apoptosis (Bax). Thus, our data clearly indicate that the observed chemopreventive potential of PBPs was due to modulation in the EGFR pathway associated with cell proliferation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis. Taken together, our results demonstrate preclinical chemopreventive efficacy of PBPs and give an insight into its mechanistic role in the chemoprevention of experimental oral cancer.
Behavioral activation / inhibition systems and lifestyle as predictors of mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes during Covid19 pandemic
Authors: Homayouni Alireza , Firoozjah Morteza Homayounnia , Shahrbanian Shahnaz , Shahriari Shaghayegh , Janinejad Diana
Published: May 2022

Background: The following study investigates the correlational relationship between behavioral activation/inhibition systems, lifestyle and mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: Research methods are descriptive and correlational; 130 Adolescent Athletes subjects were selected to respond to Carver & White's Behavioral activation/inhibition systems Scale (BIS/BAS), Mille's Lifestyle Questionnaire and Goldberg & Williams's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Data was analyzed using linear regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Findings showed a positive correlation of statistical significance between behavioral inhibition systems (BIS) and mental disorders Adolescent Athletes at the 0.01 level and a negative correlation of statistical significance between scaling components of the behavioral activation systems (BAS), lifestyle and mental disorders Adolescent Athletes at the 0.05 level. Conclusions: Analyzing the data, it can thus be concluded that whilst behavioral inhibition and activation systems seem to work together to significantly predict mental disorders in Adolescent Athletes, lifestyle cannot.
Collaborative Robots’ Assembly System in the Manufacturing Area Considering the Safety Issue, Assembly System 4.0
Authors: Almasarwah Najat , Suer Gursel , Abdelall Esraa , Pagan Jesus , You Yuqiu
Published: May 2022

This paper aims to study allocating tasks problem in a single-station collaborative robot assembly system 4.0 considering the ISO standard. Two products with identical demands are run in a system simultaneously in mixed mode to reduce the idle time and improve the system utilization. The idle time occurs due to balancing difficulties and particularly in this case restrictions in the task vs. robot-worker feasibility matrix. It is not allowed for the resources to assemble a same product simultaneously to avoid any direct contact between resources. Thus, the products are swapped between resources as needed to complete the assembly tasks. Two approaches, a novel mathematical model and the shortest processing time (SPT) rule, are propounded in this study to reduce the cycle and idle times, and enhance the production rate of an assembly system. The two proposed methods rely on dividing the timeline of a station into unknown stages with unknown lengths. The performance of the proposed mathematical model and SPT rule are evaluated by two performance measures: the total number of stations and the % average station utilization. The obtained results are compared to the results of the modified COMSOAL heuristic. The findings revealed that the novel mathematical model dominated results. It guaranteed minimizing the cycle time and maximizing the production rate compared to the SPT rule and modified COMSOAL heuristic. However, many companies value a one-second reduction in cycle time as valuable. This directly relates to the reduction of direct resources costs and the total number of stations.
Powered Stapling System with Gripping Surface Technology for Pulmonary Resection of Lung Cancer: Real-World Clinical Effectiveness
Authors: Gan Chongzhi , Zeng Fuchun , Cong Wei , Tang Tiange , Feng Gang
Published: May 2022

Objectives Surgical lung resection involves a critical task of stapled ligation and transection of major vascular structures and tissue, which may lead to bleeding and complications. A newer powered stapling system with Gripping Surface Technology (GST) was introduced to account for tissue movements. This study aimed to examine the real-world effectiveness of GST system on intraoperative and postoperative outcomes of pulmonary resection.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the electronic medical records of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital between July 2020 and March 2021 in China. Patients who underwent their first procedures of single-port lobectomy or multi-port segmentectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were identified and grouped as GST group or manual stapler group (manual group) by the stapler types. The intraoperative outcomes such as bleeding rate, blood loss volume, and intervention rate at the staple line (including intraoperative pressure, suture, and electrocoagulation) were documented by trained nurses during the surgery. Propensity score matching was performed between the two groups, controlling forage, BMI, smoking history, history of surgery, complications, and level of complexity of pneumonectomy.Results: A total of 108 matched patients were included in the analysis (54 in the GST group and 54 in the manual group). GST group had lower risks for intraoperative bleeding (22.8% vs 51.9%; p = 0.003) and intraoperative interventions (31.5% vs 55.6%; p = 0.02), compared to the manual group. A decrease in the intraoperative blood loss was observed in the GST group, but not statistically significant (134.39 ± 52.82 ml vs 158.11 ± 73.14 ml, p = 0.102). The use of NEOVEIL (reinforcement material to prevent air leakage from the staple line) intraoperatively during surgery was significantly lower in the GST group (24.1%) than in the manual group (50%, p = 0.01).Conclusion: The GST system was associated with better intraoperative outcomes in clinical practice in China.
Isolation, molecular identification, and in vitro control of endogenous bacteria of Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied.
Authors: Mosqueira Judith Georgette Alcalde , Paiva Renato , Rivas Eliana Borges , Harakava Ricardo , Reis Michele Valquíria Dos , de Souza Lucas Batista , Souza-Dias Maria Aparecida Gomes
Published: May 2022

Campomanesia rufa (O. Berg) Nied. (Myrtaceae) is a species native to the Cerrado. In vitro conservation is an option for endangered species such as C. rufa. The lack of effective protocols for the disinfection of endophytic microorganisms naturally present in the plant hinders the success of micropropagation. Within this context, the objective of this study was the molecular identification and in vitro control of contamination using antibiotics. Purified PCR products of the bacterial isolates were sequenced by the Sanger method. The sequences obtained were aligned with homologous sequences using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool. The sequences obtained in this study and the homologous sequences listed in GenBank were aligned using MEGA7 software to draw phylogenetic trees. The survival, shoot height, and efficiency of antibiotics (streptomycin, ampicillin, chloramphenicol) at different concentrations (0, 32, 64, 128, 256 mg L− 1) in the culture medium were evaluated at 25 days. The occurrence of Bacillus sp. and of different strains was observed in the plant. When testing the control of Bacillus sp. with antibiotics, ampicillin at 32 mg L− 1 caused a significant reduction in bacterial contamination without affecting the survival of explants. On the other hand, streptomycin caused the greatest reduction in contamination at 256 mg L− 1 but was lethal to more than 90% of explants at this concentration. This study is the first report on the occurrence of endogenous bacteria and their control in the context of the conservation of native species.
Optimization of pre-equalized time reversal security transmission systems assisted with artificial noise
Authors: Lei Weijia , Zou Mengting , Zhang Weihan , Zhang Yue , Lei Hongjiang
Published: May 2022

Time reversal (TR) transmission technology can focus the power of a signal in both time and space domains and reduce signal energy leakage to unintended receivers, making it suitable for physical layer security systems. By adding a pre-equalizer to the transmitter and optimizing it, the performance of multi-antenna TR transmission system can be improved obviously with an acceptable optimization complexity. In this paper, the pre-equalizer and artificial noise (AN) are jointly optimized to enhance the security performance of pre-equalized TR (ETR) systems when eavesdropping channel state information (ECSI) is unknown or known. When ECSI is unknown, null-space AN is adopted, and the pre-equalizer is optimized to minimize the signal power under the constraint of the minimum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) of the legitimate receiver. When ECSI is known, under the minimum SINR constraint of the legitimate receiver, the pre-equalizer and AN's covariance matrix are jointly optimized to minimize the SINR of the eavesdropper. The optimization problem is non-convex and is transformed into a convex problem, which can be solved using the CVX toolbox. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with TR systems, by optimizing the pre-equalizer, the security performance of ETR multi-antenna systems can be significantly improved, and the optimization complexity is acceptable.
A new Azo-Schiff base dual-mode chemosensor: Colorimetric detection of cobalt ions and fluorometric detection of aluminum ions in aqueous ethanol solution
Authors: Azadbakht Reza , Chidanb Naemeh , Menatib Saeid , Koolivand Mostafa
Published: May 2022

A new chemosensor H2L has been designed and synthesized based on an Azo-Schiff base ligand for the selective and sensitive sensing of Co2+ and Al3+ ions. The H2L as fluorescence chemosensor exhibits a linear response toward Al3+ ions in the concentration range of 1.91 × 10− 8 M to 4.8 × 10− 6 M with a limit of detection of 1.91 × 10− 8 M. The chemosensor also displayed high colorimetric sensitivity for Co2+. Fluorescence switch based on the control of EDTA and Al3+ proved H2L could act as a reversible chemosensor. The molecular structure of [NiL] complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography.
Synthesis of a Class of I(III)/S(VI) Reagents and Their Reactivity in Photochemical Cycloaddition Reactions with Unsaturated Bonds
Authors: Li Li , Deng Kun , WANG Zhaofeng , Huang Yong
Published: May 2022

We describe the synthesis of a new class of hypervalent iodine reagents with a transferrable sulfoxonium group. The solid-state structure of representative compounds was characterized as a mixed iodonium-sulfoxonium ylide by X-ray diffraction analysis. These well-defined reagents were examined in visible-light-promoted cyclization reactions with versatile unsaturated bonds including alkenes, alkynes, nitriles and allenes. Two distinct cyclization pathways were identified, which were controlled by the substituent of the unsaturated bond. The cycloaddition protocol featured simple operation, mild reaction conditions, and excellent functional group tolerance, affording a broad range of sulfoxonium-containing cyclic structures in moderate to excellent yields. Furthermore, the sufoxonium group in the product would be transformed into diverse functional groups and structural motifs via single electron transfer and transition-metal catalysis.
Cancer Related Venous Thromboembolism for Chinese In-Hospital Cancer Patients: Incidence, Diagnostic Model and Correlation with Driving Genes
Authors: Zhang Xue , Wang Zhe
Published: May 2022

Background:
VTE of in hospital cancer patients is increasing. However, the incidence of VTE, the diagnostic value of Khorana model and the correlation of driving-gene status with VTE remains unknown.
Methods:
Data of cancer patients was collected. Ultrasonography and radiography were used to detect VTE. VTE incidence was calculated for overall patients, different cancer types, mutant genes, and Khorana model subgroups. The diagnostic value of Khorana model was also evaluated. The correlation of driving gene with VTE was analysed.
Results:
3831 patients were enrolled. The overall VTE rate was 4.7%. In different organs: gynaecology (11.9%) > gastric (5.71%) > others (5.33%) > lung (4.74%) > colorectum (4.51%) > breast (3.77%) > oesophagus (2.4%). In mutant genes: C-Met (6.72%) > EGFR (5.24%) > ALK (4.26%) > Her-2 (4.04%) > KRAS (3.7%) > ROS1 (3.03%) > PD-L1 (1.33%) > PD-1 (0%). The mutation-positive vs mutation-negative VTE incidence for the Khorana model subgroups were 2.03% vs 3.33% (low-risk group, p = 0.773), 4.43% vs 6.52% (middle-risk group, p = 0.237) and 9.84% vs 13.79% (high-risk group, p = 0.842). Meanwhile, the sensitivities of overall, mutation-positive, and negative groups were: 13.33%, 10.00% and 20.00%. The specificities were 92.02%, 92.55% and 90.67%. Areas under the ROC cure were 0.706, 0.719 and 0.681 (P = 0.007, 0.020 and 0.177). The Spearman correlation coefficient for the correlation of mutation status with VTE was − 0.024 (P = 0.690).
Conclusions:
Chinese in-hospital cancer patients VTE incidence was approximately in accordance with international data. Khorana model had a moderate diagnostic value. No correlation of gene mutation with VTE was observed.
Establishment of a Novel Nine-gene Signature for the Prognosis of Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zheng Liyun , Xu Dongchao , Jin Hangbin , Cheng Sile , Shen Hongzhang , Gu Ye , Chen Shenghui , Zhu Jianpeng , Zhang Xiaofeng , Yang Jianfeng , Bian Ying
Published: May 2022

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare malignant carcinoma characterized by high mortality, challenging diagnosis, and poor prognosis. A powerful prediction biomarker is urgently needed for the early diagnosis and individualized treatment of CCA patients. Methods: A systematic bioinformatics analysis was conducted based on mRNA expression data and clinical information from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and National Genomics Data Center (NGDC) datasets. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor tissues and adjacent counterpart controls were identified in the TCGA and GSE107943 datasets. A nine-gene prediction model was constructed, and its effects on CCA prognosis were analyzed using univariate, multivariate and LASSO Cox proportional hazards regression models, Kaplan-Meier plotter, CIBERSORT and OncoPredict in the discovery and validation cohorts. Additionally, the expression profiles of the target genes were determined via qRT-PCR and DEG analyses in an independent cohort. Results: A nine-gene signature (HELLS, HOXC6, MFSD2A, OTX1, PTGES, PYGB, SMOC1, TEX30 and ZBTB12) displayed excellent predictive performance for the overall survival of CCA. According to the prognostic signature, CCA patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups, with obvious differences in overall survival probabilities. The low-risk group had a significantly better prognosis than the high-risk group in both the discovery cohort (n = 66) and replication cohort (n = 255) (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001). Additionally, five cancer drugs (Erlotinib, ML323, AGI-6780, Gallibiscoquinazole and AZD3759) presented clearly specific sensitivities for high-risk and low-risk group patients. Moreover, according to tumor microenvironment analyses, high-risk group patients had a higher level of M0 macrophage infiltration than low-risk group patients (P = 0.025, P = 0.0048). In replicating the expression patterns of the nine genes, eight of the nine genes (except TEX30) were found to have significant expression profiles between 15 tumor tissues and adjacent counterpart controls; moreover, the qRT-PCR results validated the abnormal expression pattern of the target genes in CCA. Conclusions: Collectively, we established an effective prognostic model for different populations of CCA patients based on nine DEGs. These findings may provide potential benefits for the development of new prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CCA.
Investigation of the gas separation properties of polyurethane membranes in presence of boehmite nanoparticles
Authors: tourani somayeh , Akbarbandari F.
Published: May 2022

In this study, the effect of boehmite nanoparticles on the CO2, CH4, O2, and N2 permeability in polyurethane membranes was investigated. Boehmite nanoparticles were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using the salt of aluminum nitrate Al (NO3)3 and diethanolamine as a precipitating agent. Different temperatures (110, 160, and 200) ° C and times (18–24 h) in synthesizing boehmite nanoparticles are also investigated. The characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The analysis results represented that increasing the temperature to 200°C as well as high duration time at this temperature (24 hours) results in nanoparticles with high purity and high crystallinity. Polyurethane was synthesized by bulk two-step polymerization using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) as hard segments and poly(tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG, 2,000 g/mol) as the soft segment. The synthesized polymer was in a molar ratio: PTMG: HMDI: BDO = 1:3:2. PU membranes and PU-boehmite nanocomposite membranes were prepared using solution casting and solvent evaporation technique. The characteristics of the synthesized nanocomposite membranes were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of characterization analyses indicated that strong interaction between boehmite nanoparticles and polymer and also the appropriate distribution of boehmite nanoparticles in the prepared samples. Gas permeation properties of polyurethane – boehmite nanocomposite at different boehmite loadings (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %) were studied for pure CO2, CH4, O2, and N2 gases at 10 bar and 30 ◦C. The obtained results indicated the reduction in permeability of all gases, but enhancement in CO2/N2, CO2/CH4, and O2/N2 selectivities were observed as boehmite content increases. In the membrane with 20 wt.% boehmite content, enhancement of CO2/N2 (39.53%) and CO2/CH4 (35.64%) selectivities were observed in comparison with pure polyurethane, while the CO2 permeability reduction of polyurethane–boehmite membranes was 22.08%.
The histone demethylase HR suppresses breast cancer development through enhanced CELF2 tumor suppressor activity
Authors: Shen Yao , Singh Jasvinder , Sah Bindeshwar , Chen Zhongming , Ha Wootae , Henzler Christine , Su Tao , Xie Lilian , Deng Yibin , Li Gen , Guo Hua , Lange Carol , Hibshoosh Hanina , Liu Liang
Published: May 2022

The hairless (HR) gene encodes a transcription factor with histone demethylase activity that is essential for development and tissue homeostasis. Previous studies suggest that mutational inactivation of HR promotes tumorigenesis. To investigate HR mutations in breast cancer, we performed targeted next-gen sequencing using DNA isolated from primary breast cancer tissues. We identified HR somatic mutations in approximately 15% of the patient cohort (n=85), compared to 23% for BRCA2, 13% for GATA3, 7% for BRCA1, and 3% for PTEN in the same patient cohort. We also found an average 23% HR copy number loss in breast cancers. In support of HR’s antitumor functions, HR reconstitution in HR-deficient human breast cancer cells significantly suppressed tumor growth in orthotopic xenograft mouse models. We further demonstrated that HR’s antitumor activity was at least partly mediated by transcriptional activation of CELF2, a tumor suppressor with RNA-binding activity. Consistent with HR’s histone demethylase activity, pharmacologic inhibition of histone methylation suppressed HR-deficient breast cancer cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth. Taken together, we identified HR as a novel tumor suppressor that is frequently mutated in breast cancer. We also showed that pharmacologic inhibition of histone methylation is effective in suppressing HR-deficient breast tumor growth and progression.
Structural controls on the location of Longqi hydrothermal activity at inside corner revealed by the stress state
Authors: Chen Ming , Tao Chunhui , Liu Yunlong , Wang Hanchuang , Yang Weifang , Chen Kaiying , Wang Mingxu , Liu Dong , Li Qianyu , Chen Dong
Published: May 2022

The increased hydrothermal activity at inside corners is interpreted to be controlled by the high-permeability detachment faults at mid-ocean ridges. Paradoxically, almost none of hydrothermal activity is confirmed to be located at the detachment terminations, where the permeability is theoretically maximal. Here, we use a numerical model to investigate the stress state of the Longqi hydrothermal field at inside corner, and then explore the structural controls on the hydrothermal activity. The results show that inside corner is undergoing regional stress rotation, deviating from the spreading direction by more than 45°. Shear strain resulting from stress rotation enhances the regional permeability of the shallow crust and therefore might control the location of the hydrothermal site. Our model provides a potential mechanism for hydrothermal activity in similar geological settings where the shear strain enhances regional permeability and facilitates hydrothermal circulation in the hanging wall, and thus reconciles the disparity between prevailing models and field observations.
Dysregulation of Alternative Splicing Contributes to Multiple Myeloma Pathogenesis
Authors: Song Sha , Zhang Weimin , Li Qi , Wang Zhiming , Zhang Xinyun , Li Bingzong , Zhuang Wenzhuo
Published: May 2022

Dysregulation of alternative splicing (AS) triggers many tumors, understanding the roles of splicing factors and splicing events during tumorigenesis would open new avenues for targeted therapies in multiple myeloma (MM). We show here that GSEA reveals a significant difference in the expression pattern of the alternative splicing pathway genes, notably enriched in MM patients. Upregulation of the splicing factor SRSF1 is observed in the progression of plasma cell dyscrasias and predicts MM patients’ poor prognosis. The c-indices of the Cox model indicated that SRSF1 improved the prognostic stratification of patients with MM. Moreover, SRSF1 knockdown exerts a broad anti-myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo It is further found that the up-regulation of SRSF1 is caused by the transcription factor YY1, which also functions as an oncogene in myeloma cells. Through RNA-Seq, we systematically verify that SRSF1 promotes the tumorigenesis of myeloma cells by switching the AS of RBBP6. Together, our results emphasize the importance of the splicing factor SRSF1-mediated AS for promoting tumorigenesis of MM. SRSF1 might be considered as a valuable therapeutic target and a potential prognostic biomarker for MM.
Optimizing Bend-Loss in Optical Waveguide Channel Routing on Photonic Integrated Circuits
Authors: Sharma Sumit , Roy Sudip
Published: May 2022

Silicon photonics (Si-photonics) has been established as a potential technology that integrates both electronic and optical circuits on single integrated circuits (ICs) in order to satisfy the increasing demand for high-speed and low-power in the emerging market of ICs. It has opened up the research directions in the domain of design automation for photonic ICs. On the physical layout of the optical circuits, it is a challenging task to obtain the optimal routing of optical waveguides, while minimizing all the parameters like the number of tracks, total bend loss, worst signal loss, total propagation loss and total crossing loss. In this paper, we proposed two non-Manhattan grid-based methods for reducing the bend loss, worst signal loss and tracks in optical channel routing. First, a 0-1 integer linear programming (ILP) based algorithm called minimizing bend loss (MBL) is proposed, which minimizes the total bend loss (TBL) and the worst signal loss (WSL) while reducing the number of tracks (T ) over the state-of-the-art technique. The execution time of MBL is very high for the large input. Hence next, a scalable heuristic called reducing bend loss (RBL) is presented that provides a better balance between the reduction of the TBL and T over the state-of-the-art and MBL algorithms. Simulation results show that MBL can reduce the TBL and the WSL by an average of 57.9% and 63.1%, respectively, with an average increase of 12% in T over state-of-the-art algorithms. The simulation results show that the RBL reduces the TBL and the WSL by an average of 39.7% and 41.3%, respectively, with an average increase of 23.7% in T over state-of-the-art algorithms.
Competition and training strategies for developing world class 200- and 400-m individual medley swimmers
Authors: González-Ravé José María , Castillo José Antonio Del , Cerro Jesús Santos del , B.Pyne David , Perona Francisco Hermosilla
Published: May 2022

Swimming performance achieved in 50-m, 100-m and 200-m events in each swimming stroke could have an influence in the final performance in individual medley events. We sought to quantify the relative contributions of performance in individual stroke events to top-10 world ranked IM competition performance. We examined competition results of top-10 world ranked IM swimmers (90 males and 90 females) between 2012 and 2018. A general linear model was developed to examine association between the 200m- and 400m-IM and predictor variables of competition performance in other 50-m, 100-m and 200-m events. The main predictor variable for 200-mIM medalist status was having scored more than 900 FINA points in at least one 100-m event. Scoring more than 800 FINA points in at least two 200-mIM events, and more than 900 FINA points in at least one 100-m event, was important for success in the 400-mIM. Top-10 world ranked 200-mIM and 400-mIM swimmers require a world class standard in one or more individual stroke event(s).
Exploring the challenges of recruiting to a randomised trial assessing the feasibility of treating White Coat Hypertension in older people in UK General Practices: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Mensah Ekow , Ali Khalid , Okorie Michael , Bremner Stephen , McAlister Colin , Perry Nicky , Rajkumar Chakravarthi
Published: May 2022

Introduction There is a recognised association between white coat hypertension (WCH) and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in older adults. However, there is no consensus on the management of WCH in this group. The objective of the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET-2) study was to assess the feasibility of randomising 100 patients >75years with WCH from General Practice in the UK to treatment or usual care. The study did not randomise any patients. In this follow up study, we sought to explore the reasons for not recruiting.MethodsUsing a mixed-methods study design, staff from 29 General Practice (GP) sites and the Clinical Research Network (CRN) in Kent, Surrey, and Sussex (KSS) were sent an online questionnaire about local research facilities and infrastructure, and HYVET-2 study methodology and target population demographics. ResultsNineteen (19) individuals responded the questionnaires (15 primary care staff, 4 CRN staff). Using a framework approach, we identified six themes summarising challenges to HYVET-2 recruitment. These themes were: established approaches of primary care towards managing WCH in older people, target patient demographics, study design complexity, patient-facing study documents, limited research resources in primary care and identification of eligible patients using existing coding. ConclusionOur experience showed that recruiting older people to a WCH study from primary care was not feasible. A national scoping survey amongst primary care physicians in the UK, and a robust patient and public involvement (PPI) targeting older people with WCH might improve recruitment in future studies of WCH in older people.
Savanna woody encroachment in the Cerrado-Amazon ecotone
Authors: Passos Fábio , Marimon Beatriz , Júnior Ben Hur Marimon , Morandi Paulo Sérgio , Vilar Cesar , Nabeiro Julio Cesar , Elias Fernando , Neves Eder , Ribeiro José Felipe , Phillips Oliver
Published: May 2022

Purpose We investigated if, in transitional region between the South American savanna (Cerrado) and Amazon Biomes, the facilitation process help drive this development of forest trees in open-canopy and small-treed savannas (‘Typical Cerrado’) in Brazil.Methods In multiple permanent plots, we recorded all trees (focal plants) with a diameter at ground level > 10 cm, and focused on those species with the highest biomass and stem density. We identified and measured the height and diameter of all plants at least 5 cm tall within a 3 m range of these focal plants and derived structural and diversity parameters. We also collected soil samples and measured microenvironmental parameters, including litter layer, grass cover and soil surface temperature. Then we compared all environmental and vegetation variables with equivalent measurements made in open areas away from the focal plant crowns. We classified all species identified according to their preferred environment (forest, generalist and savanna).Results Focal plants alter the microenvironment under their crowns, reducing soil surface temperature and grass cover and increasing the litter layer, soil organic matter, and soil nutrient content. These conditions facilitate the increase in species richness, density, and aboveground biomass accumulation of juveniles and adults of key forest and generalist tree species.Conclusion By changing microenvironmental conditions these trees act as nurse plants, promoting the formation of islands of plant diversity. This process favors encroachment by woody plants typical of forests, leading to the woody encroachment of savanna areas.