bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome and Metabolome Analysis Revealed That Exogenous Spermidine-Modulated Flavone Enhances the Heat Tolerance of Lettuce
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Hao Jinghong , Fan Shuangxi , Liu Chaojie , Han Yingyan
Published: November 2022

Lettuce is sensitive to high temperature, and exogenous spermidine can improve heat tolerance in lettuce, but its intrinsic mechanism is still unclear. We analyzed the effects of exogenous spermidine on the leaf physiological metabolism, transcriptome and metabolome of lettuce seedlings under high-temperature stress using the heat-sensitive lettuce variety ‘Beisansheng No. 3′ as the material. The results showed that exogenous spermidine increased the total fresh weight, total dry weight, root length, chlorophyll content and total flavonoid content, increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in lettuce under high temperature stress. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed 818 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 393 metabolites between water spray and spermidine spray treatments under high temperature stress, and 75 genes from 13 transcription factors (TF) families were included in the DEGs. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of DEG contains pathways for plant–pathogen interactions, photosynthesis-antennal proteins, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and flavonoid biosynthesis. A total of 19 genes related to flavonoid synthesis were detected. Most of these 19 DEGs were down-regulated under high temperature stress and up-regulated after spermidine application, which may be responsible for the increase in total flavonoid content. We provide a possible source and conjecture for exploring the mechanism of exogenous spermidine-mediated heat tolerance in lettuce.
Selective Search Collaborative Representation for Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection
Authors: Yin Chensong , Gao Leitao , Wang Mingjie , Liu Anni
Published: November 2022

As an important tool in hyperspectral anomaly detection, collaborative representation detection (CRD) has attracted significant attention in recent years. However, the lack of global feature utilization, the contamination of the background dictionary, and the dependence on the sizes of the dual-window lead to instability of anomaly detection performance of CRD, making it difficult to apply in practice. To address these issues, a selective search collaborative representation detector is proposed. The selective search is based on global information and spectral similarity to realize the flexible fusion of adjacent homogeneous pixels. According to the homogeneous segmentation, the pixels with low background probability can be removed from the local background dictionary in CRD to achieve the purification of the local background and the improvement of detection performance, even under inappropriate dual-window sizes. Three real hyperspectral images are introduced to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method. The detection performance is depicted by intuitive detection images, receiver operating characteristic curves, and area under curve values, as well as by running time. Comparison with CRD proves that the proposed method can effectively improve the anomaly detection accuracy of CRD and reduce the dependence of anomaly detection performance on the sizes of the dual-window.
Tool for Parsing Important Data from Web Pages
Authors: Radilova Martina , Kamencay Patrik , Hudec Robert , Benco Miroslav , Radil Roman
Published: November 2022

This paper discusses the tool for the main text and image extraction (extracting and parsing the important data) from a web document. This paper describes our proposed algorithm based on the Document Object Model (DOM) and natural language processing (NLP) techniques and other approaches for extracting information from web pages using various classification techniques such as support vector machine, decision tree techniques, naive Bayes, and K-nearest neighbor. The main aim of the developed algorithm was to identify and extract the main block of a web document that contains the text of the article and the relevant images. The algorithm on a sample of 45 web documents of different types was applied. In addition, the issue of web pages, from the structure of the document to the use of the Document Object Model (DOM) for their processing, was analyzed. The Document Object Model was used to load and navigation of the document. It also plays an important role in the correct identification of the main block of web documents. The paper also discusses the levels of natural language. These methods of automatic natural language processing help to identify the main block of the web document. In this way, the all-textual parts and images from the main content of the web document were extracted. The experimental results show that our method achieved a final classification accuracy of 88.18%.
Modeling Acoustic Emission Due to an Internal Point Source in Circular Cylindrical Structures
Authors: Kim Kwang Bok , Kim Bong Ki , Kang Jun-Gill
Published: November 2022

In one of our previous publications, we developed the first mathematical model for acoustic emission from an internal point source in a transversely isotropic cylinder. The point source, as an internal defect, is the most fundamental source generating AE in homogeneous media; it is represented by a spatiotemporal concentrated force and generates three scalar potentials for compressional, and horizontally and vertically polarized shear waves. The mathematical formulas for the displacements were derived by introducing the concentrated force-incorporated potentials into the Navier–Lamé equation. Since the publication of that paper, we detected some errors. In this paper, we correct the errors and extend the analytical modeling to a cylindrical shell structure. For acoustic emission in general circular cylindrical structures, we derived solutions by applying the boundary conditions at inner and outer surfaces of the structures. Under these conditions, we solve the radial, tangential, and axial displacement fields. Analytical simulations of the acoustic emission were carried out at several point source locations for circular cylindrical geometries. We show that the maximum amplitude of the axial displacement is dependent on the point source position and 2π-aperiodicity of the cylindrical geometry. Our mathematical formulas are very useful for characterizing AE features generated from an internal defect source in cylindrical geometries.
RJ-RRT: Improved RRT for Path Planning in Narrow Passages
Authors: Chai Qisen , Wang Yujun
Published: November 2022

As a representative of sampling-based planning algorithms, rapidly exploring random tree (RRT), is extensively welcomed in solving robot path planning problems due to its wide application range and easy addition of nonholonomic constraints. However, it is still challenging for RRT to plan the path for configuration space with narrow passages. As a variant algorithm of RRT, rapid random discovery vine (RRV) gives a better solution, but when configuration space contains more obstacles instead of narrow passages, RRV performs slightly worse than RRT. In order to solve these problems, this paper re-examines the role of sampling points in RRT. Firstly, according to the state of the random tree expanding towards the current sampling point, a greedy sampling space reduction strategy is proposed, which decreases the redundant expansion of the random tree in space by dynamically changing the sampling space. Secondly, a new narrow passage judgment method is proposed according to the environment around of sampling point. After the narrow passage is identified, the narrow passage is explored by generating multiple subtrees inside the passage. The subtrees can be merged into the main tree that expands in a larger area by subsequent sampling. These improvements further enhance the value of sampling points. Compared with the existing RRT algorithms, the adaptability for different environments is improved, and the planning time and memory usage are saved.
Correlation and Regression Analysis of Spraying Process Quality Indicators
Authors: Cieniawska Beata , Pentoś Katarzyna , Szulc Tomasz
Published: November 2022

The study presents the results of the correlation and regression of the deposition of liquid and the degree of coverage of sprayed objects. Preliminary experiments were conducted in terms of droplet size depending on liquid pressure and nozzle type. Studies on the degree of coverage and deposition of spray liquid were then carried out. The test stand consisted of a carrier of nozzles and artificial plants. Samplers were attached to the artificial plants to obtain vertical and horizontal surfaces. Water-sensitive paper and filter papers were sampled (for measurements of the degree of coverage and deposition of liquid, respectively). The results of these studies showed strong and very strong Pearson’s correlation coefficients between the analyzed indicators (degree of coverage and deposition of liquid), from 0.9143 to 0.9815. Furthermore, high values of the coefficient of determination (R2 > 0.85) were obtained for linear regression. The high R2 values indicate a good match of the regression model to empirical data.
Variation Characteristics of the Wind Field in a Typical Thunderstorm Event in Beijing
Authors: Zhang Ailin , Zhang Shi , Xu Xiaoda , Zhong Haibin , Li Bo
Published: November 2022

The understanding of wind field characteristics during thunderstorms is key to structural design for resistance to thunderstorms. In this paper, the directional thunderstorm wind model is adopted to analyze the characteristics of vertical variations of the wind field in a typical thunderstorm event in the Beijing urban area, based on the measured data. First, the longitudinal and lateral fluctuating wind speed components were decoupled and the change of direction was obtained. Then, variation of the wind speed, wind direction, turbulence intensity, turbulence integral length scale, and gust factor with the height and time were studied. The measured thunderstorm wind spectrum and the coherence function of horizontal longitudinal reduced turbulent fluctuations were analyzed and compared with empirical models. The results showed that the wind speed profile presented an obvious “nose shape” near the peak wind speed. The longitudinal turbulence integral scale was larger than the lateral one. The Von Karman spectrum is relatively effective in fitting the thunderstorm wind spectrum. Compared with synoptic winds, the gust factor during the pass of thunderstorm wind is larger, so it seems necessary to consider the influence of thunderstorm wind in engineering design.
Treatment Emergent Central Sleep Apnea Evaluation in Patients Treated with Mandibular Advancement Device
Authors: Ciavarella Domenico , Ferrara Donatella , Cazzolla Angela Pia , Burlon Giuseppe , Tepedino Michele
Published: November 2022

The aim of the present cohort study was to evaluate the possible occurrence of central sleep apnea (CSA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) after treatment with a mandibular advancement device (MAD). In this case, 56 patients with OSA treated with MAD were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were age over 20 years, body mass index (BMI) less than 34 kg/m2, diagnosis of OSA confirmed by polysomnography (PSG), and MAD therapy for OSA. Exclusion criteria were smoking, medications for neurological disorders or a history of cervical head injury, and comorbidities (arrhythmias, congenital heart disease, stroke, heart failure or lung disease). Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI), Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) and Mixed Apnea were extracted from the PSGs before (T0) and after three months of treatment (T1). Paired-sample t-tests and the Wilcoxon Signature Rank test were performed to evaluate differences in PSG indices at T1 and T0. OSA, CSA, AHI, ODI showed a noticeable reduction after MAD therapy, but a limited number of patients showed a dramatic increase in TCSA. The presence of TECSA in the course of MAD treatment is a condition that should be taken into consideration when needing to treat an OSA patient.
Directed Network Disassembly Method Based on Non-Backtracking Matrix
Authors: Ma Jinlong , Wang Peng , Li Huijia
Published: November 2022

Network disassembly refers to the removal of the minimum set of nodes to split the network into disconnected sub-part to achieve effective control of the network. However, most of the existing work only focuses on the disassembly of undirected networks, and there are few studies on directed networks, because when the edges in the network are directed, the application of the existing methods will lead to a higher cost of disassembly. Aiming at fixing the problem, an effective edge module disassembly method based on a non-backtracking matrix is proposed. This method combines the edge module spectrum partition and directed network disassembly problem to find the minimum set of key points connecting different edge modules for removal. This method is applied to large-scale artificial and real networks to verify its effectiveness. Multiple experimental results show that the proposed method has great advantages in disassembly accuracy and computational efficiency.
Trend Analysis of Hydro-Climatological Factors Using a Bayesian Ensemble Algorithm with Reasoning from Dynamic and Static Variables
Authors: A Keerthana , Nair Archana
Published: November 2022

This study examines the variations in groundwater levels from the perspectives of the dynamic layers soil moisture (SM), normalized difference vegetation index (VI), temperature (TE), and rainfall (RA), along with static layers lithology and geomorphology. Using a Bayesian Ensemble Algorithm, the trend changes are examined at 385 sites in Kerala for the years 1996 to 2016 and for the months January, April, August, and November. An inference in terms of area under the probability curve for positive, zero, and negative trend was used to deduce the changes. Positive or negative changes were noticed at 19, 32, 26, and 18 locations, in that order. These well sites will be the subject of additional dynamic and static layer investigation. According to the study, additional similar trends were seen in SM during January and April, in TE during August, and in TE and VI during November. According to the monthly order, the matching percentages were 63.2%, 59.4%, 76.9%, and 66.7%. An innovative index named SMVITERA that uses dynamic layers has been created using the aforementioned variables. The average proportion of groundwater levels that follow index trends is greater. The findings of the study can assist agronomists, hydrologists, environmentalists, and industrialists in decision making for groundwater resources.
The Dynamic Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on the Multifractal Cross-Correlations between PM2.5 and O3 Concentrations in and around Shanghai, China
Authors: Li Xing , Su Fang
Published: November 2022

Although the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused serious restrictions on human activities in and around Shanghai, China, the period can be viewed as a helpful experiment to investigate the correlation between PM2.5 and O3 concentrations. In this study, the hourly PM2.5 and O3 series in four cities (i.e., Shanghai, Jiaxing, Nantong and Suzhou) from 27 November 2019 to 23 March 2020 are used. The “seesaw effect” is observed in the study data. The dynamic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the multifractal cross-correlations and the coordinated control degree of PM2.5-O3 are examined in these cities. First of all, the multifractal cross-correlations, multifractality components and dynamic influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on cross-correlations between PM2.5 and O3 in four cities are illustrated. Furthermore, a new quantification index, ζ, evaluating the coordinated control degree of PM2.5-O3 is developed, validated and compared. The multifractal cross-correlation analysis results reveal that the cross-correlations between PM2.5 and O3 in and around Shanghai both before and during the COVID-19 partial lockdown have multifractal characteristics. Moreover, there are weaker multifractal cross-correlation degrees of PM2.5-O3 in four cities during the COVID-19 partial lockdown. The multifractal cause analysis based on stochastic simulation illustrates that the impacts of multifractality due to the nonlinear correlation part are greater than the linear correlation part and the fat-tailed probability distribution part in and around Shanghai. The intrinsic multifractal cross-correlations decreased in all cities during the COVID-19 lockdown. However, the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the multifractal cross-correlations are limited from the perspective of intrinsic multifractality. The mean values of ζ in and around Shanghai all increase during the COVID-19 partial lockdown, which indicates that the PM2.5-O3 coordinated control degrees in all four cities become weaker.
High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Methane Emissions Inventory from Terrestrial Ecosystems in China, 2010–2020
Authors: Yang Yongliang , Shi Yusheng
Published: November 2022

Methane (CH4) is not only an important greenhouse gas next to carbon dioxide (CO2), but also an important chemically active gas. Under the background of climate warming, the measurement of CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in China is not only very important for exploring the impact of climate change on the ecological environment, but also of great significance for the in-depth study of ecosystem carbon cycling. In this study, we used the Emission-Factor Approach to estimate CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in China from 2010–2020 and explored the spatial distribution characteristics of CH4 emissions. The estimated CH4 emission inventory of terrestrial ecosystems with 0.05 spatial resolution on monthly time scale is in good agreement with the results of the latest emission inventory. It is estimated that CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in China are 19.955 Tg yr−1, including 18.61% (3.713 Tg yr−1) from vegetation, 21.47% (4.285 Tg yr−1) from wetlands and 59.92% (11.957 Tg yr−1) from paddy fields, with the largest contribution from paddy fields. The regions with high CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in China are mainly located in the central, eastern and southeastern regions of China, and show a decreasing trend from southeast to northwest. The CH4 emission from terrestrial ecosystems in China has obvious seasonal variation characteristics, with the lowest emission in January (0.248 Tg month−1) and the highest emission in August (3.602 Tg month−1). The emissions are high in summer and autumn and low in spring and winter. CH4 emissions from terrestrial ecosystems in China showed an overall upward trend from 2010–2020.
Enhanced Vaccine Effectiveness during the Delta Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Medicare Population Supports a Multilayered Prevention Approach
Authors: Experton Bettina , Elena Adrien , Hein Christopher S. , Nordenberg Dale , Walker Peter , Schwendiman Blake , Burrow Christopher R.
Published: November 2022

Throughout the pandemic, individuals 65 years and older have contributed most COVID-19 related deaths. To best formulate effective vaccination and other prevention policies to protect older adults, large scale observational studies of these higher risk individuals are needed. We conducted a Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) study during the B.1.617.2 Delta variant phase of the pandemic in July and August 2021 in a cohort of 17 million Medicare beneficiaries of which 5.7 million were fully vaccinated. We found that individuals fully vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 and Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccines in January 2021 had 2.5 times higher breakthrough infections and hospitalizations than those fully vaccinated in March 2021, consistent with waning of vaccine-induced immunity. Measuring VE weekly, we found that VE against hospitalization, and even more so against infection, increased from July 2021 through August 2021, suggesting that in addition to the protective role of vaccination, increased masking or social distancing might have contributed to the unexpected increase in VE. Ongoing monitoring of Medicare beneficiaries should be a priority as new variants continue to emerge, and the VE of the new bivalent vaccines remains to be established. This could be accomplished with a large Medicare claims database and the analytics platform used for this study.
The Influence of Movement on the Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
Authors: Young Bruce A. , Cramberg Michael
Published: November 2022

This study was undertaken to document how the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure varied during movements and physiological activities. Using surgically implanted pressure catheters; the CSF pressure was recorded from sub-adult American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) under anesthesia and post-recovery. Pressures were recorded during physiological activities (the cardiac cycle; passive and active ventilation); manual manipulation of the anesthetized animals (foot sweeps; tail oscillations; and body bends); as well as voluntary movements post-recovery (changes in body tone; defensive strikes; and locomotion). The CSF pulsations associated with the cardiac cycle had the lowest mean amplitude (3.7 mm Hg); during active ventilation and defensive strikes; the alligators routinely generated CSF pressure spikes in excess of 100 mm Hg. The recorded CSF pressures appear to be caused by a variety of mechanisms including vascular pressure; fluid inertia; and possible physical displacement of the spinal cord. The results of the study suggest that any model of CSF dynamics or perfusion should incorporate the episodic high-pressure CSF pulsations associated with movement
Zinc in Human Health and Infectious Diseases
Authors: Maywald Martina , Rink Lothar
Published: November 2022

During the last few decades, the micronutrient zinc has proven to be an important metal ion for a well-functioning immune system, and thus also for a suitable immune defense. Nowadays, it is known that the main cause of zinc deficiency is malnutrition. In particular, vulnerable populations, such as the elderly in Western countries and children in developing countries, are often affected. However, sufficient zinc intake and homeostasis is essential for a healthy life, as it is known that zinc deficiency is associated with a multitude of immune disorders such as metabolic and chronic diseases, as well as infectious diseases such as respiratory infections, malaria, HIV, or tuberculosis. Moreover, the modulation of the proinflammatory immune response and oxidative stress is well described. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of zinc have been known for a long time, but are not comprehensively researched and understood yet. Therefore, this review highlights the current molecular mechanisms underlying the development of a pro-/ and anti-inflammatory immune response as a result of zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation. Additionally, we emphasize the potential of zinc as a preventive and therapeutic agent, alone or in combination with other strategies, that could ameliorate infectious diseases.
Biomolecules and Cardiovascular Diseases in Women
Authors: Ghinassi Barbara , Di Baldassarre Angela , Crescioli Clara
Published: November 2022

Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of non-communicable diseases-dependent death worldwide, their effects are still largely underestimated in women [...]
The Need to Shift from Morphological to Structural Assessment for Carotid Plaque Vulnerability
Authors: Xiang Yuqiao , Huang Xianjue , Benitez Mendieta Jessica , Wang Jiaqiu , Paritala Phani Kumari , Lloyd Thomas , Li Zhiyong
Published: November 2022

Degree of luminal stenosis is generally considered to be an important indicator for judging the risk of atherosclerosis burden. However, patients with the same or similar degree of stenosis may have significant differences in plaque morphology and biomechanical factors. This study investigated three patients with carotid atherosclerosis within a similar range of stenosis. Using our developed fluid–structure interaction (FSI) modelling method, this study analyzed and compared the morphological and biomechanical parameters of the three patients. Although their degrees of carotid stenosis were similar, the plaque components showed a significant difference. The distribution range of time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) of patient 2 was wider than that of patient 1 and patient 3. Patient 2 also had a much smaller plaque stress compared to the other two patients. There were significant differences in TAWSS and plaque stresses among three patients. This study suggests that plaque vulnerability is not determined by a single morphological factor, but rather by the combined structure. It is necessary to transform the morphological assessment into a structural assessment of the risk of plaque rupture.
Electroencephalography Signatures for Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis Patients Treated with Proton Pump Inhibitors: An Exploratory Pilot Study
Authors: Zhang Pan , Zhou Lizhi , Chen Li , Zhang Zhen , Han Rui , Guo Gangwen , Zhou Haocheng
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication in cirrhosis patients, and recently, clinical evidence indicates that a higher risk of HE is associated with the usage of proton pump inhibitors. However, the cortical mechanism underlying this neurological disorder of HE remains unknown. (2) Methods: We review the medical recordings of 260 patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis between January 2021 and March 2022 in one tertiary hospital. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factor of HE development. To examine the relationship between cortical dynamics and the administration of proton pump inhibitors, resting-state electroencephalograms (EEGs) were conducted in cirrhosis patients who were treated with proton pump inhibitors. (3) Results: About 28.5% (74 out of 260) of participants developed secondary HE in this study. The logistics regression model indicated that multiple risk factors were associated with the incidence of secondary HE, including proton pump inhibitors usage, white blood cell and neutrophil counts, hemoglobin, prothrombin time activity, and blood urea nitrogen. A total of twelve cirrhosis patients who were scheduled to use proton pump inhibitors consented to performing electroencephalogram recordings upon admission, and eight of twelve participants were diagnosed with HE. Spectral analysis revealed that the decrease in alpha oscillation activities was potentially associated with the development of HE. (4) Conclusions: Our data support the susceptibility of secondary HE in cirrhosis patients treated by proton pump inhibitors. One potential cortical mechanism underlying the neurological disease is the suppression of alpha oscillations in the brain.
Single Shot Lensless Interferenceless Phase Imaging of Biochemical Samples Using Synchrotron near Infrared Beam
Authors: Han Molong , Smith Daniel , Ng Soon Hock , Katkus Tomas , John Francis Rajeswary Aravind Simon , Praveen Periyasamy Angamuthu , Bambery Keith R. , Tobin Mark J. , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Juodkazis Saulius , Anand Vijayakumar
Published: November 2022

Phase imaging of biochemical samples has been demonstrated for the first time at the Infrared Microspectroscopy (IRM) beamline of the Australian Synchrotron using the usually discarded near-IR (NIR) region of the synchrotron-IR beam. The synchrotron-IR beam at the Australian Synchrotron IRM beamline has a unique fork shaped intensity distribution as a result of the gold coated extraction mirror shape, which includes a central slit for rejection of the intense X-ray beam. The resulting beam configuration makes any imaging task challenging. For intensity imaging, the fork shaped beam is usually tightly focused to a point on the sample plane followed by a pixel-by-pixel scanning approach to record the image. In this study, a pinhole was aligned with one of the lobes of the fork shaped beam and the Airy diffraction pattern was used to illuminate biochemical samples. The diffracted light from the samples was captured using a NIR sensitive lensless camera. A rapid phase-retrieval algorithm was applied to the recorded intensity distributions to reconstruct the phase information. The preliminary results are promising to develop multimodal imaging capabilities at the IRM beamline of the Australian Synchrotron.
Naked-Eye Detection of Food-Borne Pathogens Using Multiplex Hyperbranched Rolling Circle Amplification and Magnetic Particles
Authors: Tang Congli , Liu Hongna , Pan Wenjing , Wang Meiling , Ren Jie , Chen Zhu , Chen Hui , Deng Yan , Li Song
Published: November 2022

Food safety is a significant public health issue in both developed and developing countries. Previous detection methods struggle to meet the current demands. We have proposed a new way to detect pathogens, allowing detection to be visualized by the naked eye. Using our newly developed assay, when target genes are present in the reaction, corresponding padlock probes form closed-loop molecules. Each reaction tube contains a pair of universal primers for identifying target genes. The ring padlock probes and corresponding universal primers start hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (HRCA) under the action of the polymerase, so as to gain branched chain amplification products, which are irreversibly entangled with magnetic particles to form aggregated magnetic particle clusters, and the detection results are visible to naked eyes. On the contrary, by using linear probes, the clustering of magnetic particles will not be produced. This method was applied to the detection of five food-borne pathogens enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), with detection limits of 1 × 103, 1 × 104, 1 × 103, 1 × 104 and 1 × 102 CFU/mL, respectively. This method can realize multiplex automatic detection of nucleic acid and shows great development potential in the field of molecular diagnosis.
Flexible Electrochemical Platform Coupled with In Situ Prepared Synthetic Receptors for Sensitive Detection of Bisphenol A
Authors: Xu Chen-Yan , Ning Kang-Ping , Wang Zheng , Yao Yao , Xu Qin , Hu Xiao-Ya
Published: November 2022

A flexible electrochemical sensor based on the carbon felt (CF) functionalized with Bisphenol A (BPA) synthetic receptors was developed. The artificial Bisphenol A receptors were grafted on the CF by a simple thermal polymerization molecular imprinting process. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical characterizations were used to analyze the receptors. Characterization results demonstrated that the Bisphenol A synthetic receptors successfully formed on the CFs surface. Because the synthetic receptor and the porous CFs were successfully combined, the sensor displayed a better current response once Bisphenol A was identified. The sensor’s linear range was determined to be from 0.5 to 8.0 nM and 10.0 to 300.0 nM, with a detection limit of 0.36 nM. Even after being bent and stretched repeatedly, the electrode’s performance was unaffected, demonstrating the robustness, adaptability and viability of installing the sensor on flat or curved surfaces for on-site detection. The designed electrochemical sensor has been used successfully to identify Bisphenol A in milk samples with satisfactory results. This work provided a promising platform for the design of implantable, portable and miniaturized sensors.
What Should Be Considered When Assessing Hyperacusis? A Qualitative Analysis of Problems Reported by Hyperacusis Patients
Authors: Fackrell Kathryn , Sereda Magdalena , Smith Sandra , Sheldrake Jacqueline , Hoare Derek James
Published: November 2022

Hyperacusis (decreased sound tolerance) is a prevalent complaint. Yet, to date, no research has qualitatively evaluated the types of problems experienced by adults with hyperacusis. Our service evaluation aims to determine the hyperacusis-related problem domains reported by patients and the degree to which these domains were reported together. Retrospective analysis was conducted on an anonymised clinical dataset from 306 patients who attended a UK tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment centre between 1994 and 2017. Conventional content analysis was used to categorise responses to the question ‘Why is hyperacusis a problem?’ into domains which were then subjected to a cluster analysis. Twenty-five problem domains were identified, of which 12 were further classified into three overarching categories. ‘Fear’, ‘Reduced quality of life’ and ‘Physical reaction to sound’ were most frequently reported problems. Cluster analysis revealed that ‘Sleep difficulties’ and ‘Despondency’, were commonly reported together. Adults with hyperacusis face many challenges in their everyday lives. The nature of these problems indicates the need to develop complex interventions and assessments to aid management of hyperacusis. Current hyperacusis questionnaires may be useful in identifying some problem domains, but further assessment thorough patient interviews is required to fully explore all potential problems and make informed decisions about treatment.
Anticipatory Stress Increases Deontological Inclinations: The Mediating Role of Emotional Valence
Authors: Li Zhongquan , Gao Liuping , Zhang Lisong
Published: November 2022

Previous studies have explored the differences in moral judgments under normal situations and acute stress using the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST). The present study examined whether anticipatory stress (i.e., induced by an anticipated speech) could elicit similar effects and further explored the mediation of emotional responses between acute stress and moral judgments with a process-dissociation approach. Fifty-three undergraduate students (20 males and 33 females) were randomly assigned to the stress and control groups. In the first stage, they were instructed to prepare a public speech (the stress group) or just recall events during the previous vacation (the control group). In the second stage, they reported emotional valence and arousal for each moral dilemma in a set of 12 moral dilemmas, followed by judgments on moral acceptability of the agent’s action. The manipulation check confirmed that anticipatory stress was reliably induced, as indicated in both self-reported and physiological data. The traditional dilemma analysis revealed that participants in the stress group would make fewer utilitarian judgments than those in the control group. The process dissociation (PD) analyses further revealed that the stress group exhibited higher deontological inclinations than the control group, but no significant differences in utilitarian inclinations. Emotional valence played a mediating role in the association between stress and deontological inclinations. To sum up, our study extended the investigation of the relationship between acute stress and moral judgment to anticipatory stress, clarified its distinct impact on deontological and utilitarian inclinations, and revealed the mediating effect of emotional valence.
Caerin 1.1/1.9 Enhances Antitumour Immunity by Activating the IFN-α Response Signalling Pathway of Tumour Macrophages
Authors: Yang Xiaodan , Liu Xiaosong , Li Junjie , Zhang Pingping , Li Hejie , Chen Guoqiang , Zhang Wei , Wang Tianfang , Frazer Ian , Ni Guoying
Published: November 2022

Macrophages are one of the essential components of the tumour microenvironment (TME) of many cancers and show complex heterogeneity and functions. More recent research has been focusing on the characterisation of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs). Previously, our study demonstrated that caerin 1.1/1.9 peptides significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of combined specific immunotherapy and immune checkpoint blockade in a murine transplantable tumour model (TC-1). In this study, the mice inoculated with TC-1 tumour were immunised differently. The TAMs were isolated using flow cytometry and characterised by cytokine ELISA. The survival rates of mice with different treatments containing caerin 1.1/19 were assessed comparatively, including those with/without macrophage depletion. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of previous studies were integrated to further reveal the functions of TAMs with the treatments containing caerin 1.1/1.9. As a comparison, the TAMs of stage I and II cervical cancer patients were analysed using scRNA-seq analysis. We demonstrate that caerin induced tumour clearance is associated with infiltration of tumours by IL-12 secreting Ly6C+F4/80+ macrophages exhibiting enhanced IFN-α response signalling, renders animals resistant to further tumour challenge, which is lost after macrophage depletion. Our results indicate that caerin 1.1/1.9 treatment has great potential in improving current immunotherapy efficacy.
Prognostic Hematologic Biomarkers Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Metastatic Uveal Melanoma
Authors: Waninger Jessica J. , Fecher Leslie A. , Lao Christopher , Yentz Sarah , Green Michael D. , Demirci Hakan
Published: November 2022

Background: There is no standardized treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) but immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are increasingly used. While ICI has transformed the survival of metastatic cutaneous melanoma, MUM patients do not equally benefit. Factors known to affect ICI response include the hematologic markers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We evaluated the prognostic value of LDH and NLR at the start of ICI and on treatment in MUM. Methods: MUM patients were treated between August 2006 and May 2022 with combination ipilimumab/nivolumab or ipilimumab/nivolumab/pembrolizumab single-agent therapy. Univariable (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) analyses were used to assess the prognostic value of predefined baseline factors on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: In forty-six patients with MUM treated with ICI, elevated baseline and on-treatment LDH was prognostic for OS (start of ICI, HR (95% CI): 3.6 (1.9–7.0), p < 0.01; on-treatment, HR (95% CI): 3.7 (1.6–8.8), p < 0.01) and PFS (start of ICI, (HR (95% CI): 2.8 (1.5–5.4), p < 0.0001); on-treatment LDH (HR (95% CI): 2.2 (1.1–4.3), p < 0.01). On-treatment NLR was prognostic for PFS (HR (95% CI): 1.9 (1.0–3.9), p < 0.01). On-treatment LDH remained an important contributor to survival on MVA (OS: HR (95% CI): 1.001 (1.00–1.002), p < 0.05); PFS: HR (95% CI): 1.001 (1.00–1.002), p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that LDH and NLR could be useful in the prognostication of MUM patients treated with ICI. Additional studies are needed to confirm the importance of these and other prognostic biomarkers.
Global-Local CNTs Conductive Network Couple with Co-Based Polyhedral Promotes the Electrocatalytic Reduction of Oxygen
Authors: Sun Jinhua , Zuo Yuanhui , Wang Hanyun , Shi Huancong , Lu Shijian
Published: November 2022

The three-dimensional (3D) nanoreactor of global-local CNTs conductive network coupled with bimetallic MOFs-derived Co@N-C nanopolyhedra (denoted as gl-CNTs/Co@N-C) promotes the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen owing to the improved mass transfer ability and stability. Here, the 1D/3D gl-CNTs/Co@N-C nanostructures with enhanced electrocatalytic properties were synthesized in one step by the direct thermolysis of Zn/Co-ZIF/MWCNTs precursor. Based on systematical optimization of the composition and structure, gl-CNTs/Co@N-C carbonaceous porous hybrids containing uniform Co nanoparticles (NPs) can not only effectively enable the conductivity but also expose more active sites. Consequently, the optimal gl-CNTs/Co@N-C nanostructure showed a significantly enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction of oxygen, the half-wave potential (E1/2) and diffusion-limited current density are 0.86 V (vs. RHE) and 5.34 mA cm−2, respectively. Moreover, this catalyst also showed long-term durability and methanol tolerance property, further highlighting the structure superiority of a precisely controllable nanoreactor.
Metabolic and Transcriptional Stress Memory in Sorbus pohuashanensis Suspension Cells Induced by Yeast Extract
Authors: Li Yuan , Luo Zhi-Qiang , Yuan Jie , Wang Sheng , Liu Juan , Su Ping , Zhou Jun-Hui , Li Xiang , Yang Jian , Guo Lan-Ping
Published: November 2022

Plant stress memory can provide the benefits of enhanced protection against additional stress exposure. Here, we aimed to explore the responses of recurrent and non-recurrent yeast extract (YE) stresses in Sorbus pohuashanensis suspension cells (SPSCs) at metabolomics and transcriptional levels. Biochemical analyses showed that the cell wall integrity and antioxidation capacity of SPSCs in the pretreated group were evidently improved. Metabolic analysis showed that there were 39 significantly altered metabolites in the pretreated group compared to the non-pretreated group. Based on the transcriptome analysis, 219 differentially expressed genes were obtained, which were highly enriched in plant–pathogen interaction, circadian rhythm–plant, oxidative phosphorylation, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Furthermore, the correlation analysis of the transcriptome and metabolome data revealed that phenylpropanoid biosynthesis involved in the production of biphenyl phytoalexins may play a critical role in the memory response of SPSC to YE, and the key memory genes were also identified, including PAL1, BIS1, and BIS3. Collectively, the above results demonstrated that the memory responses of SPSC to YE were significant in almost all levels, which would be helpful for better understanding the adaptation mechanisms of medicinal plants in response to biotic stress, and laid a biotechnological foundation to accumulate favorable antimicrobial drug candidates from plant suspension cells.
Alignment of Skeletal Muscle Cells Facilitates Acetylcholine Receptor Clustering and Neuromuscular Junction Formation with Co-Cultured Human iPSC-Derived Motor Neurons
Authors: Shimizu Kazunori , Kassai Haruo , Kamei Yuhei , Yamamoto Kazuki , Nagashima Takunori , Maekawa Tadayoshi , Akiyama Hirokazu , Honda Hiroyuki
Published: November 2022

In vitro neuromuscular junction (NMJ) models are powerful tools for studying neuromuscular disorders. Although linearly patterned culture surfaces have been reported to be useful for the formation of in vitro NMJ models using mouse motor neuron (MNs) and skeletal muscle (SkM) myotubes, it is unclear how the linearly patterned culture surface increases acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering, one of the steps in the process of NMJ formation, and whether this increases the in vitro NMJ formation efficiency of co-cultured human MNs and SkM myotubes. In this study, we investigated the effects of a linearly patterned culture surface on AChR clustering in myotubes and examined the possible mechanism of the increase in AChR clustering using gene expression analysis, as well as the effects of the patterned surface on the efficiency of NMJ formation between co-cultured human SkM myotubes and human iPSC-derived MNs. Our results suggest that better differentiation of myotubes on the patterned surface, compared to the flat surface, induced gene expression of integrin α7 and AChR ε-subunit, thereby increasing AChR clustering. Furthermore, we found that the number of NMJs between human SkM cells and MNs increased upon co-culture on the linearly patterned surface, suggesting the usefulness of the patterned surface for creating in vitro human NMJ models.
Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 Increases Mouse Preimplantation Embryo Cleavage Rate by Activation of IGF1R and EGFR Independent of IGF1 Signalling
Authors: Green Charmaine J. , Span Miriam , Rayhanna Monique H. , Perera Marisa , Day Margot L.
Published: November 2022

The viability of embryos cultured in vitro is poor compared to those that develop in vivo. The lack of maternally derived growth factors in vitro may contribute to this problem. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) is one such growth factor that has been identified in the maternal reproductive system. This study examined the role of autocrine and exogenous IGFBP3 in mouse preimplantation embryos. Embryos expressed IGFBP3 across all stages of preimplantation development, and addition of exogenous IGFBP3 to embryo culture media increased the rate of development to the 2-, 4-, 5-, and 8-cell stages. Addition of inhibitors of the IGF1 and EGF receptors prevented this IGFBP3-mediated improvement in developmental rate, but the effect was not cumulative, indicating that both receptors are transactivated downstream of IGFBP3 as part of the same signalling pathway. Acute exposure to IGFBP3 increased phosphorylation of Akt and rps6 in 4–8 cell embryos, suggesting activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway downstream of the IGF1 and EGFR receptors to promote cell proliferation and survival. In conclusion, addition of IGFBP3 to embryo culture media increases early cleavage rates independent of IGF1 signalling and therefore, IGFBP3 addition to IVF culture media should be considered.
Recent Progress in Functional Edible Food Packaging Based on Gelatin and Chitosan
Authors: Ștefănescu Bianca Eugenia , Socaciu Carmen , Vodnar Dan Cristian
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, edible and eco-friendly packaging applications have been studied as an alternative to conventional/synthetic packaging due to the great interest of consumers in healthy, safe, and natural food, and of researchers in meeting the needs of consumers and producers. Various biopolymers are being extensively explored as potential materials for food packaging. The edible biopolymers utilized so far for packaging applications include proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides. Occasionally, these biopolymers have incorporated different bioactive substances to enhance the composite films’ characteristics. Gelatin and chitosan are two of the most important biopolymers for the production of films. Different biopolymers or bioactive substances have been incorporated into the matrix to enhance the gelatin-based and chitosan-based films. By incorporating other biopolymers and bioactive compounds, the composite films’ overall physicochemical and mechanical characteristics are improved. Additionally, by incorporating bioactive compounds (polyphenolic compounds, natural extracts, and essential oils), the composite films present important biological properties, such as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.