bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voicing gender identities and exploring the lived experiences: at-promise youth, non-formal education, and community-based interventions
Authors: Peng Lance
Published: February 2023

This presentation is a hybrid of a synopsis of a PhD project and literature review on at-promise youth. At-promise youth is a strength-based replacement term for at-risk youth, referring generally to young people who face situational circumstances that the society believe will inevitably lead to their personal and professional failures. The PhD research utilises interpretative phenomenological frameworks to create conversations between at-promise youth and non-institutional educational settings on the issues of gender identity (GI). Young people, especially Generation Z, are challenging rigid social norms when it comes to GI and are exploring what it means to them. It can be an extraordinarily perplexing time for at-promise youth, whom are not typically part of this conversation. The qualitative approach aims to provide examinations of personal lived experience as it produces accounts of lived experience in marginalised youths' own terms and recognises this is an interpretative endeavour as adolescents are sense-making organisms.
Routes and revisits: Places of tribulations and places of desire in the narration of Z.
Authors: Mitsiali Alexandra
Published: February 2023

This article covers the places that came to constitute the pivotal points of reference in the narration of the life of Z., a female migrant from Albania to Greece. It attempts to highlight the function of such places as cognitive and reconstructive frames that signify the life, memories and biographical plans of the narrator, the shaping but also the reception of a personal and social identity by herself as also by others. It attempts to point to the meaning of such places not only in the sense of the scenography (setting) of a life and its narration, but also as the defining elements in the trajectory and self-knowledge of an immigrant.
Bioreactor analyses of tissue ingrowth, ongrowth and remodelling around implants: An alternative to live animal testing
Authors: Kohli Nupur , Theodoridis Konstantinos , Hall Thomas A. G. , Sanz-Pena Inigo , Gaboriau David C. A. , van Arkel Richard J.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Preclinical assessment of bone remodelling onto, into or around novel implant technologies is underpinned by a large live animal testing burden. The aim of this study was to explore whether a lab-based bioreactor model could provide similar insight.

Method: Twelve ex vivo trabecular bone cylinders were extracted from porcine femora and were implanted with additively manufactured stochastic porous titanium implants. Half were cultured dynamically, in a bioreactor with continuous fluid flow and daily cyclic loading, and half in static well plates. Tissue ongrowth, ingrowth and remodelling around the implants were evaluated with imaging and mechanical testing.

Results: For both culture conditions, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed bone ongrowth; widefield, backscatter SEM, micro computed tomography scanning, and histology revealed mineralisation inside the implant pores; and histology revealed woven bone formation and bone resorption around the implant. The imaging evidence of this tissue ongrowth, ingrowth and remodelling around the implant was greater for the dynamically cultured samples, and the mechanical testing revealed that the dynamically cultured samples had approximately three times greater push-through fixation strength (p < 0.05).

Discussion:Ex vivo bone models enable the analysis of tissue remodelling onto, into and around porous implants in the lab. While static culture conditions exhibited some characteristics of bony adaptation to implantation, simulating physiological conditions with a bioreactor led to an accelerated response.
Synthetic peptides for the precise transportation of proteins of interests to selectable subcellular areas
Authors: Song Junyi , Liu Chuanyang , Li Baoshan , Liu Liangcheng , Zeng Ling , Ye Zonghuang , Wu Wenjian , Zhu Lingyun , Hu Biru
Published: February 2023

Proteins, as gifts from nature, provide structure, sequence, and function templates for designing biomaterials. As first reported here, one group of proteins called reflectins and derived peptides were found to present distinct intracellular distribution preferences. Taking their conserved motifs and flexible linkers as Lego bricks, a series of reflectin-derivates were designed and expressed in cells. The selective intracellular localization property leaned on an RMs (canonical conserved reflectin motifs)-replication-determined manner, suggesting that these linkers and motifs were constructional fragments and ready-to-use building blocks for synthetic design and construction. A precise spatiotemporal application demo was constructed in the work by integrating RLNto2 (as one representative of a synthetic peptide derived from RfA1) into the Tet-on system to effectively transport cargo peptides into nuclei at selective time points. Further, the intracellular localization of RfA1 derivatives was spatiotemporally controllable with a CRY2/CIB1 system. At last, the functional homogeneities of either motifs or linkers were verified, which made them standardized building blocks for synthetic biology. In summary, the work provides a modularized, orthotropic, and well-characterized synthetic-peptide warehouse for precisely regulating the nucleocytoplasmic localization of proteins.
Application of aptamer functionalized nanomaterials in targeting therapeutics of typical tumors
Authors: Yin Xiujuan , He Zhenqiang , Ge Weiying , Zhao Zhenhua
Published: February 2023

Graphical Abstract

Illustrated the application of aptamer functionalized nano-materials in typical tumors.
O2-sensitive microcavity arrays: A new platform for oxygen measurements in 3D cell cultures
Authors: Grün Christoph , Pfeifer Jana , Liebsch Gregor , Gottwald Eric
Published: February 2023

Oxygen concentration plays a crucial role in (3D) cell culture. However, the oxygen content in vitro is usually not comparable to the in vivo situation, which is partly due to the fact that most experiments are performed under ambient atmosphere supplemented with 5% CO2, which can lead to hyperoxia. Cultivation under physiological conditions is necessary, but also fails to have suitable measurement methods, especially in 3D cell culture. Current oxygen measurement methods rely on global oxygen measurements (dish or well) and can only be performed in 2D cultures. In this paper, we describe a system that allows the determination of oxygen in 3D cell culture, especially in the microenvironment of single spheroids/organoids. For this purpose, microthermoforming was used to generate microcavity arrays from oxygen-sensitive polymer films. In these oxygen-sensitive microcavity arrays (sensor arrays), spheroids cannot only be generated but also cultivated further. In initial experiments we could show that the system is able to perform mitochondrial stress tests in spheroid cultures to characterize mitochondrial respiration in 3D. Thus, with the help of sensor arrays, it is possible to determine oxygen label-free and in real-time in the immediate microenvironment of spheroid cultures for the first time.
Meta-analyzing the efficacy of 3D printed models in anatomy education
Authors: Ye Zhen , Jiang Hanming , Bai Suyun , Wang Tao , Yang Duxiao , Hou Haifeng , Zhang Yuanying , Yi Shuying
Published: February 2023

Three-dimensional printing models (3DPs) have been widely used in medical anatomy training. However, the 3DPs evaluation results differ depending on such factors as the training objects, experimental design, organ parts, and test content. Thus, this systematic evaluation was carried out to better understand the role of 3DPs in different populations and different experimental designs. Controlled (CON) studies of 3DPs were retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science databases, where the participants were medical students or residents. The teaching content is the anatomical knowledge of human organs. One evaluation indicator is the mastery of anatomical knowledge after training, and the other is the satisfaction of participants with 3DPs. On the whole, the performance of the 3DPs group was higher than that of the CON group; however, there was no statistical difference in the resident subgroup, and there was no statistical difference for 3DPs vs. 3D visual imaging (3DI). In terms of satisfaction rate, the summary data showed that the difference between the 3DPs group (83.6%) vs. the CON group (69.6%) (binary variable) was not statistically significant, with p > 0.05. 3DPs has a positive effect on anatomy teaching, although there are no statistical differences in the performance tests of individual subgroups; participants generally had good evaluations and satisfaction with 3DPs. 3DPs still faces challenges in production cost, raw material source, authenticity, durability, etc. The future of 3D-printing-model-assisted anatomy teaching is worthy of expectation.
Exploring the potential of blockchain technology within the fashion and textile supply chain with a focus on traceability, transparency, and product authenticity: A systematic review
Authors: Badhwar Aayushi , Islam Saniyat , Tan Caroline Swee Lin
Published: February 2023

Blockchain Technology has shown tremendous potential to be a foundation for the currently shifting paradigm towards more traceable and transparent supply chains. This review highlights the opportunities that exist in adapting Blockchain Technology in the fashion and textile supply chain, while also providing insight into the challenges of adopting this technology. This paper provides a systematic review of the potential of Blockchain Technology within the fashion and textile industry’s supply chain to analyse its role in traceability, transparency, and product authenticity. To achieve this, a substantive number of research papers and non-scholarly resources have been scrutinised. An emphasis was placed on topics regarding Blockchain Technology (BT), the fashion and textile industry and supply chain (manufacturing and distribution), traceability, transparency, and product authenticity. The selected research papers range from empirical analysis, argumentative, case studies, opinion articles, review articles, short reports, and book chapters.
Long-time behavior of swimming Euglena gracilis in a heterogenous light environment
Authors: Muku Kazuki , Yamashita Hiroshi , Kamikubo Touya , Suematsu Nobuhiko J. , Iima Makoto
Published: February 2023

The cell motion of Euglena gracilis in homogeneous and heterogeneous light environments was analyzed. Homogeneous and heterogeneous environments were prepared, with only a red color or with a red circle surrounded by brighter white regions, respectively. In a heterogeneous environment, the cells move into the red circle. Swimming orbits at 1/25 s intervals for 120 s were analyzed. The speed distribution of the 1 s-averaged cell orbits in a homogeneous environment was different from that in a heterogeneous environment, where the faster swimming fraction was enhanced. The relationship between speed and curvature radius was analyzed using a joint histogram. Histograms for short timescale motion, constructed by 1 s-averaged orbits, suggest that the cell swimming curves are not biased, while those for long timescale motion, constructed by 10 s-averaged orbits, suggest that the cell swimming curves are biased in the clockwise direction. Furthermore, the curvature radius determines the speed, which does not seem to depend on the light environment. The mean squared displacement in a heterogeneous environment is larger than that in a homogeneous environment on a 1 s timescale. These results will be the basis for constructing a model for the long-time behavior of photomovement for light differences.
A single strand: A simplified approach to DNA origami
Authors: Yang Micah , Bakker David , Raghu Dyuti , Li Isaac T. S.
Published: February 2023

Just as a single polypeptide strand can self-fold into a complex 3D structure, a single strand of DNA can self-fold into DNA origami. Most DNA origami structures (i.e., the scaffold-staple and DNA tiling systems) utilize hundreds of short single-stranded DNA. As such, these structures come with challenges inherent to intermolecular construction. Many assembly challenges involving intermolecular interactions can be resolved if the origami structure is constructed from one DNA strand, where folding is not concentration dependent, the folded structure is more resistant to nuclease degradation, and the synthesis can be achieved at an industrial scale at a thousandth of the cost. This review discusses the design principles and considerations employed in single-stranded DNA origami and its potential benefits and drawbacks.
Integrated carbon capture and conversion: A review on C2+ product mechanisms and mechanism-guided strategies
Authors: Jana Asmita , Snyder Seth W. , Crumlin Ethan J. , Qian Jin
Published: February 2023

Graphical Abstract

A one-pot solution of combined capture and conversion represents the ideal solution with the MOFs component aiding capture and the Cu constituents supporting conversion to C2+ products via CO2ER.
Phasic left atrial strain to predict worsening of diastolic function: Results from the prospective Berlin Female Risk Evaluation follow-up trial
Authors: Brand Anna , Romero Dorta Elena , Wolf Adrian , Blaschke-Waluga Daniela , Seeland Ute , Crayen Claudia , Bischoff Sven , Mattig Isabel , Dreger Henryk , Stangl Karl , Regitz-Zagrosek Vera , Landmesser Ulf , Knebel Fabian , Stangl Verena
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The predictive value of maximum left atrial volume index (LAVI), phasic left atrial strain (LAS) and other standard echocardiographic parameters assessing left ventricular (LV) diastolic function to discriminate a future worsening of diastolic function (DD) in patients at risk is unclear. We aimed to prospectively assess and compare the clinical impact of these parameters in a randomly selected study sample of the general urban female population.

Methods and results

A comprehensive clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed in 256 participants of the Berlin Female Risk Evaluation (BEFRI) trial after a mean follow up time of 6.8 years. After an assessment of participants’ current DD status, the predictive impact of an impaired LAS on the course of DD was assessed and compared with LAVI and other DD parameters using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Subjects with no DD (DD0) who showed a decline of diastolic function by the time of follow-up showed a reduced LA reservoir (LASr) and conduit strain (LAScd) compared to subjects who remained in the healthy range (LASr 28.0% ± 7.0 vs. 41.9% ± 8.5; LAScd −13.2% ± 5.1 vs. −25.4% ± 9.1; p < 0.001). With an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88 (95%CI 0.82–0.94) and 0.84 (95%CI 0.79–0.89), LASr and LAScd exhibited the highest discriminative value in predicting worsening of diastolic function, whereas LAVI was only of limited prognostic value [AUC 0.63 (95%CI 0.54–0.73)]. In logistic regression analyses, LAS remained a significant predictor for a decline of diastolic function after controlling for clinical and standard echocardiographic DD parameters, indicating its incremental predictive value.

Conclusion

The analysis of phasic LAS may be useful to predict worsening of LV diastolic function in DD0 patients at risk for a future DD development.
Development and prevention of ischemic contracture (“stone heart”) in the pig heart
Authors: Li Mei , Qin Zhi , Steen Erik , Terry Ann , Wang Bowen , Wohlfart Björn , Steen Stig , Arner Anders
Published: February 2023

Stone heart (ischemic contracture) is a rare and serious condition observed in the heart after periods of warm ischemia. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown and treatment options are lacking. In view of the possibilities for cardiac donation after circulatory death (DCD), introducing risks for ischemic damage, we have investigated stone heart in pigs. Following cessation of ventilation, circulatory death (systolic pressure <8 mmHg) occurred within 13.1 ± 1.2 min; and a stone heart, manifested with asystole, increased left ventricular wall thickness and stiffness, established after a further 17 ± 6 min. Adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine levels decreased by about 50% in the stone heart. Electron microscopy showed deteriorated structure with contraction bands, Z-line streaming and swollen mitochondria. Synchrotron based small angle X-ray scattering of trabecular samples from stone hearts revealed attachment of myosin to actin, without volume changes in the sarcomeres. Ca2+ sensitivity, determined in permeabilized muscle, was increased in stone heart samples. An in vitro model for stone heart, using isolated trabecular muscle exposed to hypoxia/zero glucose, exhibited the main characteristics of stone heart in whole animals, with a fall in high-energy phosphates and development of muscle contracture. The stone heart condition in vitro was significantly attenuated by the myosin inhibitor MYK-461 (Mavacamten). In conclusion, the stone heart is a hypercontracted state associated with myosin binding to actin and increased Ca2+ sensitivity. The hypercontractile state, once developed, is poorly reversible. The myosin inhibitor MYK-461, which is clinically approved for other indications, could be a promising venue for prevention.
Artificial intelligence in dentistry—A review
Authors: Ding Hao , Wu Jiamin , Zhao Wuyuan , Matinlinna Jukka P. , Burrow Michael F. , Tsoi James K. H.
Published: February 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the ability of machines to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. AI is not a new term, the concept of AI can be dated back to 1950. However, it did not become a practical tool until two decades ago. Owing to the rapid development of three cornerstones of current AI technology—big data (coming through digital devices), computational power, and AI algorithm—in the past two decades, AI applications have started to provide convenience to people's lives. In dentistry, AI has been adopted in all dental disciplines, i.e., operative dentistry, periodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and prosthodontics. The majority of the AI applications in dentistry are for diagnosis based on radiographic or optical images, while other tasks are not as applicable as image-based tasks mainly due to the constraints of data availability, data uniformity, and computational power for handling 3D data. Evidence-based dentistry (EBD) is regarded as the gold standard for decision making by dental professionals, while AI machine learning (ML) models learn from human expertise. ML can be seen as another valuable tool to assist dental professionals in multiple stages of clinical cases. This review describes the history and classification of AI, summarizes AI applications in dentistry, discusses the relationship between EBD and ML, and aims to help dental professionals better understand AI as a tool to support their routine work with improved efficiency.
Characteristics of azimuthal anisotropy in SE Tibetan plateau and its relationship with the background of block structure
Authors: Liu Jing , Wu Jianping , Fang Lihua , Chang Kai , Yang Ting , Wang Changzai , Wang Huaifu , Wang Shuang
Published: February 2023

The southeastern Tibetan Plateau, which includes the Tibetan Plateau, Yangtze Block, and Cathaysia Block, is geotectonically situated in the compound part of the Tethys-Himalayan tectonic domain and the Peninsular Pacific tectonic domain. It is one of the critical regions for studying the scientific problems of plateau material lateral escape, lithosphere deformation, geotectonic properties of blocks, and deep dynamics. In this study, we use ambient noise data recorded by 401 broadband stations to obtain high-resolution short-period (T = 4–32 s) Rayleigh wave azimuthally anisotropic phase velocity maps. These could provide fresh clues for an in-depth understanding of the crust-mantle velocity structure, deformation mechanism, and geotectonic evolution in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Within the Simao block, the strikes of the faults and the orientations of the principal compressive stress of the stress field both generally coincide with the fast-wave polarization direction (FPD). The FPD near the Lancangjiang fault zone in the west is in the NE-SW direction, near the Wuliangshan fault zone in the center is near the NS direction, and near the Red River fault zone in the east is the NW-SE direction. We estimate that the compressive stress in the southwest direction of the Tibetan Plateau material has a controlling effect on the crustal deformation of the Simao block, which is likewise blocked by the Lincang granite belt, resulting in strong tectonic deformation. The FPD of the crust in the middle Red River fault zone is NS direction, significantly different from the fault strike. Combining with the seismic activity and GPS results, the depth of 8 km below the surface of the middle Red River fault is completely locked, and we conclude that the anisotropy of the upper crust of the middle part of the Red River fault zone is related to the action of the regional tectonic stress field. Taking into account geochemical and thermochemical results, we speculate that the complex tectonic stress at the junction of the blocks leads to prominent regional characteristics of the FPDs of azimuthal anisotropy in the crust, suggesting that the Shizong-Mile fault zone may be the western boundary between the Yangtze block and the Cathaysia block.
Lithostratigraphy of a long, fossiliferous Oligocene sequence: Revisiting Saint Jacques, Nei Mongol, China
Authors: Wang Bian , Zhang Zhao-Qun , Wang Yuan-Qing , Li Qian , Bai Bin , Liu Yan , Mao Fang-Yuan , Wang Hai-Bing , Wang Jian , Gong Yan-Xin , Dong Li-Ping , Wang Li-Hua , Ma Hai-Dan , Xu Ran-Cheng , Wang Xiao-Yang
Published: February 2023

For a hundred years the Saint Jacques area has been known to produce rich Oligocene vertebrate fossils, yet only a handful of previous studies have focused on this area. Since 2010, we have conducted 12 field expeditions to Saint Jacques, and here we report findings from our paleontological excavations and stratigraphical investigations. Twenty-two fossiliferous blocks across the area are recognized and a chronostratigraphic framework has been established to aid fossil collection. Fossil-mammal materials have been recovered in situ from 1635 localities and additionally from surface sediments. Fossiliferous blocks in the area are correlated by lithological similarity and lateral tracing. Lithologically, the area is mainly composed of reddish silty mudstone and muddy siltstone, with three distinctive layers of grayish white sandstone. The measured composite stratigraphic column spans 239 meters and are divided into 12 lithostratigraphic units. Contrary to previous knowledge that Saint Jacques contains two Oligocene mammalian assemblages, our preliminary biostratigraphic analysis of small mammals shows that the area documents successive faunal transition from the Eocene to possibly the early Miocene. The hyracodontid perissodactyl Ardynia, the ctenodactyloid rodent Gobiomys, and the basal Glires Gomphos from the bottom litho-units imply the presence of the Eocene–Oligocene boundary, while small mammal assemblage of the top units is similar to Miocene faunas in northern China and Mongolia. Thus, rock strata in Saint Jacques likely span the Eocene through the early Miocene, bracketing an entire Oligocene sequence within. In sum, our re-exploration of Saint Jacques has greatly expanded the chronostratigraphic and taxonomic coverage of the mammalian fossil collection from this area. This long, successive Oligocene sequence makes an important record for studying the Eocene–Oligocene Transition. Further study in this area will contribute to a range of paleontological and paleoenvironmental questions.
Depth migration of crustal-scale seismic reflection profiles: A case study in the Bohai Bay basin
Authors: Deng Xiaofan , Li Hongqiang , Gao Rui
Published: February 2023

The application of the pre-stack depth migration (PSDM) method using deep seismic reflection data is still a challenge. In this paper, a deep seismic reflection dataset collected from the Bohai Bay Basin is used to test the applicability of the pre-stack depth migration method. After improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the prestack gathers and building an accurate velocity model capturing lateral and vertical variations, a high-quality pre-stack depth migration profile is obtained. This profile shows detailed crustal structures and an undulating Moho. The depth difference between the east and west sides of the Moho imaged in the profile is about 6 km. The Moho is disrupted by several discontinuities. Compared with conventionally stacked time-migration profiles, the pre-stack depth migration profile provides a higher-resolution subsurface image with accurate depth information. Combining geological and geophysical data, the pre-stack depth migration profile reveals geologic structures responsible for crust thinning during the destruction of the North China Craton. The profile also provides more accurate depth domain information for further study of crust-mantle interaction in this area.
Idea generation and integration method for inclusion and integration teamwork
Authors: Cañizares Juan Carlos Márquez , Rojas Juan-Carlos , Acuña Alejandro
Published: February 2023

Idea generation is fundamental in higher education, principally in engineering and creative areas. The challenge presented in our research was to correctly implement a progressive, intuitive categorization method to generate solutions, unifying individual proposals and ideas through a virtual platform or face-to-face sessions and real-time communication. This paper aims to present the implementation impact from students’ first-use perceptions and experiences, segmented by study area, gender, and semesters. Our research began with creating an idea generation method. Experienced design professionals integrated various tools to run on digital platforms. This method was called ICRI, an acronym for Ideation, Categorization, Regrouping, and Ideation. The method had two primary stages. The initial stage employed four-step where the students defined, investigated, established findings, and formed teams to move on to the second stage. This second stage comprised two parts, the first four-step where students generated ideas, reviewed, defined, and grouped them; the second five-step process involved focusing the ideas for regrouping, discussion, fusion, and writing new ideas. This method was applied to start a product design process or design strategy to create a project design. The results revealed high student acceptance of the method due to its practicality, rapidity, and functionality in generating ideas and active, equitable student participation. We found that certain students’ profiles are not optimistic about the use of such tools. Also, we found that there were no significant differences by gender of the student profile, but it was noted that female students liked the method more. The findings derived from the creation and application of the ICRI method were consequences of the need to create innovative practices to integrate higher education students. The ICRI method reinforces the trend of educational methods that address the relevance of collaborative idea generation and processes that facilitate effective interactions, even in a virtual and remote mode.
Knowledge based urban development: An approach to innovation districts based on education
Authors: Ponce-Lopez Roberto , Peraza-Mues Gonzalo , Gómez-Zaldívar Fernando , Membrillo-Hernández Jorge , Acuña-López Alejandro , Caratozzolo Patricia
Published: February 2023

Education is a concept that encompasses not only the teaching-learning process but also the conditions, environment, and facilities in which it takes place. Education is a precondition to development because it serves as a society’s primary engine of innovation. Therefore, the concept of a space designated as an Innovation District is essential for the creation of Sustainable Cities since it is in such spaces that jobs are created and new markets specializing in products and high-added value services emerge. However, in the past, successful innovation districts have generally been found in developed countries, which have sufficient resources to invest in projects of this magnitude. Our methodology consists of a case study, the city of Querétaro, in central Mexico, to analyze the role of higher education within developing countries that seek to create innovation districts. We employ quantitative methods such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and locations quotients, along with qualitative documentary analysis, to conduct a spatial-urban analysis, characterize the industrial configuration, and to analyze the design of educational models adapted to the needs of specific industries. The results of our case study suggest that cities from developing countries that are fast industrializing can best maximize their chances of success by encouraging an explicit collaboration between industry and education through a Triple Helix Model. Such a collaboration would be based on matching educational competencies with opportunities for industrial reconfiguration to carefully select the location for the new district and decide over its area of specialization.
Vitamin A regulates tissue-specific organ remodeling in diet-induced obesity independent of mitochondrial function
Authors: Shymotiuk Ivanna , Froese Natali , Werlein Christopher , Naasner Lea , Szaroszyk Malgorzata , Kühnel Mark P. , Jonigk Danny D. , Blaner William S. , Wende Adam R. , Abel E. Dale , Bauersachs Johann , Riehle Christian
Published: February 2023

Background

Perturbed mitochondrial energetics and vitamin A (VitA) metabolism are associated with the pathogenesis of diet-induced obesity (DIO) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

To test the hypothesis that VitA regulates tissue-specific mitochondrial energetics and adverse organ remodeling in DIO, we utilized a murine model of impaired VitA availability and high fat diet (HFD) feeding. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity and organ remodeling were assessed in liver, skeletal muscle, and kidney tissue, which are organs affected by T2D-associated complications and are critical for the pathogenesis of T2D.

Results

In liver, VitA had no impact on maximal ADP-stimulated mitochondrial respiratory capacity (VADP) following HFD feeding with palmitoyl-carnitine and pyruvate each combined with malate as substrates. Interestingly, histopathological and gene expression analyses revealed that VitA mediates steatosis and adverse remodeling in DIO. In skeletal muscle, VitA did not affect VADP following HFD feeding. No morphological differences were detected between groups. In kidney, VADP was not different between groups with both combinations of substrates and VitA transduced the pro-fibrotic transcriptional response following HFD feeding.

Conclusion

The present study identifies an unexpected and tissue-specific role for VitA in DIO that regulates the pro-fibrotic transcriptional response and that results in organ damage independent of changes in mitochondrial energetics.
Endometriosis and dysbiosis: State of art
Authors: Zizolfi Brunella , Foreste Virginia , Gallo Alessandra , Martone Simona , Giampaolino Peirluigi , Di Spiezio Sardo Attilio
Published: February 2023

Endometriosis is a complex and heterogeneous disease affecting approximately 10% of reproductive age women. The hypothesis that alterations in the microbiota are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis has been postulated. Possible explanations for the implications of dysbiosis in endometriosis include the Bacterial Contamination hypothesis and immune activation, cytokine-impaired gut function, altered estrogen metabolism and signaling. Thus, dysbiosis, disrupt normal immune function, leading to the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines, compromised immunosurveillance and altered immune cell profiles, all of which may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The aim of this review is to summarize the available literature data about the relationship between microbiota and endometriosis.
The relationship between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and the incidence rate of extrahepatic cancer
Authors: Wei Suosu , Hao Yanrong , Dong Xiaofeng , Huang Junzhang , Huang Kai , Xie Yujie , Liu Hongjun , Wei Chunyu , Xu Jinan , Huang Wei , Dong Lingguang , Yang Jianrong
Published: February 2023

Background

The associations between metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and cancer development, especially extrahepatic cancers, are unknown. The aims of the current study were to investigate the cancer incidence rates of MAFLD and analyze the associations between MAFLD and the development of cancers.

Methods

This historical cohort study included participants who underwent ultrasonographic detection of hepatic steatosis at a tertiary hospital in China from January 2013 to October 2021. MAFLD was diagnosed in accordance with The International Expert Consensus Statement. Cox proportional hazards regression modeling was used to assess the associations between MAFLD and the development of cancers.

Results

Of the 47,801 participants, 16,093 (33.7%) had MAFLD. During the total follow-up of 175,137 person-years (median 3.3 years), the cancer incidence rate in the MAFLD group was higher than that in the non-MAFLD group [473.5 vs. 255.1 per 100,000 person-years; incidence rate ratio 1.86; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.57–2.19]. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking status, and alcohol status, MAFLD was moderately associated with cancers of the female reproductive system/organs (labium, uterus, cervix, and ovary) [hazard ratio (HR) 2.24; 95% CI 1.09–4.60], thyroid (HR 3.64; 95% CI 1.82–7.30), and bladder (HR 4.19; 95% CI 1.15–15.27) in the total study cohort.

Conclusion

MAFLD was associated with the development of cancers of the female reproductive system/organs (labium, uterus, cervix, and ovary), thyroid, and bladder in the total study cohort.
Statistical analysis of small business survival under the shock of multiple COVID-19 waves: A case study from Wuhan, China
Authors: Li Fan , Rubinato Matteo , Zhou Tao , Li Jiaye , Chen Chen
Published: February 2023

The long-term viability of small businesses in the aftermath of multiple pandemics and consequent lockdowns has a crucial impact on the sustainable economic and social development of any region across the world. Thus, in order to investigate what has been the major impact of COVID-19 pandemic within local small businesses and to identify which main factors helped small businesses to survive none as well as multiple lockdowns, data were obtained from 382 small businesses in the main urban area of Wuhan, China, via two rounds of field investigations and surveys in July 2020 and July 2022. This paper presents the results of the field investigations and the surveys completed and describes the Bayesian methods applied to quantitatively explore the impact of different variables on the probability of each business to remain active and open even after experiencing none or multiple lockdowns. Results obtained show that the difference between survival rates associated with businesses hit by no pandemic outbreak with those hit by one or several waves is negligible. Furthermore, owners who had higher confidence in their abilities since the beginning or they implemented an accurate evaluation of their strategies to run their businesses since the start of the pandemic, demonstrated to have a higher probability to keep their business alive with none as well as additional waves of the pandemic. Reduction of employees, transition of operations and promotion activities online as well as rent subsidies and tax reduction were identified as crucial actions that enhanced the probability to maintain alive businesses that experienced at least one lockdown. Globally, there was no clear policy approach at the start of the pandemic, however this study clearly determines that in future governments should provide timely support to small businesses in regions experiencing more severe impacts of the pandemic, and this should consist of a mix of grants, loans, and temporary tax cuts since initial stages.
The spatial and temporal distribution of China’s forest carbon
Authors: Cheng Fushan , Tian Jiaxin , He Jingyuan , He Huaijiang , Liu Guoliang , Zhang Zhonghui , Zhou Liping
Published: February 2023

Introduction

China’s forests have sequestrated a significant amount of carbon over the past two decades. However, it is not clear whether China’s forests will be able to continue to have as much carbon sequestration potential capacity in the future.

Methods

In order to research China’s forest carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential capacities at spatial and temporal scales, we built a digital forest model for each province of China using the data from The China Forest Resources Report (2014– 2018) and calculated the carbon storage capacity and sequestration potential capacity of each province with the current management practices without considering natural successions.

Results

The results showed that the current forest carbon storage is 10.0 Pg C, and the carbon sequestration potential in the next 40 years (from year 2019 to 2058) will be 5.04 Pg C. Since immature forests account for the majority of current forests, the carbon sequestration capacity of the forest was also high (0.202 Pg C year−1). However, the forest carbon storage reached the maximum with the increase of stand maturity. At this time, if scenarios such as afforestation and reforestation, human and natural disturbances, and natural succession are not considered, the carbon sequestration capacity of forests will continue to decrease. After 90 years, all stands will develop into mature and over-mature forests, and the forest carbon sequestration capacity is 0.008 Pg year−1; and the carbon sequestration rate is ~4% of what it is nowadays. The change trend of forest carbon in each province is consistent with that of the country. In addition, considering the large forest coverage area in China, the differences in tree species and growing conditions, the forest carbon storage and carbon sequestration capacities among provinces were different. The growth rate of carbon density in high-latitude provinces (such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Inner Mongolia) was lower than that in the south (Guangdong, Guangxi, or Hunan), but the forest carbon potential was higher.

Discussion

Planning and implementing targeted forest management strategies is the key to increasing forest carbon storage and extending the service time of forest carbon sinks in provinces. In order to reach the national carbon neutrality goals, we recommend that each province have an informative strategic forest management plan.
Evolution trend and hot topic measurement of climate migration research under the influence of climate change
Authors: Liang Bing , Shi Guoqing , Sun Zhonggen , Babul Hossain , Zhou Min
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Global climate change, which is characterized by climate warming, has become one of the most prominent risk problems in society at present. Climate migration brings many accompanying problems to the environment, economy, politics, society, and culture. It is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the internal relationship between climate change and population migration.

Methods

The data were extracted from the Web of Science core collection database (WOS) and China Knowledge Network database (CNKI). A total of 785 documents and 157 documents in the field of climate migration from 2008 to 2021 were selected as analysis samples. Word frequency analysis, clustering analysis, sudden word detection analysis, and other methods were extensively used to build the evolution trend map of climate migration using CiteSpace visual bibliometric software.

Results

It is concluded that climate migration research has experienced three stages of development: initial exploration stage (2008-2011), development enrichment stage (2012-2017), and system deepening stage (2018).The hot topics of climate migration include: (1) different types of climate migration research; (2) Quantitative model research on climate migration; (3) Climate justice research. Different types of climate migration include 7 main types: (1) migration caused by sea level rise; (2) Resettlement caused by flood disaster; (3) Migration due to worsening drought; (4) Migration caused by extreme climate events; (5) Voluntary migration due to climate change discomfort; (6) Project resettlement caused by climate change response engineering measures; (7) Migrants whose livelihoods are broken due to climate change.

Discussion

The study points out that climate migration research is an interdisciplinary research field, which needs joint research by scholars from different academic backgrounds. In the future climate migration research, 1) strengthen the prediction ability of climate change population migration model; 2) Make use of China’s beneficial exploration in the migration fields such as engineering resettlement, ecological resettlement and poverty alleviation resettlement to formulate climate migration policies, regulations and strategic planning; 3) Establish a database cloud platform related to climate change and population migration; 4) Strengthen the exchange and cooperation between Chinese researchers in the field of climate migration and international scientific research institutions.
A new methodology to evaluate natural regeneration: A case study of Quercus ilex in the montado in Portugal
Authors: Gouveia-Barrocas Eva , Gonçalves Ana Cristina
Published: February 2023

Regeneration and recruitment are primordial for stand sustainability. However, natural regeneration is usually only evaluated by density and height, so no details are provided regarding the individual traits of the saplings/seedlings. Hence, the findings of these regeneration studies are of limited selection power in future management. The main goal of this study was to develop a new methodology that enables the evaluation of individual quality traits of regeneration in the early stages of stand development so that their future potential development can be assessed. Natural regeneration (NR) was evaluated in each field plot using the conjugation of two new methods: first using the natural regeneration density (NRD) method and second using the new natural regeneration tree classification (NRTC). NRTC is composed of a set of criteria with categorical variables that allow the evaluation of traits of individuals and their potential for future recruitment. In this classification system, five criteria were used, namely, upper story influence to evaluate the competition of the trees of the upper story cast on the regeneration individuals, crown isolation to characterize the competition between saplings, height as a surrogate of sapling development, diameter as a proxy of growth, and tree habit as a proxy of the habit of saplings. To test both methods, we applied them in a case study of Quercus ilex in the montado agroforestry system in Portugal, where different degrees of crown cover coexist. Our results indicated that in 85% of the plots with a crown cover higher than 30%, we could find good-quality natural regeneration oak saplings suited to be recruited and located outside of the upper story crown projection. Only 15% of the plots with a crown cover higher than 30% were dominated by Cistus ladanifer and had almost no oak saplings. In future, we suggest that the NRTC be used in all NR individuals in the forest inventory when the NR density is less than 200 NR individuals ha−1.
T-CAST: An optimized CAST-Seq pipeline for TALEN confirms superior safety and efficacy of obligate-heterodimeric scaffolds
Authors: Rhiel Manuel , Geiger Kerstin , Andrieux Geoffroy , Rositzka Julia , Boerries Melanie , Cathomen Toni , Cornu Tatjana I.
Published: February 2023

Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are programmable nucleases that have entered the clinical stage. Each subunit of the dimer consists of a DNA-binding domain composed of an array of TALE repeats fused to the catalytically active portion of the FokI endonuclease. Upon DNA-binding of both TALEN arms in close proximity, the FokI domains dimerize and induce a staggered-end DNA double strand break. In this present study, we describe the implementation and validation of TALEN-specific CAST-Seq (T-CAST), a pipeline based on CAST-Seq that identifies TALEN-mediated off-target effects, nominates off-target sites with high fidelity, and predicts the TALEN pairing conformation leading to off-target cleavage. We validated T-CAST by assessing off-target effects of two promiscuous TALENs designed to target the CCR5 and TRAC loci. Expression of these TALENs caused high levels of translocations between the target sites and various off-target sites in primary T cells. Introduction of amino acid substitutions to the FokI domains, which render TALENs obligate-heterodimeric (OH-TALEN), mitigated the aforementioned off-target effects without loss of on-target activity. Our findings highlight the significance of T-CAST to assess off-target effects of TALEN designer nucleases and to evaluate mitigation strategies, and advocate the use of obligate-heterodimeric TALEN scaffolds for therapeutic genome editing.
Development and validation of an endoplasmic reticulum stress long non-coding RNA signature for the prognosis and immune landscape prediction of patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zeng Jie , Wu Zhenyu , Luo Meijuan , Xu Xie , Bai Wenjie , Xie Guijing , Chen Quhai , Liang Dengfeng , Xu Zixun , Chen Mindong , Xie Jianjiang
Published: February 2023

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most common histotype of lung cancer, may have variable prognosis due to molecular variations. This work investigated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) to predict the prognosis and immune landscape for LUAD patients.

Methods: RNA data and clinical data from 497 LUAD patients were collected in the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Pearson correlation analysis, univariate Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses, as well as the Kaplan-Meier method, were used to screen for ERS-related lncRNAs associated with prognosis. The risk score model was developed using multivariate Cox analysis to separate patients into high- and low-risk groups and a nomogram was constructed and evaluated. Finally, we explore the potential functions and compared the immune landscapes of two groups. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to verify the expression of these lncRNAs.

Results: Five ERS-related lncRNAs were shown to be strongly linked to patients’ prognosis. A risk score model was built by using these lncRNAs to categorize patients based on their median risk scores. For LUAD patients, the model was found to be an independent prognostic predictor (p < 0.001). The signature and clinical variables were then used to construct a nomogram. With 3-year and 5-year OS’ AUC of 0.725 and 0.740, respectively, the nomogram’s prediction performance is excellent. The 5-lncRNA signature was associated with DNA replication, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and the pathway of cell cycle, P53 signaling. Between the two risk groups, immune responses, immune cells, and immunological checkpoints were found to be considerably different.

Conclusion: Overall, our findings indicate that the 5 ERS-related lncRNA signature was an excellent prognostic indicator and helped to predict the immunotherapy response for patients with LUAD.