bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consent for functional endoscopic sinus surgery: are we complying with the law?
Authors: Raja H , Talwar R
Published: April 2022

Objective

To assess the current standard of consent for functional endoscopic sinus surgery and determine whether it complies with the law following the Montgomery ruling.

Methods

Ten complications following functional endoscopic sinus surgery were identified as common or serious from a literature search. Using questionnaires, ENT surgeons were asked which of these complications they discussed with patients, and patients were asked how seriously they regarded those risks using a five-point Likert scale.

Results

Consent practice from 21 ENT surgeons and data from 103 patients were analysed. The ‘reasonable patient’ would expect to be consented for all risks, except for pain, and scarring or adhesions. Most ENT surgeons would routinely discuss all risks that were considered significant, except for facial paraesthesia (29 per cent) and damage to the nasolacrimal duct (24 per cent). A negative change in sense of smell was not mentioned by 29 per cent of surgeons.

Conclusion

This paper demonstrates that the current consent process for functional endoscopic sinus surgery is likely to be substandard medicolegally.
Markina Basque
Authors: Bedialauneta Txurruka Izaro , Hualde José Ignacio
Published: April 2022

This Illustration of the IPA describes the sound system of the local dialect of Basque (euskara, euskera, IS0-639-3 eus) spoken in the town of Markina-Xemein, in the province of Bizkaia (Biscay), within the Basque Autonomous Community of Spain (see maps in Figures 1 and 2. Speakers of this local variety of Basque refer to it as markiñarra or Markiñeko euskerie.
Drug efficacy on zoonotic nematodes of the Anisakidae family: new metabolic data
Authors: Polak Iwona , Stryiński Robert , Podolska Magdalena , Pawlak Joanna , Bittner Mikołaj Wiktor , Wiśniewski Gerard , Sienkiewicz-Szłapka Edyta , Łopieńska-Biernat Elżbieta
Published: April 2022

In the Anisakidae family, there are nematodes, most of which are parasitic for important commercial fish species. Both public health risks and socio-economic problems are attributed to these parasites. Despite these concerns, knowledge of the metabolism of these parasites remains unknown. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the receptors of drugs and oxidative metabolic status of two Anisakidae species, Pseudoterranova decipiens (s. s.) and Contracaecum osculatum (s. s.), under the influence of anthelminthic drugs, ivermectin (IVM) and pyrantel (PYR), at different concentrations: 1.56, 3.125 and 6.25 μg mL−1 of culture medium for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 72 h. The mRNA expressions of the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor, acetylcholine receptor subunits, adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporters and antioxidative enzymes were determined. The total antioxidant capacity and glutathione S-transferase activity were also examined. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that IVM and PYR have been tested against these parasitic nematodes.
‘Listen closer’: home-delivered meal volunteers’ understanding of their role in suicide intervention
Authors: Westcott Jordan B. , Fullen Matthew C. , Tomlin Connie C. , Eikenberg Kelly , Delaughter Paul M. , Mize M.C.B. , Shannonhouse Laura R.
Published: April 2022

Suicide in later life is a pressing public health concern, which has likely been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many older adults who need mental health treatment do not have access to necessary services and training for mental health providers to support older adults experiencing suicidality is limited. One solution is developing interventions based in a public health approach to suicide prevention, whereby natural helpers who provide community services are mobilised to respond to older persons-at-risk. Home-delivered meal (HDM) services, for example, are one effective means to reach older adults who are isolated due to being homebound and may be instrumental in preventing suicide. This study examined the experiences of 20 HDM volunteers who received Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), an evidence-based suicide intervention programme. Phenomenological analysis yielded findings centred on three areas demonstrating the impact of the ASIST training on HDM volunteers: putting asist skills into practice; response to ASIST skills; and role transformation. Implications for integrating suicide prevention efforts with HDM services and directions for future research are discussed.
X-ray powder diffraction data for nicotine 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate, C10H15N2⋅C7H5O4
Authors: Li Zhi Qiang , Shang Shan Zhai , Liao Xiao Xiang , Lei Ping , Han Jing Mei , Yi Bin , Yang Ji , Zhang Qi Yi , Suo Zi Li , Li Hui
Published: April 2022

Nicotine 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate is a nicotine salt that can be used as the nicotine source in tobacco products. X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for nicotine 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate, C10H15N2⋅C7H5O4, are reported [a = 7.726(8) Å, b = 11.724(3) Å, c = 9.437(1) Å, α = 90°, β = 109.081(3)°, γ = 90°, unit-cell volume V = 802.902 Å3, Z = 2, ρcal = 1.309 g cm−3, and space group P21] at room temperature. All measured lines were indexed and were consistent with the P21 space group.
Comparison of three antioxidants in chemical and biological assays on porcine oocytes during ageing in vitro
Authors: Park Chan-Oh , Lee Seung-Eun , Yoon Jae-Wook , Park Hyo-Jin , Kim So-Hee , Oh Seung-Hwan , Lee Do-Geon , Pyeon Da-Bin , Kim Eun-Young , Park Se-Pill
Published: April 2022

Our previous studies have already revealed that β-cryptoxanthin (BCX), hesperetin (HES), and icariin (ICA) antioxidants are effective for in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. In this study, we investigated which of BCX, HES, or ICA was more effective for IVM of porcine oocytes. The antioxidant properties were assessed with aged porcine oocytes and embryos by comparing 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl (DPPH), reducing power, and H2O2 scavenging activity assays. The chemical assay results demonstrated that BCX had a greater DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power than HES and ICA, compared with controls. However, the H2O2 scavenging activity of the antioxidants was similar when tested at the optimal concentrations of 1 μM BCX (BCX-1), 100 μM HES (HES-100), and 5 μM ICA (ICA-5). The biological assay results showed that BCX-1 treatment was more effective in inducing a significant reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving glutathione levels, and increasing the expression of antioxidant genes. In addition, BCX-1 inhibited apoptosis by increasing the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and decreasing pro-apoptotic genes in porcine parthenogenetic blastocysts. BCX-1 also significantly increased the blastocyst formation rate compared with the ageing control group, HES-100 and ICA-5. This study demonstrates that damage from ROS produced during oocyte ageing can be prevented by supplementing antioxidants into the IVM medium, and BCX may be a potential candidate to improve assisted reproductive technologies.
The Problem of History
Authors: Møller Jørgen
Published: April 2022

The ongoing “historical turn” in political science makes it more important than ever that we, as a profession, have open conversations about the nature of the evidence we enlist from trained historians. This article emphasizes that “history” should be recognized as an—often speculative and incomplete—interpretation of bygone times and places that we no longer can know for sure. Much of what we commonly believe about the past depends on narrative sources written long after the fact and influenced by later circumstances and points of view, on outdated historical research, or on singular and often biased contemporary sources. Discussing how to respond to this “problem of history,” the article calls for a shift of cognitive style: that is, treating the work of historians in a more self-conscious and critical way and clearly signaling this when we present our research. Three more particular guidelines—be up-to-date,be specific, andbe cautious—exemplify this approach.
IDLENESS AND THE VERY SPARING HAND OF GOD: THE INVISIBLE TIE BETWEEN HUME’SDIALOGUES CONCERNING NATURAL RELIGIONAND SMITH’SWEALTH OF NATIONS
Authors: Santori Paolo
Published: April 2022

In the eighteenth-century Scottish and British cultural context, idleness was a central issue for religion, literature, art, and philosophy. This paper analyzes the reflections of David Hume and Adam Smith on idleness and commercial society. Hume advanced his most provocative view on the subject in hisDialogues Concerning Natural Religion(1779), where idleness is represented as the endowment made by the “very sparing hand” of the “author of nature” to humanity. My argument is that Smith’s view on idleness that was advanced in theWealth of Nations(1776) is connected to Hume’sDialogues, as Smith’s invisible hand defeats idleness through a combination of self-interest, the propensity to exchange, and the division of labor. The broader aim of this study is to add to the philosophical relationship between the Scottish philosophers.
Why do you need more towers? Four approaches to sustainable urban regeneration in Japan
Authors: Sunikka-Blank Minna , Kiyono Yumi
Published: April 2022

The article explores the interpretation of sustainability from the Japanese perspective. Drawing from four case studies, the article asks: how is sustainability interpreted in the context of urban regeneration in Japan? Two case studies (Musashi Kosugi and Kashiwanoha) are high-rise, high-density developments that use new building technology but have little or no attention to the context. UR Yokodai danchi renovation and Kamakura ‘regional capitalism’ are community-led projects that preserve the existing buildings and the local community. These four developments are analysed in relation to sustainability criteria that includes socioeconomic targets and conservation of the townscape. The findings suggest that although Musashi Kosugi and Kashiwanoha are prime examples of urban densification and the use of smart technology, challenges posed by the post-population peak society, oversupply of housing, and consequences of the pandemic question the flexibility and sustainability of these developments. Yokodai danchi demonstrates the potential of postwar housing stock to accommodate sustainable renovation and provide affordable housing. Kamakura ‘regional capitalism’, rooted in joint venture between the local governance, entrepreneurs, and old residents, middle-density and mixed-use urban fabric, can develop into flexible, idiosyncratic, and family-friendly environments. The research suggests that the Japanese government’s new policies such as Super Cities Program should not restrict the vision of sustainable cities to new build developments and that urban densification should not always be taken as a synonym to sustainable city developments.
Explaining SyntheticA PrioriKnowledge: The Achilles Heel of Transcendental Idealism?
Authors: Stern Robert
Published: April 2022

This article considers an apparent Achilles heel for Kant’s transcendental idealism, concerning his account of how synthetica prioriknowledge is possible. The problem is that while Kant’s distinctive attempt to explain synthetica prioriknowledge lies at the heart of his transcendental idealism, this explanation appears to face a dilemma: either the explanation generates a problematic regress, or the explanation it offers gives us no reason to favour transcendental idealism over transcendental realism. In the article, I consider G. E. Moore’s version of the problem, which I argue has not yet received an adequate response. Instead, I offer a way out of this dilemma by focusing on the normativity rather than the metaphysics of the mind.
Seismic Waveform‐Coherence Controlled by Earthquake Source Dimensions
Authors: Zhou Tong , Meng Lingsen , Zhang Ailin , Ampuero Jean‐Paul
Published: April 2022

Rupture size is a fundamental earthquake source parameter that is challenging to infer independently from far‐field seismological observations. Here, we develop a novel observational constraint on source size based on the decay rate of wavefield coherence across a seismic array. For a given earthquake, waveform coherence decays with increasing interstation distance or, more precisely, with increasing projection difference defined as the difference between the takeoff vectors associated to the two stations projected along the rupture direction. We find that coherence generally falls off with projection difference faster for earthquakes of larger magnitudes. The magnitude dependence of the coherence decay rate can be explained by a finite source effect: larger source sizes cause larger differences of phase delays between waves arriving from different parts of the rupture at different stations, hence a stronger spatial variability of the wavefield, resulting in a breakdown of waveform coherence. Assuming a 1‐D Haskell's source model, the rupture size can be estimated from the coherence decay rate. We apply this method to USArray data of earthquakes in three subduction zones, the Sea of Okhotsk, South America and Japan. The source sizes inferred from the coherence decay patterns are consistent with scaling relations intermediate between width‐saturated L‐models and quasi equi‐dimensional rupture models. Our observation captures a unique pattern of array waveform coherence and demonstrates the potential of utilizing waveform coherence to study earthquake source parameters.
Overview of the Morphology and Chemistry of Diagenetic Features in the Clay‐Rich Glen Torridon Unit of Gale Crater, Mars
Authors: Gasda Patrick J. , Comellas Jade , Essunfeld Ari , Das Debarati , Bryk Alexander B. , Dehouck Erwin , Schwenzer Susanne P. , Crossey Laura , Herkenhoff Kenneth , Johnson Jeffrey R. , Newsom Horton , Lanza Nina L. , Rapin William , Goetz Walter , Meslin Pierre‐Yves , Bridges John C. , Anderson Ryan , David Gael , Turner Stuart M. R. , Thorpe Michael T. , Kah Linda , Frydenvang Jens , Kronyak Rachel , Caravaca Gwénaël , Ollila Ann , Le Mouélic Stéphane , Nellessen Matthew , Hoffman Megan , Fey Deirdra , Cousin Anges , Wiens Roger C. , Clegg Samuel M. , Maurice Sylvestre , Gasnault Olivier , Delapp Dorothea , Reyes‐Newell Adriana
Published: April 2022

The clay‐rich Glen Torridon region of Gale crater, Mars, was explored between sols 2300 and 3007. Here, we analyzed the diagenetic features observed by Curiosity, including veins, cements, nodules, and nodular bedrock, using the ChemCam, Mastcam, and Mars Hand Lens Imager instruments. We discovered many diagenetic features in Glen Torridon, including dark‐toned iron‐ and manganese‐rich veins, magnesium‐ and fluorine‐rich linear features, Ca‐sulfate cemented bedrock, manganese‐rich nodules, and iron‐rich strata. We have characterized the chemistry and morphology of these features, which are most widespread in the higher stratigraphic members in Glen Torridon, and exhibit a wide range of chemistries. These discoveries are strong evidence for multiple generations of fluids from multiple chemical endmembers that likely underwent redox reactions to form some of these features. In a few cases, we may be able to use mineralogy and chemistry to constrain formation conditions of the diagenetic features. For example, the dark‐toned veins likely formed in warmer, highly alkaline, and highly reducing conditions, while manganese‐rich nodules likely formed in oxidizing and circumneutral conditions. We also hypothesize that an initial enrichment of soluble elements, including fluorine, occurred during hydrothermal alteration early in Gale crater history to account for elemental enrichment in nodules and veins. The presence of redox‐active elements, including Fe and Mn, and elements required for life, including P and S, in these fluids is strong evidence for habitability of Gale crater groundwater. Hydrothermal alteration also has interesting implications for prebiotic chemistry during the earliest stages of the crater's evolution and early Mars.
Ice‐Nucleating Particles That Impact Clouds and Climate: Observational and Modeling Research Needs
Authors: Burrows Susannah M. , McCluskey Christina S. , Cornwell Gavin , Steinke Isabelle , Zhang Kai , Zhao Bin , Zawadowicz Maria , Raman Aishwarya , Kulkarni Gourihar , China Swarup , Zelenyuk Alla , DeMott Paul J.
Published: April 2022

Atmospheric ice‐nucleating particles (INPs) play a critical role in cloud freezing processes, with important implications for precipitation formation and cloud radiative properties, and thus for weather and climate. Additionally, INP emissions respond to changes in the Earth System and climate, for example, desertification, agricultural practices, and fires, and therefore may introduce climate feedbacks that are still poorly understood. As knowledge of the nature and origins of INPs has advanced, regional and global weather, climate, and Earth system models have increasingly begun to link cloud ice processes to model‐simulated aerosol abundance and types. While these recent advances are exciting, coupling cloud processes to simulated aerosol also makes cloud physics simulations increasingly susceptible to uncertainties in simulation of INPs, which are still poorly constrained by observations. Advancing the predictability of INP abundance with reasonable spatiotemporal resolution will require an increased focus on research that bridges the measurement and modeling communities. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge and identifies critical knowledge gaps from both observational and modeling perspectives. In particular, we emphasize needs in two key areas: (a) observational closure between aerosol and INP quantities and (b) skillful simulation of INPs within existing weather and climate models. We discuss the state of knowledge on various INP particle types and briefly discuss the challenges faced in understanding the cloud impacts of INPs with present‐day models. Finally, we identify priority research directions for both observations and models to improve understanding of INPs and their interactions with the Earth System.
Upper Ocean Temperature Variability Associated With the Indian Ocean Dipole Revealed by a Complex Network
Authors: Higuchi Yuki , Tozuka Tomoki
Published: April 2022

A new framework of complex networks based on event synchronization that can be applied to the development of temperature anomalies associated with climate variation phenomena is developed to reveal propagation characteristics of ocean temperature anomalies and their asymmetry between positive and negative phases of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). When a complex network based on sea surface temperature (SST) is constructed, it is revealed that SST anomalies in the eastern pole associated with both phases of the IOD tend to be preceded by those in the eastern equatorial region and from the south. When a complex network is constructed based on both surface and subsurface temperatures, it is found that the positive IOD tends to experience extreme subsurface temperature anomalies over more vast areas before extreme SST anomalies compared to the negative IOD.
Characteristics of Electron Microburst Precipitation Based on High‐Resolution ELFIN Measurements
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Jia , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Mourenas Didier , Artemyev Anton , Tsai Ethan , Wilkins Colin
Published: April 2022

We present statistical characteristics of electron microburst precipitation using high time‐resolution measurements from the low‐altitude Electron Losses and Fields InvestigatioN (ELFIN) CubeSats. The radial distribution of the equatorial projection of microbursts as a function of geomagnetic activity suggests that they are produced by resonant interaction with quasi‐parallel lower‐band chorus waves. ELFIN electron flux measurements provide the first statistical models of microburst energy spectra from 50 keV to 2 MeV. Microbursts with energies up to 150 keV have a relatively flat pitch‐angle spectrum. Estimates of scattering rates required to produce the observed flat spectra suggest that such precipitation signatures are due to near‐equatorial electron scattering by chorus wave packets with peak amplitudes of 0.4–0.9 nT, well above the threshold for nonlinear resonant interaction. More rare microbursts, exceeding 500 keV, are observed preferentially near dawn during disturbed periods. We interpret them as evidence of scattering by intense ducted chorus waves propagating from the equator up to middle latitudes with little attenuation.
Light People: Academician Songlin Zhuang
Authors: Wang Hui , Yu Cun , Guo Naifei
Published: April 2022

Editorial

Can you imagine that one single small capsule can achieve navigation and positioning, and do gastroscopy of the digestive system? Can you imagine that a machine can automatically complete the task of analyzing more than 4800 new coronavirus samples within 24 h? Don’t be surprised, this has become a reality, thanks to Academician Songlin Zhuang and his team, who applied terahertz technology to various fields such as medicine, food safety, ecological environment monitoring, and social security. Dedicating his entire life to optics and terahertz, Academician Zhuang personifies courage, determination and persistence. He believes in science and hard work. He also takes it as his responsibility to pass on the optical spirit and cultivate optical young scientists.

Today, Light Special Correspondents will take you to the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology to see the beginning and experience of Academician Songlin Zhuang’s optical road. I believe it will open a window to a different optical world, and allow our readers to appreciate its unique beauty.
Photonics bridges between turbulence and spin glass phenomena in the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics
Authors: Gomes A. S. L. , de Araújo C. B. , Macêdo A. M. S. , González I. R. R. , de S. Menezes L. , Pincheira P. I. R. , Kashyap R. , Vasconcelos G. L. , Raposo E. P.
Published: April 2022

A photonic connection between turbulence and spin glasses has been recently established both theoretically and experimentally using a random fiber laser as a photonic platform. Besides unveiling this interplay, it links the works of two 2021 Nobel laureates in Physics.
The NHS England 100,000 Genomes Project: feasibility and utility of centralised genome sequencing for children with cancer
Authors: Trotman Jamie , Armstrong Ruth , Firth Helen , Trayers Claire , Watkins James , Allinson Kieren , Jacques Thomas S. , Nicholson James C. , Burke G. A. Amos ,   Genomics England Research Consortium, Ambrose J. C. , Arumugam P. , Bevers R. , Bleda M. , Boardman-Pretty F. , Boustred C. R. , Brittain H. , Caulfield M. J. , Chan G. C. , Fowler T. , Giess A. , Hamblin A. , Henderson S. , Hubbard T. J. P. , Jackson R. , Jones L. J. , Kasperaviciute D. , Kayikci M. , Kousathanas A. , Lahnstein L. , Leigh S. E. A. , Leong I. U. S. , Lopez F. J. , Maleady-Crowe F. , McEntagart M. , Minneci F. , Moutsianas L. , Mueller M. , Murugaesu N. , Need A. C. , O‘Donovan P. , Odhams C. A. , Patch C. , Perez-Gil D. , Pereira M. B. , Pullinger J. , Rahim T. , Rendon A. , Rogers T. , Savage K. , Sawant K. , Scott R. H. , Siddiq A. , Sieghart A. , Smith S. C. , Sosinsky A. , Stuckey A. , Tanguy M. , Taylor Tavares A. L. , Thomas E. R. A. , Thompson S. R. , Tucci A. , Welland M. J. , Williams E. , Witkowska K. , Wood S. M. , Behjati Sam , Murray Matthew J. , Hook Catherine E. , Tarpey Patrick
Published: April 2022

Background

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of cancers is becoming an accepted component of oncological care, and NHS England is currently rolling out WGS for all children with cancer. This approach was piloted during the 100,000 genomes (100 K) project. Here we share the experience of the East of England Genomic Medicine Centre (East-GMC), reporting the feasibility and clinical utility of centralised WGS for individual children locally.

Methods

Non-consecutive children with solid tumours were recruited into the pilot 100 K project at our Genomic Medicine Centre. Variant catalogues were returned for local scrutiny and appraisal at dedicated genomic tumour advisory boards with an emphasis on a detailed exploration of potential clinical value.

Results

Thirty-six children, representing one-sixth of the national 100 K cohort, were recruited through our Genomic Medicine Centre. The diagnoses encompassed 23 different solid tumour types and WGS provided clinical utility, beyond standard-of-care assays, by refining (2/36) or changing (4/36) diagnoses, providing prognostic information (8/36), defining pathogenic germline mutations (1/36) or revealing novel therapeutic opportunities (8/36).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and clinical value of centralised WGS for children with cancer. WGS offered additional clinical value, especially in diagnostic terms. However, our experience highlights the need for local expertise in scrutinising and clinically interpreting centrally derived variant calls for individual children.
LncRNA XIST accelerates burn wound healing by promoting M2 macrophage polarization through targeting IL-33 via miR-19b
Authors: Pi Li , Fang Bairong , Meng Xianxi , Qian Li
Published: April 2022

Burn injuries are a serious threat to quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of burn wound healing. The lncRNA XIST has been associated with burn wound healing, but the mechanism is not clear. In the present study, in vitro and in vivo models of burn injuries were established by thermal injury treatment of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs) and mice, respectively. Pathological changes in skin tissues were detected by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence double staining was performed to detect M2 macrophages. Furthermore, the changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration by CCK-8, flow cytometry, scratch and Transwell assays to evaluate the effect of XIST on burn wound healing. The binding relationships among XIST, miR-19b and IL-33 were analyzed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and dual luciferase reporter assays. Our results found that there were targeted binding sites between XIST and miR-19b, miR-19b and IL-33. We investigated whether XIST enhanced the polarization of M2 macrophages to promote the healing of burn wounds. After fibroblast burn injury, the expression levels of XIST and IL-33 increased in a time-dependent manner, whereas miR-19b expression decreased in a time-dependent manner. XIST contributed to the proliferation and migration of skin fibroblasts by inhibiting miR-19b and enhanced fibroblast extracellular matrix production by promoting the transformation of macrophages to the M2 phenotype. In short, these findings indicate that XIST can promote burn wound healing and enhance the polarization of M2 macrophages by targeting the IL-33/miR-19b axis, which may serve as a potential theoretical basis for the treatment of burn wound healing.
HtrA2/Omi mitigates NAFLD in high-fat-fed mice by ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and restoring autophagic flux
Authors: Zhou Wei , Deng Xueting , Zhu Xiaolei , Yan Qinhui , Zhou Nan , Du Susu , Li Xiaonan
Published: April 2022

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver metabolic syndrome which affects millions of people worldwide. Recently, improving mitochondrial function and autophagic ability have been proposed as a means to prevent NAFLD. It has been previously described that high-temperature requirement protein A2 (HtrA2/Omi) favors mitochondrial homeostasis and autophagy in hepatocytes. Thus, we explored the effects of HtrA2/Omi on regulating mitochondrial function and autophagy during NAFLD development. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD in mice and free fatty acids (FFAs)-induced hepatocytes steatosis in vitro were established. Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) in vivo and plasmid in vitro were used to restore HtrA2/Omi expression. In this study, we reported that HtrA2/Omi expression considerably decreased in liver tissues from the HFD-induced NAFLD model and in L02 cells with FFA-treated. However, restoring HtrA2/Omi ameliorated hepatic steatosis, confirming by improved serum lipid profiles, glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, histopathological lipid accumulation, and the gene expression related to lipid metabolism. Moreover, HtrA2/Omi also attenuated HFD-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and autophagic blockage. TEM analysis revealed that liver mitochondrial structure and autophagosome formation were improved in hepatic HtrA2/Omi administration mice compared to HFD mice. And hepatic HtrA2/Omi overexpression enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation gene expression, elevated LC3II protein levels, induced LC3 puncta, and decreased SQSTM1/p62 protein levels. Furthermore, hepatic HtrA2/Omi increased respiratory exchange ratio and heat production in mice. Finally, HtrA2/Omi overexpression by plasmid significantly diminished lipid accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and autophagic inhibition in FFA-treated L02 hepatocytes. Taken together, we demonstrated that HtrA2/Omi was a potential candidate for the treatment of NAFLD via improving mitochondrial functions, as well as restoring autophagic flux.
Persistent half-metallic ferromagnetism in a (111)-oriented manganite superlattice
Authors: Cossu Fabrizio , Kim Heung-Sik , Sanyal Biplab , Di Marco Igor
Published: April 2022

We employ electronic structure calculations to show that a (111)-oriented (LaMnO3)12∣(SrMnO3)6 superlattice retains a half-metallic ferromagnetic character despite its large thickness. We link this behaviour to the strain and the octahedral connectivity between the layers. This also gives rise to breathing modes, which are coupled to charge and spin oscillations, whose components have a pure eg character. Most interestingly, the magnetisation reaches its maximum value inside the LaMnO3 region and not at the interface, which is fundamentally different from what observed for the (001) orientation. The inter-atomic exchange coupling shows that the magnetic order arises from the double-exchange mechanism, despite competing interactions inside the SrMnO3 region. Finally, the van Vleck distortions and the spin oscillations are crucially affected by the variation of Hund’s exchange and charge doping, which allows us to speculate that our system behaves as a Hund’s metal, creating an interesting connection between manganites and nickelates.
Predicting the lattice thermal conductivity of alloyed compounds from the perspective of configurational entropy
Authors: Li Mengke , Cao Guohua , Luo Yufeng , Sheng Caiyu , Liu Huijun
Published: April 2022

Accurate evaluation of lattice thermal conductivity is usually a tough task from the theoretical side, especially for alloyed systems with fractional stoichiometry. Using the tetradymite family as a prototypical class of examples, we propose a reliable approach for rapid prediction on the lattice thermal conductivity at arbitrary composition by utilizing the concept of configurational entropy. Instead of performing time-consuming first-principles calculations, the lattice thermal conductivities of any alloyed tetradymites can be readily obtained from a few samples with integer stoichiometry. The strong predictive power is demonstrated by good agreement between our results and those reported experimentally. In principle, such an effective method can be applicable to any other material families, which is very beneficial for high-throughput design of systems with desired thermal conductivity.
Enhanced pitting resistance of directed energy deposition 316L stainless steel by post-manufacturing heat treatment
Authors: Chen Junjie , Xiao Qian , Lee Hyeon Bae , Jeong Chaewon , Jang Kyungnam , Jang Changheui
Published: April 2022

The effect of the post-manufacturing heat treatment (PMHT) on the pitting resistance of the directed energy deposition (DED) 316L stainless steel was evaluated. In an as-manufactured DED 316L, a fully austenitic microstructure with typical cellular structure and large columnar grains was observed. The cellular structure was retained after the PMHT of 850 °C/2 h but fully removed by the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h, while large columnar grains survived in both cases. Both PHMTs significantly improved the pitting resistance of the DED 316L. Especially, the pitting potential of the DED 316L after the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h was comparable to that of 2205 duplex stainless steel. The excellent pitting resistance of DED 316L after the PMHT of 1150 °C/1 h was caused by the reduction of residual stress, elimination of cellular structure, and presence of large columnar grains.
Longitudinal gut virome analysis identifies specific viral signatures that precede necrotizing enterocolitis onset in preterm infants
Authors: Kaelin Emily A. , Rodriguez Cynthia , Hall-Moore Carla , Hoffmann Julie A. , Linneman Laura A. , Ndao I. Malick , Warner Barbara B. , Tarr Phillip I. , Holtz Lori R. , Lim Efrem S.
Published: April 2022

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious consequence of preterm birth and is often associated with gut bacterial microbiome alterations. However, little is known about the development of the gut virome in preterm infants, or its role in NEC. Here, using metagenomic sequencing, we characterized the DNA gut virome of 9 preterm infants who developed NEC and 14 gestational age-matched preterm infants who did not. Infants were sampled longitudinally before NEC onset over the first 11 weeks of life. We observed substantial interindividual variation in the gut virome between unrelated preterm infants, while intraindividual variation over time was significantly less. We identified viral and bacterial signatures in the gut that preceded NEC onset. Specifically, we observed a convergence towards reduced viral beta diversity over the 10 d before NEC onset, which was driven by specific viral signatures and accompanied by specific viral-bacterial interactions. Our results indicate that bacterial and viral perturbations precede the sudden onset of NEC. These findings suggest that early life virome signatures in preterm infants may be implicated in NEC.
Ultrafast Doppler imaging and ultrasound localization microscopy reveal the complexity of vascular rearrangement in chronic spinal lesion
Authors: Beliard Benoit , Ahmanna Chaimae , Tiran Elodie , Kanté Kadia , Deffieux Thomas , Tanter Mickael , Nothias Fatiha , Soares Sylvia , Pezet Sophie
Published: April 2022

Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to severe damage to the microvascular network. The process of spontaneous repair is accompanied by formation of new blood vessels; their functionality, however, presumably very important for functional recovery, has never been clearly established, as most studies so far used fixed tissues. Here, combining ultrafast Doppler imaging and ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) on the same animals, we proceeded at a detailed analysis of structural and functional vascular alterations associated with the establishment of chronic SCI, both at macroscopic and microscopic scales. Using a standardized animal model of SCI, our results demonstrate striking hemodynamic alterations in several subparts of the spinal cord: a reduced blood velocity in the lesion site, and an asymmetrical hypoperfusion caudal but not rostral to the lesion. In addition, the worsening of many evaluated parameters at later time points suggests that the neoformed vascular network is not yet fully operational, and reveals ULM as an efficient in vivo readout for spinal cord vascular alterations. Finally, we show statistical correlations between the diverse biomarkers of vascular dysfunction and SCI severity. The imaging modality developed here will allow evaluating recovery of vascular function over time in pre-clinical models of SCI. Also, used on SCI patients in combination with other quantitative markers of neural tissue damage, it may help classifying lesion severity and predict possible treatment outcomes in patients.
Documenting research software in engineering science
Authors: Hermann Sibylle , Fehr Jörg
Published: April 2022

The reuse of research software needs good documentation, however, the documentation in particular is often criticized. Especially in non-IT specific disciplines, the lack of documentation is attributed to the lack of training, the lack of time or missing rewards. This article addresses the hypothesis that scientists do document but do not know exactly what they need to document, why, and for whom. In order to evaluate the actual documentation practice of research software, we examined existing recommendations, and we evaluated their implementation in everyday practice using a concrete example from the engineering sciences and compared the findings with best practice examples. To get a broad overview of what documentation of research software entailed, we defined categories and used them to conduct the research. Our results show that the big picture of what documentation of research software means is missing. Recommendations do not consider the important role of researchers, who write research software, whose documentation takes mainly place in their research articles. Moreover, we show that research software always has a history that influences the documentation.
Effects of nanosized water droplet generation on number concentration measurement of virus aerosols when using an airblast atomizer
Authors: Massoudifarid Milad , Piri Amin , Hwang Jungho
Published: April 2022

Development of efficient virus aerosol monitoring and removal devices requires aerosolization of the test virus using atomizers. The number concentration and size measurements of aerosolized virus particles are required to evaluate the performance of the devices. Although diffusion dryers can remove water droplets generated using atomizers, they often fail to remove them entirely from the air stream. Consequently, particle measurement devices, such as scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), can falsely identify the remaining nanosized water droplets as virus aerosol particles. This in turn affects the accuracy of the evaluation of devices for sampling or removing virus aerosol particles. In this study, a plaque-forming assay combined with SMPS measurement was used to evaluate sufficient drying conditions. We proposed an empirical equation to determine the total number concentration of aerosolized particles measured using the SMPS as a function of the carrier air flow rate and residence time of the particles in the diffusion dryers. The difference in the total number concentration of particles under sufficient and insufficient diffusion drying conditions was presented as a percentage of error.
A novel algorithm for cardiovascular screening using conjunctival microcirculatory parameters and blood biomarkers
Authors: Awuah Agnes , Moore Julie S. , Nesbit M. Andrew , Ruddock Mark W. , Brennan Paul F. , Mailey Jonathan A. , McNeil Andrew J. , Jing Min , Finlay Dewar D. , Trucco Emanuele , Kurth Mary Jo , Watt Joanne , Lamont John V. , Fitzgerald Peter , Spence Mark S. , McLaughlin James A. D. , Moore Tara C. B.
Published: April 2022

Microvascular haemodynamic alterations are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The conjunctival microcirculation can easily be assessed non-invasively. However, the microcirculation of the conjunctiva has not been previously explored in clinical algorithms aimed at identifying patients with CAD. This case–control study involved 66 patients with post-myocardial infarction and 66 gender-matched healthy controls. Haemodynamic properties of the conjunctival microcirculation were assessed with a validated iPhone and slit lamp-based imaging tool. Haemodynamic properties were extracted with semi-automated software and compared between groups. Biomarkers implicated in the development of CAD were assessed in combination with conjunctival microcirculatory parameters. The conjunctival blood vessel parameters and biomarkers were used to derive an algorithm to aid in the screening of patients for CAD. Conjunctival blood velocity measured in combination with the blood biomarkers (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and adiponectin) had an area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.967, sensitivity 93.0%, specificity 91.5% for CAD. This study demonstrated that the novel algorithm which included a combination of conjunctival blood vessel haemodynamic properties, and blood-based biomarkers could be used as a potential screening tool for CAD and should be validated for potential utility in asymptomatic individuals.
Reading the Moody chart with a linear interpolation method
Authors: Huang Shuxin
Published: April 2022

The error caused by pseudo-midpoint effect in the use of the Moody chart was analyzed. The pseudo-midpoint effect appears in the linear interpolation method usually used to read the Moody chart. The maximum of the error is about 4%, which is significantly lower than the 15% accuracy of the chart in the literature.
Twisted intramolecular charge transfer of nitroaromatic push–pull chromophores
Authors: Lee Sebok , Jen Myungsam , Jang Taehyung , Lee Gisang , Pang Yoonsoo
Published: April 2022

The structural changes during the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of nitroaromatic chromophores, 4-dimethylamino-4′-nitrobiphenyl (DNBP) and 4-dimethylamino-4′-nitrostilbene (DNS) were investigated by femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) with both high spectral and temporal resolutions. The kinetically resolved Raman spectra of DNBP and DNS in the locally-excited and charge-transferred states of the S1 state appear distinct, especially in the skeletal vibrational modes of biphenyl and stilbene including ν8a and νC=C. The ν8a of two phenyls and the νC=C of the central ethylene group (only for stilbene), which are strongly coupled in the planar geometries, are broken with the twist of nitrophenyl group with the ICT. Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy measurements and the time-dependent density functional theory simulations support the ultrafast ICT dynamics of 220–480 fs with the twist of nitrophenyl group occurring in the S1 state of the nitroaromatic chromophores. While the ICT of DNBP occurs via a barrier-less pathway, the ICT coordinates of DNS are strongly coupled to several low-frequency out-of-phase deformation modes relevant to the twist of the nitrophenyl group.
In vivo dose–response analysis to acetylcholine: pharmacodynamic assessment by polarized reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Henricson Joakim , Sjöberg Folke , Iredahl Fredrik , Strömberg Tomas , Wilhelms Daniel
Published: April 2022

Transdermal iontophoresis offers an in vivo alternative to the strain-gauge model for measurement of vascular function but is limited due to lack of technical solutions for outcome assessment. The aims of this study were to, after measurement by polarized reflectance spectroscopy (PRS), use pharmacodynamic dose–response analysis on responses to different concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh); and to examine the effect of three consecutively administered iontophoretic current pulses. The vascular responses in 15 healthy volunteers to iontophorised ACh (5 concentrations, range 0.0001% to 1%, three consecutive pulses of 0.02 mA for 10 min each) were recorded using PRS. Data were fitted to a four-parameter logistic dose response model and compared. Vascular responses were quantifiable by PRS. Similar pharmacodynamic dose response curves could be generated irrespectively of the ACh concentration. Linearly increasing maximum vasodilatory responses were registered with increasing concentration of ACh. A limited linear dose effect of the concentration of ACh was seen between pulses. Polarized reflectance spectroscopy is well suited for measuring vascular responses to iontophoretically administrated ACh. The results of this study support further development of iontophoresis as a method to study vascular function and pharmacological responses in vivo.
Steering the structure and selectivity of CO2 electroreduction catalysts by potential pulses
Authors: Timoshenko Janis , Bergmann Arno , Rettenmaier Clara , Herzog Antonia , Arán-Ais Rosa M. , Jeon Hyo Sang , Haase Felix T. , Hejral Uta , Grosse Philipp , Kühl Stefanie , Davis Earl M. , Tian Jing , Magnussen Olaf , Roldan Cuenya Beatriz
Published: April 2022

Convoluted selectivity trends and a missing link between reaction product distribution and catalyst properties hinder practical applications of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) for multicarbon product generation. Here we employ operando X-ray absorption and X-ray diffraction methods with subsecond time resolution to unveil the surprising complexity of catalysts exposed to dynamic reaction conditions. We show that by using a pulsed reaction protocol consisting of alternating working and oxidizing potential periods that dynamically perturb catalysts derived from Cu2O nanocubes, one can decouple the effect of the ensemble of coexisting copper species on the product distribution. In particular, an optimized dynamic balance between oxidized and reduced copper surface species achieved within a narrow range of cathodic and anodic pulse durations resulted in a twofold increase in ethanol production compared with static CO2RR conditions. This work thus prepares the ground for steering catalyst selectivity through dynamically controlled structural and chemical transformations.
Genome-wide association study of actinic keratosis identifies new susceptibility loci implicated in pigmentation and immune regulation pathways
Authors: Kim Yuhree , Yin Jie , Huang Hailiang , Jorgenson Eric , Choquet Hélène , Asgari Maryam M.
Published: April 2022

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common precancerous cutaneous neoplasm that arises on chronically sun-exposed skin. AK susceptibility has a moderate genetic component, and although a few susceptibility loci have been identified, including IRF4, TYR, and MC1R, additional loci have yet to be discovered. We conducted a genome-wide association study of AK in non-Hispanic white participants of the Genetic Epidemiology Research on Adult Health and Aging (GERA) cohort (n = 63,110, discovery cohort), with validation in the Mass-General Brigham (MGB) Biobank cohort (n = 29,130). We identified eleven loci (P < 5 × 10−8), including seven novel loci, of which four novel loci were validated. In a meta-analysis (GERA + MGB), one additional novel locus, TRPS1, was identified. Genes within the identified loci are implicated in pigmentation (SLC45A2, IRF4, BNC2, TYR, DEF8, RALY, HERC2, and TRPS1), immune regulation (FOXP1 and HLA-DQA1), and cell signaling and tissue remodeling (MMP24) pathways. Our findings provide novel insight into the genetics and pathogenesis of AK susceptibility.
A scaffold of thermally activated delayed fluorescent polymer dots towards aqueous electrochemiluminescence and biosensing applications
Authors: Luo Yelin , Zhao Bolin , Zhang Baohua , Lan Yeying , Chen Lijuan , Zhang Yuwei , Bao Yu , Niu Li
Published: April 2022

Thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) polymer dots were prepared, which enables aqueous electrochemiluminescence of TADF polymer emitters and its biosensor application for the first time.
A sensitive fluorescence biosensor based on metal ion-mediated DNAzyme activity for amplified detection of acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Zhao Xu-Hua , Dai Xiao-Chun , Zhou Ya-Nan , Zhang Han-Xiao , Cui Xiao-Hua , Zhai Xiang , Yu Bao-Feng , Song Zhi-Ling
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we developed an amplified fluorescence biosensor for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity detection by taking advantage of the mercury ion-mediated Mgzyme (Mg2+-dependent DNAzyme) activity.
A novel hydrophilic hydrogel with a 3D network structure for the highly efficient enrichment of N-glycopeptides
Authors: Jin Haozhou , Gao Wenqing , Liu Rong , Yang Jiaqian , Zhang Shun , Han Renlu , Lin Jing , Zhang Sijia , Yu Jiancheng , Tang Keqi
Published: April 2022

A novel super-hydrophilic hydrogel (ZIF-8/SAP) was first proposed and facilely fabricated to capture N-glycopeptides from complex biological samples with excellent selectivity and sensitivity.