bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune biomarkers to predict SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Tamariz-Amador Luis-Esteban , Battaglia Anna Martina , Maia Catarina , Zherniakova Anastasiia , Guerrero Camila , Zabaleta Aintzane , Burgos Leire , Botta Cirino , Fortuño Maria-Antonia , Grande Carlos , Manubens Andrea , Arguiñano Jose-Maria , Gomez Clara , Perez-Persona Ernesto , Olazabal Iñigo , Oiartzabal Itziar , Panizo Carlos , Prosper Felipe , San-Miguel Jesus F. , Rodriguez-Otero Paula , Martín-Sánchez Esperanza , Paiva Bruno ,   The Asociación Vasco-Navarra de Hematología y Hemoterapia (ASOVASNA) Cooperative Group
Published: December 2021

There is evidence of reduced SARS-CoV-2 vaccine effectiveness in patients with hematological malignancies. We hypothesized that tumor and treatment-related immunosuppression can be depicted in peripheral blood, and that immune profiling prior to vaccination can help predict immunogenicity. We performed a comprehensive immunological characterization of 83 hematological patients before vaccination and measured IgM, IgG, and IgA antibody response to four viral antigens at day +7 after second-dose COVID-19 vaccination using multidimensional and computational flow cytometry. Health care practitioners of similar age were the control group (n = 102). Forty-four out of 59 immune cell types were significantly altered in patients; those with monoclonal gammopathies showed greater immunosuppression than patients with B-cell disorders and Hodgkin lymphoma. Immune dysregulation emerged before treatment, peaked while on-therapy, and did not return to normalcy after stopping treatment. We identified an immunotype that was significantly associated with poor antibody response and uncovered that the frequency of neutrophils, classical monocytes, CD4, and CD8 effector memory CD127low T cells, as well as naive CD21+ and IgM+D+ memory B cells, were independently associated with immunogenicity. Thus, we provide novel immune biomarkers to predict COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in hematological patients, which are complementary to treatment-related factors and may help tailoring possible vaccine boosters.
Risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in breast cancer survivors: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Kang Danbee , Yoon Sang Eun , Shin Dongwook , Lee Jin , Hong Yun Soo , Lee Se Kyung , Lee Jeong Eon , Park Yeon Hee , Ahn Jin Seok , Guallar Eliseo , Kim Won Seog , Lee Jungho , Kim Seok Jin , Cho Juhee
Published: December 2021

Several studies have suggested that estrogens have a protective function against lymphomagenesis. The treatment of breast cancer is driven by subtype classification, and the assessment of hormone receptor status is important for treatment selection. Thus, we evaluated the association between breast cancer and the incidence of NHL. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a population-based nationwide registry in South Korea. We selected all women with newly diagnosed breast cancer between January 1st, 2002 and December 31st, 2016 who received curative treatment (N = 84,969) and a 1:10 sample of age-matched non-breast cancer controls (N = 1,057,674). Incident breast cancer (time-varying exposure) was the exposure and development of any type of NHL, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), mature T/NK-cell lymphomas, anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), and unspecified types of NHL, was the outcome. During follow-up, 1564 incident cases of NHL occurred. The fully adjusted Hazard Ratio (HR) for NHL associated with the development of breast cancer was 1.64 (95% CI = 1.34–2.00) after adjusting for body mass index, alcohol intake, physical activity, smoking, income, and comorbidity. The adjusted HR for NHL was much higher in participants who were aged <50 years and who received hormone therapy (either tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) than in those ≥50 years or who did not receive hormone therapy, respectively. The development of breast cancer was associated with a significantly increased risk of NHL, particularly follicular lymphoma and mature T/NK-cell lymphoma. In particular, the risk of NHL was higher in patients receiving hormone therapy and in younger patients.
XDeathDB: a visualization platform for cell death molecular interactions
Authors: Gadepalli Venkat Sundar , Kim Hangil , Liu Yueze , Han Tao , Cheng Lijun
Published: December 2021

Lots of cell death initiator and effector molecules, signalling pathways and subcellular sites have been identified as key mediators in both cell death processes in cancer. The XDeathDB visualization platform provides a comprehensive cell death and their crosstalk resource for deciphering the signaling network organization of interactions among different cell death modes associated with 1461 cancer types and COVID-19, with an aim to understand the molecular mechanisms of physiological cell death in disease and facilitate systems-oriented novel drug discovery in inducing cell deaths properly. Apoptosis, autosis, efferocytosis, ferroptosis, immunogenic cell death, intrinsic apoptosis, lysosomal cell death, mitotic cell death, mitochondrial permeability transition, necroptosis, parthanatos, and pyroptosis related to 12 cell deaths and their crosstalk can be observed systematically by the platform. Big data for cell death gene-disease associations, gene-cell death pathway associations, pathway-cell death mode associations, and cell death-cell death associations is collected by literature review articles and public database from iRefIndex, STRING, BioGRID, Reactom, Pathway’s commons, DisGeNET, DrugBank, and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). An interactive webtool, XDeathDB, is built by web applications with R-Shiny, JavaScript (JS) and Shiny Server Iso. With this platform, users can search specific interactions from vast interdependent networks that occur in the realm of cell death. A multilayer spectral graph clustering method that performs convex layer aggregation to identify crosstalk function among cell death modes for a specific cancer. 147 hallmark genes of cell death could be observed in detail in these networks. These potential druggable targets are displayed systematically and tailoring networks to visualize specified relations is available to fulfil user-specific needs. Users can access XDeathDB for free at https://pcm2019.shinyapps.io/XDeathDB/.
Genome-wide identification of microRNA targets reveals positive regulation of the Hippo pathway by miR-122 during liver development
Authors: Zhang Yin , Tan Ye-Ya , Chen Pei-Pei , Xu Hui , Xie Shu-Juan , Xu Shi-Jun , Li Bin , Li Jun-Hao , Liu Shun , Yang Jian-Hua , Zhou Hui , Qu Liang-Hu
Published: December 2021

Liver development is a highly complex process that is regulated by the orchestrated interplay of epigenetic regulators, transcription factors, and microRNAs (miRNAs). Owing to the lack of global in vivo targets of all miRNAs during liver development, the mechanisms underlying the dynamic control of hepatocyte differentiation by miRNAs remain elusive. Here, using Argonaute (Ago) high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by crosslinking immunoprecipitation (HITS-CLIP) in the mouse liver at different developmental stages, we characterized massive Ago-binding RNAs and obtained a genome-wide map of liver miRNA-mRNA interactions. The dynamic changes of five clusters of miRNAs and their potential targets were identified to be differentially involved at specific stages, a dozen of high abundant miRNAs and their epigenetic regulation by super-enhancer were found during liver development. Remarkably, miR-122, a liver-specific and most abundant miRNA in newborn and adult livers, was found by its targetome and pathway reporter analyses to regulate the Hippo pathway, which is crucial for liver size control and homeostasis. Mechanistically, we further demonstrated that miR-122 negatively regulates the outcomes of the Hippo pathway transcription factor TEAD by directly targeting a number of hippo pathway regulators, including the coactivator TAZ and a key factor of the phosphatase complex PPP1CC, which contributes to the dephosphorylation of YAP, another coactivator downstream of the Hippo pathway. This study identifies for the first time the genome-wide miRNA targetomes during mouse liver development and demonstrates a novel mechanism of terminal differentiation of hepatocytes regulated by the miR-122/Hippo pathway in a coordinated manner. As the Hippo pathway plays important roles in cell proliferation and liver pathological processes like inflammation, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), our study could also provide a new insight into the function of miR-122 in liver pathology.
Interleukin-7 receptor α mutational activation can initiate precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Almeida Afonso R. M. , Neto João L. , Cachucho Ana , Euzébio Mayara , Meng Xiangyu , Kim Rathana , Fernandes Marta B. , Raposo Beatriz , Oliveira Mariana L. , Ribeiro Daniel , Fragoso Rita , Zenatti Priscila P. , Soares Tiago , de Matos Mafalda R. , Corrêa Juliana Ronchi , Duque Mafalda , Roberts Kathryn G. , Gu Zhaohui , Qu Chunxu , Pereira Clara , Pyne Susan , Pyne Nigel J. , Barreto Vasco M. , Bernard-Pierrot Isabelle , Clappier Emannuelle , Mullighan Charles G. , Grosso Ana R. , Yunes J. Andrés , Barata João T.
Published: December 2021

Interleukin-7 receptor α (encoded by IL7R) is essential for lymphoid development. Whether acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)-related IL7R gain-of-function mutations can trigger leukemogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that lymphoid-restricted mutant IL7R, expressed at physiological levels in conditional knock-in mice, establishes a pre-leukemic stage in which B-cell precursors display self-renewal ability, initiating leukemia resembling PAX5 P80R or Ph-like human B-ALL. Full transformation associates with transcriptional upregulation of oncogenes such as Myc or Bcl2, downregulation of tumor suppressors such as Ikzf1 or Arid2, and major IL-7R signaling upregulation (involving JAK/STAT5 and PI3K/mTOR), required for leukemia cell viability. Accordingly, maximal signaling drives full penetrance and early leukemia onset in homozygous IL7R mutant animals. Notably, we identify 2 transcriptional subgroups in mouse and human Ph-like ALL, and show that dactolisib and sphingosine-kinase inhibitors are potential treatment avenues for IL-7R-related cases. Our model, a resource to explore the pathophysiology and therapeutic vulnerabilities of B-ALL, demonstrates that IL7R can initiate this malignancy.
Integrated linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic robotic hand
Authors: Kim Uikyum , Jung Dawoon , Jeong Heeyoen , Park Jongwoo , Jung Hyun-Mok , Cheong Joono , Choi Hyouk Ryeol , Do Hyunmin , Park Chanhun
Published: December 2021

Robotic hands perform several amazing functions similar to the human hands, thereby offering high flexibility in terms of the tasks performed. However, developing integrated hands without additional actuation parts while maintaining important functions such as human-level dexterity and grasping force is challenging. The actuation parts make it difficult to integrate these hands into existing robotic arms, thus limiting their applicability. Based on a linkage-driven mechanism, an integrated linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic robotic hand called ILDA hand, which integrates all the components required for actuation and sensing and possesses high dexterity, is developed. It has the following features: 15-degree-of-freedom (20 joints), a fingertip force of 34N, compact size (maximum length: 218 mm) without additional parts, low weight of 1.1 kg, and tactile sensing capabilities. Actual manipulation tasks involving tools used in everyday life are performed with the hand mounted on a commercial robot arm.
Tracking excited state decay mechanisms of pyrimidine nucleosides in real time
Authors: Borrego-Varillas Rocío , Nenov Artur , Kabaciński Piotr , Conti Irene , Ganzer Lucia , Oriana Aurelio , Jaiswal Vishal Kumar , Delfino Ines , Weingart Oliver , Manzoni Cristian , Rivalta Ivan , Garavelli Marco , Cerullo Giulio
Published: December 2021

DNA owes its remarkable photostability to its building blocks—the nucleosides—that efficiently dissipate the energy acquired upon ultraviolet light absorption. The mechanism occurring on a sub-picosecond time scale has been a matter of intense debate. Here we combine sub-30-fs transient absorption spectroscopy experiments with broad spectral coverage and state-of-the-art mixed quantum-classical dynamics with spectral signal simulations to resolve the early steps of the deactivation mechanisms of uridine (Urd) and 5-methyluridine (5mUrd) in aqueous solution. We track the wave packet motion from the Franck-Condon region to the conical intersections (CIs) with the ground state and observe spectral signatures of excited-state vibrational modes. 5mUrd exhibits an order of magnitude longer lifetime with respect to Urd due to the solvent reorganization needed to facilitate bulky methyl group motions leading to the CI. This activates potentially lesion-inducing dynamics such as ring opening. Involvement of the 1nπ* state is found to be negligible.
Giant nonlinear Hall effect in twisted bilayer WTe2
Authors: He Zhihai , Weng Hongming
Published: December 2021

In a system with broken inversion symmetry, a second-order nonlinear Hall effect can survive even in the presence of time-reversal symmetry. In this work, we show that a giant nonlinear Hall effect can exist in twisted bilayer WTe2 system. The Berry curvature dipole of twisted bilayer WTe2 (θ = 29.4°) can reach up to ~1400 Å, which is much larger than that in previously reported nonlinear Hall systems. In twisted bilayer WTe2 system, there exist abundant band anticrossings and band inversions around the Fermi level, which brings a complicated distribution of Berry curvature, and leads to the nonlinear Hall signals that exhibit dramatically oscillating behavior in this system. Its large amplitude and high tunability indicate that the twisted bilayer WTe2 can be an excellent platform for studying the nonlinear Hall effect.
Potato leafroll virus reduces Buchnera aphidocola titer and alters vector transcriptome responses
Authors: Patton MacKenzie F. , Hansen Allison K. , Casteel Clare L.
Published: December 2021

Viruses in the Luteoviridae family, such as Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), are transmitted by aphids in a circulative and nonpropagative mode. This means the virions enter the aphid body through the gut when they feed from infected plants and then the virions circulate through the hemolymph to enter the salivary glands before being released into the saliva. Although these viruses do not replicate in their insect vectors, previous studies have demonstrated viruliferous aphid behavior is altered and the obligate symbiont of aphids, Buchnera aphidocola, may be involved in transmission. Here we provide the transcriptome of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) carrying PLRV and virus-free control aphids using Illumina sequencing. Over 150 million paired-end reads were obtained through Illumina sequencing, with an average of 19 million reads per library. The comparative analysis identified 134 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the M. persicae transcriptomes, including 64 and 70 genes that were up- and down-regulated in aphids carrying PLRV, respectively. Using functional classification in the GO databases, 80 of the DEGs were assigned to 391 functional subcategories at category level 2. The most highly up-regulated genes in aphids carrying PLRV were cytochrome p450s, genes related to cuticle production, and genes related to development, while genes related to heat shock proteins, histones, and histone modification were the most down-regulated. PLRV aphids had reduced Buchnera titer and lower abundance of several Buchnera transcripts related to stress responses and metabolism. These results suggest carrying PLRV may reduce both aphid and Buchnera genes in response to stress. This work provides valuable basis for further investigation into the complicated mechanisms of circulative and nonpropagative transmission.
Alginate-amphotericin B nanocomplexes covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose: physico-chemical characterization and in vitro toxicity
Authors: Soeiro Victória Soares , Silva-Carvalho Ricardo , Martins Daniela , Parpot Pier , Grotto Denise , Chaud Marco Vinicius , da Gama Francisco Miguel Portela , Jozala Angela Faustino
Published: December 2021

Nanocomplexes systems made up natural poylymers have pharmacotechnical advantages such as increase of water solubility and a decrease of drugs toxicity. Amphotericin B (AmB) is a drug apply as anti-leishmanial and anti-fungal, however it has low water solubility and high toxicity, limiting its therapeutic application. With this in mind, the present study aimed to produce nanocomplexes composed by alginate (Alg), a natural polymer, with AmB covered by nanocrystals from bacterial cellulose (CNC). For this reason, the nanocomplexes were produced utilizing sodium alginate, amphotericin B in a borate buffer (pH 11.0). The CNC was obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of the bacterial cellulose. To CNC cover the nanocomplexes 1 ml of the nanocomplexes was added into 1 ml of 0.01% CNC suspension. The results showed an ionic adsorption of the CNC into the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes surface. This phenomena was confirmed by an increase in the particle size and PDI decrease. Besides, nanocomplexes samples covered by CNC showed uniformity. The amorphous inclusion of AmB complex into the polysaccharide chain network in both formulations. AmB in the nanocomplexes was in supper-aggregated form and showed good biocompatibility, being significantly less cytotoxic in vitro against kidney cells and significantly less hemolytic compared to the free-drug. The in vitro toxicity results indicated the Alg-AmB nanocomplexes can be considered a non-toxic alternative to improve the AmB therapeutic effect. All process to obtain nanocomplexes and it coat was conduce without organic solvents, can be considered a green process, and allowed to obtain water soluble particles. Furthermore, CNC covering the nanocomplexes brought additional protection to the system can contribut advancement in the pharmaceutical.
Postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy development is linked to vitreal CXCL5 concentrations
Authors: Zandi Souska , Pfister Isabel B. , Garweg Justus G.
Published: December 2021

The specific changes linked to de novo development of postoperative PVR have remained elusive and were the object of the underlying study. Vitreous fluid (VF) was obtained at the beginning of vitrectomy from 65 eyes that underwent vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) without preoperative PVR. Eyes developing postoperative PVR within 6 months after re-attachment surgery were compared to those which did not regarding the preoperative concentrations of 43 cytokines and chemokines in the VF, using multiplex beads analysis. For all comparisons Holm’s correction was applied in order to control for multiple comparisons. Twelve out of 65 eyes (18.5%) developed PVR postoperatively. While 12 of the chemokines and cytokines presented concentration differences on a statistical level of p < 0.05 (CXCL5, CCL11, CCL24, CCL26, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, CCL8, CCL7, MIF, MIG/CXCL9, CCL19, and CCL25), CXCL5 was the only cytokine with sufficiently robust difference in its VF concentrations to achieve significance in eyes developing postoperative PVR compared to eyes without PVR. CXCL5 may represent a potent biomarker for the de novo development of postoperative PVR. In line with its pathophysiological role in the development of PVR, it might serve as a basis for the development of urgently needed preventive options.
Learning of a mimic odor combined with nectar nonsugar compounds enhances honeybee pollination of a commercial crop
Authors: Estravis-Barcala M. Cecilia , Palottini Florencia , Farina Walter M.
Published: December 2021

The increasing demand on pollination services leads food industry to consider new strategies for management of pollinators to improve their efficiency in agroecosystems. Recently, it was demonstrated that feeding beehives food scented with an odorant mixture mimicking the floral scent of a crop (sunflower mimic, SM) enhanced foraging activity and improved recruitment to the target inflorescences, which led to higher density of bees on the crop and significantly increased yields. Besides, the oral administration of nonsugar compounds (NSC) naturally found in nectars (caffeine and arginine) improved short and long-term olfactory memory retention in conditioned bees under laboratory conditions. To test the effect of offering of SM-scented food supplemented with NSC on honeybees pollinating sunflower for hybrid seed production, in a commercial plantation we fed colonies SM-scented food (control), and SM-scented food supplemented with either caffeine, arginine, or a mixture of both, in field realistic concentrations. Their foraging activity was assessed at the hive and on the crop up to 90 h after treatment, and sunflower yield was estimated prior to harvest. Our field results show that SM + Mix-treated colonies exhibited the highest incoming rates and densities on the crop. Additionally, overall seed mass was significantly higher by 20% on inflorescences close to these colonies than control colonies. Such results suggest that combined NSC potentiate olfactory learning of a mimic floral odor inside the hive, promoting faster colony-level foraging responses and increasing crop production.
Genome analysis provides insight into hyper-virulence of Streptococcus suis LSM178, a human strain with a novel sequence type 1005
Authors: Hu Yong , Fu Shiming , Zou Geng , Kerdsin Anusak , Chen Xiabing , Dong Xingxing , Teng Lin , Li Jinquan
Published: December 2021

Streptococcus suis has been well-recognized as a zoonotic pathogen worldwide, and the diversity and unpredictable adaptive potential of sporadic human strains represent a great risk to the public health. In this study, S. suis LSM178, isolated from a patient in contact with pigs and raw pork, was assessed as a hyper-virulent strain and interpreted for the virulence based on its genetic information. The strain was more invasive for Caco-2 cells than two other S. suis strains, SC19 and P1/7. Sequence analysis designated LSM178 with serotype 2 and a novel sequence type 1005. Phylogenetic analysis showed that LSM178 clustered with highly virulent strains including all human strains and epidemic strains. Compared with other strains, these S. suis have the most and the same virulent factors and a type I-89 K pathogenicity island. Further, groups of genes were identified to distinguish these highly virulent strains from other generally virulent strains, emphasizing the key roles of genes modeling transcription, cell barrier, replication, recombination and repair on virulence regulation. Additionally, LSM178 contains a novel prophage conducive potentially to pathogenicity.
From positron emission tomography to cell analysis of the 18-kDa Translocator Protein in mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Delage Clément , Vignal Nicolas , Guerin Coralie , Taib Toufik , Barboteau Clément , Mamma Célia , Khacef Kahina , Margaill Isabelle , Sarda-Mantel Laure , Rizzo-Padoin Nathalie , Hontonnou Fortune , Marchand-Leroux Catherine , Lerouet Dominique , Hosten Benoit , Besson Valérie
Published: December 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) leads to a deleterious neuroinflammation, originating from microglial activation. Monitoring microglial activation is an indispensable step to develop therapeutic strategies for TBI. In this study, we evaluated the use of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) in positron emission tomography (PET) and cellular analysis to monitor microglial activation in a mild TBI mouse model. TBI was induced on male Swiss mice. PET imaging analysis with [18F]FEPPA, a TSPO radiotracer, was performed at 1, 3 and 7 days post-TBI and flow cytometry analysis on brain at 1 and 3 days post-TBI. PET analysis showed no difference in TSPO expression between non-operated, sham-operated and TBI mice. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated an increase in TSPO expression in ipsilateral brain 3 days post-TBI, especially in microglia, macrophages, lymphocytes and neutrophils. Moreover, microglia represent only 58.3% of TSPO+ cells in the brain. Our results raise the question of the use of TSPO radiotracer to monitor microglial activation after TBI. More broadly, flow cytometry results point the lack of specificity of TSPO for microglia and imply that microglia contribute to the overall increase in TSPO in the brain after TBI, but is not its only contributor.
Multi-step atomic mechanism of platinum nanocrystals nucleation and growth revealed by in-situ liquid cell STEM
Authors: Dachraoui Walid , Henninen Trond R. , Keller Debora , Erni Rolf
Published: December 2021

The understanding of crystal growth mechanisms has broadened substantially. One significant advancement is based in the conception that the interaction between particles plays an important role in the growth of nanomaterials. This is in contrast to the classical model, which neglects this process. Direct imaging of such processes at atomic-level in liquid-phase is essential for establishing new theoretical models that encompass the full complexity of realistic scenarios and eventually allow for tailoring nanoparticle growth. Here, we investigate at atomic-scale the exact growth mechanisms of platinum nanocrystals from single atom to final crystals by in-situ liquid phase scanning transmission electron microscopy. We show that, after nucleation, the nanocrystals grow via two main stages: atomic attachment in the first stage, where the particles initially grow by attachment of the atoms until depletion of the surrounding zone. Thereafter, follows the second stage of growth, which is based on particle attachment by different atomic pathways to finally form mature nanoparticles. The atomic mechanisms underlying these growth pathways are distinctly different and have different driving forces and kinetics as evidenced by our experimental observations.
Improved HbA1c and reduced glycaemic variability after 1-year intermittent use of flash glucose monitoring
Authors: Zhang Wenhui , Liu Yu , Sun Baosheng , Shen Yanjun , Li Ming , Peng Lanbo , Duan Honggang , Su Xudong , Lu Shaoxia , Tian Xiaoqin , Tian Yaqiang
Published: December 2021

Flash glucose monitoring (FGM) was introduced in China in 2016, and it might improve HbA1c measurements and reduce glycaemic variability during T1DM therapy. A total of 146 patients were recruited from October 2018 to September 2019 in Liaocheng. The patients were randomly divided into the FGM group or self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) group. Both groups wore the FGM device for multiple 2-week periods, beginning with the 1st, 24th, and 48th weeks for gathering data, while blood samples were also collected for HbA1c measurement. Dietary guidance and insulin dose adjustments were provided to the FGM group patients according to their Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP) and to the SMBG group patients according to their SMBG measurements taken 3–4 times daily. All of the participants underwent SMBG measurements on the days when not wearing the FGM device. At the final visit, HbA1c, time in range (TIR), duration of hypoglycaemia and the number of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) events were taken as the main endpoints. There were no significant difference in the baseline characteristics of the two groups. At 24 weeks, the HbA1c level of the FGM group was 8.16 ± 1.03%, which was much lower than that of the SMBG group (8.68 ± 1.01%) (p = 0.003). The interquartile range (IQR), mean blood glucose (MBG), and the duration of hypoglycaemia in the FGM group also showed significant declines, compared with the SMBG group (p < 0.05), while the TIR increased in the FGM group [(49.39 ± 17.54)% vs (42.44 ± 15.49)%] (p = 0.012). At 48 weeks, the differences were more pronounced (p < 0.01). There were no observed changes in the number of episodes of DKA by the end of the study [(0.25 ± 0.50) vs (0.28 ± 0.51), p = 0.75]. Intermittent use of FGM by T1DM patients can improve their HbA1c and glycaemic control without increasing the hypoglycaemic exposure in insulin-treated individuals with type 1 diabetes in an developing country.
Experiment study on the corrosion resistance of the surface metamorphic layer of grinding
Authors: Shi Xiaoliang , Xiu Shichao , Liu Xiao
Published: December 2021

Workpiece will face corrosive problems during its application after the manufacturing process. As the common final process, grinding can generate special metamorphic layer on the surface of workpiece and change the initial corrosion resistance of workpiece. In order to study the corrosion resistance of workpiece after grinding process, the paper carries on combining experiment of grinding and electrochemical corrosion. The characteristic of corrosion resistance of grinding is revealed based on the association of grinding mechanism and electrochemical theory. The corrosion potential of workpiece after grinding is higher than matrix, which shows the grinding surface is difficult to begin to corrode. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) shows the grinding surface has large phase angle, impedance and capacitance characteristic because the metamorphic layer of grinding has good obstructive ability. They reveal that grinding improves the surface corrosion resistance of workpiece. Then the mechanism of the corrosion resistance of grinding is revealed. The special grain boundary formed in grinding with much C element, large clusters and complex shape prolongs the corrosion channel, which reduces the corrosive speed. While, the sensitive hardening structure generated in grinding hardening with much free energy is easy to form the corrosion cell, which will accelerate the corrosion.
An empirical investigation on the correlation between solar cell cracks and hotspots
Authors: Dhimish Mahmoud , Lazaridis Pavlos I.
Published: December 2021

In recent years, solar cell cracks have been a topic of interest to industry because of their impact on performance deterioration. Therefore, in this work, we investigate the correlation of four crack modes and their effects on the temperature of the solar cell, well known as hotspot. We divided the crack modes to crack free (mode 1), micro-crack (mode 2), shaded area (mode 3), and breakdown (mode 4). Using a dataset of 12 different solar cell samples, we have found that there are no hotspots detected for a solar cell affected by modes 1 or 2. However, we discovered that the solar cell is likely to have hotspots if affected by crack mode 3 or 4, with an expected increase in the temperature from 25$$^\circ $$

∘

C to 100$$^\circ $$

∘

C. Additionally, we have noticed that an increase in the shading ratio in solar cells can cause severe hotspots. For this reason, we observed that the worst-case scenario for a hotspot to develop is at shading ratios of 40% to 60%, with an identified increase in the cell temperature from 25$$^\circ $$

∘

C to 105$$^\circ $$

∘

C.
Differences in clinical and imaging presentation of maxillary sinus fungus ball with and without intralesional hyperdensity
Authors: Wu Pei-Wen , Lee Ta-Jen , Yang Shih-Wei , Huang Yenlin , Lee Yun-Shien , Ho Che-Fang , Huang Chien-Chia
Published: December 2021

Maxillary sinus fungal balls (MSFBs) mostly occur in older individuals and demonstrate female predominance. Early diagnosis is important to avoid treatment delays. Intralesional hyperdensity (IH) indicates the presence of heavy metal deposition within fungal hyphae and has been the most specific characteristic of MSFB on computed tomography (CT). For those without IH on CT, the diagnosis of MSFB remains challenging. This study aimed to characterize clinical presentation of MSFB with and without IH and to study factors contributing to MSFB with no IH formation. We retrospectively identified 588 patients with MSFB. The clinical characteristics and CT findings were reviewed. Patients with unilateral MSFB had a mean age of 57.4 years and demonstrated female predominance (64.63%). The female-to-male ratio was highest at 51–60 years (2.02) and rose to 2.60 in MSFB with IH only. Compared to those with IH, MSFB without IH was significantly more common in males (OR = 2.49), in those with diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 1.87), adjacent maxillary odontogenic pathology (OR = 1.75). Complete opacification on CT was less common in MSFB without IH (OR = 0.60). Patients with MSFB without IH were more likely to have DM, no female predominance, adjacent maxillary odontogenic pathology, and partial opacification of the sinus, compared to those with IH. These may be helpful in better understanding of the formation of MSFBs without IH, early identification of them and prevention of post-operative recurrence.
Spontaneous formation of neutrophil extracellular traps is associated with autophagy
Authors: Guo Yun , Gao Fei , Wang Xin , Pan Zhenzhen , Wang Qian , Xu Shiyao , Pan Shanshan , Li Ling , Zhao Deyu , Qian Jun
Published: December 2021

Neutrophils release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), via NETosis, as a defense mechanism against pathogens. Neutrophils can release NETs spontaneously; however, the mechanisms underlying spontaneous NETosis remain unclear. Neutrophils isolated from healthy donors were tested for NET formation and autophagy at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after incubation. Autophagy response was evaluated in response to various autophagy inducers and inhibitors. The relationship between autophagy and NETosis was detected in vivo using an ovalbumin-induced mouse model of asthma. We found that the increase in the proportion of spontaneous NETosis was time-dependent. The number of autophagy-positive cells also increased over time and LC3B protein played an integral role in NET formation. Trehalose (an inducer of mTOR-independent autophagy) treatment significantly increased NET formation, whereas rapamycin (an mTOR-dependent autophagy inducer) did not increase NET release by neutrophils. Compared with the control group, 3-methyladenine (an autophagy sequestration inhibitor) and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (autophagosome-lysosome fusion inhibitor) treatments significantly reduced the percentage of NET-positive cells. In vivo studies on ovalbumin-induced asthma lung sections revealed NETs and LC3B and citH3 proteins were found to co-localize with DNA. Our findings suggest that autophagy plays a crucial role in aging-related spontaneous NETosis.
Strategic Forest Reserves can protect biodiversity in the western United States and mitigate climate change
Authors: Law Beverly E. , Berner Logan T. , Buotte Polly C. , Mildrexler David J. , Ripple William J.
Published: December 2021

Forest preservation is crucial for protecting biodiversity and mitigating climate change. Here we assess current forest preservation in the western United States using spatial data and find that beyond the 18.9% (17.5 Mha) currently protected, an additional 11.1% (10.3 Mha) is needed to achieve 30% preservation by 2030 (30 × 30). To help meet this regional preservation target, we developed a framework that prioritizes forestlands for preservation using spatial metrics of biodiversity and/or carbon within each ecoregion. We show that meeting this preservation target would lead to greater protection of animal and tree species habitat, current carbon stocks, future carbon accumulation, and forests that are important for surface drinking water. The highest priority forestlands are primarily owned by the federal government, though substantial areas are also owned by private entities and state and tribal governments. Establishing Strategic Forest Reserves would help protect biodiversity and carbon for climate adaptation and mitigation.
Photonic crystal barcodes assembled from dendritic silica nanoparticles for the multiplex immunoassays of ovarian cancer biomarkers
Authors: Ji Dan-Dan , Wu Mei-Xia , Ding Shou-Nian
Published: December 2021

The combined detection of CA125, CEA and AFP is of great significance in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Combining MALDI-MS with machine learning for metabolomic characterization of lung cancer patient sera
Authors: Lai Xiaopin , Guo Kunbin , Huang Wei , Su Yang , Chen Siyu , Li Qiongdan , Liang Kaiqing , Gao Wenhua , Wang Xin , Chen Yuping , Wang Hongbiao , Lin Wen , Wei Xiaolong , Ni Wenxiu , Lin Yan , Jiang Dazhi , Cheng Yu-Hong , Che Chi-Ming , Ng Kwan-Ming
Published: December 2021

This work establishes an integrated MALDI-MS data processing approach combined with machine learning methods for metabolomic characterization of lung cancer, demonstrating its potential for widespread application in biomarker screening.
Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-based knockdown of RUNX2 to induce chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Park Jong Min , Lee Sujin , Cho Hui Bang , Park Ji-In , Kim Jae-Hwan , Park Ji Sun , Park Keun-Hong
Published: December 2021

Effective knockdown of the RUNX2 gene by CRISPR-Cas9-based nanoparticles (CASP-NPs) is even more effective in chondrogenic differentiation.
Engineering of protein crystals for use as solid biomaterials
Authors: Kojima Mariko , Abe Satoshi , Ueno Takafumi
Published: December 2021

Protein crystal engineering both in vitro and within cells has led to advances in protein crystallization and generation of solid functional materials.
Synthesis of substrate-bound seaweed-like Au nanowires with amino silane coupling agents
Authors: Yu Jialong , Wang Weiyu , Li Shumin , Yu Beibei , Chen Hongyu , Wang Yawen
Published: December 2021

A facile seedless method has been developed to synthesize seaweed-like Au nanowires on both bulk and colloidal Au substrates.
Activation and catalytic transformation of methane under mild conditions
Authors: Tang Yu , Li Yuting , (Feng) Tao Franklin
Published: December 2021

In the last few decades, scientists have been motivated by promising production of chemicals from methane under mild conditions for low energy consumption and climate remediation; significant fundamental understanding on this topic has been achieved.
Heterogenisation of a carbonylation catalyst on dispersible microporous polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Ivko Samuel A. , James Alex M. , Derry Matthew J. , Dawson Robert , Haynes Anthony
Published: December 2021

A rhodium carbonylation catalyst is supported on dispersible microporous polymer nanoparticles, facilitatingin situkinetic measurements for a key step of the catalytic cycle.
The influence of iodide on the solution-phase growth of Cu microplates: a multi-scale theoretical analysis from first principles
Authors: Kim Junseok , Fichthorn Kristen A.
Published: December 2021

We used first-principles density-functional theory and absorbing Markov chains to quantify the role of iodine in the solution-phase growth of Cu microplates.
Inhibition of α-glucosidase by trilobatin and its mechanism: kinetics, interaction mechanism and molecular docking
Authors: He Ming , Zhai Yuhan , Zhang Yuqing , Xu Shuo , Yu Shaoxuan , Wei Yingxin , Xiao Haifang , Song Yuanda
Published: December 2021

α-Glucosidase is related to the increase in postprandial blood glucose in vivo.
Continuous-flow stereoselective reduction of prochiral ketones in a whole cell bioreactor with natural deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Annunziata Francesca , Guaglio Alessandra , Conti Paola , Tamborini Lucia , Gandolfi Raffaella
Published: December 2021

Immobilized whole cells of Rhodotorula rubra MIM147 were used in a packed bed flow reactor for the enantioselective reduction of β-ketonitriles and for the obtainment of a key building block for the synthesis of the antidepressant drug duloxetine.
Anharmonicity induced faster decay of hot phonons in rutile TiO2 nanorods: a Raman spectromicroscopy study
Authors: Rani Chanchal , Pathak Devesh K. , Tanwar Manushree , Kandpal Suchita , Ghosh Tanushree , Maximov Maxim Yu. , Kumar Rajesh
Published: December 2021

Temperature-dependent Raman spectromicroscopy of rutile TiO2 nanorods has been studied here to understand the effect of thermal perturbations on different Raman-active phonon modes.
Homoconjugation in triptycenes: an inquiry through photochromism
Authors: Jana Kanyashree , Moorthy Jarugu Narasimha
Published: December 2021

Stabilization of the fleeting photogenerated o-quinonoid colored intermediate of diphenylpyran-annulated triptycene (Trip-chrom) lends credence to homoconjugation.
Supported metals on porous solids as heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of propargylamines
Authors: Cirujano Francisco G. , Dhakshinamoorthy Amarajothi
Published: December 2021

This perspective summarizes recent developments in the synthesis of propargylamines using porous solids (zeolites, MOFs and carbon) as supports/catalysts.
Thermal degradation of optical resonances in plasmonic nanoparticles
Authors: Sørensen Lasse K. , Khrennikov Daniil E. , Gerasimov Valeriy S. , Ershov Alexander E. , Vysotin Maxim A. , Monti Susanna , Zakomirnyi Vadim I. , Polyutov Sergey P. , Ågren Hans , Karpov Sergey V.
Published: December 2021

We have shown that suppression of the surface plasmon resonance in nanoparticle is associated with increase of the atom mobility in crystal lattice with strong radial dependence accompanied by electron-phonon scattering upon the temperature growth.
The synthesis and electrical transport properties of carbon/Cr2GaC MAX phase composite microwires
Authors: Siebert Jan P. , Hajra Debarati , Tongay Sefaattin , Birkel Christina S.
Published: December 2021

The biopolymer templated sol–gel synthesis of low-dimensional Cr2GaC microwires is demonstrated for the first time. Four-point-probe resistivity measurements elucidate transport properties.
Engineering Er3+-sensitized nanocrystals to enhance NIR II-responsive upconversion luminescence
Authors: Wang Hong , Xu Yang , Pang Tao , Chen Baojiu , Xin Fangyun , Xing Mingming , Tian Meng , Fu Yao , Luo Xixian , Tian Ying
Published: December 2021

A novel Er3+-sensitized spatially confined multilayered nanostructure was constructed resulting in a remarkable enhancement of the NIR II-responsive photon upconversion.
A B2N monolayer: a direct band gap semiconductor with high and highly anisotropic carrier mobility
Authors: Lin Shuyi , Guo Yu , Xu Meiling , Zhao Jijun , Liang Yiwei , Yuan Xuanhao , Zhang Yiming , Wang Feilong , Hao Jian , Li Yinwei
Published: December 2021

A planar 2D B2N monolayer with a desirable direct band gap, high thermal stability, and high and highly anisotropic carrier mobility is shown to be a promising functional material for nanoelectronics and optoelectronics applications.
Fundamental understanding of electrocatalysis over layered double hydroxides from the aspects of crystal and electronic structures
Authors: Chang Qingfang , Zhang Xilin , Wang Bin , Niu Juntao , Yang Zongxian , Wang Weichao
Published: December 2021

A comprehensively understanding on the improving mechanisms of different modulations is reviewed to guide the rational design of catalyst.
Electrocatalysis as a key strategy for the total synthesis of natural products
Authors: Munda Mintu , Niyogi Sovan , Shaw Kundan , Kundu Sourav , Nandi Rhituparna , Bisai Alakesh
Published: December 2021

This review provides an overview of the total syntheses of structurally intriguing natural products in which electrochemical processes play an important role as a key methodology.
Probing secondary coordination sphere interactions within porphyrin-cored polymer nanoparticles
Authors: Patenaude Brian F. , Berda Erik B. , Pazicni Samuel
Published: December 2021

A suite of zinc porphyrin-cored polymeric nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized to study secondary coordination sphere interactions. We show that with proper design these materials catalyze the reaction of cyanide with N,N-dimethylformamide.
Visualization of the microstructure and the position-dependent diffusion coefficient in a blended polymer solid using photo-activation localization microscopy combined with single-molecule tracking based on one-color fluorescence-switching of diarylethene
Authors: Ito Syoji , Funaoka Misato , Hanasaki Itsuo , Takei Satoshi , Morimoto Masakazu , Irie Masahiro , Miyasaka Hiroshi
Published: December 2021

Using one-color fluorescence-switching of diarylethene derivatives (DAEs), thousands of single-molecule translational trajectories in a blended polymer solid were measured with nanometric accuracy.
Azine- and imine-linked conjugated polyHIPEs through Schiff-base condensation reaction
Authors: Kotnik Tomaž , Žerjav Gregor , Pintar Albin , Žagar Ema , Kovačič Sebastijan
Published: December 2021

A new alternative synthetic route to the transition-metal free π-conjugated polyHIPEs is reported, which combines the Schiff-base condensation reaction and an emulsion-templating technology.
High flow rate microreactors integratingin situgrown ZnO nanowires for photocatalytic degradation
Authors: Martin Nathan , Lacour Vivien , Perrault Cécile Mong-Tu , Roy Emmanuel , Leprince-Wang Yamin
Published: December 2021

A high flow rate, low-pressure microfluidic photocatalytic microreactor was created and demonstrated here.
Synthesis of bimetallic Co–Pt/cellulose nanocomposites for catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol
Authors: Landge Vividha K. , Hakke Vikas S. , Kakunuri Manohar , Babu G. Uday B. , Boczkaj Grzegorz , Sonawane Shirish H.
Published: December 2021

The sonochemical synthesis of Co–Pt nanoparticles anchored on cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) was demonstrated. An enhancement in the catalytic activity of the synthesized Co–Pt/CNF nanocomposite catalyst was observed for the reduction of p-NP due to synergy effects.
Sequence-independent activation of photocycloadditions using two colours of light
Authors: Kamm Philipp W. , Rodrigues Leona L. , Walden Sarah L. , Blinco James P. , Unterreiner Andreas-Neil , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: December 2021

We exploit two reactive chromophores to establish sequence-independent photochemical activation without any additives.
C3 production from CO2 reduction by concerted *CO trimerization on a single-atom alloy catalyst
Authors: Chen Ling , Tang Cheng , Zheng Yao , Skúlason Egill , Jiao Yan
Published: December 2021

Embedding Ag single atoms onto densely arrayed Cu nanopyramids could optimize the *CO adsorption strength toward direct propanediol production via a one-step concerted *CO trimerization mechanism.
Long short‐term memory‐based robust and qualitative modal feature identification of non‐stationary low‐frequency oscillation signals in power systems
Authors: Zhang Changhua , Xu Zihao , Zhang Kun , Wu Yunfeng , Liu Qunying , Wei Jun , Ye Shengyong
Published: December 2021

Low‐frequency oscillation (LFO) analysis has become increasingly important in large scale power systems. The current LFO analysis methods regard the measured signal as stationary signal. Some methods, such as Prony and HHT, are too slow for online application. In order to solve these problems, based on the long short‐term memory neural network (LSTM), this paper proposes a method to identify LFO modal features rapidly. It is the first time in this field to formulate LFO modal feature classification problem rather than LFO modal identification problem. In order to realize it, first, LFO's frequency and attenuation factor are artificially divided into 12 and 4 segments, respectively. For each segment, more than 20,000 data are generated and tagged as training set and test set. Then two bi‐directional LSTM networks are constructed separately, and each network is trained alone with the data of the training set. Finally, the proposed method is tested and verified with the data from the test set, power systems simulation, and phasor measurement unit (PMU) of real power systems. The test results prove effectiveness of the proposed method and its advantage is demonstrated through comparison with the Prony, FFT and EDSNN methods.