bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Report: Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma complicating TP53 mutation treated successfully with Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib—a case report
Authors: Li Yu-Feng , Zhao Xin-Fei , Tian Yue , Xiao Xin-Yao , Yan Cai-Yun , Shen Hua
Published: July 2022

Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare subtype of lung malignant tumor. Conventional chemotherapy has a suboptimal effectiveness. PSC has the characteristics of rapid disease progression and poor prognosis. We herein report a 56-year-old male patient with substantial smoking history was pathologically diagnosed as PSC, cT4N0M0 IIIA stage. Peripheral blood NGS showed TP53 mutation. The patient had poor tolerance to the first-line chemotherapy regimen “albumin paclitaxel + cisplatin,” but the severe anemia was significantly improved after 5 days of anti-angiogenic therapy with Anlotinib. At this time, the patient received anti-PD-1 immunotherapy with Tislelizumab. Half a month later, degree III liver injury occurred repeatedly. After excluding drug-induced liver injury, we found that HCV-RNA 3.10 × 105 IU/ml and suspended all anti-tumor therapy. After the start of anti-HCV treatment with Epclusa, the treatment of Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib was restarted, and there was no liver injury after that. The patient received monthly maintenance therapy with Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib to the present. The pulmonary lesions continued to decrease, and only one lung cavity is left. The patient has achieved clinical complete remission (CCR) with PSF over 20 months. Our findings suggest that Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib may be a preferred strategy in PSC complicating TP53 mutation. Core tip: Immune-check point inhibitors (ICIs) have been reported for the treatment of PSC in a small number of case reports and retrospective analysis, but there are few reports of ICIs combined with anti-angiogenic drugs. This patient was diagnosed as locally advanced PSC complicated with TP53 mutation and hepatitis C. After 14 cycles of Tislelizumab combined with Anlotinib treatment (during the course of treatment, several courses were not treated on time for economic reasons, rather than adverse reactions), the patient has achieved CCR. III degree liver injury occurred during the treatment, and the liver function returned to normal range after anti-hepatitis C treatment, which did not affect the continued treatment of this regimen.
Case Report: Recurrent Autoimmune Hypoglycemia Induced by Non-Hypoglycemic Medications
Authors: Zhu Qiuping , Zhao Hanxin , Qiu Wei , Wu Fang , Qian Chungen , Yang Yonghong , Kang Ye , Zheng Fenping , Zhou Jiaqiang
Published: July 2022

We present a case of recurrent autoimmune hypoglycemia induced by non-hypoglycemic agents. We review reported cases of autoimmune hypoglycemia related to non-hypoglycemic agents, and discuss the effects of different detection methods for insulin autoantibodies on the results obtained. We aim to provide information for clinicians and a warning for medication usage. Considering the increasing number of clopidogrel-induced AIH cases and the hypoglycemia-induced increase in the risk of cardiovascular events, we recommend that cardiovascular disease patients being treated with clopidogrel be informed of this rare side effect and that clinicians be vigilant for the possibility of autoimmune hypoglycemia in this patient population.
Immunogenicity of a vaccinia virus-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine candidate
Authors: Mei Shan , Fan Zhangling , Liu Xiaoman , Zhao Fei , Huang Yu , Wei Liang , Hu Yamei , Xie Yu , Wang Liming , Ai Bin , Liang Chen , Xu Fengwen , Guo Fei
Published: July 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines provide essential tools for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. A number of technologies have been employed to develop SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, including the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 particles, mRNA to express viral spike protein, recombinant spike proteins, and viral vectors. Here, we report the use of the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain as a vector to express the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. When it was used to inoculate mice, robust SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific antibody response and T-cell response were detected. Sera from the vaccinated mice showed strong neutralizing activity against the ancestral Wuhan SARS-CoV-2, the variants of concern (VOCs) B.1.351, B.1.617.2, and the emerging B.1.1.529 (omicron). This finding supports the possibility of developing a new type of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine using the vaccinia virus vector.
Changes in Th9 and Th17 lymphocytes and functional cytokines and their relationship with thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibodies at different stages of graves’ disease
Authors: Ren Xuan , Chen Hui
Published: July 2022

Objective

Graves’ disease (GD) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by the production of thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb). The newly discovered CD4+ T helper cells, Th9 and Th17 lymphocytes, have been confirmed to be closely associated with a variety of immune diseases. However, relationships with the onset and development of GD remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of Th9 and Th17 in the pathogenesis and prognosis of GD.

Patients

We recruited 26 patients with newly diagnosed GD, 45 patients with GD in remission, and 20 healthy individuals.

Measurements

Thyroid function and autoantibodies were evaluated using chemiluminescence immunoassays. Th9 and Th17 cells were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expression of Foxo1, IRF-4, RORc, IL-9, and IL-17 mRNA was examined using real-time PCR, and IL-9 and IL-17 protein levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Th9, Th17, and characteristic cytokines IL-9 and IL-17 in the GD-untreated group were significantly higher than those in the control and remission groups. The above indexes significantly decreased in the remission group, with the levels in the TRAb− remission group being similar to those in the normal group, while in the TRAb+ remission group, levels were differentially increased. TRAb titer was positively correlated with the levels of Th9, Th17, and their functional cytokines.

Conclusions

Th9 and Th17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis and disease outcome of GD, which could provide a new direction for developing immunotherapy for patients with GD.
Th17 cells and inflammation in neurological disorders: Possible mechanisms of action
Authors: Shi Yajun , Wei Bin , Li Lingjun , Wang Bin , Sun Miao
Published: July 2022

Neurological disorders (NDs) are one of the leading causes of global death. A sustained neuroinflammatory response has been reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of multiple NDs, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Accumulating evidence shows that the recruitment of abundant lymphocytes in the central nervous system may contribute to promoting the development and progress of inflammation in neurological disorders. As one subset of T lymphocytes, CD4+ T cells have a critical impact on the inflammation of neurological disorders. T helper (Th) 17 is one of the most studied CD4+ Th subpopulations that produces cytokines (e.g., IL-17A, IL-23, IL-21, IL-6, and IFN-γ), leading to the abnormal neuroinflammatory response including the excessive activation of microglia and the recruitment of other immune cell types. All these factors are involved in several neurological disorders. However, the possible mechanisms of Th17 cells and their associated cytokines in the immunopathology of the abovementioned neurological disorders have not been clarified completely. This review will summarize the mechanisms by which encephalitogenic inflammatory Th17 cells and their related cytokines strongly contribute to chronic neuroinflammation, thus perpetuating neurodegenerative processes in NDs. Finally, the potential therapeutic prospects of Th17 cells and their cytokines in NDs will also be discussed.
TIE-2 Signaling Activation by Angiopoietin 2 On Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Promotes Melanoma-Specific T-cell Inhibition
Authors: Marguier Amélie , Laheurte Caroline , Lecoester Benoît , Malfroy Marine , Boullerot Laura , Renaudin Adeline , Seffar Evan , Kumar Abhishek , Nardin Charlée , Aubin François , Adotevi Olivier
Published: July 2022

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous group of immune suppressive cells detected in several human cancers. In this study, we investigated the features and immune suppressive function of a novel subset of monocytic MDSC overexpressing TIE-2 (TIE-2+ M-MDSC), the receptor for the pro-angiogenic factor angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2). We showed that patients with melanoma exhibited a higher circulating rate of TIE-2+ M-MDSCs, especially in advanced stages, as compared to healthy donors. The distribution of the TIE-2+ M-MDSC rate toward the melanoma stage correlated with the serum level of ANGPT2. TIE-2+ M-MDSC from melanoma patients overexpressed immune suppressive molecules such as PD-L1, CD73, TGF-β, and IL-10, suggesting a highly immunosuppressive phenotype. The exposition of these cells to ANGPT2 increased the expression of most of these molecules, mainly Arginase 1. Hence, we observed a profound impairment of melanoma-specific T-cell responses in patients harboring high levels of TIE-2+ M-MDSC along with ANGPT2. This was confirmed by in vitro experiments indicating that the addition of ANGPT2 increased the ability of TIE-2+ M-MDSC to suppress antitumor T-cell function. Furthermore, by using TIE-2 kinase-specific inhibitors such as regorafenib or rebastinib, we demonstrated that an active TIE-2 signaling was required for optimal suppressive activity of these cells after ANGPT2 exposition. Collectively, these results support that TIE-2+ M-MDSC/ANGPT2 axis represents a potential immune escape mechanism in melanoma.
Fine-tuning of microglia polarization prevents diabetes-associated cerebral atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhu Xuan , Xing Pengfei , Zhang Ping , Zhang Minmin , Shen Hongjian , Chen Lei , Shen Fang , Jiang Yi , Yuan Hui , Zhang Lei , Wang Jing , Wu Xiongfeng , Zhou Yu , Wu Tao , Deng Benqiang , Liu Jianmin , Zhang Yongwei , Yang Pengfei
Published: July 2022

Diabetes increases the occurrence and severity of atherosclerosis. When plaques form in brain vessels, cerebral atherosclerosis causes thickness, rigidity, and unstableness of cerebral artery walls, leading to severe complications like stroke and contributing to cognitive impairment. So far, the molecular mechanism underlying cerebral atherosclerosis is not determined. Moreover, effective intervention strategies are lacking. In this study, we showed that polarization of microglia, the resident macrophage in the central nervous system, appeared to play a critical role in the pathological progression of cerebral atherosclerosis. Microglia likely underwent an M2c-like polarization in an environment long exposed to high glucose. Experimental suppression of microglia M2c polarization was achieved through transduction of microglia with an adeno-associated virus (serotype AAV-PHP.B) carrying siRNA for interleukin-10 (IL-10) under the control of a microglia-specific TMEM119 promoter, which significantly attenuated diabetes-associated cerebral atherosclerosis in a mouse model. Thus, our study suggests a novel translational strategy to prevent diabetes-associated cerebral atherosclerosis through in vivo control of microglia polarization.
Machine learning models based on immunological genes to predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients
Authors: Chen Jian , Hao Li , Qian Xiaojun , Lin Lin , Pan Yueyin , Han Xinghua
Published: July 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy worldwide and neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) plays an important role in the treatment of patients with early BC. However, only a subset of BC patients can achieve pathological complete response (pCR) and benefit from NAT. It is therefore necessary to predict the responses to NAT. Although many models to predict the response to NAT based on gene expression determined by the microarray platform have been proposed, their applications in clinical practice are limited due to the data normalization methods during model building and the disadvantages of the microarray platform compared with the RNA-seq platform. In this study, we first reconfirmed the correlation between immune profiles and pCR in an RNA-seq dataset. Then, we employed multiple machine learning algorithms and a model stacking strategy to build an immunological gene based model (Ipredictor model) and an immunological gene and receptor status based model (ICpredictor model) in the RNA-seq dataset. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves for the Ipredictor model and ICpredictor models were 0.745 and 0.769 in an independent external test set based on the RNA-seq platform, and were 0.716 and 0.752 in another independent external test set based on the microarray platform. Furthermore, we found that the predictive score of the Ipredictor model was correlated with immune microenvironment and genomic aberration markers. These results demonstrated that the models can accurately predict the response to NAT for BC patients and will contribute to individualized therapy.
Galectin-9 contributes to the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis via T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3
Authors: Su Wenxing , Zhang Ji , Yang Shun , Tang Minhui , Shen Yu , Liu Cuiping , Ji Jiang , Maurer Marcus , Jiao Qingqing
Published: July 2022

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a common type 2 inflammatory disease, is driven by T helper (TH) 2/TH22polarization and cytokines.Galectin-9 (Gal-9),viaits receptor T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (TIM-3), can promote TH2/TH22 immunity. The relevance of this in AD is largely unclear.

Objectives

To characterize the role of TIM-3 and Gal-9 in the pathogenesis of AD and underlying mechanisms.

Methods

We assessed the expression of Gal-9 and TIM-3 in 30 AD patients, to compare them with those of 30 healthy controls (HC) and to explore possible links with disease features including AD activity (SCORAD), IgE levels, and circulating eosinophils and B cells. We also determined the effects of Gal-9 on T cells from the AD patients.

Results

Our AD patients had markedly higher levels of serum Gal-9 and circulating TIM-3-expressing TH1 and TH17 cells than HC. Gal-9 and TIM-3 were linked to high disease activity, IgE levels, and circulating eosinophils and/or B cells. The rates of circulating TIM-3-positive CD4+cells were positively correlated with rates of TH2/TH22 cells and negatively correlated with rates of TH1/TH17 cells. Gal-9 inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of T cells in patients with AD, especially in those with severe AD.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest thatGal-9,viaTIM-3, contributes to the pathogenesis of AD by augmenting TH2/TH22 polarization through the downregulation of TH1/TH17immunity. This makes Gal-9 and TIM-3 interesting to explore further, as possible drivers of disease and targets of novel AD treatment.
Interplay between innate immunity and the viral oncoproteins Tax and HBZ in the pathogenesis and therapeutic response of HTLV-1 associated adult T cell leukemia
Authors: El Hajj Hiba , Bazarbachi Ali
Published: July 2022

The Human T-cell Leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) causes an array of pathologies, the most aggressive of which is adult T-cell leukemia (ATL), a fatal blood malignancy with dismal prognosis. The progression of these diseases is partly ascribed to the failure of the immune system in controlling the spread of virally infected cells. HTLV-1 infected subjects, whether asymptomatic carriers or symptomatic patients are prone to opportunistic infections. An increasing body of literature emphasizes the interplay between HTLV-1, its associated pathologies, and the pivotal role of the host innate and adoptive immune system, in shaping the progression of HTLV-1 associated diseases and their response to therapy. In this review, we will describe the modalities adopted by the malignant ATL cells to subvert the host innate immune response with emphasis on the role of the two viral oncoproteins Tax and HBZ in this process. We will also provide a comprehensive overview on the function of innate immunity in the therapeutic response to chemotherapy, anti-viral or targeted therapies in the pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Further Flattening of a Degraded, Turbid Reef System Following a Severe Coral Bleaching Event
Authors: Bauman Andrew G. , Januchowski–Hartley Fraser A. , Teo Aaron , Todd Peter A.
Published: July 2022

Increasing incidence of severe coral bleaching events caused by climate change is contributing to extensive coral losses, shifts in species composition and widespread declines in the physical structure of coral reef ecosystems. With these ongoing changes to coral communities and the concomitant flattening of reef structural complexity, understanding the links between coral composition and structural complexity in maintaining ecosystem functions and processes is of critical importance. Here, we document the impacts of the 2016 global-scale coral bleaching event on seven coral reefs in Singapore; a heavily degraded, turbid reef system. Using a combination of field-based surveys, we examined changes in coral cover, composition and structural complexity before, during and after the 2016 bleaching event. We also quantified differential bleaching responses and mortality among coral taxa and growth forms using a bleaching response index. Elevated SSTs induced moderate to severe coral bleaching across reefs in Singapore in July 2016, but low overall coral mortality (~12% of colonies). However, we observed high bleaching prevalence and post-bleaching mortality of the three most abundant coral genera (Merulina, Pachyseris and Pectinia), all generalists, declined significantly across reefs between March and November 2016. Four months post-bleaching (November 2016), small-scale structural complexity declined across all Singaporean reefs and no moderately complex reefs remained. Importantly, reductions in structural complexity occurred across reefs with a large range of live coral cover (19–62%) and was linked to the loss of dominant coral genera with low-profile foliose-laminar growth forms which resulted in flatter, less structurally complex reefs. And while generalist coral taxa remain highly competitive within Singapore’s reef environment, they may not have the capacity to maintain structural complexity or ensure the persistence of other reef functions, even within communities with high coral cover. The widespread loss of structurally complexity on Singapore’s degraded coral reefs may further impair ecosystem functioning, potentially compromising the long-term stability of reef biodiversity and productivity.
Multi-Omics Study on the Molecular Mechanisms of Tetraodon Nigroviridis Resistance to Exogenous Vibrio Parahaemolyticus Infection
Authors: Jiang Shoujia , Fu Lijun , Gao Zijian , Deng Hengwei , Zhang Yong , You Xinxin , Shi Qiong , Lu Danqi
Published: July 2022

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an important marine pathogen that causes inflammation and even death in teleost fishes. It has brought significant economic losses to the aquaculture industry as well as high risks to the sustainable development of marine fisheries. In the present study, the fish Tetraodon nigroviridis and the bacterial pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus were used to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune response of T. nigroviridis to V. parahaemolyticus exogenous infection. The microRNA (miRNA)–mRNA–protein omics and corresponding experimental validation, followed by comparative analysis, revealed several differentially expressed genes involved in various components of the immune system, including the following: complement system, chemokines, lysosomes, phagocytes, B-cell receptor signaling pathway, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway, and phospholipid metabolism, among others. Especially, the complements component 3 (C3) gene and protein expression levels were significantly higher after V. parahaemolyticus infection, and miRNAs targeting C3, including mir-6089-y, mir-460-y, and mir-1584-x, were significantly down-regulated. The gene and protein expression levels of complement 1 subunit qA (C1qA) were significantly down-regulated, while mir-203 targeting C1qA was significantly up-regulated. Overall, four complement genes (C1qA, IG, C3, and C5), which are key genes in the classical pathway of complement system activation for inflammatory response, were identified. Evolutionary analysis suggested that T. nigroviridis, acquired an increased ability to recognize pathogens by evolving a more complex complement system than terrestrial vertebrates. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed high consistency with the obtained multi-omics results, indicating the reliability of the sequencing data generated in the present study. In summary, our findings can serve as a fundamental basis for further in-depth multi-omics studies on the inflammatory processes of aquatic pathogens hindering fish sustainable production.
Synoptic-scale variability in the Beaufort High and spring ice opening in the Beaufort Sea
Authors: Huang Yingqi , Bai Xuezhi , Leng Hengling
Published: July 2022

This study examines the role of synoptic-scale variability in the Beaufort High in spring ice opening in the Beaufort Sea using data over the 2000–2019 period. A few days before ice opening in spring, the Beaufort High begins to strengthen, deform, and shift eastward from the Chukchi Sea to the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago due to warming in eastern Siberia, and the Aleutian Low is also enhanced. The pressure gradient between the Aleutian Low and the Beaufort High increases rapidly, promoting strong southeasterly winds. As the Beaufort High shifts eastward, the anticyclonic sea ice circulation in the Beaufort Sea tends to be an asymmetrical gyre; as a result, sea ice in the eastern Beaufort Sea is exported toward the western Beaufort Sea without supplementation from the north. Sea ice volume budget analysis indicates that when southeasterly winds are prevailing, wind-forced ice advection and divergence dominate the ice opening in the southeastern Beaufort Sea. Although both the basal and lateral melting are promoted during the ice opening, their contributions to the reduction of ice volume are negligible.
Evaluating the Feasibility of Sustainable Seafood Labelling Programmes in Small Island Developing States: A Pilot Study of Artisanal Fisheries in Seychelles
Authors: Glass Jessica R. , Belle Kalsey , Berke Gregory , Bodin Nathalie , Burt April J. , Duncan Murray I. , Morgan Sian K. , Pillay Pavitray , Talma Sheena
Published: July 2022

The Republic of Seychelles is one of six African Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and has a marine-based economy reliant on fisheries and international tourism. Seychelles has been flagged by the United Nations as highly vulnerable to climate change. Climatic threats are compounded with population declines of key fishery species. A progressive national stance towards ocean sustainability and an emerging economy partially driven by tourists are two of several factors that make Seychelles a good candidate for a sustainable seafood labelling and consumption programme, which would provide market-based incentives for fishery harvesters, regulators, buyers and consumers to improve sustainable practices. To address the feasibility of such a programme, we conducted a pilot study, surveying 33 artisanal fishers and mapping supply chain structure to examine incentives and challenges. Questions addressed fishers’ years of experience, reliance on fishing for income, and flexibility in gear type and species targeted. Of the total number of respondents, 64% would like to see a programme implemented but only 34% thought it would be successful. Participants identified several barriers and benefits that primarily spanned socioeconomic and regulatory themes. Our pilot results indicate the sociocultural and economic impacts of sustainability programmes in Seychelles are as important as environmental considerations, a finding pertinent to anyone undertaking similar research efforts in other SIDS. We advocate for the necessity of thorough, location-based research and in-depth stakeholder consultation to elucidate economic, societal, behavioural and cultural factors that will affect the success of designing and implementing seafood labelling programmes in SIDS.
Heat-Induced Photosynthetic Responses of Symbiodiniaceae Revealed by Flash-Induced Fluorescence Relaxation Kinetics
Authors: Mohammad Aslam Sabit , Patil Priyanka Pradeep , Vass Imre , Szabó Milán
Published: July 2022

Symbiodiniaceae live in endosymbiosis with corals. In the last few decades, mass bleaching events have occurred in the coral reefs, causing damage in the ecosystem and the associated species. Global temperature increase is affecting the algae, disturbing the whole symbiosis and leads to coral bleaching. However, the heat tolerance is strongly determined by the species (formerly genetic clades) harbored by the coral host. We assessed three different strains of Symbiodiniaceae family, i.e., Fugacium kawagutii (CS156), Symbiodinium tridacnidorum (2465), and Symbiodinium microadriaticum (2467), which display different heat tolerance under heat stress conditions. Flash-induced chlorophyll fluorescence relaxation is a useful tool to monitor various components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain and the redox reactions of plastoquinone pool. We observed the appearance of a wave phenomenon in the fluorescence relaxation by heating the strains in combination with microaerobic conditions. The characteristics of this fluorescence wave were found to be strain-specific and possibly related to the transient oxidation and re-reduction of the plastoquinone pool. The appearance of the wave phenomenon appears to be related to cyclic electron flow as well because it is accompanied with enhanced post-illumination chlorophyll fluorescence rise. These results will potentially reveal further details of the role of cyclic electron transport in Symbiodiniaceae and its relevance in heat stress tolerance.
Hurricane and Typhoon Storm Wind Resolving NOAA NCEI Blended Sea Surface Wind (NBS) Product
Authors: Saha Korak , Zhang Huai-Min
Published: July 2022

Improving forecasts of storms and hurricanes and their potential impacts is highly important to public safety, economic security, commerce, and community infrastructure. One key element of forecast improvement is more accurate and increased spatial–time coverage of observational data for model calibration, quality control and initialization, and/or data assimilation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been producing a global gridded 0.25° and 6-hourly sea surface winds product that has wide applications in marine transportation, marine ecosystem and fisheries, offshore winds, weather and ocean forecasts, and other areas. The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Blended Sea winds (NBS) v1.0 product is generated by blending observations from multiple sources (satellites), including scatterometers and microwave radiometers/imagers. However, these sensors do not provide accurate observations of intensive high-speed hurricane winds because their signals saturate in very high winds or degrade in the presence of rain. Recent advancements in satellite wind retrievals revealed that the L-band (1.42 GHz) instrument on the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite and the AMSR2 All-Weather channel (~6.9 GHz) can provide accurate hurricane winds of up to 65 m/s (145 MPH) without being affected by rain; these data are incorporated in a new version of the Blended Sea Winds, NBS v2.0, using a multi-sensor data fusion technique based on random errors, enabling it to resolve very high winds, especially along the eyewalls of tropical cyclones and hurricanes. NBS v2.0 provides both a long-term record of 30+ years retrospectively since July 1987 and a near-real-time mode with 1-day latency.
Citrinin Derivatives From Penicillium Citrinum Y34 That Inhibit α-Glucosidase and ATP-Citrate Lyase
Authors: Chen Shanji , Tian Danmei , Wei Jihua , Li Cong , Ma Yihan , Gou Xiaoshuang , Shen Yiran , Chen Mei , Zhang Sihao , Li Jia , Wu Bin , Tang Jinshan
Published: July 2022

Two new citrinin dimers bearing a 6,6-spiroketal moiety (1 and 2) and four known analogues (3–6), together with 18 known citrinin monomers (7–24), were isolated from the culture of hydrothermal vent-associated fungus Penicillium citrinum Y34. Their structures were identified by extensive spectroscopic analyses, 13C NMR calculation in combination with DP4+, linear correlation coefficient (R2), and mean absolute error (MAE) values analyses, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculation. The α-glucosidase and ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitory activities of isolated compounds were evaluated. Compounds 1, 3, and 12 displayed moderate α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 239.8, 176.2, and 424.4 μM, respectively. Enzyme kinetics investigations of 1 and 3 suggested their non-competitive inhibition of α-glucosidase with Ki values of 204.3 and 212.7 μM, respectively. Meanwhile, compound 4 showed significant ACL inhibitory potential with an IC50 value of 17.4 μM. Furthermore, the interactions of 1, 3, and 12 with α-glucosidase and 4 with ACL were investigated by molecular docking assay. This study demonstrates that citrinins, especially for their dimers, could be potential lead compounds for the development of new agents for the treatment of metabolic diseases.
Solvent-Induced Crystallization Method for High-Performance and Long-Term Stability Flexible Perovskite Photodetectors
Authors: Lei Zhang , Shugang Li , Tianjun Zhang , Shuang Song , Hongyu Pan
Published: July 2022

Herein, we report a novel solvent-induced fabrication method to synthesize a perovskite thin film on flexible substrates. The high-quality CH3NH3PbI3 (MAPbI3) thin film is successfully fabricated, which is applied to prepare the stable flexible photodetector (PD). Compared with the reported results, this method achieved a low-temperature and low-cost perovskite thin film fabrication process on a flexible substrate. The constructed MAPbI3 layer possesses the advantages of being highly crystalline, uniform, and compact in a large area. The flexible PD based on the as-prepared perovskite thin film exhibits excellent performance and long-term stability. The EQE and R of the flexible PDs reached 8 × 102% and 3.6 A/W, respectively. At the same time, the flexible PDs still showed superior stability and high performance after 15 days of continuous working. The presented high-quality perovskite thin-film fabrication method and high-performance flexible perovskite PDs are expected for application in the development of novel optoelectronic devices.
Thermophysical Property Measurements of Refractory Oxide Melts With an Electrostatic Levitation Furnace in the International Space Station
Authors: Ishikawa Takehiko , Paradis Paul-François , Koyama Chihiro
Published: July 2022

Due to their high melting temperatures and the risk of contamination from the crucibles, molten oxides which melting temperatures are above 2000 °C can hardly be processed using conventional methods. This explains that their thermophysical properties are very scarce. Containerless methods with gas flows have been developed and several thermophysical properties such as density, surface tension, and viscosity have been reported. However, the gas flow has detrimental side effects such as deformation of the sample and induction of internal flows in the molten sample, which affect the accuracy of the measurements. The electrostatic levitation furnace onboard the International Space Station (ISS-ELF), which utilizes the Coulomb force to levitate and melt samples in microgravity, has several advantages for thermophysical property measurements of refractory oxide melts. Levitation without a gas flow coupled to a reduced gravity environment minimizes the required levitation (positioning) force and reduces the deformation as well as the internal flow. This report briefly introduces the ISS-ELF facility and the thermophysical property measurement methods. The measured density, surface tension, and viscosity of molten Al2O3 are then presented and compared with the ones obtained by other methods. Finally, the measured data of refractory oxides whose melting temperatures are above 2,400 °C are summarized.
Stochastic Model Generation of Porous Rocks and Study on 2D Pore Morphology Influencing Rock Strength and Stiffness
Authors: Zhao Lianheng , Deng Min , Wang Xiang , Huang Dongliang , Zuo Shi
Published: July 2022

With the increasing usage of porous rocks in engineering construction, their well-performed properties (e.g., permeability and heat insulation) have attracted increasing attention from researchers in engineering geology. In nature, the vesicles in porous rocks always exhibit irregularity in morphology. This article proposes a workflow combining photogrammetry and Fourier transform to accurately acquire, characterize, and regenerate the natural pore morphology of porous rocks, including four steps: 1) initially, several 3D digital models of volcanic porous rock surfaces are reconstructed through a photogrammetry system, and the hollow pores in the surface are split into assemblies; 2) then, the 3D pore assembly is projected to a 2D reference plane with each pore being recognized and extracted; 3) the contours of a single pore are processed based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and a series of Fourier descriptors (mainly consist of D2, D3, and D8) are then statistically analyzed; 4) an inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) is then conducted to quantitatively reconstruct the pores. Based on the earlier processes, the pores are distributed in a numerical model (rock failure and process analysis code, RFPA2D), and uniaxial compression simulations are performed to further investigate the influences of porosity and pore morphology on rock strength and stiffness. Herein, we introduce significant Fourier descriptors (i.e., D2, D3, and D8) as representations of three levels of pore morphology. Thus, 12 groups of numerical simulations considering the impact of porosity, pore orientation, D2, D3, and D8 are conducted. Results show that the porosity exerts a first-order control on the mechanical properties of rocks, while the effect of pore orientation is related to D2. All of them closely match those typically observed in previous studies. Furthermore, these simulations also highlight the influence of detailed pore morphology, such as convex hulls and subtle zigzags characterized by D3 and D8, respectively, on the rock failure process, marking that a more complicated morphology (e.g., with more convex hulls) may result in a reduction in rock strength and Young’s modulus. The proposed study provides a novel perspective on natural pore morphology together with its influence on rock strength and stiffness.
Intrarenal Single-Cell Sequencing of Hepatitis B Virus Associated Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Yu Leilin , Lin Wei , Shen Chanjuan , Meng Ting , Jin Peng , Ding Xiang , Eggenhuizen Peter J. , Ooi Joshua D. , Tang Rong , Nie Wannian , Li Xia , Xiao Xiangcheng , Zhong Yong
Published: July 2022

To date, the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated membranous nephropathy (MN) remains elusive. This study aimed to decipher the etiopathogenesis of HBV-associated MN by performing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of kidney biopsy specimens from a patient with HBV-associated MN and two healthy individuals. We generated 4,114 intrarenal single-cell transcriptomes from the HBV-associated MN patient by scRNA-seq. Compared to healthy individuals, podocytes in the HBV-associated MN patient showed an increased expression of extracellular matrix formation-related genes, including HSPA5, CTGF, and EDIL3. Kidney endothelial cells (ECs) in the HBV-associated MN were enriched in inflammatory pathways, including NF-kappa B signaling, IL-17 signaling, TNF signaling and NOD-like receptor signaling. Gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) further revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of ECs from the HBV-associated MN patients were enriched in apoptotic signaling pathway, response to cytokine and leukocyte cell-cell adhesion. The up-regulated DEGs in glomerular ECs of HBV-associated MN patients were involved in biological processes such as viral gene expression, and protein targeting to endoplasmic reticulum. We further verified that the overexpressed genes in ECs from HBV-associated MN were mainly enriched in regulation of protein targeting to endoplasmic reticulum, exocytosis, viral gene expression, IL-6 and IL-1 secretion when compared with anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-positive idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). The receptor-ligand crosstalk analysis revealed potential interactions between endothelial cells and other cells in HBV-associated-MN. These results offer new insight into the pathogenesis of HBV-associated MN and may identify new therapeutic targets for HBV-associated MN.
Examining the association between serum IgG of oral bacteria and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Yang Zhe-Yu , Fang Wen-Hui , Kao Chia-Chun , Chen Wei-Liang
Published: July 2022

Aim

This investigation explored the relationship between oral bacteria and metabolic syndrome (METS).

Materials and Methods

There were 4,882 subjects enrolled in this cross-sectional study from the NHANES III database. The severity of periodontitis was classified into mild, moderate and severe. We measured oral bacterial antibodies. We examined the relationship between serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies of oral bacteria and METS via performing multivariate regression analysis. Mediation analysis of oral bacteria on the correlation between periodontitis and METS was also executed.

Results

After adjusting for covariates, the serum IgG antibodies of P. nigrescens, E. corrodens, and E. nodatum were associated with the presence of METS (p = 0.006, p = 0.014 and p = 0.018, respectively). Furthermore, serum IgG antibodies of P. intermedia, T. forsythia and V. parvula were positively associated with the presence of METS (p = 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002, respectively) and ≥4 features of METS (p = 0.019, p = 0.025, and p = 0.02, respectively). P. intermedia IgG mediated 11.2% of the relationship between periodontitis and METS.

Conclusion

Serological markers of oral pathogens were correlated with the presence and the number of METS features after multivariable adjustment. Oral bacteria acted as a mediator of the correlation between periodontitis and METS. Our study provided a biologically plausible explanation for the association between periodontitis and METS, which provides a comprehensive evaluation of periodontitis.
External validation based on transfer learning for diagnosing atelectasis using portable chest X-rays
Authors: Huang Xiaxuan , Li Baige , Huang Tao , Yuan Shiqi , Wu Wentao , Yin Haiyan , Lyu Jun
Published: July 2022

Background

Although there has been a large amount of research focusing on medical image classification, few studies have focused specifically on the portable chest X-ray. To determine the feasibility of transfer learning method for detecting atelectasis with portable chest X-ray and its application to external validation, based on the analysis of a large dataset.

Methods

From the intensive care chest X-ray medical information market (MIMIC-CXR) database, 14 categories were obtained using natural language processing tags, among which 45,808 frontal chest radiographs were labeled as “atelectasis,” and 75,455 chest radiographs labeled “no finding.” A total of 60,000 images were extracted, including positive images labeled “atelectasis” and positive X-ray images labeled “no finding.” The data were categorized into “normal” and “atelectasis,” which were evenly distributed and randomly divided into three cohorts (training, validation, and testing) at a ratio of about 8:1:1. This retrospective study extracted 300 X-ray images labeled “atelectasis” and “normal” from patients in ICUs of The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, which was labeled as an external dataset for verification in this experiment. Data set performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values derived from transfer learning training.

Results

It took 105 min and 6 s to train the internal training set. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 88.57, 75.10, 88.30, and 81.70%. Compared with the external validation set, the obtained AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 98.39, 70.70, 100, and 86.90%.

Conclusion

This study found that when detecting atelectasis, the model obtained by transfer training with sufficiently large data sets has excellent external verification and acculturate localization of lesions.
Case report: Successful outcome of COVID-19 in the context of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: The impact of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and early remdesivir
Authors: Lasagna Angioletta , Piralla Antonio , Secondino Simona , Sacchi Paolo , Baldanti Fausto , Bruno Raffaele , Pedrazzoli Paolo
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a major issue. None of the published papers have reported data on the outcome of HSCT patients with COVID-19 according to the vaccination status and the short course of remdesivir (RDV). Therefore, we present the case of a 22-year-old man with relapsed testicular non-seminomatous germ-cell tumor who was diagnosed with COVID-19 during his first auto-HSCT. Our case report is the first one describing the efficacy of early RDV (and its anti-inflammatory effects that might counterbalance the negative effect of the recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factors -rhG-CSF-) in the context of severe neutropenia following HSCT with the concomitant onset of COVID-19.
Role of gut microbiota-derived signals in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility
Authors: Zheng Zhipeng , Tang Jingyi , Hu Yingnan , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2022

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract harbors trillions of commensal microbes, called the gut microbiota, which plays a significant role in the regulation of GI physiology, particularly GI motility. The GI tract expresses an array of receptors, such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), G-protein coupled receptors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and ligand-gated ion channels, that sense different gut microbiota-derived bioactive substances. Specifically, microbial cell wall components and metabolites, including lipopeptides, peptidoglycan, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), bile acids (BAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and tryptophan metabolites, mediate the effect of gut microbiota on GI motility through their close interactions with the enteroendocrine system, enteric nervous system, intestinal smooth muscle, and immune system. In turn, GI motility affects the colonization within the gut microbiota. However, the mechanisms by which gut microbiota interacts with GI motility remain to be elucidated. Deciphering the underlying mechanisms is greatly important for the prevention or treatment of GI dysmotility, which is a complication associated with many GI diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation. In this perspective, we overview the current knowledge on the role of gut microbiota and its metabolites in the regulation of GI motility, highlighting the potential mechanisms, in an attempt to provide valuable clues for the development of gut microbiota-dependent therapy to improve GI motility.
Developing “MinDag” – an app to capture symptom variation and illness mechanisms in bipolar disorder
Authors: Bjella Thomas D. , Collier Høegh Margrethe , Holmstul Olsen Stine , Aminoff Sofie R. , Barrett Elizabeth , Ueland Torill , Icick Romain , Andreassen Ole A. , Nerhus Mari , Myhre Ihler Henrik , Hagen Marthe , Busch-Christensen Cecilie , Melle Ingrid , Lagerberg Trine Vik
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The illness course of bipolar disorder (BD) is highly heterogeneous with substantial variation between individuals with the same BD subtype and within individuals over time. This heterogeneity is not well-delineated and hampers the development of more targeted treatment. Furthermore, although lifestyle-related behaviors are believed to play a role in the illness course, such mechanisms are poorly understood. To address some of these knowledge gaps, we aimed to develop an app for collection of multi-dimensional longitudinal data on BD-relevant symptoms and lifestyle-related behaviors.

Methods

An app named MinDag was developed at the Norwegian Center for Mental Disorders Research in Oslo, Norway. The app was designed to tap into selected areas: mood, sleep, functioning/activities (social, occupational, physical exercise, leisure), substance use, emotional reactivity, and psychotic experiences. Ethical, security and usability issues were highly prioritized throughout the development and for the final app solution. We conducted beta- and pilot testing to eliminate technical problems and enhance usability and acceptability.

Results

The final version of MinDag comprises six modules; three which are presented for the user once daily (the Sleep module in the morning and the Mood and Functoning/Activities modules in the evening) and three which are presented once weekly (Substance Use, Emotional Reactivity, and Psychotic Experiences modules). In general, MinDag was well received in both in the beta-testing and the pilot study, and the participants provided valuable feedback that was taken into account in the final development. MinDag is now in use as part of the research protocol at the NORMENT center and in a specialized treatment unit for BD at Oslo University Hospital in Norway.

Discussion

We believe that MinDag will generate unique longitudinal data well suited for capturing the heterogeneity of BD and clarifying important unresolved issues such as how life-style related behavior may influence BD symptoms. Also, the experiences and knowledge derived from the development of MinDag may contribute to improving the security, acceptability, and benefit of digital tools in mental health.