bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Self-Reported Function, Functional Tests and Biomechanical Parameters in Patients 12 Months After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: John Stefanie , Esch Michael , Steinert Marvin , Witte Kerstin
Published: April 2023

Background/Purpose

Several methods are used to evaluate the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA), however, their relationship at different time points after surgery is unclear. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate correlations between self-report function, performance-based tests (PBTs) and biomechanical parameters in patients 12 months after THA.

Methods

Eleven patients were included in this preliminary cross-sectional study. Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) was completed for self-reported function. As PBTs, the Timed-up-and-Go test (TUG) and 30-Second-Chair-Stand test (30CST) were used. Biomechanical parameters were derived from analyses of hip strength, gait and balance. Potential correlations were calculated using Spearman correlation coefficient r.

Results

HOOS scores and parameters of PBTs showed moderate to strong correlations (0.3 < r < 0.7). Correlation analysis between HOOS scores and biomechanical parameters revealed moderate to strong correlations for hip strength whereas correlations with gait parameters and balance were rather weak (r < 0.3). Moderate to strong correlations were also found between parameters of hip strength and 30CST.

Conclusion

For THA outcome assessment 12 months after surgery, our first results indicate that self-report measures or PBTs could be used. Analysis of hip strength also appears to be reflected in HOOS and PBT parameters and may be considered as an adjunct. Given the weak correlations with gait and balance parameters, we suggest that gait analysis and balance testing should be performed in addition to PROMs and PBTs as they may provide supplementary information, especially for THA patients that are at risk for falls.
Effect of titanium-dioxide nanoparticle on Richardson constant and barrier height of tartrazine dye based Schottky device
Authors: Karan Arnab Kanti , Sahoo Dipankar , Sen Sudipta , Rakshit Subhra , Manik Nabin Baran
Published: April 2023

Recently Fruit Dyes have achieved a significant interest as organic devices because of they are widely available, customizable and biodegradable. But low conductivity is one of the major limitations. Low conductivity is due to low charge injection from the electrodes to the organic layer and the charge injection process is strongly dependent on the injection barrier height at the metal-dye interface. Higher barrier height causes low charge injection. A detailed analysis is needed to reduce the interfacial barrier to get better conductivity. In this work, we have estimated the interfacial barrier height of Indium tin oxide coated glass/Tartrazine dye/Copper based device with and without titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The devices have been prepared with dye and dye-nanoparticles blends by using the spin coating technique. We have measured the steady state dark current–voltage–temperature characteristics in the range of 288 K to 333 K to estimate the Richardson constant and interfacial barrier height. The Richardson constant was found to be modified from 44.35 × 10–3 to 07.34 × 10–3 Am−2 K−2. We also have found that interfacial barrier height is reduced from 0.71 eV to 0.64 eV in the presence of nanoparticles at room temperature. As the temperature increased, the interfacial barrier height increased to 0.72 eV from 0.71 eV and to 0.68 eV from 0.62 eV for dye based device with and without nanoparticles, respectively. Reduction of the interfacial barrier height indicates an increase in the charge injection through the interface. This work will be informative to improve the charge flow at the metal–fruit dye interface.
The First Genomic Characterization of the Chikungunya Virus in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alguridi Hassan I. , Alzahrani Faisal , Altayb Hisham N. , Almalki Safar , Zaki Eitezaz , Algarni Saeed , Assiri Abdullah , Memish Ziad A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Chikungunya is an arboviral infection caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of Aedes spp. CHIKV has been confined to African countries and South-East Asia up to 2004, but since then, the pathogen has become more global, and its high morbidity rate has become more visible. Saudi Arabia is not an endemic region of CHIKV, and the virus’s origin is not yet fully understood. This study aimed to characterize the genome of CHIKV from samples detected in Jeddah in 2018.

Method

Twenty-two sets of primers were designed to amplify near-full length genome of CHIKV. RT-PCR was conducted from clinical samples. Two samples were used for studying near complete genome sequence while the remaining samples were used to study the E1 gene. Different bioinformatics tools were utilized.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis showed that the CHIKV strains clustered with strains isolated from Kenya during 2017–2018 and belonged to ECSA genotype. E1: L136F, K211E and I317V mutations were identified in our strains. Also, E2: M74I, A76T, and V264A mutations were documented. Additionally, the capsid N79S substitution was also detected.

Conclusion

The genome of CHIKV was analyzed for the first time in Saudi Arabia to better understand the origin of the CHIKV and its genetic diversity, which showed high similarity with IE—a subclade of CHIKV strains detected in Mombasa (Kenya) indicating its possible origin.
Isotope Compositions of Century‐Long Corals Reveal Significant Dissolved Cu, Zn Fluxes From Human‐Accelerated Weathering Into the Ocean
Authors: Liu Yi , Chen Maoqing , Zhang Ting , Zhang Rui , Cao Fei , Sun Shaobo , Zheng Wang , Sun Ruoyu , Chen Jiubin
Published: April 2023

Human activities have liberated substantial amounts of biologically active metals into oceans. However, identifying the sources and migration processes of these metals is challenging. Here we present first century‐long records of concentrations and isotope compositions of Zn and Cu (δ66Zn and δ65Cu) in two corals from the northern South China Sea. The results show dramatic enrichment in coral Zn and Cu concentrations since the 1980s, which coincide with δ66Zn and δ65Cu increases. Coupled with concurrent land use/cover changes, we suggest that the enrichment trends of Cu and Zn in corals are best explained by human‐induced rock weathering and soil erosion, which transferred isotopically heavy Zn and Cu fluxes into the coastal ocean. The metal releases due to land use/cover changes relative to direct anthropogenic sources could be even more significant in the future given that anthropogenic releases have been legally controlled and started to decline in recent decades.
The June 2012 North American Derecho: A Testbed for Evaluating Regional and Global Climate Modeling Systems at Cloud‐Resolving Scales
Authors: Liu W. , Ullrich P. A. , Li J. , Zarzycki C. , Caldwell P. M. , Leung L. R. , Qian Y.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we introduce a testbed for evaluating and comparing climate modeling systems at cloud resolving scales using hindcasts of the June 2012 North American derecho. To demonstrate its utility for model intercomparison, the testbed is applied to two models: the regionally‐refined Simple Cloud‐Resolving E3SM Atmosphere Model (SCREAM) at 6.5, 3.25 and 1.625 km grid spacing and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with 3.2 and 1.6 km grid spacing. We find the simulation results to be highly sensitive to the initial conditions (ICs), initialization time, and model configurations, with ICs from the Rapid Refresh producing the best simulation. Significant improvement is identified in both models as horizontal grid spacing is refined. While a propagation delay of approximately 2 hr is found in both models, SCREAM at 1.625 km simulates the observed bow echo structure of the derecho well and predicts strong surface gusts that exceed 30 m/s. In comparison, WRF has difficulty producing surface wind over 25 m/s, with wind gusts in WRF 42%–46% lower than in SCREAM. However, WRF has a lower bias in simulating cloud top temperature and extent, but overestimates precipitation intensity. Both models reproduce the observed outgoing longwave radiation spatial patterns well (Pearson correlation >0.88), but, compared with NEXRAD observations, simulate generally larger areas of composite radar reflectivity >40 dBZ and underestimate the precipitating area by ∼47%.
New Middle Jurassic Paleomagnetic and Geochronologic Results From the Lhasa Terrane: Contributions to the Closure of the Meso‐Tethys Ocean and Jurassic True Polar Wander
Authors: Wang Suo , Yang Tianshui , Ma Jiahui , Bian Weiwei , Jiao Xianwei , Han Fei , Liang Jiacheng , Zhang Shihong , Wu Huaichun , Li Haiyan , Ma Yiming
Published: April 2023

The drift history of the Lhasa terrane is crucial for understanding the tectonic evolution of Tethyan Oceans and Jurassic true polar wander. However, high‐quality Middle Jurassic paleomagnetic data from the Lhasa terrane are limited in number. Here we report a combined paleomagnetic and geochronologic study on the Yeba Formation volcanic rocks, dated at ∼170 Ma, from the Lhasa terrane. Robust field and reversal tests indicate that the characteristic remanent magnetizations are primary. Our results provide a reliable Middle Jurassic (∼170 Ma) paleopole at 29.8°N, 180.7°E with A95 = 5.7° and a paleolatitude of 14.4 ± 5.7°N for the Lhasa area. Compared with previous paleomagnetic and geologic evidence, we propose that the Meso‐Tethys Ocean probably began to close in the eastern part at ∼168 Ma and that the Lhasa terrane underwent a ∼2,900 km southward “monster shift” during the Late Jurassic.
Lentinan confers protection against type 1 diabetes by inducing regulatory T cell in spontaneous non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Wu Tijun , Cai Zhi , Niu Fandi , Qian Bin , Sun Peng , Yang Nan , Pang Jing , Mei Hongliang , Chang Xiaoai , Chen Fang , Zhu Yunxia , Li Yating , Wu Fu-Gen , Zhang Yaqin , Lei Ting , Han Xiao
Published: April 2023

Background

Lentinan (LNT) is a complex fungal component that possesses effective antitumor and immunostimulating properties. However, there is a paucity of studies regarding the effects and mechanisms of LNT on type 1 diabetes.

Objective

In the current study, we investigated whether an intraperitoneal injection of LNT can diminish the risk of developing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and further examined possible mechanisms of LNT’s effects. Methods: Pre-diabetic female NOD mice 8 weeks of age, NOD mice with 140–160 mg/dL, 200–230 mg/dL or 350–450 mg/dL blood glucose levels were randomly divided into two groups and intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg LNT or PBS every other day. Then, blood sugar levels, pancreas slices, spleen, PnLN and pancreas cells from treatment mice were examined.

Results

Our results demonstrated that low-dosage injections (5 mg/kg) of LNT significantly suppressed immunopathology in mice with autoimmune diabetes but increased the Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) proportion in mice. LNT treatment induced the production of Tregs in the spleen and PnLN cells of NOD mice in vitro. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer of Treg cells extracted from LNT-treated NOD mice confirmed that LNT induced Treg function in vivo and revealed an enhanced suppressive capacity as compared to the Tregs isolated from the control group.

Conclusion

LNT was capable of stimulating the production of Treg cells from naive CD4 + T cells, which implies that LNT exhibits therapeutic values as a tolerogenic adjuvant and may be used to reverse hyperglycaemia in the early and late stages of T1D.
Deducing subnanometer cluster size and shape distributions of heterogeneous supported catalysts
Authors: Liao Vinson , Cohen Maximilian , Wang Yifan , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: April 2023

Infrared (IR) spectra of adsorbate vibrational modes are sensitive to adsorbate/metal interactions, accurate, and easily obtainable in-situ or operando. While they are the gold standards for characterizing single-crystals and large nanoparticles, analogous spectra for highly dispersed heterogeneous catalysts consisting of single-atoms and ultra-small clusters are lacking. Here, we combine data-based approaches with physics-driven surrogate models to generate synthetic IR spectra from first-principles. We bypass the vast combinatorial space of clusters by determining viable, low-energy structures using machine-learned Hamiltonians, genetic algorithm optimization, and grand canonical Monte Carlo calculations. We obtain first-principles vibrations on this tractable ensemble and generate single-cluster primary spectra analogous to pure component gas-phase IR spectra. With such spectra as standards, we predict cluster size distributions from computational and experimental data, demonstrated in the case of CO adsorption on Pd/CeO2(111) catalysts, and quantify uncertainty using Bayesian Inference. We discuss extensions for characterizing complex materials towards closing the materials gap.
Endothelial FAT1 inhibits angiogenesis by controlling YAP/TAZ protein degradation via E3 ligase MIB2
Authors: Li Rui , Shao Jingchen , Jin Young-June , Kawase Haruya , Ong Yu Ting , Troidl Kerstin , Quan Qi , Wang Lei , Bonnavion Remy , Wietelmann Astrid , Helmbacher Francoise , Potente Michael , Graumann Johannes , Wettschureck Nina , Offermanns Stefan
Published: April 2023

Activation of endothelial YAP/TAZ signaling is crucial for physiological and pathological angiogenesis. The mechanisms of endothelial YAP/TAZ regulation are, however, incompletely understood. Here we report that the protocadherin FAT1 acts as a critical upstream regulator of endothelial YAP/TAZ which limits the activity of these transcriptional cofactors during developmental and tumor angiogenesis by promoting their degradation. We show that loss of endothelial FAT1 results in increased endothelial cell proliferation in vitro and in various angiogenesis models in vivo. This effect is due to perturbed YAP/TAZ protein degradation, leading to increased YAP/TAZ protein levels and expression of canonical YAP/TAZ target genes. We identify the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mind Bomb-2 (MIB2) as a FAT1-interacting protein mediating FAT1-induced YAP/TAZ ubiquitination and degradation. Loss of MIB2 expression in endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo recapitulates the effects of FAT1 depletion and causes decreased YAP/TAZ degradation and increased YAP/TAZ signaling. Our data identify a pivotal mechanism of YAP/TAZ regulation involving FAT1 and its associated E3 ligase MIB2, which is essential for YAP/TAZ-dependent angiogenesis.
MOZ/ENL complex is a recruiting factor of leukemic AF10 fusion proteins
Authors: Komata Yosuke , Kanai Akinori , Maeda Takahiro , Inaba Toshiya , Yokoyama Akihiko
Published: April 2023

Changes in the transcriptional machinery cause aberrant self-renewal of non-stem hematopoietic progenitors. AF10 fusions, such as CALM-AF10, are generated via chromosomal translocations, causing malignant leukemia. In this study, we demonstrate that AF10 fusion proteins cause aberrant self-renewal via ENL, which binds to MOZ/MORF lysine acetyltransferases (KATs). The interaction of ENL with MOZ, via its YEATS domain, is critical for CALM-AF10-mediated leukemic transformation. The MOZ/ENL complex recruits DOT1L/AF10 fusion complexes and maintains their chromatin retention via KAT activity. Therefore, inhibitors of MOZ/MORF KATs directly suppress the functions of AF10 fusion proteins, thereby exhibiting strong antitumor effects on AF10 translocation-induced leukemia. Combinatorial inhibition of MOZ/MORF and DOT1L cooperatively induces differentiation of CALM-AF10-leukemia cells. These results reveal roles for the MOZ/ENL complex as an essential recruiting factor of the AF10 fusion/DOT1L complex, providing a rationale for using MOZ/MORF KAT inhibitors in AF10 translocation-induced leukemia.
Single-component multilayered self-assembling protein nanoparticles presenting glycan-trimmed uncleaved prefusion optimized envelope trimers as HIV-1 vaccine candidates
Authors: Zhang Yi-Nan , Paynter Jennifer , Antanasijevic Aleksandar , Allen Joel D. , Eldad Mor , Lee Yi-Zong , Copps Jeffrey , Newby Maddy L. , He Linling , Chavez Deborah , Frost Pat , Goodroe Anna , Dutton John , Lanford Robert , Chen Christopher , Wilson Ian A. , Crispin Max , Ward Andrew B. , Zhu Jiang
Published: April 2023

Uncleaved prefusion-optimized (UFO) design can stabilize diverse HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins (Envs). Single-component, self-assembling protein nanoparticles (1c-SApNP) can display 8 or 20 native-like Env trimers as vaccine candidates. We characterize the biophysical, structural, and antigenic properties of 1c-SApNPs that present the BG505 UFO trimer with wildtype and modified glycans. For 1c-SApNPs, glycan trimming improves recognition of the CD4 binding site without affecting broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to major glycan epitopes. In mice, rabbits, and nonhuman primates, glycan trimming increases the frequency of vaccine responders (FVR) and steers antibody responses away from immunodominant glycan holes and glycan patches. The mechanism of vaccine-induced immunity is examined in mice. Compared with the UFO trimer, the multilayered E2p and I3-01v9 1c-SApNPs show 420 times longer retention in lymph node follicles, 20-32 times greater presentation on follicular dendritic cell dendrites, and up-to-4 times stronger germinal center reactions. These findings can inform future HIV-1 vaccine development.
Trimming the genomic fat: minimising and re-functionalising genomes using synthetic biology
Authors: Xu Xin , Meier Felix , Blount Benjamin A. , Pretorius Isak S. , Ellis Tom , Paulsen Ian T. , Williams Thomas C.
Published: April 2023

Naturally evolved organisms typically have large genomes that enable their survival and growth under various conditions. However, the complexity of genomes often precludes our complete understanding of them, and limits the success of biotechnological designs. In contrast, minimal genomes have reduced complexity and therefore improved engineerability, increased biosynthetic capacity through the removal of unnecessary genetic elements, and less recalcitrance to complete characterisation. Here, we review the past and current genome minimisation and re-functionalisation efforts, with an emphasis on the latest advances facilitated by synthetic genomics, and provide a critical appraisal of their potential for industrial applications.
Multi-parameter e-skin based on biomimetic mechanoreceptors and stress field sensing
Authors: Shang Chao , Xu Qunhui , Liang Nengmin , Zhang Jianpeng , Li Lu , Peng Zhengchun
Published: April 2023

Tactile sensing has been a key challenge in robotic haptics. Inspired by how human skin sense the stress field with layered structure and distributed mechanoreceptors, we herein propose a design for modular multi-parameter perception electronic skin. With the stress field sensing concept, complex tactile signals can be transformed into field information. By analyzing the stress field, the real-time three-dimensional forces can be resolved with 1.8° polar angle resolution and 3.5° azimuthal angle resolution (achieved up to 71 folds of improvement in spatial resolution), we can also detect the hardness of object in contact with the electronic skin. Moreover, we demonstrate random assembly of the sensing arrays and integration of our electronic skin onto differently curved surfaces do not lead to any measurement variation of the stress field. This result reveals that the sensing elements in our electronic skin system can be modularly made and exchanged for specific applications.
The Queensland Twin Adolescent Brain Project, a longitudinal study of adolescent brain development
Authors: Strike Lachlan T. , Hansell Narelle K. , Chuang Kai-Hsiang , Miller Jessica L. , de Zubicaray Greig I. , Thompson Paul M. , McMahon Katie L. , Wright Margaret J.
Published: April 2023

We describe the Queensland Twin Adolescent Brain (QTAB) dataset and provide a detailed methodology and technical validation to facilitate data usage. The QTAB dataset comprises multimodal neuroimaging, as well as cognitive and mental health data collected in adolescent twins over two sessions (session 1: N = 422, age 9–14 years; session 2: N = 304, 10–16 years). The MRI protocol consisted of T1-weighted (MP2RAGE), T2-weighted, FLAIR, high-resolution TSE, SWI, resting-state fMRI, DWI, and ASL scans. Two fMRI tasks were added in session 2: an emotional conflict task and a passive movie-watching task. Outside of the scanner, we assessed cognitive function using standardised tests. We also obtained self-reports of symptoms for anxiety and depression, perceived stress, sleepiness, pubertal development measures, and risk and protective factors. We additionally collected several biological samples for genomic and metagenomic analysis. The QTAB project was established to promote health-related research in adolescence.
A standardized catalogue of spectral indices to advance the use of remote sensing in Earth system research
Authors: Montero David , Aybar César , Mahecha Miguel D. , Martinuzzi Francesco , Söchting Maximilian , Wieneke Sebastian
Published: April 2023

Spectral Indices derived from multispectral remote sensing products are extensively used to monitor Earth system dynamics (e.g. vegetation dynamics, water bodies, fire regimes). The rapid increase of proposed spectral indices led to a high demand for catalogues of spectral indices and tools for their computation. However, most of these resources are either closed-source, outdated, unconnected to a catalogue or lacking a common Application Programming Interface (API). Here we present “Awesome Spectral Indices” (ASI), a standardized catalogue of spectral indices for Earth system research. ASI provides a comprehensive machine readable catalogue of spectral indices, which is linked to a Python library. ASI delivers a broad set of attributes for each spectral index, including names, formulas, and source references. The catalogue can be extended by the user community, ensuring that ASI remains current and enabling a wider range of scientific applications. Furthermore, the Python library enables the application of the catalogue to real-world data and thereby facilitates the efficient use of remote sensing resources in multiple Earth system domains.
A pan-cancer analysis of DDR1 in prognostic signature and tumor immunity, drug resistance
Authors: Yang Longfei , Zhang Yuwei , Tang Yifan , Wang Yang , Jiang Peng , Liu Fengping , Feng Ninghan
Published: April 2023

Disk-like domain receptor 1 (DDR1) is a crucial regulator of pro-inflammatory mediators and matrix-degrading enzymes. Although mounting evidence supports a vital role for DDR1 in the tumorigenesis of some cancers, no pan-cancer analysis of DDR1 has been reported. Therefore, we aimed to explore the prognostic value of DDR1 in 33 cancer types and investigate its potential immune function. We used a range of bioinformatics approaches to explore the potential carcinogenic role of DDR1 in multiple cancers. We found that DDR1 was expressed at high levels in most cancers. DDR1 expression was positively or negatively associated with prognosis in different cancers. DDR1 expression was significantly associated with DNA methylation in 8 cancers, while there was a correlation between DDR1 expression and RNA methylation-related genes and mismatch repair gene in most cancers. Furthermore, DDR1 expression was significantly associated with microsatellite instability in 6 cancers and tumor mutation burden in 11 cancers. In addition, DDR1 expression was also significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment, immune-related genes, and drug resistance in various cancers. In conclusion, DDR1 can serve as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker for various malignancies due to its vital role in tumorigenesis and tumor immunity.
Machine learning based prediction for oncologic outcomes of renal cell carcinoma after surgery using Korean Renal Cell Carcinoma (KORCC) database
Authors: Kim Jung Kwon , Lee Sangchul , Hong Sung Kyu , Kwak Cheol , Jeong Chang Wook , Kang Seok Ho , Hong Sung-Hoo , Kim Yong-June , Chung Jinsoo , Hwang Eu Chang , Kwon Tae Gyun , Byun Seok-Soo , Jung Yu Jin , Lim Junghyun , Kim Jiyeon , Oh Hyeju
Published: April 2023

We developed a novel prediction model for recurrence and survival in patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgery and a novel statistical method of machine learning (ML) to improve accuracy in predicting outcomes using a large Asian nationwide dataset, updated KOrean Renal Cell Carcinoma (KORCC) database that covered data for a total of 10,068 patients who had received surgery for RCC. After data pre-processing, feature selection was performed with an elastic net. Nine variables for recurrence and 13 variables for survival were extracted from 206 variables. Synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was used for the training data set to solve the imbalance problem. We applied the most of existing ML algorithms introduced so far to evaluate the performance. We also performed subgroup analysis according to the histologic type. Diagnostic performances of all prediction models achieved high accuracy (range, 0.77–0.94) and F1-score (range, 0.77–0.97) in all tested metrics. In an external validation set, high accuracy and F1-score were well maintained in both recurrence and survival. In subgroup analysis of both clear and non-clear cell type RCC group, we also found a good prediction performance.
Impact of porous microsponges in minimizing myotoxic side effects of simvastatin
Authors: Ali Ahmed U. , Abd-Elkareem Mahmoud , Kamel Amira A. , Abou Khalil Nasser S. , Hamad D. , Nasr Nasr Eldin Hussein , Hassan Maha A. , El Faham Tahani H.
Published: April 2023

Simvastatin (SV) is a poorly soluble drug; its oral administration is associated with a significant problem: Myopathy. The present study aims to formulate SV microsponges that have the potential to minimize the myotoxicity accompanying the oral administration of the drug. SV microsponges were prepared by exploiting the emulsion solvent evaporation technique. The % entrapment efficiency (%EE) of the drug approached 82.54 ± 1.27%, the mean particle size of SV microsponges ranged from 53.80 ± 6.35 to 86.03 ± 4.79 µm in diameter, and the % cumulative drug release (%CDR) of SV from microsponges was significantly higher than that from free drug dispersion much more, the specific surface area of the optimized microsponges formulation was found to be 16.6 m2/g revealed the porosity of prepared microsponges. Histological and glycogen histochemical studies in the skeletal muscles of male albino rats revealed that microsponges were safer than free SV in minimizing myotoxicity. These findings were proven by Gene expression of Mitochondrial fusion and fission (Mfn1) & (Fis1) and (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α) PGC-1α. Finally, our study ascertained that SV microsponges significantly decreased the myotoxicity of SV.
Sex-specific differences in the genetic and environmental effects on cardiac phenotypic variation assessed by echocardiography
Authors: Lin Honghuang , Kwan Alan C. , Castro-Diehl Cecilia , Short Meghan I. , Xanthakis Vanessa , Yola Ibrahim M. , Salto Gerran , Mitchell Gary F. , Larson Martin G. , Vasan Ramachandran S. , Cheng Susan
Published: April 2023

The drivers of sexual dimorphism in heart failure phenotypes are currently poorly understood. Divergent phenotypes may result from differences in heritability and genetic versus environmental influences on the interplay of cardiac structure and function. To assess sex-specific heritability and genetic versus environmental contributions to variation and inter-relations between echocardiography traits in a large community-based cohort. We studied Framingham Heart Study participants of Offspring Cohort examination 8 (2005–2008) and Third Generation Cohort examination 1 (2002–2005). Five cardiac traits and six functional traits were measured using standardized echocardiography. Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines (SOLAR) software was used to perform singular and bivariate quantitative trait linkage analysis. In our study of 5674 participants (age 49 ± 15 years; 54% women), heritability for all traits was significant for both men and women. There were no significant differences in traits between men and women. Within inter-trait correlations, there were two genetic, and four environmental trait pairs with sex-based differences. Within both significant genetic trait pairs, men had a positive relation, and women had no significant relation. We observed significant sex-based differences in inter-trait genetic and environmental correlations between cardiac structure and function. These findings highlight potential pathways of sex-based divergent heart failure phenotypes.
Expression and localisation of MUC1 modified with sialylated core-2 O-glycans in mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Sugiura Takanori , Hashimoto Kazuhiko , Kikuta Kazutaka , Anazawa Ukei , Nomura Takeshi , Kameyama Akihiko
Published: April 2023

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most frequent of the rare salivary gland malignancies. We previously reported high expression of Mucin 1 (MUC1) modified with sialylated core-2 O-glycans in MEC by using tissue homogenates. In this study, we characterised glycan structures of MEC and identified the localisation of cells expressing these distinctive glycans on MUC1. Mucins were extracted from the frozen tissues of three patients with MEC, and normal salivary glands (NSGs) extracted from seven patients, separated by supported molecular matrix electrophoresis (SMME) and the membranes stained with various lectins. In addition, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from three patients with MEC were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) with various monoclonal antibodies and analysed for C2GnT-1 expression by in situ hybridisation (ISH). Lectin blotting of the SMME membranes revealed that glycans on MUC1 from MEC samples contained α2,3-linked sialic acid. In IHC, MUC1 was diffusely detected at MEC-affected regions but was specifically detected at apical membranes in NSGs. ISH showed that C2GnT-1 was expressed at the MUC1-positive in MEC-affected regions but not in the NSG. MEC cells produced MUC1 modified with α2,3-linked sialic acid-containing core-2 O-glycans. MUC1 containing these glycans deserves further study as a new potential diagnostic marker of MEC.
Value of thyroid cancer history in the prognosis of pancreatic cancer: a SEER population-based study
Authors: He Jun , Wang Yu , Chen Xiangmei , Chen Wenxiang , Zhou Jianyin
Published: April 2023

Thyroid cancer patients have a good prognosis, and their long survival increases the likelihood of developing a second primary tumor. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. However, the association between prior thyroid cancer and the subsequent PC prognosis is unknown. Herein, we selected pathologically diagnosed PC patients older than 17 between 2010 and 2015 from the SEER database. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to reduce confounding factors between groups and matched each PC patient with a history of thyroid cancer with 10 PC patients without a history of thyroid cancer. Finally, we selected 103 PC patients with prior thyroid cancer and 1030 PC patients without prior thyroid cancer. Then, we analyzed the factors influencing the overall survival (OS) and the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of PC patients. The median overall survival of PC patients with and without a history of thyroid cancer was 12 and 9 months, respectively. The history of thyroid cancer in PC patients reduced the PC-specific mortality (p < 0.05). Prior thyroid cancer might be a favorable prognostic factor for PC-specific mortality in PC patients.
Giant localized electromagnetic field of highly doped silicon plasmonic nanoantennas
Authors: Alsayed Ahmad E. , Ghanim AbdelRahman M. , Yahia Ashraf , Swillam Mohamed A.
Published: April 2023

In this work, we present the analysis and design of an efficient nanoantenna sensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). A high refractive index dielectric nanostructure can exhibit strong radiation resonances with high electric field enhancement inside the gap. The use of silicon instead of metals as the material of choice in the design of such nanoantennas is advantageous since it allows the integration of nanoantenna-based structures into integrated-optoelectronics circuits manufactured using common fabrication methods in the electronic industry. It also allows the suggested devices to be mass-produced at a low cost. The proposed nanoantenna consists of a highly doped silicon nanorod and is placed on a dielectric substrate. Different shapes and different concentrations of doping for the nanoantenna structures that are resonant in the mid-infrared region are investigated and numerically analyzed. The wavelength of the enhancement peak as well as the enhancement level itself vary as the surrounding material changes. As a result, sensors may be designed to detect molecules via their characteristic vibrational transitions. The 3D FDTD approach via Lumerical software is used to obtain the numerical results. The suggested nanoantennas exhibit ultra-high local field enhancement inside the gap of the dipole structure.
Ultrafast electron dynamics in a topological surface state observed in two-dimensional momentum space
Authors: Reimann J. , Sumida K. , Kakoki M. , Kokh K. A. , Tereshchenko O. E. , Kimura A. , Güdde J. , Höfer U.
Published: April 2023

We study ultrafast population dynamics in the topological surface state of Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

in two-dimensional momentum space with time- and angle-resolved two-photon photoemission spectroscopy. Linearly polarized mid-infrared pump pulses are used to permit a direct optical excitation across the Dirac point. We show that this resonant excitation is strongly enhanced within the Dirac cone along three of the six $${\bar{\Gamma }}$$

Γ

¯

–$${\bar{M}}$$

M

¯

directions and results in a macroscopic photocurrent when the plane of incidence is aligned along a $${\bar{\Gamma }}$$

Γ

¯

–$${\bar{K}}$$

K

¯

direction. Our experimental approach makes it possible to disentangle the decay of transiently excited population and photocurent by elastic and inelastic electron scattering within the full Dirac cone in unprecedented detail. This is utilized to show that doping of Sb$$_2$$

2

Te$$_3$$

3

by vanadium atoms strongly enhances inelastic electron scattering to lower energies, but only scarcely affects elastic scattering around the Dirac cone.
An integrated analysis of air pollution and meteorological conditions in Jakarta
Authors: Handhayani Teny
Published: April 2023

Air pollution and climate change are general problems for society. This paper proposes an integrated analysis of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and meteorological conditions in Jakarta. The column-based data integration model is applied to create integrated data of the Air Quality Index and meteorological conditions. The integrated data is then used to generate a causal graph using the PC algorithm. The causal graph reveals that there exist causal relationships between pollutants and meteorological conditions, e.g, humidity, rainfall, wind speed, and duration of sunshine affect particulate matter 10 (PM$$_{10}$$

10

); wind speed affects sulfur dioxide (SO$$_2$$

2

); temperature affects ozone (O$$_3$$

3

). The historical data records that the average wind speed is decreased and the number of unhealthy days has risen. Ozone and particulate matter are two pollutants that mainly influence poor air quality in Jakarta. The integrated data is also used to train Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) for forecasting. Experimental results show that LSTM using integrated data produces smaller errors for forecasting AQI and meteorological conditions.
Clinical impact of weight loss on mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Ju Kwang , Chung Chiwook , Kim Jiwon , Cho Hyo Sin , Kim Ho Cheol
Published: April 2023

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) often experience weight loss during the follow-up period. However, the prevalence and clinical impact of weight loss in these patients still need to be elucidated. This retrospective single-center study reviewed 134 consecutive patients diagnosed with IPF. Weight loss of 5% or more over 1 year was defined as significant weight loss. Clinical data of patients were compared according to the significant weight loss. We analyzed whether the clinical impact of significant weight loss differed regarding the pirfenidone dose. The median follow-up period was 22.1 months. The mean age of patients was 67.3 years, and 92.5% were men. Of the 134 patients, 42 (31.3%) showed significant weight loss. Multivariate cox regression analysis revealed that significant weight loss was independently associated with mortality (hazard ratio [HR]; 2.670; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.099–6.484; p = 0.030) after adjusting for lung function and other significant risk factors (6-min walk test distance: HR, 0.993; 95% CI 0.987–0.998; p = 0.005). The median survival of patients with significant weight loss (n = 22) was relevantly shorter than that of those without significant weight loss (n = 43) in the reduced dose pirfenidone group (28.2 ± 3.3 vs. 43.3 ± 3.2 months, p = 0.013). Compared with patients without significant weight loss (n = 38), patients with significant weight loss (n = 15) also showed a marginally-significant shorter survival in the full-dose pirfenidone group (28.9 ± 3.1 vs. 39.8 ± 2.6 months, p = 0.085). Significant weight loss is a prognostic factor in patients with IPF regardless of pirfenidone dose. Vigilant monitoring might be necessary to detect weight loss during the clinical course in these patients.
Hepatic phosphate uptake and subsequent nerve-mediated phosphaturia are crucial for phosphate homeostasis following portal vein passage of phosphate in rats
Authors: Yasuda Seiichi , Inoue Kazunori , Matsui Isao , Matsumoto Ayumi , Katsuma Yusuke , Okushima Hiroki , Imai Atsuhiro , Sakaguchi Yusuke , Kaimori Jun-ya , Yamamoto Ryohei , Mizui Masayuki , Isaka Yoshitaka
Published: April 2023

Fibroblast growth factor 23, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D are critical in phosphate homeostasis. Despite these factors’ importance, regulators of phosphaturia in the acute postprandial phase remain largely unknown. This study investigated the mechanism of acute phosphate regulation in the postprandial phase in rats. Duodenal administration of radiolabeled phosphate (32P) showed that 32P levels in the inferior vena cava (IVC) blood were lower than those in the portal vein (PV) blood. Serum phosphate concentration transiently increased 5 min after phosphate solution administration through IVC, while it was maintained after the administration through PV. Phosphate administration through both IVC and PV resulted in increased fractional excretion of phosphate (FEPi) at 10 min without elevation of the known circulating factors, but urinary phosphate excretion during the period was 8% of the dose. Experiments using 32P or partial hepatectomy showed that the liver was one of the phosphate reservoirs. The elevation of FEPi and suppression of sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2a in the kidney at 10 min was attenuated in rats with SCH23390, hepatic denervation, or renal denervation, thus indicating that the liver communicated with the kidney via the nervous system to promote phosphaturia. These results revealed previously unknown mechanisms for serum phosphate maintenance.
Quantum transports in two-dimensions with long range hopping
Authors: Wang Si-Si , Li Kangkang , Dai Yi-Ming , Wang Hui-Hui , Zhang Yi-Cai , Zhang Yan-Yang
Published: April 2023

We investigate the effects of disorder and shielding on quantum transports in a two dimensional system with all-to-all long range hopping. In the weak disorder, cooperative shielding manifests itself as perfect conducting channels identical to those of the short range model, as if the long range hopping does not exist. With increasing disorder, the average and fluctuation of conductance are larger than those in the short range model, since the shielding is effectively broken and therefore long range hopping starts to take effect. Over several orders of disorder strength (until$$\sim 10^4$$∼104times of nearest hopping), although the wavefunctions are not fully extended, they are also robustly prevented from being completely localized into a single site. Each wavefunction has several localization centers around the whole sample, thus leading to a fractal dimension remarkably smaller than 2 and also remarkably larger than 0, exhibiting a hybrid feature of localization and delocalization. The size scaling shows that for sufficiently large size and disorder strength, the conductance tends to saturate to a fixed value with the scaling function$$\beta \sim 0$$β∼0, which is also a marginal phase between the typical metal ($$\beta >0$$β>0) and insulating phase ($$\beta <0$$β<0). The all-to-all coupling expels one isolated but extended state far out of the band, whose transport is extremely robust against disorder due to absence of backscattering. The bond current picture of this isolated state shows a quantum version of short circuit through long hopping.
Clinical prognostic value of OSGIN2 in gastric cancer and its proliferative effect in vitro
Authors: Wang Peipei , Zhu Ying , Jia Xinru , Ying Xiangchang , Sun Leitao , Ruan Shanming
Published: April 2023

This study explored the promoting effect of oxidative stress-induced growth inhibitor family member 2(OSGIN2) on gastric cancer (GC) through public databases and in vitro experiments. The potential relationship between OSGIN2 expression, prognosis, functional enrichment of associated differential genes, immune infiltration, and mutational information in gastric cancer were comprehensively investigated using bioinformatics analysis. OSGIN2 was knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection for subsequent cell function testing. The results showed that gastric carcinoma cells and tissues contained high levels of OSGIN2, which was associated with a poor prognosis for GC patients. It was important in the cell cycle, autophagy, etc., and was related to a variety of tumor-related signal pathways. Knockdown of OSGIN2 inhibited tumor cell proliferation and contributed to cell cycle arrest. It was also correlated with tumor immune infiltrating cells (TILs), affecting antitumor immune function. Our analysis highlights that OSING2, as a new biomarker, has diagnostic and prognostic value in gastric cancer and is a potentially effective target in GC treatment.
The apoptotic effects of soybean agglutinin were induced through three different signal pathways by down-regulating cytoskeleton proteins in IPEC-J2 cells
Authors: Pan Li , E Tianjiao , Xu Chengyu , Fan Xiapu , Xia Jiajia , Liu Yan , Liu Jiawei , Zhao Jinpeng , Bao Nan , Zhao Yuan , Sun Hui , Qin Guixin , Farouk Mohammed Hamdy
Published: April 2023

Soybean agglutinin (SBA) is a main anti-nutritional factor in soybean. SBA exhibits its anti-nutritional functions by binding to intestinal epithelial cells. Keratin8 (KRT8), Keratin18 (KRT18) and Actin (ACTA) are the representative SBA-specific binding proteins. Such cytoskeletal proteins act a crucial role in different cell activities. However, limited reports reveal what the signal transduction pathway of apoptosis caused by SBA when binding to KRT8, KRT18 and ACTA. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SBA on cell apoptosis and the expression of the cytoskeletal protein (KRT8, KRT18 and ACTA), reveal the roles of these cytoskeletal proteins or their combinations on SBA-induced cell apoptosis in IPEC-J2 cell line, evaluate the influences of SBA on the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum stress and death receptor-mediated apoptosis signal pathway and to show the roles of KRT8, KRT18 and ACTA in different apoptosis signal pathways induced by SBA. The results showed that SBA induced the IPEC-J2 cell apoptosis and decreased the mRNA expression of KRT8, KRT18 and ACTA (p < 0.05). The degree of effect of three cytoskeleton proteins on cell apoptosis was ACTA > KRT8 > KRT18. The roles of these three cytoskeletal proteins on IPEC-J2 apoptotic rates had a certain accumulation effect. SBA up-regulated mitochondrial fission variant protein (FIS1) and fusion protein (Mfn2) promoted CytC and AIF in mitochondria to enter the cytoplasm, activated caspase-9 and caspase-3, damaged or declined mitochondrial function and reduced ATP synthesis (p < 0.05). Also, SBA up-regulated the expression of GRP78, XBP-1, eIF2α, p-eIF2α and CHOP (p < 0.05), down-regulated the expression level of ASK1 protein (p < 0.05). SBA led to the recruitment of FADD to the cytoplasmic membrane and increased the expression of FasL, resulting in caspase-8 processing. SBA up-regulated the expression level of Bax protein and decreased cytosolic Bcl-2 and Bid (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between the gene expression of cytoskeleton proteins and apoptosis, as well as the expression of key proteins of apoptosis-related signal transduction pathways. In conclusion, SBA induced the activation of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum stress and the death receptor-mediated apoptosis signal pathway and the crosstalk between them. The effect of SBA on these three pathways was mainly exhibited via down-regulation of the mRNA expression of the three cytoskeletal expressions. This study elucidates the molecular mechanism and signaling pathway of SBA that lead to apoptosis from the perspective of cell biology and molecular biology and provides a new perspective on the toxicity mechanism of other food-derived anti-nutrients, medical gastrointestinal health and related cancer treatment.
Effects of Mn content on austenite stability and mechanical properties of low Ni alumina-forming austenitic heat-resistant steel: a first-principles study
Authors: Zhao Yanjun , Cao Yunfei , Wen Weiying , Lu Zepeng , Zhang Jingrui , Liu Yafei , Chen Peilin
Published: April 2023

Low Ni alumina-forming austenitic (AFA) heat-resistant steel is an advanced high-temperature stainless steel with reduced cost, good machinability, high-temperature creep strength, and high-temperature corrosion resistance. Using the First-principles approach, this study examined the effect of Mn content on austenite stability and mechanical properties at the atomic level. Adding Mn to low Ni-AFA steel increases the unit cell volume with an accompanying increase in the absolute value of formation energy; the austenite formed more easily. The austenitic matrix binding energy decreases and remains negative, indicating austenite stability. As the Mn content increases from 3.2 to 12.8 wt%, the system's bulk modulus (B) rises significantly, and the shear modulus (G) falls. In addition, the system's strength and hardness decrease, and the Poisson ratio of the austenite matrix increases with improved elasticity; the system has excellent plasticity with an increase in the B/G. For the Fe22–Cr5–Ni3–Al2 system, with the increase of Mn content, the electron density distribution between the atoms is relatively uniform, and the electrons around the Mn atoms are slightly sparse, which will slightly reduce the structural stability of the matrix. The experiment demonstrated the matrix maintains the austenitic structure when adding 3.2–12.8 wt% Mn elements to low Ni-AFA steel. At an Mn content of 8 wt%, the overall mechanical properties of the high-Mn AFA steel are optimal, with a tensile strength of 581.64 MPa, a hardness of 186.17 HV, and an elongation of 39%.