bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Diagnose of University Education in the Embryonic Period of Metaverse
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Choi Wonjae , Kim Youngmok
Published: February 2023

About two years have passed since the metaverse entered the education world. If you look at the articles in the media, you can see that the metaverse is clearly becoming a big factor in this moving society. It works as a positive or negative factor, and some people welcome it, while others feel uncomfortable toward it. There is no doubt, however, that the metaverse will play an important role in education. At this point, we need to examine how our society perceives the metaverse in relation to education and how the metaverse is being educated in universities. This study looked at what phase the metaverse is in in our society and what kind of educational programs it is operating. And some improvements were suggested in the metaverse education. Through these inspections, Through this check and several suggestions, I hope that a balanced metaverse education in university will come true..
A Study on the Conformity of Chatbot Builder as a Korean Speech Practice Tool
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Suh Jeehae
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study is to verify whether chatbots made with chatbot builders are suitable as a Korean speaking practice tool. Chatbot builders, which can be easily produced as chatbots without separate coding knowledge and can design conversations meaningful for learning, have recently been in the spotlight as a learning tool. In this study, chatbots were created using dialog flows, and conversation patterns with chatbots shared by study participants were analyzed. As a result of the analysis, it was found that 35% of all conversations were not successfully completed. Such a conversation failure was found to be due to the inaccuracy of chatbot's recognition of Korean learner pronunciation, error in handling learner utterance intention, and inaccuracy in handling learner error sentences. In this regard, in order for chatbot builder to be used as a Korean language learning tool now, learner's proficiency or academic achievement should be considered for smooth processing of chatbot's learner utterance. In addition, this study is meaningful in that it verified the suitability of chatbot builders as a learning tool not covered in previous studies.
Current Status and Challenges of Digital Humanities in Genealogy Field
Authors:   The Korean Society of Culture and Convergence, Lee Younghwan , Kim Donggeon
Published: February 2023

Genealogy has a certain format, and various information is recorded according to the format. Being able to reliably secure recorded information also opens up research possibilities in this field. However, since the circumstances in which genealogy is preserved depend mainly on the individual, and securing the reliability of the record is not clear, there are limitations in making genealogy information a research subject in digital humanities. Nevertheless, the movement to develop a database of genealogy data centered on public institutions and individual clans and develop it as a subject of digital humanities has been steadily progressing. The information contained in genealogy has valuable humanistic value. As the scattered genealogy data is diverse, an entity that can embrace it is needed, and using the wiki method to update the data can be an alternative.
The impact of auxin on the vegetative and reproductive growth of carrot (Dacus carota L.)
Authors: Ali Rana Muhammad Azhar , Manzoor Ayesha , Naveed Muhammad Saqib , Munawar Muneeb , Ahmad Rafique , Naz Farah , Mehfooz Syed Hamza
Published: February 2023

Seed is a basic component of every crop species and quality seed is essential for farmers to achieve greater crop production and higher yields. Seed yield can be improved by using the growth hormones. Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) IBAplays a vital role in reproductive and seed development of crop plant. An investigation is being conducted to determine effect of rooting hormone IBA on reproductive growth that leads to seed developement. Roots treated with three levels of IBA (500 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1500ppm) along with control in a 3 replication. Results showed that roots treated with IBA @ 1500 ppm had taken least number (28.4) of days to flowering with maximum plant height (34.3cm), number of leaves (15.3), leaves length (19.6 cm), number of secondary (10) and tertiary umbels (13.7), diameter of secondary (12.7 cm) and tertiary umbel (4.4), weight of secondary (5.1 g) and tertiary umbel (3.5), seed weight of secondary (4.4 g) and tertiary umbels (1.5 g) and biological weight of the plants (81.0 g) respectively. However, the diameter, weight and seed weight of primary umbel was good in IBA @ 1000 ppm. Thus it is recommended that IBA application at concentration of 1500 ppm can significantly improve growth of carrot seed plants, hence increasing production and seed quality
Liquid metal enabled conformal electronics
Authors: Ping Bingyi , Zhou Guanxi , Zhang Zihang , Guo Rui
Published: February 2023

The application of three-dimensional common electronics that can be directly pasted on arbitrary surfaces in the fields of human health monitoring, intelligent robots and wearable electronic devices has aroused people’s interest, especially in achieving stable adhesion of electronic devices on biological dynamic three-dimensional interfaces and high-quality signal acquisition. In recent years, liquid metal (LM) materials have been widely used in the manufacture of flexible sensors and wearable electronic devices because of their excellent tensile properties and electrical conductivity at room temperature. In addition, LM has good biocompatibility and can be used in a variety of biomedical applications. Here, the recent development of LM flexible electronic printing methods for the fabrication of three-dimensional conformal electronic devices on the surface of human tissue is discussed. These printing methods attach LM to the deformable substrate in the form of bulk or micro-nano particles, so that electronic devices can adapt to the deformation of human tissue and other three-dimensional surfaces, and maintain stable electrical properties. Representative examples of applications such as self-healing devices, degradable devices, flexible hybrid electronic devices, variable stiffness devices and multi-layer large area circuits are reviewed. The current challenges and prospects for further development are also discussed.
Bioinspired strontium magnesium phosphate cement prepared utilizing the precursor method for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Qiaoyun , Liu Changjiang , Wang Weixing , Yuan Liangjie , Wang Yu , Yi Xinzeyu , Pan Zhenyu , Yu Aixi
Published: February 2023

Bioinspired strontium magnesium phosphate cements for bone tissue engineering were prepared using a new, facile, environmentally friendly and high yielding (98.5%) precursor method. The bioinspired SMPCs have uniform particle distributions, excellent mechanical strengths and high biocompatibilities. The in vitro responses of bone marrow stromal cells to the SMPCs, including viability, osteogenic differentiation and alkaline phosphatase activity, were evaluated. The results show that the SMPC containing 0.5 mol of strontium (referred to as SMPC-2) has a higher degradation rate and biological activity than magnesium phosphate cements and the other SMPCs. In addition, the synergistic effect of strontium and magnesium ion release from SMPC-2 creates a conducive environment for cell proliferation, mineralized calcium deposition and new bone formation. These observations demonstrate the feasibility of using the new precursor method to generate SMPCs and the utility of these biologically compatible and highly effective cements for bone tissue engineering.
A review on gasification and pyrolysis of waste plastics
Authors: Shah Hamad Hussain , Amin Muhammad , Iqbal Amjad , Nadeem Irfan , Kalin Mitjan , Soomar Arsalan Muhammad , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: February 2023

Gasification and pyrolysis are thermal processes for converting carbonaceous substances into tar, ash, coke, char, and gas. Pyrolysis produces products such as char, tar, and gas, while gasification transforms carbon-containing products (e.g., the products from pyrolysis) into a primarily gaseous product. The composition of the products and their relative quantities are highly dependent on the configuration of the overall process and on the input fuel. Although in gasification, pyrolysis processes also occur in many cases (yet prior to the gasification processes), gasification is a common description for the overall technology. Pyrolysis, on the other hand, can be used without going through the gasification process. The current study evaluates the most common waste plastics valorization routes for producing gaseous and liquid products, as well as the key process specifications that affected the end final products. The reactor type, temperatures, residence time, pressure, the fluidizing gas type, the flow rate, and catalysts were all investigated in this study. Pyrolysis and waste gasification, on the other hand, are expected to become more common in the future. One explanation for this is that public opinion on the incineration of waste in some countries is a main impediment to the development of new incineration capacity. However, an exceptional capability of gasification and pyrolysis over incineration to conserve waste chemical energy is also essential.
Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in patients with infective endocarditis
Authors: Li Shao-Lin , Zhao Xi , Tao Jun-Zhong , Yue Zhen-Zhen , Zhao Xiao-Yan
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology is helpful for the early diagnosis of infective endocarditis, especially culture-negative infective endocarditis, which may guide clinical treatment. The purpose of this study was to compare the presence of culture-negative infective endocarditis pathogens versus culture-positive ones, and whether mNGS test results could influence treatment regimens for patients with routine culture-negative infective endocarditis.

Methods

The present study enrolled patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis and tested for mNGS in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2019 to February 2022 continuously. According to the culture results, patients were divided into culture-negative group (Group CN, n=18) and culture-positive group (Group CP, n=32). The baseline characteristics, clinical data, pathogens, 30 day mortality and treatment regimen of 50 patients with infective endocarditis were recorded and analyzed.

Results

Except for higher levels of PCT in the Group CN [0.33 (0.16-2.74) ng/ml vs. 0.23 (0.12-0.49) ng/ml, P=0.042], there were no significant differences in the basic clinical data and laboratory examinations between the two groups (all P>0.05). The aortic valve and mitral valve were the most involved valves in patients with infective endocarditis (aortic valve involved: Group CN 10, Group CP 16; mitral valve involved: Group CN 8, Group CP 21; P>0.05) while 9 patients had multiple valves involved (Group CN 2, Group CP 7; P>0.05). The detection rate of non-streptococci infections in the Group CN was significantly higher than that in the Group CP (9/18 vs. 3/32, P=0.004). There was no significant difference in patients with heart failure hospitalization and all-cause death at 30 days after discharge (3 in Group CN vs. 4 in Group CP, P>0.05). It is worth noting that 10 patients with culture-negative infective endocarditis had their antibiotic regimen optimized after the blood mNGS.

Conclusions

Culture-negative infective endocarditis should be tested for mNGS for early diagnosis and to guide clinical antibiotic regimen.
Coexistence patterns of sympatric giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Changqing National Nature Reserve, China
Authors: Li Jia , Li Diqiang , Dong Wei
Published: February 2023

Similar species may co-occur in sympatry because of the partitioning of habitat use and resources at different spatial and temporal scales. Understanding coexistence patterns of species may contribute to further uncovering the underlying coexistence mechanisms, and ultimately benefit the conservation of threatened species. In this study, camera trapping was used to investigate spatial and temporal activity patterns of sympatric giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in Changqing National Nature Reserve in Qinling Mountains, China. Our study obtained 281 independent detections of giant pandas and 185 of Asiatic black bears during 93,606 camera-trap days from April 2014 to October 2017. We performed occupancy modeling and temporal overlap analyses to examine the spatial-temporal relationships between pandas and bears, and results showed that: (1) giant pandas had higher detection probabilities than Asiatic black bears, while having lower occupancy probabilities; (2) Elevation positively predicted giant panda and negatively predicted Asiatic black bear occupancy, understory vegetation type negatively predicted giant panda occupancy, and distance to nearest settlement positively predicted Asiatic black bear occupancy; (3) giant pandas were more active in spring and winter, while Asiatic black bears were more active in summer, and the two species had low spatial overlap with one another throughout the year; (4) both giant pandas and Asiatic black bears showed mainly diurnal activity patterns, and had high temporal overlap with one another in spring and moderate temporal overlap with one another in autumn. Our results provide detailed information of the spatial and temporal ecology of sympatric giant pandas and Asiatic black bears in the Qinling Mountains of China, which could act as a guide to construct conservation priorities as well as design efficient management programs.
The impact of persistent anomalous precipitation in Southwest China caused by low-frequency atmospheric disturbances in different latitudes and altitudes
Authors: Xiao Tian-Gui , Huang Yao , Han Lin , Nong Ya-yue
Published: February 2023

Previous studies have pointed out that persistent abnormal precipitation is closely related to atmospheric low-frequency oscillation, and Southwest China can be affected by low-frequency oscillation in different latitudes and altitudes. Therefore, it is necessary to study the relationship between persistent abnormal precipitation in Southwest China and low-frequency oscillation. In this study, the characteristics of atmospheric low-frequency oscillation in different latitudes and altitudes affecting persistent extreme precipitation in Southwest China were discussed by synthetic analysis and Butterworth filtering with precipitation data from meteorological stations and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, and the configuration relationship of low-frequency systems in three-dimensional space was shown. The results showed the following: 1) in the low-frequency circulation field, the Ural Mountains, east of Lake Baikal, the Sea of Okhotsk (Japan), the Western Pacific subtropical high control area, the South China Sea, the Indian Peninsula, and the Bay of Bengal were the key areas affecting precipitation; 2) oscillation could better reflect the original circulation characteristics at all latitudes of each layer, and on a period of oscillation of 15–30 days, it will affect precipitation at all altitudes and latitudes; and 3) at the lower level, different low-frequency cyclones and anticyclones moved to the mid-latitude and converged in different forms in the precipitation area. In the middle layer, the low-frequency high-pressure and low-pressure centers in the middle and high latitudes moved southward, finally forming a circulation situation of the high west and low east. At the upper level, the rainy area was controlled by low-frequency anticyclones and divergence centers from different regions, forming a high-altitude divergence field. The results can provide a theoretical basis for forecasting the extended period of persistent heavy rain in Southwest China.
Investigation of the 2015 Ms5.8 Alxa Left Banner earthquake sequence: Aftershock evolution and seismogenic structure
Authors: Zeng Xianwei , Li Xinyan , Li Mengya , Li Wenjun
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The 2015 Ms5.8 Alxa Left Banner earthquake (Alxa Ms 5.8 eathquake) struck a sparsely inhabited area of Inner Mongolia, northwestern China. However, as first > Ms 5 event on the Ningxia–Inner Mongolia segment of the North–South seismic zone for 24 years, the earthquake is of considerable scientific interest.

Methods: In this study, the seismic distribution of the Alxa Ms 5.8 earthquake sequence was redetermined via the analysis of data from permanent and campaign seismic stations using the double-difference (DD) method. To improve the completeness of the earthquake catalog, the match and locate (M&L) method was then used to detect micro-earthquakes.

Results: The mainshock rupture started at the eastern end of the fault, propagating east-to-west and deep-to-shallow. Aftershocks were distributed in a NEE trending (N70°–75°E), with a 12-km length and a dominant depth of 15–25 km. Moreover, the aftershocks formed two distinct segments (the eastern and western segments). The mainshock and early aftershocks were primarily located on the eastern segment and relatively fewer aftershocks occurred on the western segment.

Discussion: Subsequently, from March to June 2016, three earthquakes of > ML3.0 occurred in the seismic gap between the eastern and western segments, releasing stress that was not released by the mainshock. According to the aftershock evolution, the seismogenic fault of Alxa Ms 5.8 eathquake associated with a NEE-striking blind fault that becomes steeply dipping toward the south. Furthermore, the seismogenic fault is a western branch fault of the Dengkou–Benjing blind fault (DBF). The aftershock evolution and inferred seismogenic structure provide a reference for further research in the study area.
A fault location method based on polarization analysis for coal mine
Authors: Zeng Linfeng , Wang Bo , Xin Guoxu , Li Yunchen , She Zilong , Shen Sihongren , Xie Liujun
Published: February 2023

A fault is a main cause for water inrush in coal mines. The detection of faults plays an important role in the prevention and governance of water inrush in coal mines. It is hard to determine the direction of seismic wave propagation under the condition of full space of mines, leading to difficulty in accurate fault detection. This paper compares and analyzes the polarization information extraction capability of time-domain polarization analysis, frequency-domain polarization analysis, and time-frequency (TF)-domain polarization analysis, and proposes a TF-domain polarization analysis-based method for locating faults in coal mines. Firstly, the polarization analysis of signals mixed in the time domain was carried out. The results of three kinds of polarization analysis show that the TF-domain polarization analysis can accurately determine the polarization direction of multi-type signals in the case of aliasing. Secondly, a time-space-domain high-order three-dimensional three-component numerical simulation experiment was conducted. The TF-domain polarization analysis was adopted to extract the polarization information of each geophone and locate the fault. The error of the predicted fault strike was 0.16°, and the distance deviation was about 2.03%. Finally, in-situ three-component seismic signals of coal mine were used to predict the location and strike of fault. The data from on-site actual drilling verified the effectiveness of the mine fault location method based on the TF-domain polarization analysis. The predicted fault strike is consistent with the drilling data, and the distance deviation is about 5.5%.
Increased levels of anti-BSA antibodies in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Grace Sian L. , Mortimer Georgina L. , Kozhakhmetova Aizhan , Leveret Jamie , Newton Richard , Reimand Koit , Shield Julian P. H. , Uibo Raivo , Williams Alistair J. K. , Gillespie Kathleen M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Autoimmune diabetes occurs more often in the first 2 years of life in children with Down syndrome (DS) compared with the general population. We previously observed increased frequencies of islet autoantibodies, including insulin autoantibodies (IAA), in children with DS. Assays for IAA using 125I-labelled insulin require competition to overcome cross reactivity with antibodies to the cow’s milk protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). 125I-IAA assay results suggested that levels of antibodies to BSA may also be increased in children with DS. The aim of this study therefore was to determine whether the levels of anti-BSA antibodies differed in children with DS compared with controls.

Methods

Samples were available from two populations with DS: one from the UK, (UK DS cohort n=106, 58 male, median age 12.5 years) and one from Estonia (Estonian DS cohort: n=121, 65 male, median age 9.75 years). A UK control population was provided by sex and age-matched healthy siblings of probands participating in the Bart’s Oxford (BOX) family study of type 1 diabetes. A competitive-displacement radiobinding assay (RBA) and a Dissociation Enhanced Lanthanide Fluoroimmunoassay (DELFIA) were developed to measure and confirm anti-BSA antibody levels. HLA class II genotype was analysed by PCR using sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP).

Results

Overall, levels of anti-BSA antibodies were increased in those with DS compared with controls (p<0.0001) but this was not HLA associated.

Conclusion

Increased levels of anti-BSA antibodies may reflect a defect in immune maturation or increased gut permeability in children with DS, increasing their risk of developing autoimmunity.
Influenza vaccination trend and related factors among patients with diabetes in Korea: Analysis using a nationwide database
Authors: Lee Dong-Hwa , Yang Bumhee , Gu Seonhye , Kim Eung-Gook , Kim Youlim , Kang Hyung Koo , Choe Yeong Hun , Jeon Hyun Jeong , Park Seungyong , Lee Hyun
Published: February 2023

Background

Subjects with diabetes are at higher risk of serious influenza-related complications. We aimed to investigate the yearly trend of influenza vaccination and factors associated with being unvaccinated for influenza in subjects with diabetes using a nationwide observational study performed within the recent decade.

Methods

Among 105,732 subjects from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 and 2019, 8,632 with diabetes were included. We investigated the yearly trend of influenza vaccination and factors associated with being unvaccinated for influenza.

Results

During the study period, the prevalence of influenza vaccination in subjects with diabetes showed a tendency to increase every year, reaching almost 60% in 2019, which was higher than the rate in subjects without diabetes. Younger age (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) [95% CI] 11.29 [8.63–14.75] for < 50 years; 6.16 [5.21–7.29] for 50–65 years), male (aHR 1.67 [1.52–1.87]), current smoker (aHR 1.31 [1.00–1.72], lower-income status (aHR 1.46 [1.17, 1.84]), and high education level (aHR 1.30 [1.01–1.67]) were associated with being unvaccinated. Also, a poorer glycemic control with HbA1c ≥ 9% was found to be correlated with unvaccinated status (aHR 1.48 [1.15–1.90]).

Conclusion

The influenza vaccination rate is still unsatisfactory in subjects with diabetes. Young age, males, low-income level, high education level, and poor glycemic control were associated with unvaccinated status. Considering the risk-benefits of influenza vaccination in patients with diabetes, physicians should make an effort to increase vaccination rates, especially in low vaccination rate groups.
Acute-serum amyloid A and A-SAA-derived peptides as formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2 ligands
Authors: Abouelasrar Salama Sara , Gouwy Mieke , Van Damme Jo , Struyf Sofie
Published: February 2023

Originally, it was thought that a single serum amyloid A (SAA) protein was involved in amyloid A amyloidosis, but in fact, SAA represents a four‐membered family wherein SAA1 and SAA2 are acute phase proteins (A-SAA). SAA is highly conserved throughout evolution within a wide range of animal species suggestive of an important biological function. In fact, A-SAA has been linked to a number of divergent biological activities wherein a number of these functions are mediated via the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), formyl peptide receptor (FPR) 2. For instance, through the activation of FPR2, A-SAA has been described to regulate leukocyte activation, atherosclerosis, pathogen recognition, bone formation and cell survival. Moreover, A-SAA is subject to post-translational modification, primarily through proteolytic processing, generating a range of A-SAA-derived peptides. Although very little is known regarding the biological effect of A-SAA-derived peptides, they have been shown to promote neutrophil and monocyte migration through FPR2 activation via synergy with other GPCR ligands namely, the chemokines CXCL8 and CCL3, respectively. Within this review, we provide a detailed analysis of the FPR2-mediated functions of A-SAA. Moreover, we discuss the potential role of A-SAA-derived peptides as allosteric modulators of FPR2.
Integrative genetics-metabolomics analysis of infant bronchiolitis-childhood asthma link: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Ooka Tadao , Zhu Zhaozhong , Liang Liming , Celedon Juan C. , Harmon Brennan , Hahn Andrea , Rhee Eugene P. , Freishtat Robert J. , Camargo Carlos A. , Hasegawa Kohei
Published: February 2023

Background

Infants with bronchiolitis are at high risk for developing childhood asthma. While genome-wide association studies suggest common genetic susceptibilities between these conditions, the mechanisms underlying the link remain unclear.

Objective

Through integrated genetics-metabolomics analysis in this high-risk population, we sought to identify genetically driven metabolites associated with asthma development and genetic loci associated with both these metabolites and asthma susceptibility.

Methods

In a multicenter prospective cohort study of infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis, we profiled the nasopharyngeal metabolome and genotyped the whole genome at hospitalization. We identified asthma-related metabolites from 283 measured compounds and conducted metabolite quantitative trait loci (mtQTL) analyses. We further examined the mtQTL associations by testing shared genetic loci for metabolites and asthma using colocalization analysis and the concordance between the loci and known asthma-susceptibility genes.

Results

In 744 infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis, 28 metabolites (e.g., docosapentaenoate [DPA], 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol, sphingomyelin) were associated with asthma risk. A total of 349 loci were associated with these metabolites—161 for non-Hispanic white, 120 for non-Hispanic black, and 68 for Hispanics. Of these, there was evidence for 30 shared loci between 16 metabolites and asthma risk (colocalization posterior probability ≥0.5). The significant SNPs within loci were aligned with known asthma-susceptibility genes (e.g., ADORA1, MUC16).

Conclusion

The integrated genetics-metabolomics analysis identified genetically driven metabolites during infancy that are associated with asthma development and genetic loci associated with both these metabolites and asthma susceptibility. Identifying these metabolites and genetic loci should advance research into the functional mechanisms of the infant bronchiolitis-childhood asthma link.
Remodelling of the fibre-aggregate structure of collagen gels by cancer-associated fibroblasts: A time-resolved grey-tone image analysis based on stochastic modelling
Authors: Gommes Cedric J. , Louis Thomas , Bourgot Isabelle , Noël Agnès , Blacher Silvia , Maquoi Erik
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Solid tumors consist of tumor cells associated with stromal and immune cells, secreted factors and extracellular matrix (ECM), which together constitute the tumor microenvironment. Among stromal cells, activated fibroblasts, known as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are of particular interest. CAFs secrete a plethora of ECM components including collagen and modulate the architecture of the ECM, thereby influencing cancer cell migration. The characterization of the collagen fibre network and its space and time-dependent microstructural modifications is key to investigating the interactions between cells and the ECM. Developing image analysis tools for that purpose is still a challenge because the structural complexity of the collagen network calls for specific statistical descriptors. Moreover, the low signal-to-noise ratio of imaging techniques available for time-resolved studies rules out standard methods based on image segmentation.

Methods

In this work, we develop a novel approach based on the stochastic modelling of the gel structure and on grey-tone image analysis. The method is then used to study the remodelling of a collagen matrix by migrating breast cancer-derived CAFs in a three-dimensional spheroid model of cellular invasion imaged by time-lapse confocal microscopy.

Results

The structure of the collagen at the scale of a few microns consists in regions with high fibre density separated by depleted regions, which can be thought of as aggregates and pores. The approach developped captures this two-scale structure with a clipped Gaussian field model to describe the aggregates-and-pores large-scale structure, and a homogeneous Boolean model to describe the small-scale fibre network within the aggregates. The model parameters are identified by fitting the grey-tone histograms and correlation functions of the images. The method applies to unprocessed grey-tone images, and it can therefore be used with low magnification, noisy time-lapse reflectance images. When applied to the CAF spheroid time-resolved images, the method reveals different matrix densification mechanisms for the matrix in direct contact or far from the cells.

Conclusion

We developed a novel and multidisciplinary image analysis approach to investigate the remodelling of fibrillar collagen in a 3D spheroid model of cellular invasion. The specificity of the method is that it applies to the unprocessed grey-tone images, and it can therefore be used with noisy time-lapse reflectance images of non-fluorescent collagen. When applied to the CAF spheroid time-resolved images, the method reveals different matrix densification mechanisms for the matrix in direct contact or far from the cells.
Comprehensive analysis to identify the influences of SARS-CoV-2 infections to inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhang Chengyan , Ma Zeyu , Nan Xi , Wang Wenhui , Zeng Xianchang , Chen Jinming , Cai Zhijian , Wang Jianli
Published: February 2023

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are both caused by a disordered immune response and have direct and profound impacts on health care services. In this study, we implemented transcriptomic and single-cell analysis to detect common molecular and cellular intersections between COVID-19 and IBD that help understand the linkage of COVID-19 to the IBD patients.

Methods

Four RNA-sequencing datasets (GSE147507, GSE126124, GSE9686 and GSE36807) from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database are extracted to detect mutual differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for IBD patients with the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to find shared pathways, candidate drugs, hub genes and regulatory networks. Two single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-eq) datasets (GSE150728, PRJCA003980) are used to analyze the immune characteristics of hub genes and the proportion of immune cell types, so as to find common immune responses between COVID-19 and IBD.

Results

A total of 121 common DEGs were identified among four RNA-seq datasets, and were all involved in the functional enrichment analysis related to inflammation and immune response. Transcription factors-DEGs interactions, miRNAs-DEGs coregulatory networks, and protein-drug interactions were identified based on these datasets. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) was built and 59 hub genes were identified. Moreover, scRNA-seq of peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMCs) from COVID-19 patients revealed a significant increase in the proportion of CD14+ monocytes, in which 38 of 59 hub genes were highly enriched. These genes, encoding inflammatory cytokines, were also highly expressed in inflammatory macrophages (IMacrophage) of intestinal tissues of IBD patients.

Conclusions

We conclude that COVID-19 may promote the progression of IBD through cytokine storms. The candidate drugs and DEGs-regulated networks may suggest effective therapeutic methods for both COVID-19 and IBD.
A unique regulated cell death-related classification regarding prognosis and immune landscapes in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Su Wei , Hong Ting , Feng Baijie , Yang Zhou , Lei Guang
Published: February 2023

Regulated cell death (RCD) contributes to reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment and participating in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, related mechanisms have not been fully disclosed. Here, we identified 5 subclusters of NSCLC based on consensus clustering of 3429 RCD-associated genes in the TCGA database and depicted the genomic features and immune landscape of these clusters. Importantly, the clusters provided insights into recognizing tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor responses to immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Further, we established and validated an RCD-Risk model based on RCD-associated genes, which strongly predicted the prognosis, TME, and immunotherapy outcomes in NSCLC patients. Notably, tissue microarray staining confirmed that the expression of LDLRAD3, a core gene in RCD-Risk model, correlated with poor survival. In conclusion, we developed a novel RCD classification system and RCD-Risk model of NSCLC, serving as a robust and promising predictor for prognosis and immunotherapy benefit of individual NSCLC patients.
Increased levels of NETosis biomarkers in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients’ biofluids: Potential role in disease diagnosis and management
Authors: Tomás-Pérez Sarai , Oto Julia , Aghababyan Cristina , Herranz Raquel , Cuadros-Lozano Aitor , González-Cantó Eva , Mc Cormack Bárbara , Arrés Judith , Castaño María , Cana Fernando , Martínez-Fernández Laura , Santonja Núria , Ramírez Rocío , Herreros-Pomares Alejandro , Cañete-Mota Sarai , Llueca Antoni , Marí-Alexandre Josep , Medina Pilar , Gilabert-Estellés Juan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the second most frequent gynecological malignancy but the most lethal, partially due to the spread of the disease through the peritoneal cavity. Recent evidence has shown that, apart from their role in immune defense through phagocytosis and degranulation, neutrophils are able to participate in cancer progression through the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in a process called NETosis. NETs are composed of DNA, histones, calprotectin, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase and the NETosis process has been proposed as a pre-requisite for the establishment of omental metastases in early stages of HGSOC. Nevertheless, its role in advanced stages remains to be elucidated. Therefore, our principal aim is to characterize a NETosis biomarker profile in biofluids from patients with advanced HGSOC and control women.

Methods

Specifically, five biomarkers of NETosis (cell-free DNA (cfDNA), nucleosomes, citrullinated histone 3 (citH3), calprotectin and MPO) were quantified in plasma and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples from patients (n=45) and control women (n=40).

Results

Our results showed that HGSOC patients presented a higher concentration of cfDNA, citH3 and calprotectin in plasma and of all five NETosis biomarkers in PF than control women. Moreover, these biomarkers showed a strong ability to differentiate the two clinical groups. Interestingly, neoadjuvant treatment (NT) seemed to reduce NETosis biomarkers mainly systemically (plasma) compared to the tumor environment (PF).

Discussion

In conclusion, NETosis biomarkers are present in the tumor environment of patients with advanced HGSOC, which might contribute to the progression of the disease. Besides, plasma cfDNA and calprotectin could represent minimally invasive surrogate biomarkers for HGSOC. Finally, NT modifies NETosis biomarkers levels mainly at the systemic level.
The transcriptional program during germinal center reaction - a close view at GC B cells, Tfh cells and Tfr cells
Authors: Betzler Annika C. , Ushmorov Alexey , Brunner Cornelia
Published: February 2023

The germinal center (GC) reaction is a key process during an adaptive immune response to T cell specific antigens. GCs are specialized structures within secondary lymphoid organs, in which B cell proliferation, somatic hypermutation and antibody affinity maturation occur. As a result, high affinity antibody secreting plasma cells and memory B cells are generated. An effective GC response needs interaction between multiple cell types. Besides reticular cells and follicular dendritic cells, particularly B cells, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells as well as T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a key player during the GC reaction. Whereas Tfh cells provide help to GC B cells in selection processes, Tfr cells, a specialized subset of regulatory T cells (Tregs), are able to suppress the GC reaction maintaining the balance between immune activation and tolerance. The formation and function of GCs is regulated by a complex network of signals and molecules at multiple levels. In this review, we highlight recent developments in GC biology by focusing on the transcriptional program regulating the GC reaction. This review focuses on the transcriptional co-activator BOB.1/OBF.1, whose important role for GC B, Tfh and Tfr cell differentiation became increasingly clear in recent years. Moreover, we outline how deregulation of the GC transcriptional program can drive lymphomagenesis.
Desalination effects on macroalgae (part b): Transplantation experiments at brine-impacted sites with Dictyota spp. from the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Muñoz Pamela T. , Rodríguez-Rojas Fernanda , Celis-Plá Paula S. M. , López-Marras Américo , Blanco-Murillo Fabio , Sola Iván , Lavergne Céline , Valenzuela Fernando , Orrego Rodrigo , Sánchez-Lizaso José Luis , Sáez Claudio A.
Published: February 2023

Desalination residual brines are mostly discharged to marine environments, which can produce osmotic stress on sensitive benthic organisms. In this investigation, we performed transplantation experiments nearby desalination plants using two brown macroalgae species from a cosmopolitan genus: Dictyota kunthii (Chile) and Dictyota dichotoma (Spain). Parameters related to photosynthetic activity and oxidative stress were evaluated at 3 and 7 days for D. kunthii, and 3 and 6 days for D. dichotoma; each at 2 different impacted sites and 1 control. We observed that brine exposition at both impacted sites in Chile generated a marked stress response on D. kunthii, reflected in a decrease of primary productivity (ETRmax), light requirement (EkETR), and an excessive thermal dissipation (NPQmax), especially at 7 days. In D. dichotoma, similar impaired photosynthetic activity was recorded but only at the highest brine influence site during day 3. Regarding oxidative stress, both species displayed high levels of H2O2 when exposed to brine-influenced sites. Although in D. kunthii H2O2 content together with lipid peroxidation was higher after 3 days, these returned to baseline values towards day 7; instead, D. dichotoma H2O2 levels increased only at day 6. This easy and practical approach has proven to provide valuable data to address potential impacts of brine discharges at global scale coastal ecosystems.
Dissolution migration of gas, a mechanism to enrich ethane near the BSR and increase upwardly C1/C2 ratios in the hydrate-occurring zones: Insight from pore-scale experimental observation
Authors: Li Hui , Lu Xuekang , Wang Lin , Wang Wenjing , Li Tianhua , Lu Wanjun , Chen Yong
Published: February 2023

Most experiments show that gas hydrates are often enriched in C2+ gases relative to the feeding gas source because of fractionation during hydrate crystallization directly from free gases and dissolved gases. However, sediments below and near the base of the gas hydrate stability zone (BGHSZ) in many ocean drilling program (ODP)/International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) sites are relatively enriched in C2+ hydrocarbon gases, compared with the hydrate-occurring zone above. It is still unclear what kind of process causes the abrupt decreases in C1/C2+ ratios with the depth in headspace gas in sediments around seismic bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) and increasing upward C1/C2 ratios in the hydrate-occurring zone. To test the “dissolution/migration mechanism” and its links to the enrichment of ethane near the BSR and increasing upward C1/C2 ratios in the hydrate-occurring zone, we performed a series of pore-scale experimental observations, simulating the gas dissolution–migration–hydration processes, and investigated the effects of the composition of feeding gases and temperatures on the composition of the hydrate grown under the dissolution–migration mechanism. Hydrates are grown from aqueous fluids supplied by the migration of gases dissolved from the capillary-trapped free gas in a capillary high-pressure optical cell, with different supplying gases (90 mol% CH4 + 10 mol% C2H6, 80 mol% CH4 + 20 mol% C2H6) and a geothermal gradient (temperature from 278.15 to 293.15 K). The gas hydrate structure and composition were determined by quantitative Raman spectroscopy. Our study indicated that (1) under the dissolution–migration–hydration processes, the mole fraction of C2H6 in hydrates is depleted compared with gas sources, which confirms that the dissolution–migration of gases is a mechanism to enrich ethane near the BSR; (2) the proportion of C2H6 in structure I (sI) or structure II (sII) hydrates decreases with decreasing temperature, and decreasing temperature enlarges the difference of diffusion coefficient between methane and ethane and enhances the gas fractionation during migration, which could cause the increase upwardly C1/C2 ratios in the hydrate-occurring zone. A simplified geological model was proposed to explain the variability of hydrate composition with depth in the hydrate-occurring zone and the fractionation of gases near the BSR.
ESPC-BCS-Net: A network-based CS method for underwater image compression and reconstruction
Authors: Li Zhenyue , Chen Ge , Yu Fangjie
Published: February 2023

The Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT) is a typical energy-limited and bandwidth-limited system where the technical bottleneck is the asymmetry between the massive demand for information access and the limited communication bandwidth. Therefore, storing and transmitting high-quality underwater images is a challenging task. The data measured by cameras need to be effectively compressed before transmission to reduce storage and reconstruc-ted with minor errors, which is the best solution. Compressed sensing (CS) theory breaks through the Nyquist sampling theorem and has been widely used to reconstruct sparse signals accurately. For adaptive sampling underwater images and improving the reconstruction performance, we propose the ESPC-BCS-Net by combining the advantages of CS and Deep Learning. The ESPC-BCS-Net consists of three parts: Sampling-Net, ESPC-Net, and BCS-Net. The parameters (e.g. sampling matrix, sparse transforms, shrinkage thresholds, etc.) in ESPC-BCS-Net are learned end-to-end rather than hand-crafted. The Sampling-Net achieves adaptive sampling by replacing the sampling matrix with a convolutional layer. The ESPC-Net implements image upsampling, while the BCS-Net is used to image reconstruction. The efficient sub-pixel layer of ESPC-Net effectively avoids blocking artifacts. The visual and quantitative evaluation of the experimental results shows that the underwater image reconstruction still performs well when the CS ratio is 0.1 and the PSNR of the reconstructed underwater images is above 29.
Machine learning for acute kidney injury: Changing the traditional disease prediction mode
Authors: Yu Xiang , Ji Yuwei , Huang Mengjie , Feng Zhe
Published: February 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious clinical comorbidity with clear short-term and long-term prognostic implications for inpatients. The diversity of risk factors for AKI has been recognized in previous studies, and a series of predictive models have been developed using traditional statistical methods in conjunction with its preventability, but they have failed to meet the expectations in limited clinical applications, the rapid spread of electronic health records and artificial intelligence machine learning technology has brought new hope for the construction of AKI prediction models. In this article, we systematically review the definition and classification of machine learning methods, modeling ideas and evaluation methods, and the characteristics and current status of modeling studies. According to the modeling objectives, we subdivided them into critical care medical setting models, all medical environment models, special surgery models, special disease models, and special nephrotoxin exposure models. As the first review article to comprehensively summarize and analyze machine learning prediction models for AKI, we aim to objectively describe the advantages and disadvantages of machine learning approaches to modeling, and help other researchers more quickly and intuitively understand the current status of modeling research, inspire ideas and learn from experience, so as to guide and stimulate more research and more in-depth exploration in the future, which will ultimately provide greater help to improve the overall status of AKI diagnosis and treatment.
Case report: Successful outcome of a young patient with rhabdomyolysis and shock caused by diquat poisoning
Authors: Chen Yunchao , Ou Zejin , Zhang Ruichang , Long Zhenhong , Fu Rushen , Tang Shihao , Wang Zhi
Published: February 2023

The widespread use of diquat as a substitute for paraquat has led to an increase in poisoning deaths. A successful case of diquat poisoning complicated with rhabdomyolysis and shock was lacking. A 13-year-old previously healthy girl ingested 40 ml of diquat solution in a suicide attempt. The concentration of diquat in serum was 436.2 ug/L at 10 h after poisoning. The clinical course was characterized by progressive multi-organ dysfunction, particularly rhabdomyolysis and shock. The main treatments included intensive hemoperfusion combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), drainage, and activated carbon adsorption. Meanwhile, accurate dilatation under the model of pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PICCO) was essential for the successful treatment of shock. The serum concentration of diquat declined to 20 ug/L after 96 h of treatments. The patient was discharged from the hospital after 3 weeks of treatment without obvious symptoms. So far, this was the first successful case of diquat poisoning complicated with rhabdomyolysis and shock, which would enrich the experience of diquat poisoning treatment.