bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Carbonated Water on Wettability: Combined Experimental and Molecular Simulation Approach
Authors: Alqam Mohammad H. , Abu-Khamsin Sidqi A. , Alafnan Saad F. , Sultan Abdullah S. , Al-Majed Abdulaziz , Okasha Taha
Published: November 2021

Carbonated water injection has gained wide interest as an enhanced oil recovery technique. The efficiency of oil displacement during an ordinary waterflood is dictated and governed mainly by the viscous and capillary forces between oil and water. These forces are controlled by the interfacial tension (IFT) between the fluids and the contact angle (CA) with the rock surface. In this study, the pendant drop technique and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were combined to investigate the effect of adding carbon dioxide on the water/oil/rock interfaces. CA measurement is rather a macroscopic assessment of the wettability while molecular simulation can provide further microscopic insights. The multiscale approach involves direct wettability assessment of asphaltene-containing oil against pure water or carbonated water, both exposed to two types of carbonate rock samples. Molecular characterization of asphaltenes was carried out by analytical means and different asphaltene structures were recreated on a computational platform for asphaltene-water and asphaltene-carbonated water molecular simulations. The experimental data revealed that the carbonated water caused the CA to change from weakly oil-wet to intermediate to water-wet wettability. Molecular simulation was invoked to shed more light into the underlying mechanisms behind the observed wettability alteration. In particular, molecular simulation of IFT and asphaltene swelling effect driven by the interactions with carbon dioxide were analyzed. The results were found consistent with the experiments. The findings presented in this paper highlight the viability of carbonated water for enhanced oil recovery and provide in-depth insights into the underlying mechanisms.
Tandem electrocatalytic N2 fixation via concerted proton-electron transfer
Authors: Peters Jonas , Garrido-Barros Pablo , Derosa Joseph , Chalkley Matthew
Published: November 2021

New electrochemical ammonia (NH3) synthesis technologies are of interest as a complementary route to the Haber-Bosch (HB) process for distributed fertilizer generation, and towards exploiting ammonia as a zero-carbon fuel produced via renewably-sourced electricity.1–4 Apropos of these goals is a surge of fundamental research targeting heterogeneous materials5–7 as electrocatalysts for the nitrogen reduction reaction (N2RR). These systems generally suffer from poor stability and NH3 selectivity; competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) outcompetes N2RR.8 Molecular catalyst systems can be exquisitely tuned and offer an alternative strategy,9 but progress has thus far been thwarted by the same selectivity issue; HER dominates. Herein we describe a tandem catalysis strategy that offers a solution to this puzzle. A molecular complex that can mediate an N2 reduction cycle is partnered with a co-catalyst that interfaces the electrode and an acid to mediate concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) steps, facilitating N−H bond formation at a favorable applied potential and overall thermodynamic efficiency. Without CPET, certain intermediates of the N2RR cycle would be unreactive via independent electron transfer (ET) or proton transfer (PT) steps, thereby shunting the system. Promisingly, complexes featuring several metals (W, Mo, Os, Fe) achieve N2RR electrocatalysis at the same applied potential in the presence of the CPET mediator, pointing to the generality of this tandem approach.
The major brain networks of human visual consciousness
Authors: Blumenfeld Hal , Kronemer Sharif , Aksen Mark , Ding Julia , Ryu Jun , Xin Qilong , Ding Zhaoxiong , Prince Jacob , Kwon Hunki , Khalaf Aya , Forman Sarit , Jin David , Wang Kevin , Chen Kaylie , Hu Claire , Agarwal Akshar , Saberski Erik , Wafa Syed , Morgan Owen , Wu Jia , Christison-Lagay Kate , Hasulak Nicholas , Morrell Martha , Urban Alexandra , Constable R. , Pitts Michael , Richardson R. , Crowley Michael
Published: November 2021

Understanding consciousness is one of the most important and challenging questions in modern science. Existing theories have pursued single unifying mechanisms but do not succeed in explaining consciousness. Importantly, the neural circuits that distinguish messages that arrive from the outside world and attain consciousness have remained unknown. Here we identify signals throughout the entire brain at high spatiotemporal resolution specifically related to consciousness. To accomplish this, we combined a large sample size of electrical and neuroimaging data with a novel experimental approach to remove confounding signal unrelated to consciousness1-3. We discovered three major brain networks driving conscious visual perception. First, we found increases in signal detection regions in visual, fusiform cortex, and frontal eye fields; and in arousal/salience networks involving midbrain, thalamus, nucleus accumbens, anterior cingulate, and anterior insula. Second, we found increases in frontoparietal attention and executive control networks and in the cerebellum. Finally, we found decreases in the default mode network. Our results identify subcortical and cortical networks designed for signal detection, attentional amplification, and perceptual processing that together can explain visual consciousness. These findings provide evidence that understanding consciousness can be reframed as requiring multiple overlapping brain networks to produce consciousness of visual events4.
Exosomes Derived from Platelet-Rich Plasma Administration in Site Mediate Cartilage Protection in Subtalar Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Xiaowei , Chen Jian , Qian Dingfei , Gao Peng , Qin Tao , Jiang Tao , Yi Jiang , Xu Tao , Huang Yifan , Wang Qian , Zhou Zheng , Bao Tianyi , Zhao Xuan , Liu Hao , Zheng Ziyang , Fan Jin , Zhao Shujie , Li Qingqing , Yin Guoyong
Published: November 2021

Subtalar osteoarthritis (STOA) is often secondary to chronic ankle sprains, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. Due to its etiology and pathogenesis was not studied equivocally yet, there is currently a lack of effective conservative treatments. Although they have been used for tissue repair, platelet-rich plasma-derived exosomes (PRP-Exo) have the disadvantage of low retention and short-lived therapeutic effects. This study aimed to determine whether incorporation of PRP-Exo in thermosensitive hydrogel (Gel) increased their retention in the joint and thereby playing a therapeutic role on STOA due to chronic mechanical instability established by transecting lateral ligaments (anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) / calcaneal fibular ligament (CFL)). PRP-Exo incorporated Gel (Exo-Gel) system, composed of Poloxamer-407 and 188 mixture-based thermoresponsive hydrogel matrix in an optimal ratio, was determined by its release ability of Exo and rheology of Gel response to different temperature. The biological activity of Exo-Gel was evaluated in vitro, and the therapeutic effect of Exo-Gel on STOA was evaluated in vivo. Exo released from Exo-Gel continuously for 28 days could promote the proliferation and migration of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) and chondrocytes, at the same time enhance the chondrogenic differentiation of mBMSCs, and inhibit inflammation-induced chondrocyte degeneration. In vivo experiments confirmed that Exo-Gel increased the local retention of Exo, inhibited the apoptosis and hypertrophy of chondrocytes, enhanced their proliferation, and potentially played the role in stem cell recruitment to delay the development of STOA. Thus, Delivery of PRP-Exo incorporated in thermosensitive Gel provides a novel approach of cell-free therapy and has therapeutic effect on STOA.
PTH2R Is Related to Cell Proliferation and Migration in Ovarian Cancer: A Multi-omics Analysis of Bioinformatics and Experiments
Authors: Xiaowei Wang , Tong Lu , Yanjun Qu , Fan Lili
Published: November 2021

Background
Ovarian cancer is a common gynecological disease and seriously endangers women's health. Currently, there is still a lack of effective molecular markers for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular markers associated with ovarian cancer.
Methods
The molecular and gene related to ovarian cancer were extracted from GEO database and TCGA database by bioinformatics, and the related genes and functions were further analyzed. The results were verified by qPCR, WB, CCK-8 and Transwell experiments.
Results
Data analysis showed that PTH2R gene was highly expressed in tumors, and 51 HUB genes were obtained. Finally, experimental verification showed that PTH2R gene was highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and PTH2R gene was involved in the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells.
Conclusions
After experimental verification, we found that knocking down the expression of PTH2R can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration of tumor cells.PTH2R is expected to become a new molecular marker for ovarian cancer.
Is the Genetic Integrity of Wild Coffea Canephora From Ivory Coast Threatened by Hybridization With Introduced Coffee Trees From Central Africa?
Authors: Estelle GNAPI Diane , POKOU Desire , Hyacinthe LEGNATE , Zhang DAPENG , MONTAGNON Christophe , BERTRAND Benoît , N’GUETTA Simon-Pierre Assanvo
Published: November 2021

Canephora coffee is an important source of income and employment, contributing significantly to the economies of many developing countries. This species is split into two genetic groups: Guinean and Congolese. Côte-d’Ivoire is the primary diversification center of the Guinean pool, which offers great potential for genetic improvement. However, genetic erosion of this group is currently a threat in this country because of the massive introduction of Congolese accessions in the previous decades. In this work, we analyzed the progenies of isolated population of C. canephora composed of a mix of Guinean and Congolese using SNP markers. The analysis is focus on the male parents’ contribution on open pollination progenies. The result shows that the introduction of cultivars from the Congolese gene pool threat the genetic integrity of wild populations of the Guinean gene pool. We recommend that a conservation program be put in place to ensure the entegrity of wild population of C. canephora through in situ or ex situ conservation.
Origin of the p-type characteristics of organic semiconductors
Authors: Hu Wenping , Li Liqiang , Huang Yinan , Chen Xiaosong , Wu Kunjie , Sun Yajing , Wang Zhongwu , Hu Yongxu , Yuan Liqian , Wang Shuguang , Li Jie , Ji Deyang , Zhang Xiaotao
Published: November 2021

Organic semiconductors (OSC) are generally considered intrinsic (undoped), an assumption which underpins our understanding of the charge transport in this promising class of materials. However, this premise conflicts with a variety of experimental observations, that suggest the presence of excess holes carriers in OSCs at room temperature. Here, using a low-power plasma de-doping method, we report that trace amounts (~1015 cm-3) of oxygen-induced organic radical cations (OIORCs) are inherent in the lattice of OSCs as innate hole carriers, and that this is the origin of the p-type characteristics exhibited by the majority of these materials. This finding clarifies previously unexplained organic electronics phenomena and provides a foundation upon which to re-understand charge transport in OSCs. Furthermore, the de-doping method can eliminate the trace OIORCs, resulting in the complete disappearance of p-type behavior, while re-doping (under light irradiation in O2), reverses the process. These methods can precisely modulate key electronic characteristics (e.g., conductivity, polarity, and threshold voltage) in a nondestructive way, expanding the explorable charge transport property space for all known OSC materials. Accordingly, we conclude that our tailorable OIORC doping strategy, requiring only off-the-shelf equipment and a glovebox, will become a core technology in the burgeoning organic electronics industry.
More alike than different: Novel methods for measuring and modeling executive function development
Authors: Younger Jessica Wise , O'Laughlin Kristine D. , Anguera Joaquin A. , Bunge Silvia A. , Ferrer Emilio E. , Hoeft Fumiko , McCandliss Bruce D. , Mishra Jyoti , Rosenberg-Lee Miriam , Gazzaley Adam , Uncapher Melina R.
Published: November 2021

Executive functions (EFs) are linked to positive outcomes across the lifespan. Yet, methodological challenges have prevented rigorous understanding of the precise ways EFs are organized in childhood and how they develop over time. We introduce novel methods to address these challenges for both measuring and modeling EFs using a large, accelerated longitudinal dataset from a diverse sample of students in middle childhood (approximately ages 8 to 14; N = 1,286). Adaptive assessments allowed us to equate EF challenge across ages and a data-driven, network analytic approach revealed the evolving diversity of EFs while accounting for their unity. Our results suggest EF organization stabilizes around age 10, but continues refining through at least age 14. This approach brings new precision to EFs’ development by removing interpretative ambiguities associated with previous methodologies. By improving EF measurement, the field can move towards improving EF training, to provide a strong foundation for students’ success.
Subjective Health Status: An Easily Available, Independent, Robust And Significant Predictive Factor At The Prometaphase of Vaccination Programs For The Vaccination Behavior of Chinese Adults
Authors: Wang Zuxing , Chen Lili , Xiao Jun , Jiang Fugui , Min Wenjiao , Liu Shuyun , Wang Yunqiong , Qi Mengsha
Published: November 2021

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed COVID-19 vaccination as an emergent and important method to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Since China started vaccination programs in December 2020, vaccination has spread to provinces and municipalities nationwide. Previous research has focused on people's vaccination willingness and its influencing factors but has not examined vaccination behavior. We examine the effectiveness of psychosocial factors in predicting vaccination behavior. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was performed among Chinese adults on 8 May and 4 June 2021. The statistical analysis of the data included univariate analysis, receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis and ordinal multiclassification logistic regression model analysis. Results: Of the 1300 respondents, 761 (58.5%) were vaccinated. Univariate analysis showed that a high education level and good subjective health status were protective factors for vaccination behavior, while suffering from chronic diseases was a risk factor. ROC analysis showed that subjective health status (AUC = 0.625, 95% CI: 0.594–0.656, P < 0.001) was the best predictor of vaccination behavior. Logistic regression analysis with subjective health status as a dependent variable indicated that older age, female sex, depression, neurasthenia, obsession, hypochondriasis and chronic disease were significant risk factors, while positive coping tendencies were a significant protective factor. Conclusion: Our study found a simple and effective marker, subjective health status, that can predict vaccination behavior. This finding can guide future epidemic prevention work.
A Critical Period for Learning and Plastic Changes at Hippocampal CA1 Synapses
Authors: Sakimoto Yuya , Mitsushima D
Published: November 2021

Postnatal development of hippocampal function has been reported in numerous mammalian species, including humans. To obtain a synaptic evidence, we analyzed developmental changes in plasticity after an inhibitory avoidance task in rats. Learning performance was low in infants (postnatal 2 weeks) but clearly improved from the juvenile period (3–4 weeks) to adulthood (8 weeks). One hour after the training, we prepared brain slices and sequentially recorded miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) from the same hippocampal CA1 neuron. Although the training failed to affect the amplitude of either mEPSCs or mIPSCs at 2 weeks, it increased mEPSC, but not mIPSC, amplitude at 3 weeks. At 4 weeks, the training had increased the amplitude of both mEPSCs and mIPSCs, whereas mIPSC, but not mEPSC, amplitude was increased at 8 weeks. Because early-life physiological functions can affect performance, we also evaluated sensory–motor functions together with emotional state and found adequate sensory/motor functions from infancy to adulthood. Moreover, by analyzing performance of rats in multiple hippocampal-dependent tasks, we found that the developmental changes in the performance are task dependent. Taken together, these findings delineate a critical period for learning and plastic changes at hippocampal CA1 synapses.
Degradation Sulfamethoxazole by Chlorination in Water Distribution Systems: Kinetics, Toxicity, and Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Xu Luo , li cong , Wei Guozijian , Ji Jie , Lichtfouse Eric , García Andreina , Zhang Yunshu , Zhang Kai
Published: November 2021

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is a veterinary drugs and feed additives, which has been frequently detected in surface waters in recent years. This paper investigated the kinetics, evolution of toxicity and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) of SMX in reactions with free chlorine (FC) to evaluate the fate of SMX in batch reactors and water distribution systems (WDS). In the range of investigated pH (6.3 – 9.0), the SMX degradation had the fastest rate at close to neutral pH. The chlorination of SMX could be described by the first-order kinetics, with specific second-order rate constants in batch reactors of (2.23 ± 0.07) × 102 M− s and (5.04 ± 0.30) × 101 M− s− for HClO and ClO−, respectively. And in WDS of (1.76 ± 0.07) × 102 M− s− and (4.06 ± 0.62) × 101 M− s−, respectively. The SMX degradation rate was also affected by pipe material, and the rate followed the order: stainless-steel pipe (SS) > ductile iron pipe (DI) > polyethylene pipe (PE). The flow rate from 0.7 to 1.5 m/s led to an increase of SMX degradation rate in DI, but the increase was limited. In addition, SMX could increase the toxicity of water initially, yet the toxicity reduced to the level of tap water after 2 hours chlorination. The relative abundance of ARGs (sul1 and sul2) of tap water samples was significantly increased under different conditions including only use SMX, chlorination products of SMX, or pretreatment with SMX followed by chlorination.
Runx2 and Runx3 differentially regulate articular chondrocytes during surgically induced osteoarthritis development
Authors: Nagata Kosei , Hojo Hironori , Chang Song Ho , Okada Hiroyuki , Yano Fumiko , Chijimatsu Ryota , Omata Yasunori , Mori Daisuke , Makii Yuma , Kawata Manabu , Kaneko Taizo , Iwanaga Yasuhide , Nakamoto Hideki , Maenohara Yuji , Tachibana Naohiro , Ishikura Hisatoshi , Higuchi Junya , Taniguchi Yuki , Ohba Shinsuke , Chung Ung-il , Tanaka Sakae , Saito Taku
Published: November 2021

The Runt-related transcription factor (Runx) family plays various roles in the homeostasis of cartilage. Here, we examined the role of Runx2 and Runx3 for osteoarthritis (OA) development in vivo and in vitro. Runx3 knockout mice accelerated OA by surgical induction, accompanied with decreased expression of lubricin and aggrecan. Meanwhile, Runx2 conditional knockout mice showed biphasic phenotypes; OA was inhibited by hetero-knockout accompanied with decreased matrix metallopeptidase 13 (Mmp13) expression, but accelerated in homo-knockout of Runx2 accompanied with reduction of type II collagen (Col2a1) expression. Comprehensive transcriptional analyses revealed lubricin and aggrecan as transcriptional target genes of Runx3, and indicated that Runx2 sustained Col2a1 expression through an intron 6 enhancer when Sox9 was decreased. Intra-articular administration of Runx3 adenovirus ameliorated development of surgically induced OA. Runx3 protects adult articular cartilage through extracellular matrix protein production under the normal condition, while Runx2 exerts both catabolic and anabolic effects under the inflammatory condition.
Genotype by Environment Interaction and Grain Yield Stability of Drought Tolerant Cowpea landraces in Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Tesfaye Walle , Mekbib Firew , Amsalu Berhanu , Gedil Melaku , Labuschagne Maryke
Published: November 2021

Cowpea is one of the most important indigenous food and forage legumes in Africa. It serves as a primary source of protein for poor farmers in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia. The crop is used as a source of food, and insurance crop during the dry season. Cowpea is adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions. Despite this, the productivity of the crop is generally low due to lack of stable and drought tolerant varieties. In this study, 25 cowpea genotypes were evaluated in five environments using a triple lattice design during the 2017 and 2018 main cropping seasons. The objectives of this study were to estimate the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and grain yield stability of selected drought tolerant cowpea genotypes across different environments. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model indicated the contribution of environment, genotype and GEI as 63.98 6%, 2.66% and 16.30% of the total variation for grain yield, respectively. The magnitudes of the GEI sum of squares were 6.12 times that of the genotypes for grain yield. The IPCA1, IPCA2 and IPCA3 were all significant and explained 45.47%, 28.05% and 16.59% of the GEI variation, respectively. The results from AMMI, cultivar superior measure (Pi), genotype plus genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplot yield stability index (YSI), and AMMI stability value (ASV) analyses identified NLLP-CPC-07-145-21, NLLP-CPC-103-B and NLLP_CPC-07-54 as stable and high yielding genotypes across environments. Thus, these genotypes should be recommended for release for production for drought prone areas. NLLP-CPC-07-143, Kanketi and CP-EXTERETIS were the least stable. The AMMI1 biplot showed that Jinka was a high potential and favorable environment while Babile was an unfavorable environment for cowpea production.
Complement Inhibition Reduces Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus in Mouse Neonatal Germinal Matrix Hemorrhage
Authors: Alshareef Mohammed , Mallah Khalil , Vasas Tyler , Alawieh Ali , Borucki Davis , Couch Christine , Cutrone Jonathan , Shope Chelsea , Eskandari Ramin , Tomlinson Stephen
Published: November 2021

IntroductionGerminal matrix hemorrhage (GMH) is a devastating disease of infancy that results in intraventricular hemorrhage, post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), periventricular leukomalacia and neurocognitive deficits. There are no curative treatments and limited surgical options. We developed a novel mouse model of GMH and investigated the role of complement in PHH development.MethodsWe utilized a neonatal mouse model of GMH involving injection of collagenase into the subventricular zone of post-natal day four (P4) pups. Animals were randomized into four experimental arms: Naïve, sham injured, injured and vehicle (PBS) treated, and injured and CR2Crry-treated (a pan-complement inhibitor). Histopathologic and immunofluorescence analyses were performed at P14 with a focus on parameters of neuroinflammation and neuroprotection. Survival was monitored through day 45, prior to which cognitive and motor function was analyzed.ResultsThe complement inhibitor CR2Crry, which binds C3 complement activation products, localized specifically in the brain following systemic administration after GMH. Compared to vehicle treatment, CR2Crry treatment reduced PHH and lesion size, which was accompanied by decreased perilesional complement deposition, decreased astrocytosis and microgliosis, and the preservation of dendritic and neuronal density. Progression to PHH and neuronal loss was linked to microglial phagocytosis of complement opsonized neurons, which was reversed with CR2Crry treatment. Complement inhibition also improved survival and weight gain, and improved motor performance and cognitive outcomes measured in adolescent GMH mice. ConclusionComplement plays an important role in the pathological sequelae of GMH. Complement inhibition represents a novel therapeutic approach to reduce disease progression in neonatal GMH and PHH, for which there is currently no treatment outside of surgical intervention.
Identification of Immune Infiltration-related Gene Signature Associated with Prognosis and Immune Features in Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Ya , Zhang Xintan , Li Tingxuan , Zhang Yue , Zuo Xiaoxiao
Published: November 2021

Background: Immune infiltrated genes (IIGs) have been identified to associated with the prognosis of various cancers, but their expression and prognostic significance remain largely unclear in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD).Methods: Gene expression profiles and clinical data of STAD patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as a training dataset (n = 375) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases as a validation dataset (n = 300). Construction of high and low immune cell infiltration groups was performed by single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and evaluated by ESTIMATE algorithm-derived immune scores. The overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tumor vs. normal and Immunity-H vs. Immunity-L were selected as differentially expressed immune infiltrated genes (DEIIGs), which were used to construct DEIIG prognostic signature and its performance was validated using validation dataset. Moreover, the association between clinical data and immune features were explored. Furthermore, ADH4 and ANGPT2 were selected for analyzing their expression and prognostic values in STAD patients.Results: A total of 191 overlapping DEGs, including 6 lnRNAs and 185 mRNA were identified. Consecutively, 9 DEIIG prognostic signature (LINC00843, ADH4, ANGPT2, APOA1, ASLC2, GFRA1, KIAA1549L, MTTP and PROC) were identified as risk signature and Kaplan-Meier curve and ROC curve verified its performance in TCGA and GEO datasets. Total five clinical outcomes (age, pathologic T, radiotherapy, tumor recurrence and prognostic score model status) were identified to be associated with the survival prognosis of STAD patients. The TIMER algorithm revealed that B cell, T cell CD4+, neutrophil, macrophage and myeloid dendritic cell were positively correlated with STAD prognosis, while CD8+ was negatively correlated with STAD prognosis. Additionally, we validated that higher ADH4 and lower ANGPT2 predicted better survival prognosis in STAD patients.Conclusion: We constructed and verified a robust signature of nine DEIIG prognostic signature for the prediction of STAD patient survival.
Comprehensive Analysis Reveals Promising Immune Target and Prognostic Value of PLK3 in Glioma
Authors: Qian Ao , Huo Gang , Wang Xiaoshu , Mou Jiamin , Gao Dong , Chen Song
Published: November 2021

Background

PLK3, a gene played an important role in cell cycle progression and stress response, was identified in different carcinomas. However, the PLK3 expression, molecular characteristics, and prognostic value in glioma still remained unknown.
Methods

Total 2265 glioma samples from the CGGA RNA-seq, TCGA RNA-seq, CGGA microarray, GSE16011, as well as their clinical information and genomic profiles were selected in our research. Survival analysis based on Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard model methods was performed to evaluate the prognostic value.
Results

Expression of PLK3 was compared in different WHO grade, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) status, and molecular subtype of gliomas. We found that increased level of PLK3 was associated with malignancy and invasiveness of glioma, and high expression of PLK3 may represent malignant entities with amplification of driver oncogenes and deletion of suppressor genes. Moreover, PLK3 played a crucial role in inflammatory and immune response, and was involved in suppressive T cell anti-tumor functions. Furthermore, PLK3 was synergistic with other checkpoint members in glioma. Finally, high expression of PLK3 was associated with malignant process and reduced survival in patients with glioma.
Conclusion

PLK3 may serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in glioma and a potential target for immunotherapy of glioma. These results demonstrated that PLK3 may serve as a biomarker and a potential target of glioma.
Healthy Eating Index 2015 and Major Dietary Patterns in Relation to Incident Hypertension; A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pasdar Yahya , Hamzeh Behrooz , Moradi Shima , Mohammadi Ehsan , Darbandi Mitra , Safari Roya , Najafi Farid
Published: November 2021

Background: Since hypertension (HTN) is responsible for more than half of all deaths from cardiovascular disease, it is important to know the nutritional factors that reduce its risk. Although little information is known about it in the Kurdish population. This study was aimed to evaluate healthy eating index (HEI) 2015 and major dietary patterns in relation to incident HTN. Methods: This case- cohort study was designed using data from Ravansar non- communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study (294 participants with incident HTN and 1295 participants as representative random sub-cohort). HEI 2015 and major dietary patterns were extracted using data from their dietary intake and three major dietary patterns were identified including plant- based, high protein, and unhealthy dietary patterns. To analysis of association between HEI 2015 and major dietary patterns with incident HTN Cox proportional hazards regression models were applied. Results: There was a positive significant correlation between HEI 2015 and plant- based diet (r=0.492). The participants in the highest quartile of HEI-2015 had a 39% lower risk of incident HTN, compared to participants in first quartile in both crude and adjusted model (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.46-0.82) and (HR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.51–0.97), respectively. Furthermore, participants who were the highest tertile of plant- based dietary pattern were lower risk of incident HTN in both crude and adjusted models (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.54–0.9) and (HR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.53–0.94), respectively. However, other two identified dietary patterns had no significant association with incident HTN. Conclusions: We found evidence indicating higher adherence to HEI 2015 and plant- based diet had protective effects on incident HTN. The HEI 2015 emphasizes limited sodium intake and adequate intake of vegetables and fruits.
Finite Element Modeling of Melt Pool Dynamics in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Trejos-Taborda Juan , Reyes-Osorio Luis , Garza Carlos , Zambrano-Robledo Patricia del Carmen , Lopez-Botello Omar Eduardo
Published: November 2021

In Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), melt pool dynamics stability determines the overall quality of a manufactured component. In this work, a numerical model of the LPBF process was developed in order to study and fully understand the behavior of the melt pool dynamics. The numerical model takes into account most of the manufacturing parameters, thermophysical properties, an enhanced thermal conductivity approach and a volumetric heat source in order to precisely mimic LPBF. This research assumes that the energy emitted by the laser interacts with the metal powder with an absorptivity gradient through the layer thickness in order to calculate the thermal history of the process and the evolution of the melt pool dimensions. The obtained results determined that melt pool dimensions follow a thermal pattern, which is caused by the laser scanning strategy of the LPBF process. A new effective width criterion was proposed in the present research in order to accurately relate both calculated and measured dimensions of the melt pool, reducing the relative error of the model and obtaining data scattering with a standard deviation of ±7.21 µm and a relative error of 2.92%.
Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Blood Pressure: Evidence from a Chinese Large Multiple Follow-Up Study
Authors: Jiangtulu Bahabaike , Lan Changxin , Chen Junxi , Wang Bin , Xue Tao
Published: November 2021

Background:

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5 or FPM) may cause adverse effects on cardiovascular diseases. However, evidence that whether improved air quality can decrease blood pressure (BP) in humans is still needed from a large population study.
Methods:

Our study aimed to investigate the association of population ambient PM2.5 exposure with the blood pressure (BP) changes in China with implementing the Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control. A total of14,080 participants who had at least two valid visits were adopted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS) during 2011–2015. Their long-term PM2.5 exposure was assessed at the geographical level of a regular 0.1° × 0.1° grid over China. A mixed-effects regression model was used to assess their associations. The robustness and homogeneity of the association were tested via sensitivity analyses.
Results:

The results revealed that each reduction of 10 µg/m3 in the 1 year-mean PM2.5 concentration (FPM1Y) was associated with a decrease of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–1.64) mmHg of systolic BP (SBP) and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.25–0.75) mmHg of diastolic BP (DBP), respectively. A robust association was observed between the long-term reduction of PM2.5 and decreased BP in the middle-aged and elderly population in China. These findings were further confirmed by a non-linear regression model.
Conclusions:

We concluded that air pollution control for PM2.5 can obviously promote vascular health. Our study provided robust scientific support for making the air pollution control policies.
Synthesis And Biological Activity of Amide Derivatives Derived From Natural Product Waltherione F
Authors: Fang Hongbin , Chen Zhanfang , Hua Xuewen , Liu Wenrui , Xue Chenmeng , Liu Yi , Zhu Xiaohe , Yuan Man , Cheng Shuang , Wang Bingxiang , Ru Jing , Bazhanau Dzmitry , Cui Yanhong
Published: November 2021

Structural optimization based on natural products has become an effective way to develop new green fungicides, which provide important guiding significance for practicing the new development concept and promoting the green development of pesticides. In this project, combined with the fungicidal amide lead compound X-I-4 discovered in our previous work and fungicidal piperazine derivatives reported in literatures, the target compounds containing 4-quinolone and piperazine substructures based on waltherione F were designed, synthesized and screened for their biological activity. The bioassay results indicated that compounds I-3, I-5, II-3, II-7, II-10, II-11 and II-13 displayed higher inhibition rates against Rhizoctonia solani than other tested compounds. The in vitro cellular cytotoxicity assay revealed the compounds II-6 and II-11 exhibited higher cytotoxicity against HepG2 than other tested compounds. The fluorescence characteristics investigation showed that the absolute fluorescence QY value of the methanol solution of the compound I-6 was higher than those of I-2, I-3, I-7 and I-8, which was further elucidated by TD-DFT.
Microfluidic Screening And Genomic Mutation Identification For Enhancing Cellulase Production in Pichia Pastoris
Authors: Yuan Huiling , Zhou Ying , Tu Ran , Lin Yuping , Guo Yufeng , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Qinhong
Published: November 2021

BackgroundPichia pastoris is a widely used host organism for heterologous production of industrial enzymes and other proteins, such as cellulase applied in various industries. By developing rational and irrational engineering strategies, great progress has been achieved in improving protein expression in P. pastoris. However, due to unknown genomic impact factors, the potential of the P. pastoris expression system has not been fully explored. Recently, whole-cell directed evolution, employing iterative rounds of genome-wide diversity generation and high throughput screening (HTS), is considered as a promising strategy in strain improvement at the genome level.ResultsIn this study, whole-cell directed evolution of P. pastoris, employing atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis and droplet-based microfluidic high-throughput screening (HTS), was developed to improve heterogenous cellulase production. The droplet-based microfluidic HTS platform based on a cellulase-catalyzed reaction of releasing fluorescence was established to be suitable for methanol-grown P. pastoris. The validation experiment showed a positive sorting efficiency of 94.4% at a sorting rate of 300 drops per second. Through five rounds of iterative ARTP mutagenesis and microfluidic screening, cellulase production capacities of mutants in each round were gradually enhanced. Among them, the best mutant strain R5-2 exhibited the cellulase activity of 11,110 ± 523 U/L, an about 2-fold increase compared to the starting strain. Whole-genome resequencing analysis further uncovered three accumulated genomic alterations in coding region during iterative ARTP mutagenesis and screening. Intriguingly, the point mutation Rsc1V22G was observed in all the top-performing producers selected from each round, and gene deletion analysis confirmed that Rsc1, a component of the RSC chromatin remodeling complex, might play an important role in cellulase production. ConclusionsWe established a droplet-based microfluidic HTS system, thereby facilitating whole-cell directed evolution of P. pastoris for enhancing cellulase production, and meanwhile identified genomic alterations by whole-genome resequencing and analyzed. Our approaches and findings would provide guides to accelerate whole-cell directed evolution of host strains and enzymes of high industrial interest.
Ultrafast signatures of spin and orbital order in antiferromagnetic α-Sr2CrO4
Authors: Lee Min-Cheol , Occhialini Connor , Li Jiarui , Zhu Zhihai , Sirica Nicholas , Mix La Moyne , Yarotski Dmitry , Comin Riccardo , Prasankumar Rohit
Published: November 2021

We used femtosecond optical spectroscopy to study ultrafast spin and orbital ordering dynamics in the antiferromagnetic Mott insulator α-Sr2CrO4. This chromate system possesses multiple spin and orbital ordered phases, and therefore could enable us to study the unique interplay between these collective phases through their non-equilibrium response to photoexcitation. Here, by varying the pump photon energy, we selectively drove inter-site spin hopping between neighboring Cr t2g orbitals and charge transfer-type transitions between oxygen 2p and Cr eg orbitals. The resulting transient reflectivity dynamics revealed temperature-dependent anomalies across the Neel temperature for spin ordering as well as the transition temperatures linked to different types of orbital order. Our results reveal distinct relaxation timescales for spin and orbital orders in α-Sr2CrO4 and provide experimental evidence for the phase transition at TO, possibly related to antiferro-type orbital ordering.
Utilization of Innovative Medical Technologies In German Inpatient Care: Does Evidence Matter?
Authors: Eckhardt Helene , Felgner Susanne , Dreger Marie , Fuchs Sabine , Ermann Hanna , Lantzsch Hendrikje , Rombey Tanja , Busse Reinhard , Henschke Cornelia , Panteli Dimitra
Published: November 2021

Background: The reimbursement of new technologies in inpatient care is not always linked to a requirement for evidence-based evaluation of patient benefit. In Germany, every new technology approved for market was until recently reimbursable unless explicitly excluded. It was therefore unclear whether the implementation of innovative technologies is guided by scientific evidence. This work aimed to explore the relationship between clinical evidence and utilization for 25 selected technologies in German inpatient care.Methods: Different methods were applied. A systematic search for evidence published between 2003 and 2017 was conducted in four bibliographic databases; clinical trial registries; resources for clinical guidelines; and health technology assessment - databases. Information was also collected on funding mechanisms and safety notices. Utilization was measured by hospital cases captured in claims data. The body of evidence, funding and safety notices per technology were analysed descriptively. The relationship between utilization and evidence was explored empirically using a multilevel regression analysis.Results: The number of included publications per technology ranges from two to 498. For all technologies, non-comparative studies form the bulk of the evidence. The number of randomised controlled clinical trials per technology ranges from zero to 19. Some technologies were utilized for several years without an adequate evidence base. A relationship between evidence and utilization could be shown for several but not all technologies.Conclusions: This study reveals a mixed picture regarding the evidence available for new technologies, and the relationship between the development of evidence and the use of technologies over time. Although the influence of funding and safety notices requires further investigation, these results re-emphasize the need for strengthening market approval standards and HTA pathways as well as approaches such as “coverage with evidence development”.
Evaluation of serum biomarkers and electroencephalogram to determine survival outcomes in pediatric post-cardiac arrest patients
Authors: El-Seify Magda , Shattah Mennatullah , Salaheldin Sondos , Bawady Somia , Rezk Ahmed
Published: November 2021

Background

Cardiac arrest causes primary and secondary brain injuries. We aimed to evaluate the association between neuron-specific enolase (NSE), serum S-100B (S100B), electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns, and post-cardiac arrest outcomes, including arrest duration and survival, in pediatric patients.
Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted in the pediatric intensive care unit of our hospital from January 2017 to December 2019 and included 41 post-cardiac arrest patients with different etiologies who underwent EEG and serum sampling for NSE and S100B. The participants were aged 1 month to 18 years who experienced cardiac arrest and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation after a sustained return of spontaneous circulation for ≥48 hours. We excluded immunocompromised patients, those with neurological diseases, hematological malignancies or solid tumors, or a history of head trauma.
Results

Approximately 19.5% (n=8) of patients survived until hospital discharge. Convulsions and sepsis—observed in 21.9% (n=9) and 82.9% (n=34) of patients, respectively—were significantly associated with higher mortality (relative risk: 1.33 [95% CI=1.09–1.6] and 1.99 [95% CI=0.8–4.7], respectively). Serum NSE and S100B levels were not statistically associated with outcome (P=0.278 and 0.693, respectively). NSE levels were positively correlated with arrest duration. EEG patterns were significantly associated with outcome (P=0.01). Non-epileptogenic EEG activity was associated with the highest survival rate. No patient with burst suppression survived.
Conclusion

Post-cardiac arrest syndrome is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Management of sepsis and convulsions affects prognosis. NSE and S100B have no benefit in survival evaluation. EEG is recommended for all post-cardiac arrest patients.
NcRNAs-mediated High Expression of TIMM8A Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Act as an Oncogene in Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Zhonglin , Li Shuqin , Xu Feng , Fu Jingyue , Sun Jie , Gan Xinli , Yang Chuang , Mao ZhongQi
Published: November 2021

Background: Breast cancer is notorious for its increasing incidence for decades. Ascending evidence has demonstrated that translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane (TIMM) proteins play vital roles in progression of several types of human cancer. However, the biological behaviors and molecular mechanisms of TIMM8A in breast cancer remain not fully illustrated.Methods: Pan-cancer analysis was firstly performed for TIMM8A’s expression and prognosis by Oncomine database. Subsequently, TIMM8A-related noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) were identified by a series of bioinformatics analyses and dual-luciferase reporter assay, including expression analysis, correlation analysis, and survival analysis. Moreover, the effect of TIMM8A on breast cancer proliferation and apoptosis was evaluated in vitro by CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays and Western blot assays and the in vivo effect was revealed through a patient-derived xenograft mouse model.Results: We found that TIMM8A showed higher expression level in breast cancer and the higher TIMM8A mRNA expression group had a poorer prognosis than the lower TIMM8A group. hsa-circ-0107314/hsa-circ-0021867/hsa-circ-0122013 might be the three most potential upstream circRNAs of hsa-miR-34c-5p/hsa-miR-449a-TIMM8A axis in breast cancer. TIMM8A promotes proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo.Conclusion: Our results confirmed that ncRNAs-mediated upregulation of TIMM8A correlated with poor prognosis and act as an oncogene in breast cancer.
3D Hanging Spheroid Plate for High-Throughput CAR T Cell Cytotoxicity Assay
Authors: Chen Zhenzhong , Han Seokgyu , Sanny Arleen , Chan Dorothy Leung-Kwan , Noort Danny van , Lim Wanyoung , Tan Andy Hee-Meng , Park Sungsu
Published: November 2021

Background
Most high-throughput screening (HTS) systems for the cytotoxic effect of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells on tumor cells rely on two-dimensional cell culture that does not suitably recapitulate the tumor microenvironment (TME). Tumor spheroids can recapitulate TME and have been used for cytotoxicity assays of CAR T cells. However, a major obstacle to the use of tumor spheroids for cytotoxicity assays is the difficulty in separating unbound CAR T and dead tumor cells from spheroids. Here, we present a three-dimensional hanging spheroid plate (3DHSP), which facilitates the formation of spheroids and the separation of unbound and dead cells from spheroids during cytotoxicity assays.
Results
The 3DHSP is a 24-well plate, with each well composed of a hanging dripper, spheroid wells, and waste wells. In the dripper, a tumor spheroid was formed and mixed with CAR T cells. In 3DHSP, droplets containing the spheroids were deposited into the spheroid separation well, where unbound and dead T and tumor cells were separated from the spheroid through a gap into the waste well by tilting the 3DHSP by more than 20°. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive tumor cells (BT474 and SKOV3) formed spheroids of approximately 300–350 mm in diameter after 2 d in the 3DHSP. The cytotoxic effects of T cells engineered to express CAR recognizing HER2 (HER2-CAR T cells) on these spheroids were directly measured by optical imaging, without the use of live and dead fluorescent staining of the cells. Our results suggest that the 3DHSP could be incorporated into an HTS system to screen for CARs that enable T cells to kill spheroids formed from a specific tumor type with high efficacy or for spheroids consisting of tumor types that can be killed efficiently by T cells bearing a specific CAR.
Conclusions
The results suggest that the 3DHSP could be incorporated into an HTS system for the cytotoxic effects of CAR T cells on tumor spheroids.