bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic Novelties of Woody Litter Fungi (Didymosphaeriaceae, Pleosporales) from the Greater Mekong Subregion
Authors: Ren Guangcong , Wanasinghe Dhanushka N. , de Farias Antonio Roberto Gomes , Hyde Kevin D. , Yasanthika Erandi , Xu Jianchu , Balasuriya Abhaya , Chethana Kandawatte Wedaralalage Thilini , Gui Heng
Published: November 2022

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is known as a diverse geographic landscape and one of the richest biodiversity hotspots in the world with a high fungal diversity. Collections were carried out in terrestrial habitats to determine the diversity of woody litter fungi in the GMS, with an emphasis on northern Thailand and the Yunnan Province of China. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses of combined SSU, LSU, ITS, and tef1-α supported the placement of the new isolates in the family Didymosphaeriaceae. The phylogenetic affinities of our isolates are illustrated through maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. Seven species of woody litter fungi were identified, comprising a new monotypic genus, Septofusispora; five novel species (Chromolaenicola sapindi, Dictyoarthrinium thailandicum, Karstenula lancangensis, Septofusispora thailandica, and Spegazzinia jinghaensis); and new host records of two species (Austropleospora archidendri, and Montagnula donacina). Furthermore, this study provides a synopsis of the Montagnula aff. donacina species based on their morphological characteristics, which can be useful in the species-level identifications in this genus.
Zinc’s Association with the CmPn/CmP Signaling Network in Breast Cancer Tumorigenesis
Authors: Renteria Mellisa , Belkin Ofek , Aickareth Justin , Jang David , Hawwar Majd , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2022

It is well-known that serum and cellular concentrations of zinc are altered in breast cancer patients. Specifically, there are notable zinc hyper-aggregates in breast tumor cells when compared to normal mammary epithelial cells. However, the mechanisms responsible for zinc accumulation and the consequences of zinc dysregulation are poorly understood. In this review, we detailed cellular zinc regulation/dysregulation under the influence of varying levels of sex steroids and breast cancer tumorigenesis to try to better understand the intricate relationship between these factors based on our current understanding of the CmPn/CmP signaling network. We also made some efforts to propose a relationship between zinc signaling and the CmPn/CmP signaling network.
Osteoglycin: An ECM Factor Regulating Fibrosis and Tumorigenesis
Authors: Nulali Jiayida , Zhan Ming , Zhang Kaiwen , Tu Pinghui , Liu Yu , Song Huaidong
Published: November 2022

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is made up of noncellular components that have special properties for influencing cell behavior and tissue structure. Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are nonfibrillar ECM components that serve as structural scaffolds and signaling molecules. osteoglycin (OGN), a class III SLRP, is a ubiquitous ECM component that not only helps to organize the extracellular matrix but also regulates a number of important biological processes. As a glycosylated protein in the ECM, OGN was originally considered to be involved in fiber assembly and was reported to have a connection with fibrosis. In addition to these functions, OGN is found in a variety of cancer tissues and is implicated in cellular processes linked to tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this review, we summarize the structure and functions of OGN as well as its biological and clinical importance in the context of fibrotic illness and tumorigenesis. This review aims to improve our understanding of OGN and provide some new strategies for the treatment of fibrosis and cancer.
Differential Gene Expression and DNA Methylation in the Risk of Depression in LOAD Patients
Authors: Upadhya Suraj , Gingerich Daniel , Lutz Michael William , Chiba-Falek Ornit
Published: November 2022

Depression is common among late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD) patients. Only a few studies investigated the genetic variability underlying the comorbidity of depression in LOAD. Moreover, the epigenetic and transcriptomic factors that may contribute to comorbid depression in LOAD have yet to be studied. Using transcriptomic and DNA-methylomic datasets from the ROSMAP cohorts, we investigated differential gene expression and DNA-methylation in LOAD patients with and without comorbid depression. Differential expression analysis did not reveal significant association between differences in gene expression and the risk of depression in LOAD. Upon sex-stratification, we identified 25 differential expressed genes (DEG) in males, of which CHI3L2 showed the strongest upregulation, and only 3 DEGs in females. Additionally, testing differences in DNA-methylation found significant hypomethylation of CpG (cg20442550) on chromosome 17 (log2FC = −0.500, p = 0.004). Sex-stratified differential DNA-methylation analysis did not identify any significant CpG probes. Integrating the transcriptomic and DNA-methylomic datasets did not discover relationships underlying the comorbidity of depression and LOAD. Overall, our study is the first multi-omics genome-wide exploration of the role of gene expression and epigenome alterations in the risk of comorbid depression in LOAD patients. Furthermore, we discovered sex-specific differences in gene expression underlying the risk of depression symptoms in LOAD.
Subgenomic RNAs and Their Encoded Proteins Contribute to the Rapid Duplication of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Progression
Authors: Zhang Yifan , Zhang Xinglong , Zheng Huiwen , Liu Longding
Published: November 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is currently widespread throughout the world, accompanied by a rising number of people infected and breakthrough infection of variants, which make the virus highly transmissible and replicable. A comprehensive understanding of the molecular virological events and induced immunological features during SARS-CoV-2 replication can provide reliable targets for vaccine and drug development. Among the potential targets, subgenomic RNAs and their encoded proteins involved in the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 are extremely important in viral duplication and pathogenesis. Subgenomic RNAs employ a range of coping strategies to evade immune surveillance from replication to translation, which allows RNAs to synthesize quickly, encode structural proteins efficiently and complete the entire process of virus replication and assembly successfully. This review focuses on the characteristics and functions of SARS-CoV-2 subgenomic RNAs and their encoded proteins and explores in depth the role of subgenomic RNAs in the replication and infection of host cells to provide important clues to the mechanism of COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Periodontal Regenerative Therapy Using rhFGF-2 and Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral versus rhFGF-2 Alone: 4-Year Extended Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Seshima Fumi , Bizenjima Takahiro , Aoki Hideto , Imamura Kentaro , Kita Daichi , Irokawa Daisuke , Matsugami Daisuke , Kitamura Yurie , Yamashita Keiko , Sugito Hiroki , Tomita Sachiyo , Saito Atsushi
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinal outcomes of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhFGF)-2 plus deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) therapy in comparison with rhFGF-2 alone for treating periodontal intrabony defects. This study describes 4-year follow-up outcomes of the original randomized controlled trial. Intrabony defects in periodontitis patients were treated with rhFGF-2 (control) or rhFGF-2 plus DBBM (test). Clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures were used to evaluate the outcomes. Thirty-two sites were able to be followed up. At 4 years postoperatively, clinical attachment level (CAL) gains in the test and control groups were 3.5 ± 1.4 mm and 2.7 ± 1.4 mm, respectively, showing significant improvement from preoperative values but no difference between groups. Both groups showed an increase in radiographic bone fill (RBF) over time. At 4 years, the mean value for RBF in the test group (62%) was significantly greater than that in the control group (42%). In 1–2-wall defects, the test treatment yielded significantly greater RBF than the control treatment. No significant difference in PRO scores was noted between the groups. Although no significant difference in CAL gain was found between the groups at the 4-year follow-up, the combination treatment significantly enhanced RBF. Favorable clinical, radiographic outcomes, and PRO in both groups can be maintained for at least 4 years.
Culture of Cancer Cells at Physiological Oxygen Levels Affects Gene Expression in a Cell-Type Specific Manner
Authors: Alva Ricardo , Moradi Fereshteh , Liang Ping , Stuart Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2022

Standard cell culture is routinely performed at supraphysiological oxygen levels (~18% O2). Conversely, O2 levels in most mammalian tissues range from 1–6% (physioxia). Such hyperoxic conditions in cell culture can alter reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, metabolism, mitochondrial networks, and response to drugs and hormones. The aim of this study was to investigate the transcriptional response to different O2 levels and determine whether it is similar across cell lines, or cell line-specific. Using RNA-seq, we performed differential gene expression and functional enrichment analyses in four human cancer cell lines, LNCaP, Huh-7, PC-3, and SH-SY5Y cultured at either 5% or 18% O2 for 14 days. We found that O2 levels affected transcript abundance of thousands of genes, with the affected genes having little overlap between cell lines. Functional enrichment analysis also revealed different processes and pathways being affected by O2 in each cell line. Interestingly, most of the top differentially expressed genes are involved in cancer biology, which highlights the importance of O2 levels in cancer cell research. Further, we observed several hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) targets, HIF-2α targets particularly, upregulated at 5% O2, consistent with a role for HIFs in physioxia. O2 levels also differentially induced the transcription of mitochondria-encoded genes in most cell lines. Finally, by comparing our transcriptomic data from LNCaP and PC-3 with datasets from the Prostate Cancer Transcriptome Atlas, a correlation between genes upregulated at 5% O2 in LNCaP cells and the in vivo prostate cancer transcriptome was found. We conclude that the transcriptional response to O2 over the range from 5–18% is robust and highly cell-type specific. This latter finding indicates that the effects of O2 levels are difficult to predict and thus highlights the importance of regulating O2 in cell culture.
Non-Myelofibrosis Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Patients Show Better Seroconversion Rates after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Compared to Other Hematologic Diseases: A Multicentric Prospective Study of KroHem
Authors: Sertić Zrinka , Lucijanić Marko , Bašić-Kinda Sandra , Serventi Seiwerth Ranka , Periša Vlatka , Sertić Dubravka , Coha Božena , Pulanić Dražen , Perić Zinaida , Desnica Lana , Mikulić Mirta , Vodanović Marijo , Radman-Livaja Ivo , Šegulja Dragana , Rogić Dunja , Valković Toni , Aurer Igor , Duraković Nadira
Published: November 2022

Disease- and treatment-mediated immunodeficiency might render SARS-CoV-2 vaccines less effective in patients with hematologic diseases. We performed a prospective non-interventional study to evaluate humoral response after one and two doses of mRNA-1273, BNT162b2, or ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in 118 patients with different malignant or non-malignant hematologic diseases from three Croatian treatment centers. An electrochemiluminescent assay was used to measure total anti-SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD antibody titers. After one vaccine dose, 20/66 (33%) achieved seropositivity with a median antibody titer of 6.1 U/mL. The response rate (58/90, 64.4%) and median antibody titer (>250 U/mL) were higher after two doses. Seropositivity varied with diagnosis (overall p < 0.001), with the lowest rates in lymphoma (34.6%) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (52.5%). The overall response rate in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (CMPN) was 81.3% but reached 100% in chronic myeloid leukemia and other non-myelofibrosis CMPN. At univariable analysis, age > 67 years, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, active treatment, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy increased the likelihood of no vaccine response, while hematopoietic stem cell recipients were more likely to respond. Age and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy remained associated with no response in a multivariable model. Patients with the hematologic disease have attenuated responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and significant variations in different disease subgroups warrant an individualized approach.
The Immunological Epigenetic Landscape of the Human Life Trajectory
Authors: Juříčková Iva , Hudec Michael , Votava Felix , Vosáhlo Jan , Ovsepian Saak Victor , Černá Marie , O’Leary Valerie Bríd
Published: November 2022

Adaptive immunity changes over an individual’s lifetime, maturing by adulthood and diminishing with old age. Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA and histone methylation form the molecular basis of immunological memory during lymphocyte development. Monocytes alter their function to convey immune tolerance, yet the epigenetic influences at play remain to be fully understood in the context of lifespan. This study of a healthy genetically homogenous cohort of children, adults and seniors sought to decipher the epigenetic dynamics in B-lymphocytes and monocytes. Variable global cytosine methylation within retro-transposable LINE-1 repeats was noted in monocytes compared to B-lymphocytes across age groups. The expression of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ alpha chain gene HLA-DQA1*01 revealed significantly reduced levels in monocytes in all ages relative to B-lymphocytes, as well as between lifespan groups. High melting point analysis and bisulfite sequencing of the HLA-DQA1*01 promoter in monocytes highlighted variable cytosine methylation in children and seniors but greater stability at this locus in adults. Further epigenetic evaluation revealed higher histone lysine 27 trimethylation in monocytes from this adult group. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA pulldown demonstrated association with a novel lncRNA TINA with structurally conserved similarities to the previously recognized epigenetic modifier PARTICLE. Seeking to interpret the epigenetic immunological landscape across three representative age groups, this study focused on HLA-DQA1*01 to expose cytosine and histone methylation alterations and their association with the non-coding transcriptome. Such insights unveil previously unknown complex epigenetic layers, orchestrating the strength and weakening of adaptive immunity with the progression of life.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Pancreatic Interstitial Laser Ablation Using a Cylindrical Laser Diffuser: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study
Authors: Lee Jungnam , Seo Youjeong , Truong Van Gia , Jeong Hye Jung , Lim Jung-Hyun , Lim Seonghee , Kang Hyun Wook , Park Jin-Seok
Published: November 2022

Background and Aims: Local ablative treatment is another option for improving outcomes and has been evaluated for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. We previously suggested endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interstitial laser ablation using a cylindrical laser diffuser (CILA) might be a feasible therapeutic option based on experiments performed on pancreatic cancer cell lines and porcine model with a short follow-up (3 days). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of EUS-CILA performed using optimal settings in porcine pancreas with a long-term follow-up (2 weeks). Methods: EUS-CILA (laser energy of 450 J; 5 W for 90 s) was applied to normal pancreatic tissue in porcine (n = 5) under EUS guidance. Animals were observed clinically for 2 weeks after EUS-CILA to evaluate complications. Computed tomography and laboratory tests were carried out to evaluate safety. Two weeks after EUS-CILA, all pigs were sacrificed, and histopathological safety and efficacy evaluations were conducted. Results: EUS-CILA was technically successful in all five cases. No major complications occurred during the follow-up period. Body weight of porcine did not change during the study period without any significant change in feed intake. Animals remained in excellent condition throughout the experimental period, and laboratory tests and computed tomography (CT) scans provided no evidence of a major complication. Histopathological evaluation showed complete ablation in the ablated area with clear delineation of surrounding normal pancreatic tissue. Mean ablated volume was 55.5 mm2 × 29.0 mm and mean ablated areas in the pancreatic sections of the five pigs were not significantly different (p = 0.368). Conclusions: In conclusion, our experimental study suggests that EUS-CILA is safe and has the potential to be an effective local treatment modality. No major morbidity or mortality occurred during the study period. Further evaluations are warranted before clinical application.
Micronuclei in Circulating Tumor Associated Macrophages Predicts Progression in Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Kasabwala Dimpal M. , Bergan Raymond C. , Gardner Kirby P. , Lapidus Rena , Tsai Susan , Aldakkak Mohammed , Adams Daniel L.
Published: November 2022

Micronuclei (MN) are fragments of damaged nucleic acids which budded from a cell’s nuclei as a repair mechanism for chromosomal instabilities, which within circulating white blood cells (cWBCs) signifies increased cancer risk, and in tumor cells indicates aggressive subtypes. MN form overtime and with therapy induction, which requires sequential monitoring of rarer cell subpopulations. We evaluated the peripheral blood (7.5 mL) for MN in Circulating Stromal Cells (CStCs) in a prospective pilot study of advanced colorectal cancer patients (n = 25), identifying MN by DAPI+ structures (<3 µm) within the cellular cytoplasm. MN+ was compared to genotoxic induction, progression free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) hazard ratios (HR) over three years. MN were identified in 44% (n = 11/25) of CStCs, but were not associated with genotoxic therapies (p = 0.110) nor stage (p = 0.137). However, presence of MN in CStCs was independently prognostic for PFS (HR = 17.2, 95% CI 3.6–80.9, p = 0.001) and OS (HR = 70.3, 95% CI 6.6–752.8, p = 0.002), indicating a non-interventional mechanism in their formation. Additionally, MN formation did not appear associated with chemotherapy induction, but was correlated with tumor response. MN formation in colorectal cancer is an underlying biological mechanism that appears independent of chemotherapeutic genotoxins, changes during treatment, and predicts for poor clinical outcomes.
The Cerebellum Is a Key Structure in the Neural Network for Mentalizing: An MRI Study in the Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Olivito Giusy , Quaranta Davide , Siciliano Libera , Caraglia Naike , Caprara Alessia , Marra Camillo , Leggio Maria , Silveri Maria Caterina
Published: November 2022

The behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is primarily characterized by deficits in social behaviour and theory of mind (ToM). Although a consensus has been reached on the roles of the cerebellum in social cognition and ToM, its specific contribution to social impairments of bvFTD has never been specifically investigated. The aim of this study was to assess cerebellar structural and functional changes in patients with bvFTD and their potential association with ToM deficits of patients. Therefore, 15 patients with bvFTD and 34 healthy subjects underwent an MRI examination. Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess cerebellar (GM) changes, and a seed-based analysis was performed to test cerebello-cerebral functional connectivity (FC). The performance of bvFTD patients in a ToM task was then correlated with FC patterns. Compared to healthy subjects, patients with bvFTD showed significant cerebellar GM loss specifically involving cerebellar Crus I-II. Additionally, FC changes FC were observed between the cerebellum and cerebral regions related to ToM. Interestingly, patterns of changes in cerebello-cerebral FC correlated with altered ToM performances explored using the “Reading the Mind with the Eyes” test (RMET) of patients. The present findings suggest that specific changes in cerebello-cerebral FC may underlie ToM alterations in patients with bvFTD.
TNBC Therapeutics Based on Combination of Fusarochromanone with EGFR Inhibitors
Authors: Carroll Natalie , Youngblood Reneau , Smith Alena , Dragoi Ana-Maria , Salvatore Brian A. , Mahdavian Elahe
Published: November 2022

Fusarochromanone is an experimental drug with unique and potent anti-cancer activity. Current cancer therapies often incorporate a combination of drugs to increase efficacy and decrease the development of drug resistance. In this study, we used drug combinations and cellular phenotypic screens to address important questions about FC101′s mode of action and its potential therapeutic synergies in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We hypothesized that FC101′s activity against TNBC is similar to the mTOR inhibitor, everolimus, because FC101 downregulates the phosphorylation of two mTOR substrates, S6K and S6. Since everolimus synergistically enhances the anti-cancer activities of two known EGFR inhibitors (erlotinib or lapatinib) in TNBC, we performed analogous studies with FC101. Phenotypic cellular assays helped assess whether FC101 acts similarly to everolimus, in both single and combination treatments with the two inhibitors. FC101 outperformed all other single treatments in both cell proliferation and viability assays. However, unlike everolimus, FC101 produced a sustained decrease in cell viability in drug washout studies. None of the other drugs were able to maintain comparable effects upon removal. Although we observed slightly additive effects when the TNBC cells were treated with FC101 and the two EGFR inhibitors, those effects were not truly synergistic in the manner displayed with everolimus.
Applications of Deep Learning for Drug Discovery Systems with BigData
Authors: Matsuzaka Yasunari , Yashiro Ryu
Published: November 2022

The adoption of “artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery”, where AI is used in the process of pharmaceutical research and development, is progressing. By using the ability to process large amounts of data, which is a characteristic of AI, and achieving advanced data analysis and inference, there are benefits such as shortening development time, reducing costs, and reducing the workload of researchers. There are various problems in drug development, but the following two issues are particularly problematic: (1) the yearly increases in development time and cost of drugs and (2) the difficulty in finding highly accurate target genes. Therefore, screening and simulation using AI are expected. Researchers have high demands for data collection and the utilization of infrastructure for AI analysis. In the field of drug discovery, for example, interest in data use increases with the amount of chemical or biological data available. The application of AI in drug discovery is becoming more active due to improvement in computer processing power and the development and spread of machine-learning frameworks, including deep learning. To evaluate performance, various statistical indices have been introduced. However, the factors affected in performance have not been revealed completely. In this study, we summarized and reviewed the applications of deep learning for drug discovery with BigData.
Deep Reinforcement Learning-Based End-to-End Control for UAV Dynamic Target Tracking
Authors: Zhao Jiang , Liu Han , Sun Jiaming , Wu Kun , Cai Zhihao , Ma Yan , Wang Yingxun
Published: November 2022

Uncertainty of target motion, limited perception ability of onboard cameras, and constrained control have brought new challenges to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) dynamic target tracking control. In virtue of the powerful fitting ability and learning ability of the neural network, this paper proposes a new deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based end-to-end control method for UAV dynamic target tracking. Firstly, a DRL-based framework using onboard camera image is established, which simplifies the traditional modularization paradigm. Secondly, neural network architecture, reward functions, and soft actor-critic (SAC)-based speed command perception algorithm are designed to train the policy network. The output of the policy network is denormalized and directly used as speed control command, which realizes the UAV dynamic target tracking. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed end-to-end control method is demonstrated by numerical simulation. The results show that the proposed DRL-based framework is feasible to simplify the traditional modularization paradigm. The UAV can track the dynamic target with rapidly changing of speed and direction.
Spatial-Division Multiplexing Approach for Simultaneous Detection of Fiber-Optic Ball Resonator Sensors: Applications for Refractometers and Biosensors
Authors: Shaimerdenova Madina , Ayupova Takhmina , Bekmurzayeva Aliya , Sypabekova Marzhan , Ashikbayeva Zhannat , Tosi Daniele
Published: November 2022

Fiber-optic ball resonators are an attractive technology for refractive index (RI) sensing and optical biosensing, as they have good sensitivity and allow for a rapid and repeatable manufacturing process. An important feature for modern biosensing devices is the multiplexing capacity, which allows for interrogating multiple sensors (potentially, with different functionalization methods) simultaneously, by a single analyzer. In this work, we report a multiplexing method for ball resonators, which is based on a spatial-division multiplexing approach. The method is validated on four ball resonator devices, experimentally evaluating both the cross-talk and the spectral shape influence of one sensor on another. We show that the multiplexing approach is highly efficient and that a sensing network with an arbitrary number of ball resonators can be designed with reasonable penalties for the sensing capabilities. Furthermore, we validate this concept in a four-sensor multiplexing configuration, for the simultaneous detection of two different cancer biomarkers across a widespread range of concentrations.
Dual Optical Nanosensor Based on Ormosil Nanoparticles for Monitoring O2 and pH
Authors: Ali Reham
Published: November 2022

Monitoring O2 and pH has excellent potential in different sensing applications, especially in biological and clinical applications. This report presents a protocol for synthesizing an optical dual nanosensor for those two parameters. The organically modified silica (ormosil) nanoparticles were prepared based on phenytrimethoxysilane in an aqueous solution using an acid-base one-pot strategy. Ormosil was selected as a lipophilic matrix for loading fluorescent O2-sensitive dye platinum(II)-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin (Pt-TPFPP), which was quenched in the presence of O2 gas and exhibited a considerable detection proficiency within a percentage range of (0–100%) O2. Commercially available drug ingredient salicylamide was labeled on the surface of the nanoparticles using a coupling agent (3-glycidoxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTMS). For measuring pH, salicylamide acted for the first time as a pH-sensitive probe based on a turn-on process with increasing pH. The nanosensor displayed a significant pH detection efficiency in the range of (pH = 6–10). Salicylamide turn-on fluorescence was attributed to the excited state intramolecular transfer (ESIPT) process followed by the inter charge transfer (ICT). The presented dual nanosensor opens new opportunities as a promising candidate material for industrial systems and medical applications.
Simple Staining of Cells on a Chip
Authors: Kosker Fatma Betul , Aydin Omer , Icoz Kutay
Published: November 2022

Simple staining of cells is a widely used method in basic medical diagnostics, education, and research laboratories. The stains are low-cost, but the extensive consumption results in excessive toxic waste generation. Thus, to decrease the amount of toxic waste resulting from the cell staining procedure is a need. In this study, we developed a magnetically driven and compartmentalized passive microfluidic chip to perform simple staining of human eukaryotic cells, K562 cells, and lymphocyte cells derived from patients. We demonstrated simple staining on cells with trypan blue, methylene blue, crystal violet, and safranin for high, medium, and low cell densities. The stained cells were imaged using a bright field optical microscope and a cell phone to count cells on the focal plane. The staining improved the color signal of the cell by 25-135-pixel intensity changes for the microscopic images. The validity of the protocol was determined using Jurkat and MDA-MB-231 cell lines as negative controls. In order to demonstrate the practicality of the system, lymphocyte cells derived from human blood samples were stained with trypan blue. The color intensity changes in the first and last compartments were analyzed to evaluate the performance of the chip. The developed method is ultra-low cost, significantly reduces the waste generated, and can be integrated with mobile imaging devices in terms of portability. By combining microfabrication technology with cell staining, this study reported a novel contribution to the field of microfluidic biosensors. In the future, we expect to demonstrate the detection of pathogens using this method.
Action Postponing and Restraint Varies among Sensory Modalities
Authors: Ikarashi Koyuki , Sato Daisuke , Ochi Genta , Fujimoto Tomomi , Yamashiro Koya
Published: November 2022

Proactive inhibition is divided into two components: action postponing (AP), which refers to slowing the onset of response, and action restraint (AR), which refers to preventing the response. To date, several studies have reported alterations in proactive inhibition and its associated neural processing among sensory modalities; however, this remains inconclusive owing to several methodological issues. This study aimed to clarify the differences in AP and AR and their neural processing among visual, auditory, and somatosensory modalities using an appropriate experimental paradigm that can assess AP and AR separately. The postponing time calculated by subtracting simple reaction time from Go signal reaction time was shorter in the visual modality than in the other modalities. This was explained by faster neural processing for conflict monitoring induced by anticipating the presence of the No-go signal, supported by the shorter latency of AP-related N2. Furthermore, the percentage of false alarms, which is the reaction to No-go signals, was lower in the visual modality than in the auditory modality. This was attributed to higher neural resources for conflict monitoring induced by the presence of No-go signals, supported by the larger amplitudes of AR-related N2. Our findings revealed the differences in AP and AR and their neural processing among sensory modalities.
Childhood Maltreatment in Females Is Associated with Enhanced Fear Acquisition and an Overgeneralization of Fear
Authors: Zoladz Phillip , Reneau Kassidy , Weiser Jordan , Cordes Chloe , Virden Emma , Helwig Sara , Thebeault Caitlin , Pfister Cassidy , Getnet Bruktawit , Boaz Kayla , Niese Taylor , Stanek Mercedes , Long Kristen , Parker Sydney , Rorabaugh Boyd , Norrholm Seth
Published: November 2022

Childhood maltreatment may alter fear neurocircuitry, which results in pathological anxiety and depression. One alteration of fear-related behaviors that has been observed in several psychiatric populations is an overgeneralization of fear. Thus, we examined the association between childhood maltreatment and fear generalization in a non-clinical sample of young adults. Two hundred and ninety-one participants underwent differential fear conditioning in a fear-potentiated startle paradigm. One visual stimulus (CS+), but not another (CS−), was associated with an aversive airblast to the throat (US) during acquisition. The next day, participants were tested for their fear responses to the CS+, CS−, and several generalization stimuli (GS) without the presence of the US. Participants also completed questionnaires that assessed symptoms of childhood maltreatment, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants reporting high childhood maltreatment (n = 71; 23 males, 48 females) exhibited significantly greater anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD than participants reporting low childhood maltreatment (n = 220; 133 males, 87 females). Females reporting high childhood maltreatment demonstrated significantly enhanced fear learning and greater fear generalization, based on their fear-potentiated startle responses. Our findings suggest that childhood maltreatment may sex-dependently influence the development of fear neurocircuitry and result in greater fear generalization in maltreated females.
Assessing Inhibitory Control in the Real World Is Virtually Possible: A Virtual Reality Demonstration
Authors: Rocabado Francisco , Duñabeitia Jon Andoni
Published: November 2022

Executive functions are the key ingredient for behaviour regulation. Among them, inhibitory control is one of the main exponents of executive functions, and in the last decades, it has received a good amount of attention thanks to the development of chronometric tasks associated with paradigms that allow exploring human behaviour when the inhibitory component is needed. Among the different paradigms typically used, the Simon and flanker tasks are probably the most popular ones. These have been subjected to modifications in order to assess inhibitory control from different perspectives (e.g., in different samples or in combination with different research techniques). However, its use has been relegated to classical presentation modalities within laboratory settings. The accessibility of virtual reality (VR) technology has opened new research avenues to investigate inhibition control with a high ecological validity while retaining tightly controlled lab conditions and good measurement accuracy. We present two cutting-edge modifications of the standard Simon and flanker tasks that have been adapted to real-world settings using VR and human-like avatars as target stimuli. Our findings show that virtual reality is a credible tool for testing inhibitory control with a high degree of transferability and generalizability to the real world.
COVID-19 and Integrated Multidisciplinary Care Model in Parkinson’s Disease: Literature Review & Future Perspectives
Authors: Fereshtehnejad Seyed-Mohammad , Rodríguez-Violante Mayela , Ponce-Rivera Monica S. , Martinez-Ramirez Daniel , Ramirez-Zamora Adolfo
Published: November 2022

Clinical diversity and multi-systemic manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD) necessitate the involvement of several healthcare professionals from different disciplines for optimal care. Clinical guidelines recommend that all persons with PD should have access to a broad range of medical and allied health professionals to implement an efficient and effective multidisciplinary care model. This is well supported by growing evidence showing the benefits of multidisciplinary interventions on improving quality of life and disease progression in PD. However, a “multidisciplinary” approach requires gathering healthcare professionals from different disciplines into an integrative platform for collaborative teamwork. With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, implementation of such a multidisciplinary care model has become increasingly challenging due to social distancing mandates, isolation and quarantine, clinics cancellation, among others. To address this problem, multidisciplinary teams are developing innovate virtual platforms to maintain care of people with PD. In the present review, we cover aspects on how SARS-CoV-2 has affected people with PD, their caregivers, and care team members. We also review current evidence on the importance of maintaining patient-centered care in the era of social distancing, and how can we utilize telehealth and innovative virtual platforms for multidisciplinary care in PD.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Behavior of Concrete-Filled High-Strength Steel Tube Columns with Large D/t Ratio under Axial Compression
Authors: Zhang Zaiyu , Wang Jiaqi , Sun Qing , Tian Penggang , Wang Jiantao , Wu Yanru , Li Yuwei
Published: November 2022

The thin-wall high-strength (HS) steel tube can provide strong confinement ability for core concrete due to its high yield strength, so it can achieve the purpose of confining concrete lateral deformation. In order to make full use of the mechanical properties of HS steel tube and concrete, it is necessary to study the axial compressive properties of the concrete-filled HS steel tube (CFHST) with a large diameter-to-thickness ratio (D/t). In this study, the axial compressive capacity of 15 CFHST columns with a large diameter-to-thickness ratio was tested. Then, a series of finite element (FE) models were developed to study the interaction mechanism between steel tube and concrete, the load–strain curves of typical specimens, and the effect of the key parameters. Finally, a new design proposal for CFHST compressive capacity is proposed and compared with EC4, GB50936-2014, and AIJ-97 prediction results. The results showed that the CFHST has good compressive capacity and can effectively confine the lateral deformation of core concrete; the contact pressure appears a stable stage because with a steel tube is difficult to effectively restrain the lateral deformation after steel tube yielding and partial failure of concrete; the existing design code is conservative in predicting the axial compression capacity of the CFHST with large D/t ratio.
Enhancing the Seismic Resilience of Steel Moment Resisting Frame with a New Precast Self-Centering Rocking Shear Wall System
Authors: Zhai Zhipeng , Guo Wei , Liu Yanhui , Zou Shuang , Zhou Fulin
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a new precast self-centering rocking shear wall system (PSCRSW) mainly composed of precast reinforced concrete (RC) wall, V-shaped steel brace and pre-pressed disc spring friction damper (PDSFD) are proposed to enhance the seismic resilience of steel moment resisting frame (SMRF). The mechanical behavior of PDSFD was investigated and simulated. The skeleton model of PSCRSW was theoretically derived and numerically validated, and the hysteretic performance under different design parameters was discussed and compared with that of the conventional RC shear wall. Based on the analyses, design principles and suggestions for PSCRSW were given. Then, an efficient seismic resilient design method for enhancement of SMRF was proposed, which considers performance objectives of multiple seismic hazard levels and has less design iteration. A typical SMRF was adopted as the prototype to be enhanced by the presented PSCRSW and design method. Reliable numerical models for the prototype and the enhanced SMRF were established, and nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed to assess the effectiveness of enhancing strategy. The results show that PSCRSW can realize approximate yielding behavior, displacement capacity and lateral strength to the conventional shear wall and can significantly lower the residual drift and wall damage. During the design, the ratio of preload to friction force for PSCRSW was suggested to be 1.5~2.0, and the bearing capacity for the wall was suggested to be amplified 1.2 times. Thereby, desirable bearing and self-centering performances can be guaranteed. The presented design method is capable of achieving the inter-story drift ratio targets and the expected roof drift ratios simultaneously, and the seismic resilience of the chosen SMRF was significantly improved by a large margin of reduction in residual inter-story drift and frame member damages.
Research on BIM Application Two-Dimensional Maturity Model
Authors: Sun Changqing , Chen Hong , Long Ruyin , Liao Ruihua
Published: November 2022

The existing project management maturity models and BIM maturity models have obvious deficiencies in evaluating the management level of engineering projects with BIM applications. This study aimed to use accepted assessment indexes to design an innovative BIM application maturity model suitable for different projects with BIM applications. This study proposes the concept of BIM Application Two-Dimensional Maturity (BATM), which simultaneously emphasizes the project business management (PBM) and project BIM application (PBA) maturities. The BATM model assesses the PBM and PBA maturities based on eight performance domains and 37 desired outcomes of PMBOK 7th edition. The application case shows that the use of the BATM model is simple and its effect is obvious. This study is the first to assess the BIM application maturity from the two dimensions of PBM and PBA, and provides new insights into the project BIM application maturity assessment. The application case sets an example for other companies to assess and improve their BATM.
Shade and Thermal Comfort in Courtyards: Experimental versus Simulation Results
Authors: López-Cabeza Victoria Patricia , Diz-Mellado Eduardo , Rivera-Gómez Carlos Alberto , Galán-Marín Carmen
Published: November 2022

Outdoor comfort is gaining attention in the design of our cities to face the current context of rising temperatures. Although simulation is required to inform the early design stage of projects considering outdoor space and strategies to improve their thermal performance, different tool options must be compared through monitoring to determine the accuracy of their modeling. This study analyses the thermal comfort benefits of the installation of a shading device in a courtyard in the Mediterranean climate. In the study, two simulation workflows were analyzed, one using ENVI-met software and the other using the Ladybug Tools, to evaluate their performance. Air temperature monitoring data were used to validate and calibrate the simulations. Then, both were used to compute the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to evaluate comfort. The results show that the simulation reproduced an air temperature reduction when the shading was installed, but this was not as high as the monitoring results (up to 13.7 °C). In the UTCI, in contrast, the two simulation workflows provided contradictory results. These differences were explained by analyzing the different parameters affecting comfort and the mean radiant temperature, and the air temperature was found to be the parameter most affecting the UTCI in this context. Thus, future research should focus on improving the accuracy of the simulations of these two parameters.
Porosity-to-Cement Index Controlling the Strength and Microstructure of Sustainable Crushed Material-Cemented Soil Blends
Authors: Baldovino Jair A. , Millan-Paramo Carlos , Saba Manuel
Published: November 2022

Recently, studies that introduce alternative binders or wastes for created geo-materials that can be mixed with soil to give it greater strength, are of paramount importance. Roof tile residue, for example, has been widely used to create geopolymers in mortar and concrete. However, its application to soil stabilization has been limited. Additionally, there are no recent studies on the design of soil-tile mixtures with criteria, based on the estimation indexes of mechanical resistance, durability, and microstructure. Thus, this paper introduces another new geo-material not studied in the current literature: crushed roof tile (RT) waste mixed with soil-cement. For this, sedimentary soil was mixed with cement (C) and RT in various quantities and cured under 28 days. The influence and impact of the porosity/cement index (η/Civ) on the split tensile (qt) and compressive (qu) strengths were studied. Concerning porosity, as well as the cement content, it had a strong influence on strength. Regardless of the cement content used, a decrease in the material’s porosity promoted considerable gains in strength due to a more significant number of contacts between particles and a more outstanding interlocking between the soil particles. In addition, the greater ability to distribute stresses within the geomaterial compacted specimen and the greater capacity to mobilize friction in lower porosity states to contribute to the strength of the RT-soil-cement mixture. The index split tensile/compression was calculated as 0.18, independent of cement and the RT content. During the chemical microanalysis, the soil particles and the RT detected the cementing material between the soil particles. Finally, the new geomaterial can be applied to several uses in geotechnical engineering. From an environmental point of view, the RT-soil blends are considered technically sustainable. Reconciling sustainability and the development of new materials is, without a doubt, essential for us to progress in society. Cemented soil with RT residues have emerged recently and are a potential replacement for traditional materials, as demonstrated in this paper.
Predicting Chemical Shrinkage in Hydrating Cements
Authors: Holmes Niall , Tyrer Mark , Kelliher Denis
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a prediction of chemical shrinkage volume created during the hydration of two cements over time using a thermodynamic model. Chemical shrinkage in hydrating cements is a result of internal volume change over time within sealed conditions due to exothermic reactions during hydration and the resulting precipitation of solid hydrates. Each precipitated phase will contribute to chemical shrinkage due to their individual reactions and stoichiometric properties. As these factors (including early age, drying and autogenous nature) contribute to the overall shrinkage of concrete which may cause long-term performance problems, they are important properties to understand. The current paper presents a thermodynamic model that quantifies the chemical shrinkage volume created during the first 1000 days of hydration using the cemdata18 database and a series of discrete solid phases (DSPs) to represent C-S-H, which has not been quantified in the literature to date. DSPs account for the amorphous and poorly crystalline nature of C-S-H in cement, and its incongruent dissolution behavior of C-S-H as calcium is released in solution more so than silicon. A description of chemical shrinkage in hydrating cements is provided, along with a review of past methods used to quantify its development over time. The paper also shows the linear relationship between chemical shrinkage and the overall degree of hydration.