bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of CD68 in tumor immunity and prognosis prediction in pan-cancer
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Li Shuwang , Liu Fangkun , Yang Kui
Published: May 2022

CD68 plays a critical role in promoting phagocytosis; however, the function of CD68 in tumor immunity and prognosis remains unknown. We analyzed CD68 expression among 33 tumor and normal tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Genotype-Tissue Expression datasets. The relationship between CD68 expression and cancer prognosis, immune infiltration, checkpoint markers, and drug response was explored. Upregulated CD68 levels were observed in various cancer types, which were verified through tumor tissue chips using immunohistochemistry. High levels of CD68 in tumor samples correlated with an adverse prognosis in glioblastoma, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, lower-grade glioma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, and thymoma and a favorable prognosis in kidney chromophobe. The top three negatively enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes terms in the high CD68 subgroup were chemokine signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and cell adhesion molecule cams. The top negatively enriched HALLMARK terms included complement, allograft rejection, and inflammatory response. A series of targeted drugs and small-molecule drugs with promising therapeutic effects were predicted. The clinical prognosis and immune infiltration of high expression levels of CD68 differ across tumor types. Inhibiting CD68-dependent signaling could be a promising therapeutic strategy for immunotherapy in many tumor types.
Influence of insole material density in the stability of patients with prosthetic unilateral transtibial amputation
Authors: Sarroca Nuria , Luesma María José , Valero José , del Caso María Pilar , Alonso Cristina , Calleja Jorge , Lorenzo Tania , Bayod Javier , Lahoz Manuel
Published: May 2022

People with lower limb amputation present greater displacements of their centre of gravity in a static situation than able-bodied individuals, as they depend on visual information to a greater extent, which implies an altered stability pattern. The efficacy of different hardness of plantar support to help maintain stability has not yet been determined. The aim of the present study is to assess stability in people with unilateral transtibial amputation with prosthesis in a static situation with insoles of different degrees of hardness and visual conditions with respect to the able-bodied population. For this purpose, 25 patients with amputation and 25 able-bodied individuals were included in both groups, postural stability was assessed by stabilometry. This assessment was carried out under normal conditions (on the floor of the dynamometric platform with eyes open), and under altered conditions (with the interposition of different materials such as plantar support: rigid and soft insoles and, eyes shut). Three variables were considered to assess stability: length of movement of the barycenter (mm), lateral velocity (mm/sg) and anterior velocity (mm/sg). All of them were analysed with the patient in static on the dynamometric platform. The results showed statistically significant differences between the two groups, (amputees and controls) with less stability in the amputee group (p < 0.05) when analysing the variables of length of movement of the barycenter, lateral velocity and anterior velocity. Amputee patients with open eyes exhibited greater stability than those with closed eyes. The hard insoles improved the stability data in amputees (length of movement of the barycenter and anterior velocity) with respect to the barefoot condition, and the soft insoles showed less stability than the patients with hard insoles, or than the barefoot patients. From the results obtained in this study, we can conclude that the PP-DWST 4 mm rigid insoles improve static stability in people with amputation. However, soft insoles impair stability and are therefore discouraged.
Active thermo-reflectometry for absolute temperature measurement by infrared thermography on specular materials
Authors: Lafargue-Tallet Thomas , Vaucelle Romain , Caliot Cyril , Aouali Abderezak , Abisset-Chavanne Emmanuelle , Sommier Alain , Peiffer Raymond , Pradere Christophe
Published: May 2022

Knowledge of material emissivity maps and their true temperatures is of great interest for contactless process monitoring and control with infrared cameras when strong heat transfer and temperature change are involved. This approach is always followed by emissivity or reflections issues. In this work, we describe the development of a contactless infrared imaging technique based on the pyro-reflectometry approach and a specular model of the material reflection in order to overcome emissivities and reflections problems. This approach enables in situ and real-time identification of emissivity fields and autocalibration of the radiative intensity leaving the sample by using a black body equivalent ratio. This is done to obtain the absolute temperature field of any specular material using the infrared wavelength. The presented set up works for both camera and pyrometer regardless of the spectral range. The proposed method is evaluated at room temperature with several heterogeneous samples covering a large range of emissivity values. From these emissivity fields, raw and heterogeneous measured radiative fluxes are transformed into complete absolute temperature fields.
Calibration of camera internal parameters based on grey wolf optimization improved by levy flight and mutation
Authors: Wang Daolei , Yue Jingwei , Chai Pingping , Sun Hao , Li Feng
Published: May 2022

Traditional calibration technology has been widely used in measurement and monitoring; however, there are limitations of poor calibration accuracy, which can not meet the accuracy requirements in some scenarios. About this problem, we proposed a grey wolf optimization algorithm based on levy flight and mutation mechanism to solve camera internal parameters in this paper. The algorithm is based on the actual nonlinear model, which takes the minimum average value of reprojection error as the objective function. The grey wolf position is randomly generated within a given range. Then, the grey wolf optimization algorithm based on levy flight and mutation mechanism is used to iteratively calculate the optimal position, which is the internal parameters of cameras. The two groups of experimental data were performed to verify the algorithm. The result shows better effectiveness and calibration accuracy of the proposed algorithm compared with other optimization methods.
LncRNA CCAT1 enhances chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting QKI-5
Authors: Xia Chongsheng , Sun Yurui , Li Yang , Ma Junli , Shi Jing
Published: May 2022

A major reason for treatment failure of cancer is acquisition of drug resistance. The specific mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) chemoresistance need to be fully elucidated. lncRNAs involve in drug resistance in some cancers, however, the exact functions of lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) in oxaliplatin resistance in HCC are still unknown. Our study indicated that CCAT1 promoted HCC proliferation and reduced the apoptosis induced by oxaliplatin. Knockout of CCAT1 could increased chemosensitivity in vitro and in vivo. Further study found that QKI-5 was an important mediator and blocking of QKI-5/p38 MAPK signaling pathway could enhance oxaliplatin sensitivity. In conclusions, CCAT1 promoted proliferation and oxaliplatin resistance via QKI-5/p38 MAPK signaling pathway in HCC. Targeting CCAT1 in combination with chemotherapeutics may be a promising alternative to reverse drug resistance in HCC treatment.
Cell fiber-based 3D tissue array for drug response assay
Authors: Kato-Negishi Midori , Sawayama Jun , Kawahara Masahiro , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: May 2022

For the establishment of a reproducible and sensitive assay system for three-dimensional (3D) tissue-based drug screening, it is essential to develop 3D tissue arrays with uniform shapes and high cell numbers that prevent cell death in the center of the tissue. In recent years, 3D tissue arrays based on spheroids have attracted increased attention. However, they have only been used in specific tissues with hypoxic regions, such as cancer tissues, because nutrient deprivation and hypoxic regions are formed in the core as spheroids grow. Herein, we propose a method to array cell-encapsulated tube-like tissue (cell fiber (CF)) with diameters < 150 μm to prevent nutrient deprivation and hypoxia using a device that can fix the CFs, section them in uniform sizes, and transfer them to a 96-well plate. We fabricated the arrays of CF fragments from cell lines (GT1-7), cancer cells (HeLa), mouse neural stem cells (mNSCs) and differentiated mNSCs, and performed drug response assays. The array of CF fragments assessed the drug response differences among different cell types and drug responses specific to 3D tissues. The array of CF fragments may be used as a versatile drug screening system to detect drug sensitivities in various types of tissues.
Effect of timing of school enrollment on physical fitness in third graders
Authors: Fühner Thea , Granacher Urs , Golle Kathleen , Kliegl Reinhold
Published: May 2022

Timing of initial school enrollment may vary considerably for various reasons such as early or delayed enrollment, skipped or repeated school classes. Accordingly, the age range within school grades includes older-(OTK) and younger-than-keyage (YTK) children. Hardly any information is available on the impact of timing of school enrollment on physical fitness. There is evidence from a related research topic showing large differences in academic performance between OTK and YTK children versus keyage children. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare physical fitness of OTK (N = 26,540) and YTK (N = 2586) children versus keyage children (N = 108,295) in a representative sample of German third graders. Physical fitness tests comprised cardiorespiratory endurance, coordination, speed, lower, and upper limbs muscle power. Predictions of physical fitness performance for YTK and OTK children were estimated using data from keyage children by taking age, sex, school, and assessment year into account. Data were annually recorded between 2011 and 2019. The difference between observed and predicted z-scores yielded adeltaz-score that was used as a dependent variable in the linear mixed models. Findings indicate that OTK children showed poorer performance compared to keyage children, especially in coordination, and that YTK children outperformed keyage children, especially in coordination. Teachers should be aware that OTK children show poorer physical fitness performance compared to keyage children.
Significant reduction of carbon stocks and changes of ecosystem service valuation of Indian Sundarban
Authors: Bera Biswajit , Bhattacharjee Sumana , Sengupta Nairita , Shit Pravat Kumar , Adhikary Partha Pratim , Sengupta Debashish , Saha Soumik
Published: May 2022

The Sundarban mangrove or tidal influenced natural ecosystem is extremely productive and providing multiple goods and services to millions of people. In the last few decades, the quality and quantity of mangrove ecosystem are being deteriorated. The main objectives of this current research are (i) to investigate the ecosystem service values (ESVs) using a time series satellite data (1975, 2000 and 2020) and different unit values (ii) to analyze the dynamic pattern of carbon sequestration through InVEST model and (iii) determination of ESVs change hotspots by Getis-Ord Gi*method. Here, mangrove forest has the highest ecosystem service value and highest carbon sinker. The total loss of ESVs was estimated 3310.79 million USD during last 45 years in Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) due to high natural and anthropogenic adversities. InVEST model also revealed that the total static carbon storage over the study area was 48.87, 46.65 and 43.33 Tg for the year 1975, 2000 and 2020 respectively. Total 6313944 mg/6.31Tg loss of carbon has been observed in the case of mangrove forest during the overall study period (1975–2020). So, illegal human encroachment should be strictly (through law and regulations) restricted within Sundarban mangrove ecosystem for the benefits of people.
Loneliness inside of the brain: evidence from a large dataset of resting-state fMRI in young adult
Authors: Brilliant T. Denilson , Takeuchi Hikaru , Nouchi Rui , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nakagawa Seishu , Hanawa Sugiko , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Ikeda Shigeyuki , Sakaki Kohei , Kawata Kelssy Hitomi dos Santos , Nozawa Takayuki , Yokota Susumu , Magistro Daniele , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: May 2022

Although loneliness itself is a natural emotion, prolonged loneliness is detrimental to human health. Despite its detrimental effect, few loneliness-related neuroimaging studies have been published and some have limitations on the sample size number. This study aims to find the difference in resting-state functional connectivity associated with loneliness within a big sample size via the seed-based approach. Functional connectivity analysis was performed on a large cohort of young adults (N = 1336) using the seed-based functional connectivity approach to address the concern from previous studies. The analysis yielded statistically significant positive correlations between loneliness and functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area, precentral gyrus, and superior parietal lobule. Additionally, the analysis replicated a finding from a previous study, which is increased functional connectivities between the inferior frontal gyrus and supplementary motor area. In conclusion, greater loneliness is reflected by stronger functional connectivity of the visual attention brain area.
Lessons from a breast cell annotation competition series for school pupils
Authors: Lu Wenqi , Miligy Islam M. , Minhas Fayyaz , Park Young Saeng , Snead David R. J. , Rakha Emad A. , Verrill Clare , Rajpoot Nasir
Published: May 2022

Due to COVID-19 outbreaks, most school pupils have had to be home-schooled for long periods of time. Two editions of a web-based competition “Beat the Pathologists” for school age participants in the UK ran to fill up pupils’ spare time after home-schooling and evaluate their ability on contributing to AI annotation. The two editions asked the participants to annotate different types of cells on Ki67 stained breast cancer images. The Main competition was at four levels with different level of complexity. We obtained annotations of four kinds of cells entered by school pupils and ground truth from expert pathologists. In this paper, we analyse school pupils’ performance on differentiating different kinds of cells and compare their performance with two neural networks (AlexNet and VGG16). It was observed that children tend to get very good performance in tumour cell annotation with the best F1 measure 0.81 which is a metrics taking both false positives and false negatives into account. Low accuracy was achieved with F1 score 0.75 on positive non-tumour cells and 0.59 on negative non-tumour cells. Superior performance on non-tumour cell detection was achieved by neural networks. VGG16 with training from scratch achieved an F1 score over 0.70 in all cell categories and 0.92 in tumour cell detection. We conclude that non-experts like school pupils have the potential to contribute to large-scale labelling for AI algorithm development if sufficient training activities are organised. We hope that competitions like this can promote public interest in pathology and encourage participation by more non-experts for annotation.
Multipurpose monitoring system for edible insect breeding based on machine learning
Authors: Majewski Paweł , Zapotoczny Piotr , Lampa Piotr , Burduk Robert , Reiner Jacek
Published: May 2022

The Tenebrio molitor has become the first insect added to the catalogue of novel foods by the European Food Safety Authority due to its rich nutritional value and the low carbon footprint produced during its breeding. The large scale of Tenebrio molitor breeding makes automation of the process, which is supported by a monitoring system, essential. Present research involves the development of a 3-module system for monitoring Tenebrio molitor breeding. The instance segmentation module (ISM) detected individual growth stages (larvae, pupae, beetles) of Tenebrio molitor, and also identified anomalies: dead larvae and pests. The semantic segmentation module (SSM) extracted feed, chitin, and frass from the obtained image. The larvae phenotyping module (LPM) calculated features for both individual larvae (length, curvature, mass, division into segments, and their classification) and the whole population (length distribution). The modules were developed using machine learning models (Mask R-CNN, U-Net, LDA), and were validated on different samples of real data. Synthetic image generation using a collection of labelled objects was used, which significantly reduced the development time of the models and reduced the problems of dense scenes and the imbalance of the considered classes. The obtained results (average $$F1>0.88$$

F
1
>
0.88

for ISM and average $$F1>0.95$$

F
1
>
0.95

for SSM) confirm the great potential of the proposed system.
Experimental evaluation of thermal rectification in a ballistic nanobeam with asymmetric mass gradient
Authors: Tavakoli Adib , Maire Jeremie , Brisuda Boris , Crozes Thierry , Motte Jean-François , Saminadayar Laurent , Collin Eddy , Bourgeois Olivier
Published: May 2022

Practical applications of heat transport control with artificial metamaterials will heavily depend on the realization of thermal diodes/rectifiers, in which thermal conductivity depends on the heat flux direction. Whereas various macroscale implementations have been made experimentally, nanoscales realizations remain challenging and efficient rectification still requires a better fundamental understanding of heat carriers’ transport and nonlinear mechanisms. Here, we propose an experimental realization of a thermal rectifier based on two leads with asymmetric mass gradients separated by a ballistic spacer, as proposed in a recent numerical investigation, and measure its thermal properties electrically with the microbridge technique. We use a Si$$_{3}$$

3

N$$_{4}$$

4

nanobeam on which an asymmetric mass gradient has been engineered and demonstrate that in its current form, this structure does not allow for thermal rectification. We explain this by a combination of too weak asymmetry and non-linearities. Our experimental observations provide important information towards fabricating rigorous thermal rectifiers in the ballistic phonon transport regime, which are expected to open new possibilities for applications in thermal management and quantum thermal devices.
Morphometric affinities and direct radiocarbon dating of the Toca dos Coqueiros’ skull (Serra da Capivara, Brazil)
Authors: Menéndez Lumila Paula , López-Sosa María Clara , Monteiro da Silva Sergio Francisco Serafim , Martin Gabriela , Pessis Anne-Marie , Guidon Niède , Solari Ana
Published: May 2022

The biological variation of the earliest skeletons of South America has been intensely debated for the last two centuries. One of the major research constraints has been the limited number of available samples dating to the early Holocene. We here present the first direct radiocarbon-date for the early Holocene human skeleton from Toca dos Coqueiros (Serra da Capivara, Brazil), also known as “Zuzu” (8640 ± 30 BP; 9526–9681 cal years BP). We performed craniometric analyses using exclusively samples from Brazil, to revisit the sex of the skeleton, and to discuss the evolutionary processes involved in the occupation of the continent. The sex of the individual was estimated as a female when compared to late and early Holocene individuals, but as a male when compared only to the early Holocene series. We also found that Zuzu presents the strongest differences with the late Holocene Guajajara individuals, located nearby, and the strongest similarities with the early Holocene series from Lagoa Santa, attesting for solid biological affinities among early Holocene individuals from Brazil, as well as a moderate level of morphological variation among them. This suggests that the early individuals were part of the same heterogeneous lineage, possibly a different one from which late Holocene populations diverged.
GFI1 regulates hair cell differentiation by acting as an off-DNA transcriptional co-activator of ATOH1, and a DNA-binding repressor
Authors: Jen Hsin-I , Singh Sunita , Tao Litao , Maunsell Helen R. , Segil Neil , Groves Andrew K.
Published: May 2022

GFI1 is a zinc finger transcription factor that is necessary for the differentiation and survival of hair cells in the cochlea. Deletion of Gfi1 in mice significantly reduces the expression of hundreds of hair cell genes: this is a surprising result, as GFI1 normally acts as a transcriptional repressor by recruiting histone demethylases and methyltransferases to its targets. To understand the mechanisms by which GFI1 promotes hair cell differentiation, we used CUT&RUN to identify the direct targets of GFI1 and ATOH1 in hair cells. We found that GFI1 regulates hair cell differentiation in two distinct ways—first, GFI1 and ATOH1 can bind to the same regulatory elements in hair cell genes, but while ATOH1 directly binds its target DNA motifs in many of these regions, GFI1 does not. Instead, it appears to enhance ATOH1’s transcriptional activity by acting as part of a complex in which it does not directly bind DNA. Second, GFI1 can act in its more typical role as a direct, DNA-binding transcriptional repressor in hair cells; here it represses non-hair cell genes, including many neuronal genes. Together, our results illuminate the function of GFI1 in hair cell development and hair cell reprogramming strategies.
Mid-infrared-scanning cavity ring-down CH2F2 detection using electronically tuned Cr:ZnSe laser
Authors: Yumoto Masaki , Kawata Yasushi , Wada Satoshi
Published: May 2022

The development of mid-infrared (mid-IR) tunable lasers has been driving various laser spectroscopic technologies. Herein, we report wavelength-scanning cavity ring-down spectroscopy (WS-CRDS) in the mid-IR region using an electronically tuned Cr:ZnSe (ET-Cr:ZnSe) laser, which could achieve a nanosecond pulse operation, with broad wavelength tuning of 2–3 µm. This allowed WS-CRDS-induced trace detection of the refrigerant, CH2F2. A CH2F2 detection limit of 0.66 ppm (3σ), and the detection of trace H2O in CH2F2 was realized using the broad wavelength-tuning range feature, demonstrating the effectiveness of the ET-Cr:ZnSe laser in WS-CRDS. We believe that our method would accelerate the development of various trace-gas detection technologies.
Patterns of functional connectivity alterations induced by alcohol reflect somatostatin interneuron expression in the human cerebral cortex
Authors: Ochi Ryo , Ueno Fumihiko , Sakuma Mutsuki , Tani Hideaki , Tsugawa Sakiko , Graff-Guerrero Ariel , Uchida Hiroyuki , Mimura Masaru , Oshima Shunji , Matsushita Sachio , Nakajima Shinichiro
Published: May 2022

Acute alcohol administration affects functional connectivity, yet the underlying mechanism is unknown. Previous work suggested that a moderate dose of alcohol reduces the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) interneurons, thereby leading to a state of pyramidal disinhibition and hyperexcitability. The present study aims to relate alcohol-induced changes in functional connectivity to regional genetic markers of GABAergic interneurons. Healthy young adults (N = 15, 5 males) underwent resting state functional MRI scanning prior to alcohol administration, immediately and 90 min after alcohol administration. Functional connectivity density mapping was performed to quantify alcohol-induced changes in resting brain activity between conditions. Patterns of differences between conditions were related to regional genetic markers that express the primary GABAergic cortical interneuron subtypes (parvalbumin, somatostatin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A) obtained from the Allen Human Brain Atlas. Acute alcohol administration increased local functional connectivity density within the visual cortex, sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, striatum, and cerebellum. Patterns of alcohol-induced changes in local functional connectivity density inversely correlated with somatostatin cortical gene expression. These findings suggest that somatostatin-expressing interneurons modulate alcohol-induced changes in functional connectivity in healthy individuals.
Circulating virome and inflammatory proteome in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and primary ventricular fibrillation
Authors: Oliveras Teresa , Revuelta-López Elena , García-García Cosme , Cserkóová Adriana , Rueda Ferran , Labata Carlos , Ferrer Marc , Montero Santiago , El-Ouaddi Nabil , Martínez Maria José , Roura Santiago , Gálvez-Montón Carolina , Bayes-Genis Antoni
Published: May 2022

Primary ventricular fibrillation (PVF) is a life-threatening complication of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). It is unclear what roles viral infection and/or systemic inflammation may play as underlying triggers of PVF, as a second hit in the context of acute ischaemia. Here we aimed to evaluate whether the circulating virome and inflammatory proteome were associated with PVF development in patients with STEMI. Blood samples were obtained from non-PVF and PVF STEMI patients at the time of primary PCI, and from non-STEMI healthy controls. The virome profile was analysed using VirCapSeq-VERT (Virome Capture Sequencing Platform for Vertebrate Viruses), a sequencing platform targeting viral taxa of 342,438 representative sequences, spanning all virus sequence records. The inflammatory proteome was explored with the Olink inflammation panel, using the Proximity Extension Assay technology. After analysing all viral taxa known to infect vertebrates, including humans, we found that non-PVF and PVF patients only significantly differed in the frequencies of viruses in the Gamma-herpesvirinae and Anelloviridae families. In particular, most showed a significantly higher relative frequency in non-PVF STEMI controls. Analysis of systemic inflammation revealed no significant differences between the inflammatory profiles of non-PVF and PVF STEMI patients. Inflammatory proteins associated with cell adhesion, chemotaxis, cellular response to cytokine stimulus, and cell activation proteins involved in immune response (IL6, IL8 CXCL-11, CCL-11, MCP3, MCP4, and ENRAGE) were significantly higher in STEMI patients than non-STEMI controls. CDCP1 and IL18-R1 were significantly higher in PVF patients compared to healthy subjects, but not compared to non-PVF patients. The circulating virome and systemic inflammation were not associated with increased risk of PVF development in acute STEMI. Accordingly, novel strategies are needed to elucidate putative triggers of PVF in the setting of acute ischaemia, in order to reduce STEMI-driven sudden death burden.
Effects of rhBMP-2-loaded hydroxyapatite granules/beta-tricalcium phosphate hydrogel (HA/β-TCP/hydrogel) composite on a rat model of caudal intervertebral fusion
Authors: Nakagawa Shinichi , Okada Rintaro , Kushioka Junichi , Kodama Joe , Tsukazaki Hiroyuki , Bal Zeynep , Tateiwa Daisuke , Ukon Yuichiro , Hirai Hiromasa , Makino Takahiro , Takenaka Shota , Okada Seiji , Kaito Takashi
Published: May 2022

The effects and inflammation-related side effects of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 on posterior lumbar interbody fusion are controversial. One of the potential causes for the inconsistent results is the uncontrolled release of BMP-2 from the collagen carrier. Therefore, BMP delivery systems that support effective bone regeneration while attenuating the side effects are strongly sought for. We developed NOVOSIS putty (NP), a novel composite material of hydroxyapatite (HA), beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP)/hydrogel, and BMP-2, which can sustainably release BMP-2 over 2 weeks. This study was aimed at comparing the effects and side effects of NP and collagen sponge (CS) containing BMP-2 using a rat caudal intervertebral fusion model. The fusion rates of NP with low and high doses of BMP-2 were significantly higher than those of an iliac bone (IB) graft, but those of CS with low and high doses of BMP-2 were not different from those of the IB graft. Furthermore, the incidences of ectopic bone formation and soft tissue swelling were significantly lower in the NP group than in the CS group. The HA/β-TCP/hydrogel carrier enabled superior bone induction with low-dose BMP-2 and decreased the incidence of side effects caused by high-dose BMP-2 vis-à-vis the collagen carrier.
West coast India’s rainfall is becoming more convective
Authors: Sreenath A. V. , Abhilash S. , Vijaykumar P. , Mapes B. E.
Published: May 2022

A disastrous cloudburst and associated floods in Kerala during the 2019 monsoon season raise the hypothesis that rainfall over the west coast of India, much of which is stratiform, may be trending towards being more convective. As a first exploration, we sought statistically significant differences in monthly ERA-5 reanalysis data for the monsoon season between two epochs, 1980–1999 and 2000–2019. Results suggest a more convective (deeper, ice-rich) cloud population in recent decades, with patterns illustrated in ERA-5 spatial maps. Deepening of convection, above and beyond its trend in amount, is also indicated by the steeper regression slope of outgoing longwave radiation trends against precipitation than that exhibited in interannual variability. Our reanalysis results are strengthened by related trends manifested in more direct observations from satellite and gauge-based rainfall and a CAPE index from balloon soundings data.
3D molecular phenotyping of cleared human brain tissues with light-sheet fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Pesce Luca , Scardigli Marina , Gavryusev Vladislav , Laurino Annunziatina , Mazzamuto Giacomo , Brady Niamh , Sancataldo Giuseppe , Silvestri Ludovico , Destrieux Christophe , Hof Patrick R. , Costantini Irene , Pavone Francesco S.
Published: May 2022

The combination of optical tissue transparency with immunofluorescence allows the molecular characterization of biological tissues in 3D. However, adult human organs are particularly challenging to become transparent because of the autofluorescence contributions of aged tissues. To meet this challenge, we optimized SHORT (SWITCH—H2O2—antigen Retrieval—TDE), a procedure based on standard histological treatments in combination with a refined clearing procedure to clear and label portions of the human brain. 3D histological characterization with multiple molecules is performed on cleared samples with a combination of multi-colors and multi-rounds labeling. By performing fast 3D imaging of the samples with a custom-made inverted light-sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM), we reveal fine details of intact human brain slabs at subcellular resolution. Overall, we proposed a scalable and versatile technology that in combination with LSFM allows mapping the cellular and molecular architecture of the human brain, paving the way to reconstruct the entire organ.
Validated determination of NRG1 Ig-like domain structure by mass spectrometry coupled with computational modeling
Authors: Khaje Niloofar Abolhasani , Eletsky Alexander , Biehn Sarah E. , Mobley Charles K. , Rogals Monique J. , Kim Yoonkyoo , Mishra Sushil K. , Doerksen Robert J. , Lindert Steffen , Prestegard James H. , Sharp Joshua S.
Published: May 2022

High resolution hydroxyl radical protein footprinting (HR-HRPF) is a mass spectrometry-based method that measures the solvent exposure of multiple amino acids in a single experiment, offering constraints for experimentally informed computational modeling. HR-HRPF-based modeling has previously been used to accurately model the structure of proteins of known structure, but the technique has never been used to determine the structure of a protein of unknown structure. Here, we present the use of HR-HRPF-based modeling to determine the structure of the Ig-like domain of NRG1, a protein with no close homolog of known structure. Independent determination of the protein structure by both HR-HRPF-based modeling and heteronuclear NMR was carried out, with results compared only after both processes were complete. The HR-HRPF-based model was highly similar to the lowest energy NMR model, with a backbone RMSD of 1.6 Å. To our knowledge, this is the first use of HR-HRPF-based modeling to determine a previously uncharacterized protein structure.
Visualization of edge-modulated charge-density-wave orders in monolayer transition-metal-dichalcogenide metal
Authors: Zhang Quanzhen , Fan Jiahao , Zhang Teng , Wang Jizhang , Hao Xiaoyu , Xie Ying-Ming , Huang Zeping , Chen Yaoyao , Liu Meng , Jia Liangguang , Yang Huixia , Liu Liwei , Huang Huaqing , Zhang Yu , Duan Wenhui , Wang Yeliang
Published: May 2022

In two-dimensional materials with the many-body quantum states, edges become especially significant for realizing a host of physical phenomena and for potential applications in nanodevices. Here, we report the successful construction of ultra-flat monolayer 1H-phase niobium diselenide (NbSe2) with atomically sharp zigzag edges. Our scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy measurements reveal that such zigzag edges hold intriguing one-dimensional edge states. Moreover, we observe an obvious energy-dependent charge-density-wave (CDW) modulation near the edge, highlighting the significant edge-CDW interference interactions. Our findings provide a comprehensive study of tunable structural and electronic properties at the edges in monolayer NbSe2. More importantly, the edge-CDW interference model can be feasible for other CDW metals, suggesting a promising direction of extending desired edge functionalities.
Shifting agriculture is the dominant driver of forest disturbance in threatened forest species’ ranges
Authors: Kadoya Taku , Takeuchi Yayoi , Shinoda Yushin , Nansai Keisuke
Published: May 2022

Forest disturbance, including deforestation, is a major driver of global biodiversity decline. Identifying the underlying socioeconomic drivers can help guide interventions to halt biodiversity decline. Here, we quantified spatial overlaps between the distributions of 6164 globally threatened terrestrial vertebrate species and five major forest disturbance drivers at the global scale: commodity-driven deforestation, shifting agriculture, forestry, wildfire, and urbanization. We find that each driver has a distinct relative importance among species groups and geographic regions with, for example, the dominant disturbance drivers being forestry in northern regions and shifting agriculture in the tropics. Overall, shifting agriculture was more prevalent within threatened forest species’ ranges in the tropics, and some temperate nations. Our findings suggest that, globally, threatened forest species are exposed to a disproportional decrease in habitat area. Combining forest disturbance maps and species ranges can help evaluate agricultural landscape management and prioritize conservation efforts to reduce further biodiversity loss.
Dopamine-derived nanoparticles for the protection of irradiation-induced intestinal injury by maintaining intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Jia Shuhan , Dong Suhe , Liu Heng , Yu Huijie , Chen Zhongmin , Wang Sinian , Li Wei , Peng Renjun , Li Fengsheng , Jiang Qisheng , Liu Jianjun
Published: May 2022

PDA-NPs improved the intestinal epithelium and maintained the intestinal barrier function after irradiation, in which PDA-NPs prevented the depletion of Lgr5+ ISCs and suppressed apoptosis, pyroptosis and DNA damage.
Oxidative cleavage of polysaccharides by a termite-derived superoxide dismutase boosts the degradation of biomass by glycoside hydrolases
Authors: Franco Cairo João Paulo L. , Mandelli Fernanda , Tramontina Robson , Cannella David , Paradisi Alessandro , Ciano Luisa , Ferreira Marcel R. , Liberato Marcelo V. , Brenelli Lívia B. , Gonçalves Thiago A. , Rodrigues Gisele N. , Alvarez Thabata M. , Mofatto Luciana S. , Carazzolle Marcelo F. , Pradella José G. C. , Paes Leme Adriana F. , Costa-Leonardo Ana M. , Oliveira-Neto Mário , Damasio André , Davies Gideon J. , Felby Claus , Walton Paul H. , Squina Fabio M.
Published: May 2022

A Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase isolated from termite gut can oxidise glucose polymers, boosting the activity of glycoside hydrolases.
Visible microspectrophotometry coupled with machine learning to discriminate the erythrocytic life cycle stages of P. falciparum malaria parasites in functional single cells
Authors: Adegoke John A. , Raper Hannah , Gassner Callum , Heraud Philip , Wood Bayden R.
Published: May 2022

Visible microspectroscopy combined with machine learning is able to detect and quantify functional malaria infected erythrocytes at different stages of the P. falciparum erythrocytic life cycle.
Single bacteria detection by droplet DNAzyme-coupled rolling circle amplification
Authors: Chi Yanchen , Shi Meng , Wu Yanfang , Wu Yunping , Chang Yangyang , Liu Meng
Published: May 2022

A new system termed droplet DNAzyme-coupled rolling circle amplification for single bacteria detection is presented.
Synthesis, structure and properties of trivalent and pentavalent tricarbabismatranes
Authors: Shimada Shigeru , Yin Shuang-Feng , Choe Yoong-Kee
Published: May 2022

The first trivalent and pentavalent tricarbabismatranes bearing the N(CH2C6H4−)3 ligand were synthesized.
In silico design criteria for high blocking barrier uranium (iii) SIMs
Authors: Dey Sourav , Rajaraman Gopalan
Published: May 2022

Ab initio calculations unveil various U(iii) complexes possessing SIM characteristics with the barrier heights exceeding 1500 cm−1.
Asymmetric cyclopropanation of electron-rich alkenes by the racemic diene rhodium catalyst: the chiral poisoning approach
Authors: Trifonova Evgeniya A. , Ankudinov Nikita M. , Chusov Denis A. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Perekalin Dmitry S.
Published: May 2022

A chiral auxiliary ligand can selectively poison one enantiomer of the racemic diene Rh(i) complex providing an opportunity for asymmetric cyclopropanation.
Fluorogenic and genetic targeting of a red-emitting molecular calcium indicator
Authors: Bachollet Sylvestre P. J. T. , Pietrancosta Nicolas , Mallet Jean-Maurice , Dumat Blaise
Published: May 2022

The fluorogenic activation of a calcium molecular probe via reaction with HaloTag yields a fluorescent AND logic gate enabling selective and wash-free calcium imaging in genetically-defined organelles.
Hydrogen-bonding 2D coordination polymer for enzyme-free electrochemical glucose sensing
Authors: Fu Xiaochen , Sale Matthew , Ding Bowen , Lewis William , Silvester Debbie S. , Ling Chris D. , D'Alessandro Deanna M.
Published: May 2022

Regular detection of blood glucose levels is a critical indicator for effective diabetes management.
A γ-turn mimetic for selective sensing of Cu(ii) and a combinatorial multiple logic gate
Authors: Chowdhury Srayoshi Roy , Haldar Debasish
Published: May 2022

A γ-turn mimetic with fenamic acid and α-aminoisobutyricacid stabilized by a six member intramolecular hydrogen bond and selectively detect Cu(ii) over Cu(i), which helps to develop a chemical combinatorial multiple logic gate.
Surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering based on coupled nanohole–slit arrays
Authors: Feng Yanting , Wang Yu , Shao Fenglan , Meng Lingyan , Sun Mengtao
Published: May 2022

LSPR and SPP modes of the nanohole–slit array are simultaneously utilized to enhance pump, Stokes and anti-Stokes fields for the highest SECARS EF.
Symmetry-breaking charge separation in a nitrogen-bridged naphthalene monoimide dimer
Authors: Niu Xinmiao , Tajima Keita , Kong Jie , Tao Min , Fukui Norihito , Kuang Zhuoran , Shinokubo Hiroshi , Xia Andong
Published: May 2022

The model molecule, bis-ANI (consisting of two naphthalimide moieties) was studied to better understand the process of charge separation. It is found that the central amino linker facilitates the formation of a charge separation state in bis-ANI.
Facile synthesis of multiphase cobalt–iron spinel with enriched oxygen vacancies as a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst
Authors: Zhang Jianan , Ji Luyu , Gong Junbo , Wang Zhao
Published: May 2022

Plasma induces the production of oxygen vacancies and promotes the synthesis of multiphase cobalt–iron spinel, which is beneficial for both the ORR and OER.
Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and antiproliferative activity of phosphino Ru(ii) and Ir(iii) complexes
Authors: Komarnicka Urszula K. , Kozieł Sandra , Skórska-Stania Agnieszka , Kyzioł Agnieszka , Tisato Francesco
Published: May 2022

We present the synthesis, physicochemical and biological activity of new Ru(ii) and Ir(iii) complexes ((Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2PPh2CH2OH, Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2P(p-OCH3Ph)2CH2OH), (Ir(η5-Cp*)Cl2P(p-OCH3Ph)2CH2OH, Ir(η5-Cp*)Cl2PPh2CH2OH).
Sunlight driven isotropic β-Bi2O3 with high charge-carrier mobility for the efficient degradation of bisphenol A and phenol
Authors: Wu Jiawei , Ding Bangfu , Qian Xin , Mao Liang , Zheng Huibin , Yang Yanmin , Zhang Lei , Zheng Shukai , Zhang Junying
Published: May 2022

Isotropic β-Bi2O3 with high charge-carrier mobility was demonstrated for the efficient degradation of bisphenol A and phenol under sunlight irradiation.
Reconstruction-induced NiCu-based catalysts towards paired electrochemical refining
Authors: Li Shanlin , Ma Peijie , Gao Chunlang , Liu Lijia , Wang Xunlu , Shakouri Mohsen , Chernikov Roman , Wang Kaiwen , Liu Danmin , Ma Ruguang , Wang Jiacheng
Published: May 2022

A paired electrochemical refinery for simultaneously producing value-added ammonium and formate is successfully demonstrated using reconstruction-induced NiCu-based nanocomposites as both cathode and anode electrocatalysts.
Electron scattering properties of biological macromolecules and their use for cryo-EM map sharpening
Authors: Bharadwaj Alok , Jakobi Arjen J.
Published: May 2022

We explore the use of generalised scattering properties of biomolecules for restoration of contrast and visual improvement of cryo-EM maps.
Coiled-coil protein origami nanostructure modeling for improved characterization and prediction
Authors: Mandal Ratnakshi , Bedewy Mostafa , Park Won Min
Published: May 2022

A computational approach of comparative modeling with molecular dynamics optimization is presented for improved characterization and prediction of the atomic structures of coiled-coil protein origami.
Exportin-inspired artificial cell nuclear-exporting nanosystems
Authors: Inui Mitsuo , Hamada Yuta , Sejima Nana , Ueda Natsumi , Katayama Tokitaka , Ono Kimika , Nagahama Koji
Published: May 2022

Inspired by the structural and chemical features of importin/exportin, we developed an artificial nuclear-exporting nanosystem capable of eliminating compounds accumulated abnormally in the nucleus.
Insertion of metal cations into hybrid organometallic halide perovskite nanocrystals for enhanced stability: eco-friendly synthesis, lattice strain engineering, and defect chemistry studies
Authors: Nazim Mohammed , Parwaz Khan Aftab Aslam , Khan Firoz , Cho Sung Ki , Ahmad Rafiq
Published: May 2022

We developed a facile and eco-friendly synthesis strategy for large-scale preparation of undoped and Cr-doped hybrid organometallic halide perovskite nanocrystals.
Strategies for preparing TiO2/CuS nanocomposites with cauliflower-like protrusions for photocatalytic water purification
Authors: Huang Sihui , Qin Chuanxiang , Niu Linyan , Wang JianJun , Sun Jun , Dai Lixing
Published: May 2022

A simple and controllable method was developed to prepare TiO2/CuS nanocomposites with high photocatalytic efficiency.
Cucurbit[n]uril-based host-guest interaction enhancing organic room-temperature phosphorescence of phthalic anhydride derivatives in aqueous solution
Authors: Xu Tianyue , Liu Fengbo , Hu Xianchen , Zhao Zhiyong , Liu Simin
Published: May 2022

A cyan RTP in aqueous solution was enhanced by supramolecular host–guest complexation of water-soluble halogen-substituted phthalic anhydride (PA) derivatives with cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s).
Etching reaction of carbon quantum dot-functionalized MnO2 nanosheets with an enzymatic product for photoelectrochemical immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein
Authors: Lin Junshan , Liu Guozhong , Qiu Zhixin , Huang Lihong , Weng Shangeng
Published: May 2022

An etching reaction-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) immunoassay was developed to monitor alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by coupling with the enzymatic product toward the dissolution of MnO2 nanosheets.
Graphene oxide-mediated thermo-reversible bonds and in situ grown nano-rods trigger ‘self-healable’ interfaces in carbon fiber laminates
Authors: Banerjee Poulami , Parasuram Sampath , Kumar S. , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: May 2022

ZnO nano-rods modified hybrid CFRE laminates for superior mechanical strength.
Recent progress of Bi-based electrocatalysts for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction
Authors: Xia Dong , Yu Huayang , Xie Huan , Huang Peng , Menzel Robert , Titirici Maria Magdalena , Chai Guoliang
Published: May 2022

Both unary Bi and binary BiSn catalysts exhibit high faradaic efficiencies toward the production of formic acid via electrocatalytic CO2 reduction approach. The electrocatalytic abilities are directly related to the structures and morphologies of the metal-based catalysts.
Development of an ATP-independent bioluminescent probe for detection of extracellular hydrogen peroxide
Authors: O'Sullivan Justin J. , Heffern Marie C.
Published: May 2022

The synthesis and evaluation of a new ATP-independent bioluminescent probe for H2O2 detection is described and applied toward intra- and extracellular detection in a breast cancer cell model.
Polyelectrolyte photopolymer complexes for flame retardant wood
Authors: Kolibaba Thomas J. , Vest Natalie A. , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: May 2022

A polyelectrolyte complex coating was applied via photopolymerization for the first time, yielding a treatment that reduces wood's flammability.
Modular synthesis of α-arylated carboxylic acids, esters and amides via photocatalyzed triple C–F bond cleavage of methyltrifluorides
Authors: Li Sifan , Davies Paul W. , Shu Wei
Published: May 2022

Here we report an organophotocatalytic synthesis of α-arylated carboxylic acids, esters and amides from exhaustive defluorination of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes in the presence of alkyltrifluoroborates, water and nitrogen/oxygen nucleophiles.
Recent progress on performance modulation and mechanism study of silicon-based anodes
Authors: Wang Jianping , Cheng Yifeng , Zhu Yuanmin , Zhang Qing , Zhang Haitao , Zhao Chenyang
Published: May 2022

The development of Si-based anode materials from structural design, composition regulation, electrolyte to binder. The preparation processes, electrochemical performances and recent development of silicon-based anodes will be elaborated based on the above classifications.
A microstructural investigation of an industrial attractive gel at pressure and temperature
Authors: Clarke Andrew , Jamie Elizabeth , Burger Nikolaos A. , Loppinet Benoit , Petekidis George
Published: May 2022

High-pressure diffusing wave spectroscopy of a model drilling fluid, comprising emulsion droplets trapped by a colloidal gel network of clay particles, exhibits hysteretic structure evolution on pressure cycling.
A wireless chipless printed sensor tag for real-time radiation sterilization monitoring
Authors: Heredia-Rivera Ulisses , Gopalakrishnan Sarath , Kadian Sachin , Nejati Sina , Kasi Venkat , Rahimi Rahim
Published: May 2022

This work illustrates the development of a low-cost wireless sensor tag that could be placed in packaged medical products to accurately monitor the level of radiation exposure during the sterilization process.