bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced circulating FABP2 in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 may indicate enterocyte functional change rather than cell death
Authors: Assante G. , Tourna A. , Carpani R. , Ferrari F. , Prati D. , Peyvandi F. , Blasi F. , Bandera A. , Le Guennec A. , Chokshi S. , Patel V. C. , Cox I. J. , Valenti L. , Youngson N. A.
Published: November 2022

The gut is of importance in the pathology of COVID-19 both as a route of infection, and gut dysfunction influencing the severity of disease. Systemic changes caused by SARS-CoV-2 gut infection include alterations in circulating levels of metabolites, nutrients and microbial products which alter immune and inflammatory responses. Circulating plasma markers for gut inflammation and damage such as zonulin, lipopolysaccharide and β-glycan increase in plasma along with severity of disease. However, Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein / Fatty Acid Binding Protein 2 (I-FABP/FABP2), a widely used biomarker for gut cell death, has paradoxically been shown to be reduced in moderate to severe COVID-19. We also found this pattern in a pilot cohort of mild (n = 18) and moderately severe (n = 19) COVID-19 patients in Milan from March to June 2020. These patients were part of the first phase of COVID-19 in Europe and were therefore all unvaccinated. After exclusion of outliers, patients with more severe vs milder disease showed reduced FABP2 levels (median [IQR]) (124 [368] vs. 274 [558] pg/mL, P < 0.01). A reduction in NMR measured plasma relative lipid-CH3 levels approached significance (median [IQR]) (0.081 [0.011] vs. 0.073 [0.024], P = 0.06). Changes in circulating lipid levels are another feature commonly observed in severe COVID-19 and a weak positive correlation was observed in the more severe group between reduced FABP2 and reduced relative lipid-CH3 and lipid-CH2 levels. FABP2 is a key regulator of enterocyte lipid import, a process which is inhibited by gut SARS-CoV-2 infection. We propose that the reduced circulating FABP2 in moderate to severe COVID-19 is a marker of infected enterocyte functional change rather than gut damage, which could also contribute to the development of hypolipidemia in patients with more severe disease.
Generative adversarial network-created brain SPECTs of cerebral ischemia are indistinguishable to scans from real patients
Authors: Werner Rudolf A. , Higuchi Takahiro , Nose Naoko , Toriumi Fujio , Matsusaka Yohji , Kuji Ichiei , Kazuhiro Koshino
Published: November 2022

Deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (GAN) allow for creating images from existing databases. We applied a modified light-weight GAN (FastGAN) algorithm to cerebral blood flow SPECTs and aimed to evaluate whether this technology can generate created images close to real patients. Investigating three anatomical levels (cerebellum, CER; basal ganglia, BG; cortex, COR), 551 normal (248 CER, 174 BG, 129 COR) and 387 pathological brain SPECTs using N-isopropyl p-I-123-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) were included. For the latter scans, cerebral ischemic disease comprised 291 uni- (66 CER, 116 BG, 109 COR) and 96 bilateral defect patterns (44 BG, 52 COR). Our model was trained using a three-compartment anatomical input (dataset ‘A’; including CER, BG, and COR), while for dataset ‘B’, only one anatomical region (COR) was included. Quantitative analyses provided mean counts (MC) and left/right (LR) hemisphere ratios, which were then compared to quantification from real images. For MC, ‘B’ was significantly different for normal and bilateral defect patterns (P < 0.0001, respectively), but not for unilateral ischemia (P = 0.77). Comparable results were recorded for LR, as normal and ischemia scans were significantly different relative to images acquired from real patients (P ≤ 0.01, respectively). Images provided by ‘A’, however, revealed comparable quantitative results when compared to real images, including normal (P = 0.8) and pathological scans (unilateral, P = 0.99; bilateral, P = 0.68) for MC. For LR, only uni- (P = 0.03), but not normal or bilateral defect scans (P ≥ 0.08) reached significance relative to images of real patients. With a minimum of only three anatomical compartments serving as stimuli, created cerebral SPECTs are indistinguishable to images from real patients. The applied FastGAN algorithm may allow to provide sufficient scan numbers in various clinical scenarios, e.g., for “data-hungry” deep learning technologies or in the context of orphan diseases.
An image registration method for voxel-wise analysis of whole-body oncological PET-CT
Authors: Jönsson Hanna , Ekström Simon , Strand Robin , Pedersen Mette A. , Molin Daniel , Ahlström Håkan , Kullberg Joel
Published: November 2022

Whole-body positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) imaging in oncology provides comprehensive information of each patient’s disease status. However, image interpretation of volumetric data is a complex and time-consuming task. In this work, an image registration method targeted towards computer-aided voxel-wise analysis of whole-body PET-CT data was developed. The method used both CT images and tissue segmentation masks in parallel to spatially align images step-by-step. To evaluate its performance, a set of baseline PET-CT images of 131 classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) patients and longitudinal image series of 135 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients were registered between and within subjects according to the proposed method. Results showed that major organs and anatomical structures generally were registered correctly. Whole-body inverse consistency vector and intensity magnitude errors were on average less than 5 mm and 45 Hounsfield units respectively in both registration tasks. Image registration was feasible in time and the nearly automatic pipeline enabled efficient image processing. Metabolic tumor volumes of the cHL patients and registration-derived therapy-related tissue volume change of the HNC patients mapped to template spaces confirmed proof-of-concept. In conclusion, the method established a robust point-correspondence and enabled quantitative visualization of group-wise image features on voxel level.
A randomized pilot study of oncology massage to treat chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Lopez Gabriel , Eng Cathy , Overman Michael , Ramirez David , Liu Wenli , Beinhorn Curtiss , Sumler Pamela , Prinsloo Sarah , Li Yisheng , Chen Minxing , Bruera Eduardo , Cohen Lorenzo
Published: November 2022

This pilot randomized controlled trial investigated massage therapy for symptomatic relief of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) to determine the ideal weekly frequency and number of weeks of providing massage. We evaluated the feasibility and initial efficacy of a Swedish massage protocol to treat lower extremity (LE) CIPN. Inclusion criteria: LE neuropathy attributed to oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, or docetaxel, with no other attributable causes; ≥ 6 months since last chemotherapy; self-reported neuropathy score ≥ 3, 0–10 scale; age ≥ 18. Participant randomization (2:2:1:1) to one of four groups: LE (2) or head/neck/shoulder (control; 1) massage 3 times (3X) a week for 4 weeks; LE (2) or control (1) massage 2X/week for 6 weeks. Completion rate and the Pain Quality Assessment Scale (PQAS) was measured at baseline and 10 weeks later. 71 patients participated: 77.5% women; 57.7% (breast cancer), and 42.3% (GI cancer); mean age 60.3 y/o (range: 40–77); average > 3 years since last chemotherapy. Massage was deemed feasible: mean completion rates (max = 12) were 8.9 (SD 4.2) for 3X/week and 9.8 (SD 4.0) for 2X/week with no statistically significant differences. There were no statistically significant treatment group interactions in PQAS scores at 10-weeks follow-up. There was a statistically significant treatment schedule main effect for PQAS subscales (p < 0.05) at 10 weeks, with lower CIPN symptoms for 3X/week groups versus 2X/week groups. Improvements considered clinically significant favored the LE 3X/week group. Completion rates met pre-defined feasibility criteria. We seemed to observe better outcomes (CIPN symptom reduction) with the more intensive (3X/week for 4 weeks) massage intervention with no differences in adherence, regardless of whether the massage was directly to the CIPN-affected area or not. However, there was some suggestion that the massage program targeting the CIPN-affected area directly provided 3X a week for 4 weeks resulted in the best outcomes.
Terrestrial records of deglaciation events during terminations V and IV in the central Apennines (Italy) and insights on deglacial mechanisms
Authors: Marra F. , Pereira A. , Jicha B. , Nomade S. , Biddittu I. , Florindo F. , Muttoni G. , Niespolo E. M. , Renne P. R. , Scao V.
Published: November 2022

40Ar/39Ar geochronology constraints to aggradational phases and grain size variations show that the two large gravel beds occurring in the sedimentary filling of the Liri fluvial-lacustrine basin (central Italy) recorded the occurrence of deglaciation events synchronous within uncertainties with global meltwater pulses at ca. 450 and 350 ka. In particular, we find a precise match between the ages of gravel deposition and the occurrence of moderate sea-level rise events which anticipate those more marked during the glacial termination V and IV in the Red Sea relative sea level curve, as already verified by data from the Tiber River catchment basin. Such correspondence suggests that gravel deposition is facilitated by melting of Apennine mountain range glaciers, which provide the water transport energy and a surplus of clastic input to the rivers draining the mountain regions and flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Therefore, the thick gravel beds intercalated in the sedimentary filling of the catchment basins of the major rivers in central Italy may be regarded as an equivalent proxy of large deglaciation events, similar to the ice-rafted debris in northern Atlantic. Consistent with this hypothesis, we also show the close correspondence between the occurrence of particularly mild (warmer) minima of the mean summer insolation at 65° N and these early aggradational phases, as well as with other anomalous early sea-level rises occurring c. 750 ka and 540 ka at the onset of glacial termination VIII and VI, and 40 ka at the onset of the so-called Heinrich events.
Spectroscopic characterization and in vitro studies of biological activity of bradykinin derivatives
Authors: Proniewicz Edyta , Burnat Grzegorz , Domin Helena , Iłowska Emilia , Roman Adam , Prahl Adam
Published: November 2022

Eleven multiple analogs of bradykinin—a peptide that is a natural ligand of B1 and B2 receptors but does not bind or activate the B1 receptor unless Arg9 is removed from the sequence by the action of carboxypeptidase N—were synthesized. Their biological activity was examined on T-REx cell lines expressing B1 or B2 receptors using the intracellular IP1 assay. The mRNA expression of B1R and B2R in the lysate of tumor cell lines, e.g., U87-MG (human astrocytoma), SHP-77 (human small cell lung cancer), and H4 (human brain glioma), was determined. For five B1R antagonists, adsorption at the liquid/solid interface (Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) served as the solid surface) was discussed in terms of the vibrations of molecular fragments (structural factors) responsible for the biological properties of these analogs.
Trace minerals source in calf starters interacts with birth weights to affect growth performance
Authors: Mousavi-Haghshenas M. A. , Hashemzadeh F. , Ghorbani G. R. , Ghasemi E. , Rafiee H. , Ghaffari M. H.
Published: November 2022

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of partial replacement of inorganic minerals (IM) with trace minerals in advance chelate components form in starter diets for calves of different birth weights on performance, health, and behavior of Holstein calves. Fifty-two calves were assigned to 1 of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with two mineral sources (IM or advanced chelated minerals (ACMS)) and two birth weights (low or normal birth weight; LBW or NBW). Calves were weaned on d 56 and remained until d 71 of the study. Results showed that NBW calves had higher feed intake, withers and hip height, larger heart girth and lower fecal score than LBW calves throughout the study. Calves receiving ACMS tended to have higher feed intake, larger hip width, lower eye and nose scores, and lower rectal temperature throughout the study than IM calves. In addition, ACMS calves had larger abdominal girths at d 56 of the study compared to IM calves. Interactions between birth weights and mineral sources for preweaning average daily gain (ADG) and weaning and final BW showed that ACMS supplementation improved ADG and BW in LBW calves. Non-nutritive oral behavior was lower in ACMS calves compared to IM calves during all periods. Overall, ACMS feeding decreased non-nutritive oral behavior and improved calf health status during the study. In addition, feeding ACMS to dairy calves with LBW increased their ADG to a similar extent as to NBW calves, suggesting an improvement in their efficiency.
Highly efficient ultra-broad beam silicon nanophotonic antenna based on near-field phase engineering
Authors: Khajavi Shahrzad , Melati Daniele , Cheben Pavel , Schmid Jens H. , Ramos Carlos A. Alonso , Ye Winnie N.
Published: November 2022

Optical antennas are a fundamental element in optical phased arrays (OPA) and free-space optical interconnects. An outstanding challenge in optical antenna design lies in achieving high radiation efficiency, ultra-compact footprint and broad radiation angle simultaneously, as required for dense 2D OPAs with a broad steering range. Here, we demonstrate a fundamentally new concept of a nanophotonic antenna based on near-field phase-engineering. By introducing a specific near-field phase factor in the Fraunhofer transformation, the far-field beam is widened beyond the diffraction limit for a given aperture size. We use transversally interleaved subwavelength grating nanostructures to control the near-field phase. A Bragg reflector is used at the end of the grating to increase both the efficiency and the far-field beam width. The antenna has a compact footprint of 3.1 µm × 1.75 µm and an ultra-broad far-field beam width of 52° and 62° in the longitudinal and transversal direction, respectively, while the radiation efficiency reaches 82% after incorporating a bottom reflector to further improve the directionality. This unprecedented design performance is achieved with a single-etch grating nanostructure in a 300-nm SOI platform.
Exercise preconditioning improves electrocardiographic signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias occurring after exhaustive exercise in rats
Authors: Guo Yuan-Pan , Pan Shan-Shan
Published: November 2022

Exercise preconditioning (EP) has a good myocardial protective effect. This study explored whether EP improves electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and the occurrence of malignant arrhythmia after exhaustive exercise. A total of 120 male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group (group C), early exercise preconditioning group (group EEP), late exercise preconditioning group (group LEP), exhaustive exercise group (group EE), early exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group EEP + EE) and late exercise preconditioning + exhaustive exercise group (group LEP + EE). Changes in heart rate (HR), ST segment, T wave and QT corrected (QTc) intervals on ECG; hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid (HBFP) staining; and cTnI levels were used to study myocardial injury and the protective effect of EP. Compared with those in group C, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EE were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with those in group EE, the levels of plasma markers of myocardial injury, HBFP staining and ECG in group EEP + EE and group LEP + EE were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results suggested that EP improved ECG signs of myocardial ischemic/hypoxic injury and malignant arrhythmias that occur after exhaustive exercise. The ST segment and T wave could also serve as indexes for evaluating exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial ischemia/hypoxia.
The effect of mutations on binding interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain and neutralizing antibodies B38 and CB6
Authors: Barnes Jonathan E. , Lund-Andersen Peik K. , Patel Jagdish Suresh , Ytreberg F. Marty
Published: November 2022

SARS-CoV-2 is the pathogen responsible for COVID-19 that has claimed over six million lives as of July 2022. The severity of COVID-19 motivates a need to understand how it could evolve to escape potential treatments and to find ways to strengthen existing treatments. Here, we used the molecular modeling methods MD + FoldX and PyRosetta to study the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (S-RBD) bound to two neutralizing antibodies, B38 and CB6 and generated lists of antibody escape and antibody strengthening mutations. Our resulting watchlist contains potential antibody escape mutations against B38/CB6 and consists of 211/186 mutations across 35/22 S-RBD sites. Some of these mutations have been identified in previous studies as being significant in human populations (e.g., N501Y). The list of potential antibody strengthening mutations that are predicted to improve binding of B38/CB6 to S-RBD consists of 116/45 mutations across 29/13 sites. These mutations could be used to improve the therapeutic value of these antibodies.
Organ perfusion during partial REBOA in haemorrhagic shock: dynamic 4D-CT analyses in swine
Authors: Matsumura Yosuke , Higashi Akiko , Izawa Yoshimitsu , Hishikawa Shuji
Published: November 2022

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) increases proximal blood pressure while inducing distal ischemia of visceral organs. The evaluation of distal ischemia severity during REBOA is a prerequisite for safe resuscitation of haemorrhagic shock patients with REBOA. We evaluated changes in blood flow and organ perfusion due to the degree of occlusion using dynamic 4D-computed tomography (CT). We compared the results with those of a previous study on euvolemic status. Delayed enhancement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) without retrograde flow was observed in the 4D-volume rendering images in the high-degree occlusion. The time-density curve (TDC) of the liver parenchyma (liver perfusion) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV) demonstrated a decreased peak density and a delayed peak in high-degree occlusion. The change rate of the area under the TDC of the liver and SMV decreased linearly as the degree of occlusion increased (PV, Y = −1.071*X + 106.8, r2 = 0.972, P = 0.0003; liver, Y = −1.050*X + 101.8, r2 = 0.933, P = 0.0017; SMV, Y = −0.985*X + 100.3, r2 = 0.952, P = 0.0009). Dynamic 4D-CT revealed less severe IVC congestion during P-REBOA in haemorrhagic shock than in euvolemia. Analyses of TDC of the liver and SMV revealed a linear change in organ perfusion, regardless of intravascular volume.
The effect of work area on work alienation among China’s grassroots judicial administrators
Authors: Liu Nian , Zhang Meiling , Feng Boya
Published: November 2022

Work alienation refers to mental self-separation from work, and it is an integral reflection of workers and their work. Few studies have explored the association between work area and work alienation among grassroots judicial administrators. A stratified sampling method was used to collect data from 288 grassroots judicial administrators in Guangzhou to measure the overall status quo and work alienation in this group. This study found that the current grassroots judicial administrative team has a reasonable structure, high professional quality, and rich grassroots work experience, but a high level of work intensity (Mean = .667) and a lack of autonomy (Mean = .757) are prominent. Work area (unstandardized regression coefficient, B = .917) is significantly related to work alienation when controlling for sociodemographic and work characteristic variables: the closer the work area is to the city centre areas, the higher the level of work alienation. In addition, education level also has a significant effect on work alienation: the lower the individual education level is, the stronger the work alienation. The discussion focuses on the knowledge needs in grassroots judicial administrative work and the importance of the external working environment, and further research implications are proposed.
Instant quantification of sugars in milk tablets using near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometric tools
Authors: Thanavanich Chanat , Phuangsaijai Nutthatida , Thiraphatchotiphum Chanidapha , Theanjumpol Parichat , Kittiwachana Sila
Published: November 2022

Milk tablets are a popular dairy product in many Asian countries. This research aimed to develop an instant and rapid method for determining sucrose and lactose contents in milk tablets using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. For the quantitative analysis, a training set composed of laboratory-scale milk samples was generated based on a central composite design (CCD) and used to establish partial least squares (PLS) regression for the predictions of sucrose and lactose contents resulting in R2 values of 0.9749 and 0.9987 with the corresponding root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) values of 1.69 and 0.35. However, the physical difference between the laboratory-scale powder and the final product milk tablet samples resulted in spectral deviations that dramatically affected the predictive performance of the PLS models. Therefore, calibration transfer methods called direct standardization (DS) and piecewise direct standardization (PDS) were used to adjust the NIR spectra from the real milk tablet samples before the quantitative prediction. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a reference method, the developed NIR-chemometric model could be used to instantly predict the sugar contents in real milk tablets by producing root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values for sucrose and lactose of 5.04 and 4.22 with Q2 values of 0.7973 and 0.9411, respectively, after the PDS transformation.
Sleep quality of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a prospective longitudinal study with 5-year follow-up
Authors: Koo Dae Lim , Park Yangmi , Nam Hyunwoo , Chai Young Jun
Published: November 2022

We evaluated the pre- and postoperative sleep quality of patients with newly diagnosed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) who underwent thyroid surgery, and investigated the factors associated with persistent poor sleep quality. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Epworth sleepiness scale, and Stanford sleepiness scale were used to estimate sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Face-to-face surveys were conducted preoperatively, and 1, 4, and 10 months after thyroid surgery. The PSQI was administered during a telephone interview about after 5 years after surgery. Forty-six patients (mean age 47.3 ± 10.1 years) with PTC (11 males, 35 females) were included in this study. Twenty-one participants underwent lobectomy and 25 underwent total thyroidectomy. Preoperatively, 35 (76.1%) patients showed poor sleep quality. PSQI scores at postoperative 1, 4, and 10 months were significantly lower than preoperative scores (p < 0.001). Postoperative 5-year PSQI scores decreased significantly compared to the preoperative scores (p < 0.001). Patients newly diagnosed with PTC suffered from sleep disturbance before and after surgery for at least 10 months, recovering to a comparable rate of sleep disturbance with the general population by 5 years after surgery. Higher preoperative PSQI score was at risk for prolonged poor sleep quality in patients with PTC.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Second-order convergence analysis for Hall effect and electromagnetic force on ternary nanofluid flowing via rotating disk
Authors: Shahzad Faisal , Jamshed Wasim , El Din Sayed M. , Shamshuddin Md. , Ibrahim Rabha W. , Raizah Zehba , Adnan
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this research was to estimate the thermal characteristics of tri-HNFs by investigating the impacts of ternary nanoparticles on heat transfer (HT) and fluid flow. The employment of flow-describing equations in the presence of thermal radiation, heat dissipation, and Hall current has been examined. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), copper oxide (CuO), silver (Ag), and water (H2O) nanomolecules make up the ternary HNFs under study. The physical situation was modelled using boundary layer analysis, which generates partial differential equations for a variety of essential physical factors (PDEs). Assuming that a spinning disk is what causes the flow; the rheology of the flow is enlarged and calculated in a rotating frame. Before determining the solution, the produced PDEs were transformed into matching ODEs using the second order convergent technique (SOCT) also known as Keller Box method. Due to an increase in the implicated influencing elements, several significant physical effects have been observed and documented. For resembling the resolution of nonlinear system issues come across in rolling fluid and other computational physics fields.
A pan-cancer analysis of the role of hexokinase II (HK2) in human tumors
Authors: Li Ruiqi , Mei Shuchong , Ding Qiang , Wang Qingming , Yu Li , Zi Fuming
Published: November 2022

More and more evidence show that HK2 is closely related to tumors. But no pan-cancer analysis is available. This paper aimed to explore the potential roles of HK2 across thirty-three tumors based on the datasets of the cancer genome Atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus. HK2 is highly expressed in most tumors and related to the progression of some tumors. HK2 expression was associated with the infiltration of T follicular helper cells for the TCGA tumors of uveal melanoma, breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA), breast invasive carcinoma-luminalA (BRCA-LumA), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with HPV positive (HNSC-HPV+), and cancer-associated fibroblasts for the tumors of brain lower grade glioma and stomach adenocarcinoma. Our first pan-cancer study offers a relatively comprehensive understanding of the roles of HK2 in different tumors.
Screening and health education practices related to cardiovascular risk factors among adults: results of a households survey in Sousse, Tunisia
Authors: Zammit Nawel , Belgacem Waad Ben , Ghammam Rim , Fredj Sihem Ben , Krifa Rim , Ouertani Mohamed , Maatouk Amani , Maatoug Jihene , Ghannem Hassen
Published: November 2022

In Tunisia, despite the implementation of national strategies to prevent some of cardiovascular risk factors, these diseases still represent the leading cause of death. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and assess the screening and health education practices related to these factors among the adults of Sousse (Tunisia). A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1000 households in Sousse, Tunisia. To collect data, a team of trained medical doctors administered by interview a pre-tested questionnaire and performed blood pressure and anthropometric measures at the participants’ homes. In total, 1977 adults participated in the study. Their mean age was 39.8 (± 13.8) years. The Females/Males sex ratio was 1.5. Weight excess and lack of physical activity were found in 65.4% and 60.7% of participants. Screening for obesity and android obesity were reported by 36.6% and 5.7% of health services users. Advices from a healthcare professional to practice the recommended physical activity and eat healthily were reported by less than a third of these latter. Screening and health education practices related to cardiovascular risk factors should be reinforced in the Tunisian healthcare facilities. The implementation of multisectoral actions is necessary at the national level in order to obtain an environment that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Maternal and child FUT2 and FUT3 status demonstrate relationship with gut health, body composition and growth of children in Bangladesh
Authors: Gazi Md. Amran , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Hossaini Farzana , Alam Md. Ashraful , Hossain Md. Shabab , Hossain Md. Daluwar , Das Subhasish , Haque Rashidul , Mahfuz Mustafa , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: November 2022

Fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) and 3 (FUT3) may influence host biological functions. We aim to assess the relationship between maternal and child FUT2 (Secretor) and FUT3 (Lewis) status with growth, body composition, gut health and histologic features in Bangladeshi children. We conducted a case–control study where secretor and Lewis status were ascertained from saliva samples of 408 mother–child dyads. Upper-arm fat area estimate (UFE) and total upper arm area (TUA) were found higher among children of Lewis negative mothers (p = 0.01 and p = 0.07, respectively). Changes in UFE after nutrition intervention were significantly greater among Lewis positive children than those of negative for Lewis (p = 0.05). Significant differences were observed for child UFE based on secretor and Lewis status of the mothers (p = 0.04). Lewis positive children had greater changes in WAZ (p = 0.07) and WLZ (p = 0.02) than Lewis negative children at the end of nutrition intervention. Fecal Reg1B was elevated in secretor positive children compared to their counterparts (p = 0.03). Lewis negative children had higher concentrations of MPO compared to Lewis positive children (p = 0.08). We also observed a higher frequency of subtotal villous atrophy among secretor negative and Lewis positive children (p = 0.09 and p = 0.01, respectively) than those of their counterparts. The findings provide insights for further studies to elucidate causal influences.
Infrared nanospectroscopic imaging of DNA molecules on mica surface
Authors: Custovic Irma , Pocholle Nicolas , Bourillot Eric , Lesniewska Eric , Piétrement Olivier
Published: November 2022

Significant efforts have been done in last two decades to develop nanoscale spectroscopy techniques owning to their great potential for single-molecule structural detection and in addition, to resolve open questions in heterogeneous biological systems, such as protein–DNA complexes. Applying IR-AFM technique has become a powerful leverage for obtaining simultaneous absorption spectra with a nanoscale spatial resolution for studied proteins, however the AFM-IR investigation of DNA molecules on surface, as a benchmark for a nucleoprotein complexes nanocharacterization, has remained elusive. Herein, we demonstrate methodological approach for acquisition of AFM-IR mapping modalities with corresponding absorption spectra based on two different DNA deposition protocols on spermidine and Ni2+ pretreated mica surface. The nanoscale IR absorbance of distinctly formed DNA morphologies on mica are demonstrated through series of AFM-IR absorption maps with corresponding IR spectrum. Our results thus demonstrate the sensitivity of AFM-IR nanospectroscopy for a nucleic acid research with an open potential to be employed in further investigation of nucleoprotein complexes.
Single-nucleus transcriptomics of IDH1- and TP53-mutant glioma stem cells displays diversified commitment on invasive cancer progenitors
Authors: Gulaia Valeriia , Shmelev Mikhail , Romanishin Aleksander , Shved Nikita , Farniev Vladislav , Goncharov Nikolay , Biktimirov Arthur , Vargas Irene Lisa , Khodosevich Konstantin , Kagansky Alexander , Kumeiko Vadim
Published: November 2022

Glioma is a devastating brain tumor with a high mortality rate attributed to the glioma stem cells (GSCs) possessing high plasticity. Marker mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase type 1 (IDH1) and tumor protein 53 (TP53) are frequent in gliomas and impact the cell fate decisions. Understanding the GSC heterogeneity within IDH1- and TP53- mutant tumors may elucidate possible treatment targets. Here, we performed single-nucleus transcriptomics of mutant and wild-type glioma samples sorted for Sox2 stem cell marker. For the first time the rare subpopulations of Sox2 + IDH1- and TP53-mutant GSCs were characterized. In general, GSCs contained the heterogeneity root subpopulation resembling active neural stem cells capable of asymmetric division to quiescent and transit amplifying cell branches. Specifically, double-mutant GSCs revealed the commitment on highly invasive oligodendrocyte- and astroglia-like progenitors. Additionally, double-mutant GSCs displayed upregulated markers of collagen synthesis, altered lipogenesis and high migration, while wild-type GSCs expressed genes related to ATP production. Wild-type GSC root population was highly heterogeneous and lacked the signature marker expression, thus glioblastoma treatment should emphasize on establishing differentiation protocol directed against residual GSCs. For the more differentiated IDH1- and TP53-mutant gliomas we suggest therapeutic targeting of migration molecules, such as CD44.
A new mode of luminescence in lanthanide oxalates metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Alzard Reem H. , Siddig Lamia A. , Saleh Na’il , Nguyen Ha L. , Nguyen Quynh Anh T. , Ho Thi H. , Bui Viet Q. , Sethupathi K. , Sreejith P. K. , Alzamly Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Two lanthanide metal–organic frameworks [Ln-MOFs, Ln = Eu(III), Tb(III)] composed of oxalic acid and Ln building units were hydrothermally synthesized and fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, their magnetic susceptibility measurements were obtained using SQUID based vibrating sample magnetometer (MPMS 3, Quantum Design). Both Ln-MOFs exhibited highly efficient luminescent property. Solid-state photoluminescence (PL) measurements revealed phosphorescence emission bands of Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF centered at 618 nm (red emission) and 550 nm (green emission) upon excitation at 396 nm and 285 nm, respectively. Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF displayed a phosphorescence quantum yield of 53% and 40%, respectively. Time-resolved PL analyses showed very long lifetime values, at 600 and 1065 ± 1 µs for Eu-MOF and Tb-MOF, respectively. Calculations performed by density functional theory indicated a charge transfer form metal centres to the ligand which was in good agreement with the experimental studies. Therefore, this new mode of highly photoluminescent MOF materials is studied for the first time which paves the way for better understanding of these systems for potential applications.
Identification of hub ferroptosis-related genes and immune infiltration in lupus nephritis using bioinformatics
Authors: Hu Weitao , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: November 2022

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most severe and more common organ manifestations of the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus. Ferroptosis, a novel type of programmed cell death, so far its role in LN remains uncertain. In the present study, we explored the role of ferroptosis in LN and its relationship with the immune response. The GSE112943 LN dataset was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Ferroptosis-Related Genes (FRGs) that drive, suppress or mark ferroptosis were retrieved from the public FerrDb database. The gene expression matrix of the GSE112943 dataset was analyzed with the “limma” package in R to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LN and healthy samples. Subsequently, the crossover genes between DEGs and FRGs were identified as differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes (DE-FRGs). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, visualization, and identification of hub lupus nephritis ferroptosis-related genes (LN-FRGs) were performed with STRING and Cytoscape, while their Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were determined with the clusterProfiler package. Immune cell infiltration was calculated with CIBERSORT. The relationship between hub LN-FRGs and immune-infiltrated cells in LN was determined by Pearson correlation. A total of 96 DE-FRGs and 8 hub LN-FRGs (KRAS, PIK3CA, EGFR, MAPK14, SRC, MAPK3, VEGFA, and ATM) were identified. GO and KEGG functional classification indicated these genes enrichment in apoptotic process, programmed cell death, autophagy-animal, FoxO signaling pathway, relaxin signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway. Infiltration matrix analysis of immune cells showed abundant Monocytes and M0/M1/M2 macrophages in LN kidney tissues. Correlation analysis revealed 8 hub LN-FRGs associated with immune-infiltrated cells in LN. In summary, overproduction of ROS and abnormal infiltration of immune cells would be implicated in the LN caused by ferroptosis. 8 hub lupus nephritis ferroptosis-related genes (LN-FRGs) which might be good biomarkers of ferroptosis in LN were identified in this study. These findings point to the immune response playing an important role in LN caused by ferroptosis via mutual regulation between hub LN-FRGs and immune-infiltrated cells.
Effect of anemoside B4 on milk whey in clinical mastitis-affected cows elucidated using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics
Authors: Shen Liu-hong , Zhang Yue , Shen Yu , Su Zhe-tong , Yu Shu-min , Cao Sui-zhong , Zong Xiao-lan
Published: November 2022

Intramuscular injection of anemoside B4 (AB4) has a superior therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in lactating cows. Here, we explored AB4’s effect on milk whey in clinical mastitis-affected cows using proteomics. Among fifty clinical mastitis cows received AB4 administration (0.05 ml/kg/day, for 7 days), twelve healed cows were selected and marked as group T. Twelve clinically heathy cows received the same dose of saline for 7 days, marked as group C. Collected milk whey of group T before and after AB4 administration marked as T1 and T2, respectively. The milk whey of group C after saline injection marked as C1. Milk whey protein changes were detected using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic. We identified 872 quantifiable proteins in the samples. Among them, 511 proteins between T1 and C1, and 361 proteins between T2 and T1 were significantly altered. T1 than C1 had significantly more proteins associated with inflammatory damage and trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, whereas these proteins were reduced in T2 treated with AB4. Compared with C, proteins associated with fibrin clot degradation and complement system activation were downregulated in T1 but upregulated in T2. In summary, AB4 can exert its therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in cows mainly by reducing inflammatory damage, activating the complement system, inhibiting trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, and promoting degradation of milk fibrin clots.
The negative impact of xenophobia on compassion with suffering out-group members is attenuated by trait empathy
Authors: Plieger Thomas , Marx Sophie , von Gagern Elena , Bode Stefan , Reuter Martin
Published: November 2022

Empathy enables human beings to understand and share the internal states of others. Studies show that empathy for pain is higher for in-group compared to out-group members. This might be driven by attitudes and biases towards out-groups. In a between subject design, N = 621 participants filled in questionnaires measuring xenophobia and trait empathy and were presented with photos of suffering individuals either from the in-group or an out-group, which had to be rated with respect to negative affect and the willingness to help the depicted persons. Results do not show more compassion with members of the in-group in general, but a negative effect of xenophobia on state empathy in the out-group condition. Additional moderation analyses show that this effect is less evident in presence of high trait empathy scores. Our results highlight the importance of empathy trainings to attenuate the effects of xenophobic attitudes on social cohabitation in our increasingly polarized and culturally diverse societies.
Using FlowCam and molecular techniques to assess the diversity of Cyanobacteria species in water used for food production
Authors: Mutoti Mulalo I. , Jideani Afam I. O. , Gumbo Jabulani R.
Published: November 2022

Globally, the occurrence of cyanobacteria in water currently remains an important subject as they produce cyanotoxins that pose threat to human health. Studies on the contamination of maize meals during mill grinding processes using cyanobacteria-contaminated water have not been conducted. The present study aimed to assess the diversity of cyanobacteria in the samples (process water, uncooked maize meal, and cooked maize meal (porridge)). Polymerized Chain Reaction (PCR) and Advanced digital flow cytometry (FlowCAM) were used to detect and identify cyanobacterial species available in these samples. 16S Primers (forward and reverse) tailed with Universal Sequences were used for amplification and sequencing of full-length 16S rRNA genes from cyanobacteria found in all samples. Cyanobacterial species from order Nostocales, Pseudanabaenales, Oscillatoriales Chroococcales, Synechococcales, and unclassified cyanobacterial order, some of which have the potential to produce cyanotoxins were amplified and identified in process water, raw maize meal and porridge samples using PCR. Images of the genusMicrocystis, Phormidium, andLeptolyngbyawere captured in process water samples using FlowCAM. These findings show the presence of cyanobacteria species in process water used for maize meal and the absence in cooked maize meal. The presence of cyanobacteria in process water is likely another route of human exposure to cyanotoxins.
Three-dimensional mapping reveals heterochronic development of the neuromuscular system in postnatal mouse skeletal muscles
Authors: Xu Jianyi , Zhu Jingtan , Li Yusha , Yao Yingtao , Xuan Ang , Li Dongyu , Yu Tingting , Zhu Dan
Published: November 2022

The development of the neuromuscular system, including muscle growth and intramuscular neural development, in addition to central nervous system maturation, determines motor ability improvement. Motor development occurs asynchronously from cephalic to caudal. However, whether the structural development of different muscles is heterochronic is unclear. Here, based on the characteristics of motor behavior in postnatal mice, we examined the 3D structural features of the neuromuscular system in different muscles by combining tissue clearing with optical imaging techniques. Quantitative analyses of the structural data and related mRNA expression revealed that there was continued myofiber hyperplasia of the forelimb and hindlimb muscles until around postnatal day 3 (P3) and P6, respectively, as well as continued axonal arborization and neuromuscular junction formation until around P3 and P9, respectively; feature alterations of the cervical muscle ended at birth. Such structural heterochrony of muscles in different body parts corresponds to their motor function. Structural data on the neuromuscular system of neonatal muscles provide a 3D perspective in the understanding of the structural status during motor development.
Matching amino acids membrane preference profile to improve activity of antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Kim Shanghyeon , Lee Jaehoo , Lee Sol , Kim Hyein , Sim Ji-Yeong , Pak Boryeong , Kim Kyeongmin , Il Kim Jae
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are cationic antibiotics that can kill multidrug-resistant bacteria via membrane insertion. However, their weak activity limits their clinical use. Ironically, the cationic charge of AMPs is essential for membrane binding, but it obstructs membrane insertion. In this study, we postulate that this problem can be overcome by locating cationic amino acids at the energetically preferred membrane surface. All amino acids have an energetically preferred or less preferred membrane position profile, and this profile is strongly related to membrane insertion. However, most AMPs do not follow this profile. One exception is protegrin-1, a powerful but neglected AMP. In the present study, we found that a potent AMP, WCopW5, strongly resembles protegrin-1 and that the match between its sequence and the preferred position profile closely correlates with its antimicrobial activity. One of its derivatives, WCopW43, has antimicrobial activity comparable to that of the most effective AMPs in clinical use.
Structure-guided product determination of the bacterial type II diterpene synthase Tpn2
Authors: Stowell Emma A. , Ehrenberger Michelle A. , Lin Ya-Lin , Chang Chin-Yuan , Rudolf Jeffrey D.
Published: November 2022

A grand challenge in terpene synthase (TS) enzymology is the ability to predict function from protein sequence. Given the limited number of characterized bacterial TSs and significant sequence diversities between them and their eukaryotic counterparts, this is currently impossible. To contribute towards understanding the sequence-structure-function relationships of type II bacterial TSs, we determined the structure of the terpentedienyl diphosphate synthase Tpn2 fromKitasatosporasp. CB02891 by X-ray crystallography and made structure-guided mutants to probe its mechanism. Substitution of a glycine into a basic residue changed the product preference from the clerodane skeleton to asyn-labdane skeleton, resulting in the firstsyn-labdane identified from a bacterial TS. Understanding how a single residue can dictate the cyclization pattern in Tpn2, along with detailed bioinformatics analysis of bacterial type II TSs, sets the stage for the investigation of the functional scope of bacterial type II TSs and the discovery of novel bacterial terpenoids.
Unbounded randomness from uncharacterized sources
Authors: Avesani Marco , Tebyanian Hamid , Villoresi Paolo , Vallone Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

Randomness is a central feature of quantum mechanics and an invaluable resource for both classical and quantum technologies. Commonly, in Device-Independent and Semi-Device-Independent scenarios, randomness is certified using projective measurements, and its amount is bounded by the quantum system’s dimension. Here, we propose a Source-Device-Independent protocol, based on Positive Operator Valued Measurement (POVM), which can arbitrarily increase the number of certified bits for any fixed dimension. Additionally, the proposed protocol doesn’t require an initial seed and active basis switching, simplifying its experimental implementation and increasing the generation rates. A tight lower-bound on the quantum conditional min-entropy is derived using only the POVM structure and the experimental expectation values, taking into account the quantum side-information. For symmetric POVM on the Bloch sphere, we derive closed-form analytical bounds. Finally, we experimentally demonstrate our method with a compact and simple photonic setup that employs polarization-encoded qubits and POVM up to 6 outcomes.
Interaction of microswimmers in viscoelastic liquid crystals
Authors: Chi Hai , Gavrikov Alexander , Berlyand Leonid , Aranson Igor S.
Published: November 2022

Swimming bacteria successfully colonize complex non-Newtonian environments exemplified by viscoelastic media and liquid crystals. While there is a significant body of research on microswimmer motility in viscoelastic liquids, the motion in anisotropic fluids still lacks clarity. This paper studies how individual microswimmers (e.g., bacteria) interact in a mucus-like environment modeled by a visco-elastic liquid crystal. We have found that an individual swimmer moves faster along the same track after the direction reversal, in faithful agreement with the experiment. This behavior is attributed to the formation of the transient tunnel due to the visco-elastic medium memory. We observed that the aft swimmer has a higher velocity for two swimmers traveling along the same track and catches up with the leading swimmer. Swimmers moving in a parallel course attract each other and then travel at a close distance. A pair of swimmers launched at different angles form a "train”: after some transient, the following swimmers repeat the path of the "leader”. Our results shed light on bacteria penetration in mucus and colonization of heterogeneous liquid environments.