bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthcare utilization, psychiatric disorders, and physical illnesses shortly before suicide mortality in adolescents in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Wan-Chen , Lai Jou-Yin , Pan Chun-Hung , Su Sheng-Siang , Yang Tien-Wei , Tsai Shang-Ying , Chen Chiao-Chicy , Kuo Chian-Jue
Published: December 2021

Background

This study examined the pattern of medical utilization and the distribution of comorbidities shortly before death among adolescents who died from suicide and compared these data with those of living controls.

Methods

From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, this study identified adolescents aged 10–19 years who died from suicide (n = 935) between 1 January 2000, and 31 December 2016, by linking each patient with the national mortality database. The researchers conducted a nested case–control study through risk set sampling, and for each case, 20 age- and sex-matched controls (n = 18 700) were selected from the general population. The researchers applied conditional logistic regression to investigate differences in medical utilization and physical and psychiatric comorbidities between cases and controls.

Results

Cases had a higher proportion of contact with the psychiatric department but a similar proportion of contact with any non-psychiatric medical department within 1 year before suicide compared with controls. There were 18.6% of adolescent suicide victims who only had contacted with a psychiatric department 3 months before suicide. Moreover, cases had a higher proportion of contact with non-psychiatric services within 3 months before suicide, particularly with emergency, surgery, and internal medicine departments. Cases had higher risks of several psychiatric disorders and physical illnesses, including heart diseases, pneumonia, and ulcer disease, than did controls.

Conclusions

The findings of increased medical utilization and higher risks of physical and psychiatric comorbidities in adolescent suicide victims are crucial for developing specific interventions to prevent suicide in this population.
Quit Worrying About Uncertainty in Sea Level Projections
Authors: Bassis Jeremy
Published: December 2021

Emphasizing uncertainty in model projections of long-term sea level rise is a misguided approach. Instead, we should focus on communicating what we do know while improving model confidence.
A Dusty Atmospheric River Brings Floods to the Middle East
Authors: Dezfuli Amin , Bosilovich Michael G. , Barahona Donifan
Published: December 2021

Torrential rainfall and rapid snowmelt in April 2017 caused deadly floods in northwestern Iran. An atmospheric river (AR), propagating across the Middle East and North Africa, was found responsible for this extreme event. The snowmelt was triggered by precipitation and warm advection associated with the AR. Total satellite‐based rainfall for April 2017 was moderately below normal, suggesting that a heavy flood can happen during dry years. The AR was fed by moisture from the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Despite its adverse societal consequences, this event was beneficial to the recovery of the desiccating Lake Urmia. The impacts of this AR were not limited to flooding; it also facilitated dust transport to the region. This distinct characteristic of the ARs in the Middle East is attributed to major mineral dust sources located along their pathways. This event was reasonably predicted at 7‐day lead time, crucially important for successful early warning systems.
Multiple Strokes Along the Same Channel to Ground in Positive Lightning Produced by a Supercell
Authors: Zhu Yanan , Bitzer Phillip , Rakov Vladimir , Stock Michael , Lapierre Jeff , DiGangi Elizabeth , Ding Ziqin , Medina Bruno , Carey Lawrence , Lang Timothy
Published: December 2021

Previous studies have shown that subsequent leaders in positive cloud‐to‐ground lightning (+CG) flashes rarely traverse pre‐existing channels to ground. In this paper, we present evidence that this actually can be common, at least for some thunderstorms. Observations of +CG flashes in a supercell storm in Argentina by Córdoba Argentina Marx Meter Array (CAMMA) are presented, in which 54 (64%) of 84 multiple‐stroke +CG flashes had subsequent leaders following a pre‐existing channel to ground. These subsequent positive leaders are found to behave similarly to their negative counterparts, including propagation speeds along pre‐existing channels with a median of 8 × 106 m/s, which is comparable to that of negative dart leaders. Two representative multiple‐stroke +CG flashes are presented and discussed in detail. The observations reported herein call for an update to the traditional explanation of the disparity between positive and negative lightning.
In Situ Measurements of Thermal Ion Temperature in the Martian Ionosphere
Authors: Hanley K. G. , McFadden J. P. , Mitchell D. L. , Fowler C. M. , Stone S. W. , Yelle R. V. , Mayyasi M. , Ergun R. E. , Andersson L. , Benna M. , Elrod M. K. , Jakosky B. M.
Published: December 2021

In situ measurements of ionospheric and thermospheric temperatures are experimentally challenging because orbiting spacecraft typically travel supersonically with respect to the cold gas and plasma. We present temperatures in Mars' ionosphere derived from data measured by the SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition instrument onboard the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN spacecraft. We focus on data obtained during nine special orbit maneuvers known as Deep Dips, during which MAVEN lowered its periapsis altitude from the nominal 150 to 120 km for 1 week in order to sample the ionospheric main peak and approach the homopause. We use two independent techniques to calculate ion temperatures from the measured energy and angular widths of the supersonic ram ion beam. After correcting for background and instrument response, we are able to measure ion temperatures as low as 100 K with associated uncertainties as low as 10%. It is theoretically expected that ion temperatures will converge to the neutral temperature at altitudes below the exobase region (∼180–200 km) due to strong collisional coupling; however, no evidence of the expected thermalization is observed. We have eliminated several possible explanations for the observed temperature difference between ions and neutrals, including Coulomb collisions with electrons, Joule heating, and heating caused by interactions with the spacecraft. The source of the energy maintaining the high ion temperatures remains unclear, suggesting that a fundamental piece of physics is missing from existing models of the Martian ionosphere.
Global Evolution and Dynamics of the Geomagnetic Field in the 15–70 kyr Period Based on Selected Paleomagnetic Sediment Records
Authors: Panovska Sanja , Korte Monika , Liu Jiabo , Nowaczyk Norbert
Published: December 2021

Reconstructions of the geomagnetic field on long time scales are important to understand the geodynamo processes in the Earth's core. The geomagnetic field exhibits a range of variations that vary from normal, dipole‐dominated secular variation to geomagnetic excursions and reversals. These transitional events are associated with significant directional deviations and very low intensities. Here we present a new, global geomagnetic field model spanning the period 70–15 ka (GGFSS70) that includes three excursions: Norwegian‐Greenland Sea, Laschamps, and Mono Lake/Auckland. The model is built from nine globally distributed, high‐resolution, well‐dated, sedimentary paleomagnetic records. The GGFSS70 indicates that the axial‐dipole component changed sign for about 300 years in the middle of the Laschamps excursion (41.25–40.93 ka). The energy comparison at the Earth's surface reveals that the axial‐dipole energy is always higher than the non‐axial‐dipole except over the Laschamps. In the other two excursions, the axial‐dipole is reduced by about one order of magnitude for the Norwegian‐Greenland Sea excursion and less for the Mono Lake/Auckland. At the core‐mantle boundary, the large‐scale non‐axial‐dipole power is comparable to the axial‐dipole power, except over the excursions when the axial‐dipole decreases, though less clearly for the Mono Lake/Auckland excursion. The axial dipole moment over the 15–70 ka varies from 0 to 8 × 1022 Am2, with an average and standard deviation of 5.1 ± 1.5 × 1022Am2. The Laschamps excursion is associated with growth and poleward movement of reversed flux patches and reversed field in the tangent cylinder at the excursion midpoint, which is not the case for the other two excursions.
Two‐Dimensional Idealized Hadley Circulation Simulation for Global High Resolution Model Development
Authors: Yoshida Ryuji , Yamaguchi Takanobu , Feingold Graham
Published: December 2021

A new framework for the development of global high resolution models using a vertical‐meridional, two‐dimensional pole‐to‐pole domain is proposed. Compared with the three‐dimensional global model, the two‐dimensional framework can simulate cloud‐scale convection at significantly reduced computational cost, data volume, and turn‐around time, and accelerate the development phase. Although idealized, it allows for simulation of various clouds and scale interactions under a wide range of environmental conditions, even though zonal waves such as mid latitude storms cannot be simulated. Physics schemes can be tested and assessed over a full array of simultaneously occurring cloud regimes. The framework can serve as an intermediate step between a one‐dimensional simulation and a full three‐dimensional global model. Using this framework, we analyze the resolution dependencies of simulated clouds and the Hadley circulation in a range of global high resolution models by performing multiple 1000‐day simulations; for some resolutions tested, for example, 2 km horizontal resolution, three‐dimensional simulation is not feasible at the present time. Analysis shows that both horizontal and vertical resolution determine the properties of the Hadley circulation and clouds, and that the differences among the simulated Hadley circulations are understood as differences in scale interactions influenced by resolution.
ALKBH5-mediated m6A demethylation of KCNK15-AS1 inhibits pancreatic cancer progression via regulating KCNK15 and PTEN/AKT signaling
Authors: He Yuan , Yue HongQin , Cheng Ying , Ding Zhilong , Xu Zhen , Lv Chunyang , Wang Zheng , Wang Jing , Yin Chenglong , Hao Huihui , Chen Chuang
Published: December 2021

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regarded as crucial regulators in tumor progression. Potassium two pore domain channel subfamily K member 15 and WISP2 antisense RNA 1 (KCNK15-AS1) has been confirmed to inhibit the migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. However, its downstream mechanism and effect on other cellular functions in PC remain unknown. This study probed the function and potential mechanism of KCNK15-AS1 in PC cell growth. RT-qPCR and western blot were employed to measure gene expression in PC cells. ISH was applied to analyze KCNK15-AS1 expression in PC tissues. Functional assays were utilized to evaluate PC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and EMT. Mechanical experiments were adopted to detect gene interaction in PC cells. The obtained data indicated that KCNK15-AS1 was down-regulated in PC cells and tissues. Overexpressing KCNK15-AS1 hindered cell proliferation, migration and EMT while facilitated cell apoptosis in PC. Mechanically, alkylation repair homolog protein 5 (ALKBH5) was verified to induce m6A demethylation of KCNK15-AS1 to mediate KCNK15-AS1 up-regulation. KCNK15-AS1 combined with KCNK15 5’UTR to inhibit KCNK15 translation. Moreover, KCNK15-AS1 recruited MDM2 proto-oncogene (MDM2) to promote RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST) ubiquitination, thus transcriptionally upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) to inactivate AKT pathway. In conclusion, our study first confirmed that KCNK15-AS1 hinders PC cell growth by regulating KCNK15 and PTEN, suggesting KCNK15-AS1 as a potential biomarker of PC.
Targeting SYK of monocyte-derived macrophages regulates liver fibrosis via crosstalking with Erk/Hif1α and remodeling liver inflammatory environment
Authors: Chen Xuejiao , Wang Ziyi , Han Sheng , Wang Zeng , Zhang Yu , Li Xiangdong , Xia Nan , Yu Wenjie , Jia Chenyang , Ni Yong , Pu Liyong
Published: December 2021

Liver fibrosis is a danger signal indicating a huge risk of liver cancer occurrence, but there is still no effective clinical means to regulate the progress of liver fibrosis. Although a variety of drugs targeting SYK have been developed for tumors and autoimmune diseases, the mechanism and specific efficacy of SYK’s role in liver fibrosis are not yet clear. Our studies based on chronic CCL4, bile duct ligation, and subacute TAA mouse models show that SYK in monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) is fully dependent on phosphorylation of Erk to up-regulate the expression of Hif1α, thereby forming the crosstalk with SYK to drive liver fibrosis progress. We have evaluated the ability of the small molecule SYK inhibitor GS9973 in a variety of models. Contrary to previous impressions, high-frequency administration of GS9973 will aggravate CCL4-induced liver fibrosis, which is especially unsuitable for patients with cholestasis whose clinical features are bile duct obstruction. In addition, we found that inhibition of MoMFs SYK impairs the expression of CXCL1, on one hand, it reduces the recruitment of CD11bhiLy6Chi inflammatory cells, and on the other hand, it promotes the phenotype cross-dress process of pro-resolution MoMFs, thereby remodeling the chronic inflammatory environment of the fibrotic liver. Our further findings indicate that on the basis of the administration of CCR2/CCR5 dual inhibitor Cenicriviroc, further inhibiting MoMFs SYK may give patients with fibrosis additional benefits.
Phase shift in skyrmion crystals
Authors: Hayami Satoru , Okubo Tsuyoshi , Motome Yukitoshi
Published: December 2021

The magnetic skyrmion crystal is a periodic array of a swirling topological spin texture. Since it is regarded as an interference pattern by multiple helical spin density waves, the texture changes with the relative phase shifts among the constituent waves. Although such a phase degree of freedom is relevant to not only magnetism but also transport properties, its effect has not been elucidated thus far. We here theoretically show that a phase shift in the skyrmion crystals leads to a tetra-axial vortex crystal and a meron-antimeron crystal, both of which show a staggered pattern of the scalar spin chirality and give rise to nonreciprocal transport phenomena without the spin-orbit coupling. We demonstrate that such a phase shift can be driven by exchange interactions between the localized spins, thermal fluctuations, and long-range chirality interactions in spin-charge coupled systems. Our results provide a further diversity of topological spin textures and open a new field of emergent electromagnetism by the phase shift engineering.
Counteraction between Astrin-PP1 and Cyclin-B-CDK1 pathways protects chromosome-microtubule attachments independent of biorientation
Authors: Song Xinhong , Conti Duccio , Shrestha Roshan L. , Braun Dominique , Draviam Viji M.
Published: December 2021

Defects in chromosome-microtubule attachment can cause chromosomal instability (CIN), frequently associated with infertility and aggressive cancers. Chromosome-microtubule attachment is mediated by a large macromolecular structure, the kinetochore. Sister kinetochores of each chromosome are pulled by microtubules from opposing spindle-poles, a state called biorientation which prevents chromosome missegregation. Kinetochore-microtubule attachments that lack the opposing-pull are detached by Aurora-B/Ipl1. It is unclear how mono-oriented attachments that precede biorientation are spared despite the lack of opposing-pull. Using an RNAi-screen, we uncover a unique role for the Astrin-SKAP complex in protecting mono-oriented attachments. We provide evidence of domains in the microtubule-end associated protein that sense changes specific to end-on kinetochore-microtubule attachments and assemble an outer-kinetochore crescent to stabilise attachments. We find that Astrin-PP1 and Cyclin-B-CDK1 pathways counteract each other to preserve mono-oriented attachments. Thus, CIN prevention pathways are not only surveying attachment defects but also actively recognising and stabilising mature attachments independent of biorientation.
The biogenesis and function of nucleosome arrays
Authors: Singh Ashish Kumar , Schauer Tamás , Pfaller Lena , Straub Tobias , Mueller-Planitz Felix
Published: December 2021

Numerous chromatin remodeling enzymes position nucleosomes in eukaryotic cells. Aside from these factors, transcription, DNA sequence, and statistical positioning of nucleosomes also shape the nucleosome landscape. The precise contributions of these processes remain unclear due to their functional redundancy in vivo. By incisive genome engineering, we radically decreased their redundancy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The transcriptional machinery strongly disrupts evenly spaced nucleosomes. Proper nucleosome density and DNA sequence are critical for their biogenesis. The INO80 remodeling complex helps space nucleosomes in vivo and positions the first nucleosome over genes in an H2A.Z-independent fashion. INO80 requires its Arp8 subunit but unexpectedly not the Nhp10 module for spacing. Cells with irregularly spaced nucleosomes suffer from genotoxic stress including DNA damage, recombination and transpositions. We derive a model of the biogenesis of the nucleosome landscape and suggest that it evolved not only to regulate but also to protect the genome.
Siderophore-mediated zinc acquisition enhances enterobacterial colonization of the inflamed gut
Authors: Behnsen Judith , Zhi Hui , Aron Allegra T. , Subramanian Vivekanandan , Santus William , Lee Michael H. , Gerner Romana R. , Petras Daniel , Liu Janet Z. , Green Keith D. , Price Sarah L. , Camacho Jose , Hillman Hannah , Tjokrosurjo Joshua , Montaldo Nicola P. , Hoover Evelyn M. , Treacy-Abarca Sean , Gilston Benjamin A. , Skaar Eric P. , Chazin Walter J. , Garneau-Tsodikova Sylvie , Lawrenz Matthew B. , Perry Robert D. , Nuccio Sean-Paul , Dorrestein Pieter C. , Raffatellu Manuela
Published: December 2021

Zinc is an essential cofactor for bacterial metabolism, and many Enterobacteriaceae express the zinc transporters ZnuABC and ZupT to acquire this metal in the host. However, the probiotic bacterium Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (or “Nissle”) exhibits appreciable growth in zinc-limited media even when these transporters are deleted. Here, we show that Nissle utilizes the siderophore yersiniabactin as a zincophore, enabling Nissle to grow in zinc-limited media, to tolerate calprotectin-mediated zinc sequestration, and to thrive in the inflamed gut. We also show that yersiniabactin’s affinity for iron or zinc changes in a pH-dependent manner, with increased relative zinc binding as the pH increases. Thus, our results indicate that siderophore metal affinity can be influenced by the local environment and reveal a mechanism of zinc acquisition available to commensal and pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae.
Structural basis for the E3 ligase activity enhancement of yeast Nse2 by SUMO-interacting motifs
Authors: Varejão Nathalia , Lascorz Jara , Codina-Fabra Joan , Bellí Gemma , Borràs-Gas Helena , Torres-Rosell Jordi , Reverter David
Published: December 2021

Post-translational modification of proteins by ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like modifiers, such as SUMO, are key events in protein homeostasis or DNA damage response. Smc5/6 is a nuclear multi-subunit complex that participates in the recombinational DNA repair processes and is required in the maintenance of chromosome integrity. Nse2 is a subunit of the Smc5/6 complex that possesses SUMO E3 ligase activity by the presence of a SP-RING domain that activates the E2~SUMO thioester for discharge on the substrate. Here we present the crystal structure of the SUMO E3 ligase Nse2 in complex with an E2-SUMO thioester mimetic. In addition to the interface between the SP-RING domain and the E2, the complex reveals how two SIM (SUMO-Interacting Motif) -like motifs in Nse2 are restructured upon binding the donor and E2-backside SUMO during the E3-dependent discharge reaction. Both SIM interfaces are essential in the activity of Nse2 and are required to cope with DNA damage.
Platelet PD-L1 reflects collective intratumoral PD-L1 expression and predicts immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hinterleitner Clemens , Strähle Jasmin , Malenke Elke , Hinterleitner Martina , Henning Melanie , Seehawer Marco , Bilich Tatjana , Heitmann Jonas , Lutz Martina , Mattern Sven , Scheuermann Sophia , Horger Marius , Maurer Stefanie , Walz Juliane , Fend Falko , Handgretinger Rupert , Seitz Christian , Weigelin Bettina , Singer Stephan , Salih Helmut , Borst Oliver , Kopp Hans-Georg , Zender Lars
Published: December 2021

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have transformed oncological therapy. Up to 20% of all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) show durable responses upon treatment with ICI, however, robust markers to predict therapy response are missing. Here we show that blood platelets interact with lung cancer cells and that PD-L1 protein is transferred from tumor cells to platelets in a fibronectin 1, integrin α5β1 and GPIbα-dependent manner. Platelets from NSCLC patients are found to express PD-L1 and platelet PD-L1 possess the ability to inhibit CD4 and CD8 T-cells. An algorithm is developed to calculate the activation independent adjusted PD-L1 payload of platelets (pPD-L1Adj.), which is found to be superior in predicting the response towards ICI as compared to standard histological PD-L1 quantification on tumor biopsies. Our data suggest that platelet PD-L1 reflects the collective tumor PD-L1 expression, plays important roles in tumor immune evasion and overcomes limitations of histological quantification of often heterogeneous intratumoral PD-L1 expression.
Kinetic and structural mechanism for DNA unwinding by a non-hexameric helicase
Authors: Carney Sean P. , Ma Wen , Whitley Kevin D. , Jia Haifeng , Lohman Timothy M. , Luthey-Schulten Zaida , Chemla Yann R.
Published: December 2021

UvrD, a model for non-hexameric Superfamily 1 helicases, utilizes ATP hydrolysis to translocate stepwise along single-stranded DNA and unwind the duplex. Previous estimates of its step size have been indirect, and a consensus on its stepping mechanism is lacking. To dissect the mechanism underlying DNA unwinding, we use optical tweezers to measure directly the stepping behavior of UvrD as it processes a DNA hairpin and show that UvrD exhibits a variable step size averaging ~3 base pairs. Analyzing stepping kinetics across ATP reveals the type and number of catalytic events that occur with different step sizes. These single-molecule data reveal a mechanism in which UvrD moves one base pair at a time but sequesters the nascent single strands, releasing them non-uniformly after a variable number of catalytic cycles. Molecular dynamics simulations point to a structural basis for this behavior, identifying the protein-DNA interactions responsible for strand sequestration. Based on structural and sequence alignment data, we propose that this stepping mechanism may be conserved among other non-hexameric helicases.
GP73 is a TBC-domain Rab GTPase-activating protein contributing to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease without obesity
Authors: Peng Yumeng , Zeng Qiang , Wan Luming , Ma Enhao , Li Huilong , Yang Xiaopan , Zhang Yanhong , Huang Linfei , Lin Haotian , Feng Jiangyue , Xu Yixin , Li Jingfei , Liu Muyi , Liu Jing , Lin Changqin , Sun Zhiwei , Cheng Gong , Zhang Xuemiao , Liu Jialong , Li Dongrui , Wei Meng , Mo Yunhai , Mu Xuetao , Deng Xiaowei , Zhang Dandan , Dong Siqing , Huang Hanqing , Fang Yi , Gao Qi , Yang Xiaoli , Wu Feixiang , Zhong Hui , Wei Congwen
Published: December 2021

The prevalence of non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Here, we show GP73, a Golgi protein upregulated in livers from patients with a variety of liver diseases, exhibits Rab GTPase-activating protein (GAP) activity regulating ApoB export. Upon regular-diet feeding, liver-GP73-high mice display non-obese NAFLD phenotype, characterized by reduced body weight, intrahepatic lipid accumulation, and gradual insulin resistance development, none of which can be recapitulated in liver-GAP inactive GP73-high mice. Common and specific gene expression signatures associated with GP73-induced non-obese NAFLD and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese NAFLD are revealed. Notably, metformin inactivates the GAP activity of GP73 and alleviates GP73-induced non-obese NAFLD. GP73 is pathologically elevated in NAFLD individuals without obesity, and GP73 blockade improves whole-body metabolism in non-obese NAFLD mouse model. These findings reveal a pathophysiological role of GP73 in triggering non-obese NAFLD and may offer an opportunity for clinical intervention.
Tumor evolution selectively inactivates the core microRNA machinery for immune evasion
Authors: Song Tian-Yu , Long Min , Zhao Hai-Xin , Zou Miao-Wen , Fan Hong-Jie , Liu Yang , Geng Chen-Lu , Song Min-Fang , Liu Yu-Feng , Chen Jun-Yi , Yang Yu-Lin , Zhou Wen-Rong , Huang Da-Wei , Peng Bo , Peng Zhen-Gang , Cang Yong
Published: December 2021

Cancer cells acquire genetic heterogeneity to escape from immune surveillance during tumor evolution, but a systematic approach to distinguish driver from passenger mutations is lacking. Here we investigate the impact of different immune pressure on tumor clonal dynamics and immune evasion mechanism, by combining massive parallel sequencing of immune edited tumors and CRISPR library screens in syngeneic mouse tumor model and co-culture system. We find that the core microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and targeting machinery maintains the sensitivity of cancer cells to PD-1-independent T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Genetic inactivation of the machinery or re-introduction of ANKRD52 frequent patient mutations dampens the JAK-STAT-interferon-γ signaling and antigen presentation in cancer cells, largely by abolishing miR-155-targeted silencing of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1). Expression of each miRNA machinery component strongly correlates with intratumoral T cell infiltration in nearly all human cancer types. Our data indicate that the evolutionarily conserved miRNA pathway can be exploited by cancer cells to escape from T cell-mediated elimination and immunotherapy.
Assessing the reproducibility of high temporal and spatial resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in patients with gliomas
Authors: Lim Woo Hyeon , Park Joon Sik , Park Jaeseok , Choi Seung Hong
Published: December 2021

Temporal and spatial resolution of dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DCE-MRI) is critical to reproducibility, and the reproducibility of high-resolution (HR) DCE-MRI was evaluated. Thirty consecutive patients suspected to have brain tumors were prospectively enrolled with written informed consent. All patients underwent both HR-DCE (voxel size, 1.1 × 1.1 × 1.1 mm3; scan interval, 1.6 s) and conventional DCE (C-DCE; voxel size, 1.25 × 1.25 × 3.0 mm3; scan interval, 4.0 s) MRI. Regions of interests (ROIs) for enhancing lesions were segmented twice in each patient with glioblastoma (n = 7) to calculate DCE parameters (Ktrans, Vp, and Ve). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of DCE parameters were obtained. In patients with gliomas (n = 25), arterial input functions (AIFs) and DCE parameters derived from T2 hyperintense lesions were obtained, and DCE parameters were compared according to WHO grades. ICCs of HR-DCE parameters were good to excellent (0.84–0.95), and ICCs of C-DCE parameters were moderate to excellent (0.66–0.96). Maximal signal intensity and wash-in slope of AIFs from HR-DCE MRI were significantly greater than those from C-DCE MRI (31.85 vs. 7.09 and 2.14 vs. 0.63; p < 0.001). Both 95th percentile Ktrans and Ve from HR-DCE and C-DCE MRI could differentiate grade 4 from grade 2 and 3 gliomas (p < 0.05). In conclusion, HR-DCE parameters generally showed better reproducibility than C-DCE parameters, and HR-DCE MRI provided better quality of AIFs.
Dynamic tracking of a magnetic micro-roller using ultrasound phase analysis
Authors: Pane Stefano , Iacovacci Veronica , Ansari Mohammad Hasan Dad , Menciassi Arianna
Published: December 2021

Microrobots (MRs) have attracted significant interest for their potentialities in diagnosis and non-invasive intervention in hard-to-reach body areas. Fine control of biomedical MRs requires real-time feedback on their position and configuration. Ultrasound (US) imaging stands as a mature and advantageous technology for MRs tracking, but it suffers from disturbances due to low contrast resolution. To overcome these limitations and make US imaging suitable for monitoring and tracking MRs, we propose a US contrast enhancement mechanism for MR visualization in echogenic backgrounds (e.g., tissue). Our technique exploits the specific acoustic phase modulation produced by the MR characteristic motions. By applying this principle, we performed real-time visualization and position tracking of a magnetic MR rolling on a lumen boundary, both in static flow and opposing flow conditions, with an average error of 0.25 body-lengths. Overall, the reported results unveil countless possibilities to exploit the proposed approach as a robust feedback strategy for monitoring and tracking biomedical MRs in-vivo.
Multivariate modelling of milk fatty acid profile to discriminate the forages in dairy cows’ ration
Authors: Riuzzi Giorgia , Davis Hannah , Lanza Ilaria , Butler Gillian , Contiero Barbara , Gottardo Flaviana , Segato Severino
Published: December 2021

Although there are many studies on the importance of fatty acids (FA) in our diet and on the influence of dairy diets on FA metabolism, only a few investigate their predictive capacity to discriminate the type, amount and conservation method of farm forages. This research quantifies differences in milk FA concentrations and, using a supervised factorial discriminant analysis, assesses potential biomarkers when replacing maize with other silages, grass/lucerne hays or fresh grass. The statistical modelling identified three main clusters of milk FA profiles associated with silages, hays and fresh grass as dominant roughages. The main implication of a dairy cow feeding system based on poliphytic forages from permanent meadows is enhancing milk’s nutritional quality due to an increase in beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated FA, conjugated linoleic acids and odd chain FA, compared to feeding maize silage. The study also identified a small but powerful and reliable pool of milk FA that can act as biomarkers to authenticate feeding systems: C16:1 c-9, C17:0, C18:0, C18:3 c-9, c-12, c-15, C18:1 c-9, C18:1 t-11 and C20:0.
Epidemiological study in a small rural area of Veneto (Italian region) during Sars-Cov-2 Pandemia
Authors: Bassanello Marco , Pasini Luciano , Senzolo Marco , Gambaro Andrea , Roman Marco , Coli Ugo , D’Aquino Maurizio
Published: December 2021

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its complications have demonstrated the devastating impact of a new infectious pathogen. The organisational change promulgated by the isolation of affected communities is of extreme importance to achieve effective containment of the contagion and good patient care. The epidemiological study of the population of a small rural community in the North East of Italy revealed how much the virus had circulated during Spring, 2020, and how contagion has evolved after a prolonged lockdown. In the 1st phase, NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) was performed in cases with more or less severe symptoms and a study was performed to trace the infection of family members. Only 0.2% of the population tested positive on NAAT, via nasopharyngeal swab during this 1st phase. In the 2nd phase a random sample of the general population were tested for circulating anti-Sars-Cov-2 immunoglobulins. This showed that approximately 97.9% of the population were negative, while 2.1% (with positive IgG at a distance) of the population had contracted the virus in a mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic form. The main symptom in subjects who developed immunity was fever. Antibodies were found in subjects with forced coexistence with quarantined or infected subjects. The mutual spatial distance by categories has shown higher relative prevalence of IgG positive and IgM negative cases in close proximity but also far from the infected, with respect to an intermediate distance. This suggests that subjects living in thinly populated areas could come in contact with the virus more likely due to intentional/relational proximity, while those living nearby could also be infected through random proximity.
Procalcitonin metabolomics in the critically ill reveal relationships between inflammation intensity and energy utilization pathways
Authors: Kobayashi Hirotada , Amrein Karin , Lasky-Su Jessica A. , Christopher Kenneth B.
Published: December 2021

Procalcitonin is a biomarker of systemic inflammation and may have importance in the immune response. The metabolic response to elevated procalcitonin in critical illness is not known. The response to inflammation is vitally important to understanding metabolism alterations during extreme stress. Our aim was to determine if patients with elevated procalcitonin have differences in the metabolomic response to early critical illness. We performed a metabolomics study of the VITdAL-ICU trial where subjects received high dose vitamin D3or placebo. Mixed-effects modeling was used to study changes in metabolites over time relative to procalcitonin levels adjusted for age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, admission diagnosis, day 0 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D response to intervention. With elevated procalcitonin, multiple members of the short and medium chain acylcarnitine, dicarboxylate fatty acid, branched-chain amino acid, and pentose phosphate pathway metabolite classes had significantly positive false discovery rate corrected associations. Further, multiple long chain acylcarnitines and lysophosphatidylcholines had significantly negative false discovery rate corrected associations with elevated procalcitonin. Gaussian graphical model analysis revealed functional modules specific to elevated procalcitonin. Our findings show that metabolite differences exist with increased procalcitonin indicating activation of branched chain amino acid dehydrogenase and a metabolic shift.
Sequence variations, flanking region mutations, and allele frequency at 31 autosomal STRs in the central Indian population by next generation sequencing (NGS)
Authors: Dash Hirak Ranjan , Kaitholia Kamlesh , Kumawat R. K. , Singh Anil Kumar , Shrivastava Pankaj , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Das Surajit
Published: December 2021

Capillary electrophoresis-based analysis does not reflect the exact allele number variation at the STR loci due to the non-availability of the data on sequence variation in the repeat region and the SNPs in flanking regions. Herein, this study reports the length-based and sequence-based allelic data of 138 central Indian individuals at 31 autosomal STR loci by NGS. The sequence data at each allele was compared to the reference hg19 sequence. The length-based allelic results were found in concordance with the CE-based results. 20 out of 31 autosomal STR loci showed an increase in the number of alleles by the presence of sequence variation and/or SNPs in the flanking regions. The highest gain in the heterozygosity and allele numbers was observed in D5S2800, D1S1656, D16S539, D5S818, and vWA. rs25768 (A/G) at D5S818 was found to be the most frequent SNP in the studied population. Allele no. 15 of D3S1358, allele no. 19 of D2S1338, and allele no. 22 of D12S391 showed 5 isoalleles each with the same size and with different intervening sequences. Length-based determination of the alleles showed Penta E to be the most useful marker in the central Indian population among 31 STRs studied; however, sequence-based analysis advocated D2S1338 to be the most useful marker in terms of various forensic parameters. Population genetics analysis showed a shared genetic ancestry of the studied population with other Indian populations. This first-ever study to the best of our knowledge on sequence-based STR analysis in the central Indian population is expected to prove the use of NGS in forensic case-work and in forensic DNA laboratories.
Yolk–shell structured magnetic mesoporous silica: a novel and highly efficient adsorbent for removal of methylene blue
Authors: Mirbagheri Reza , Elhamifar Dawood , Shaker Masoumeh
Published: December 2021

In this study, a novel magnetic mesoporous silica with yolk–shell structure (Fe3O4@Void@m.SiO2) was successfully synthesized via a polymer-template assisted method. The Fe3O4@Void@m.SiO2 was characterized by using FT-IR, EDS, SEM, TEM, VSM, PXRD and nitrogen adsorption–desorption analyses. The Fe3O4@Void@m.SiO2 nanocomposite showed high efficiency in adsorption of an organic dye and water pollutant called methylene blue (MB) with 98.2% removal capability. Furthermore, the effect of different parameters in the adsorption of MB was investigated. Different models of kinetic were examined and compared with each other. The recoverability and reusability of designed Fe3O4@Void@m.SiO2 material were also studied under applied conditions.
Effect of minerals and heavy metals in sand samples of Ponnai river, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Chandrasekaran A. , Senthil Kumar C. K. , Sathish V. , Manigandan S. , Tamilarasi A.
Published: December 2021

River sand samples have been collected from Ponnai river, Tamil Nadu, India for characterization of minerals and heavy metals by different spectroscopic techniques. Initially, the samples were subjected by Fourier Transform-Infra Red (FT-IR) spectroscopic technique and infra-red absorption bands values are observed in the range of 515–520, 695–700, 775–780 cm−1 which shows the presence of quartz in all the samples. Similarly, infra-red peaks were absorbed for feldspar, kaolinite, calcite, gibbsite and organic carbon and confirmed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Additionally, zircon, aragonite, magnetite and kyanite minerals were identified in the samples using only the XRD method. The concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, Hg, As, Mn, Cu has been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). An average metal concentration measured in mg kg−1 were: Pb 0.12, As 0.15, Hg 0.13, Cu 2.80, Zn 10.15 Cr 12.70, Ni 2.86 and Mn 104.94 and hence found in the order of Mn > Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > As > Hg > Pb. These average values do not exceed the world average value and hence potentially do not affect the quality of sand in the river. In addition to that, presences of heavy metals are confirmed by scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) analysis. In order to understand the possible natural and anthropogenic sources of heavy metals, multivariate statistical techniques such as Pearson correlation, principal component and cluster analysis were performed. Results obtained from the statistical techniques were good agreement with each other.
Non-destructive molecular FTIR spectromicroscopy for real time assessment of redox metallodrugs
Authors: Macedo Lucyano J. A. , Rodrigues Fernando P. , Hassan Ayaz , Máximo Leandro N. C. , Zobi Fabio , da Silva Roberto S. , Crespilho Frank N.
Published: December 2021

Micro-FTIR imaging has opened new possibilities for investigating in situ drug release, redox chemistry effects with biological molecules, DNA and drug interactions, membranes dynamic, and redox reaction with proteins at the single cell level.
Effect of varying pH on solution interactions of soluble meat proteins with different plant proteins
Authors: Gibis Monika , Trabold Linda , Ebert Sandra , Herrmann Kurt , Terjung Nino , Weiss Jochen
Published: December 2021

Replacing animal proteins with plant-based proteins is becoming increasingly popular as demand for alternative and more sustainable protein sources increases.
Elucidation of a lingual detection mechanism for high-viscosity solutions in humans
Authors: Miles Brittany L. , Wu Zhenxing , Kennedy Kelly S. , Zhao Kai , Simons Christopher T.
Published: December 2021

Longer filiform papillae and a higher density on the tongue are associated with sensitivity to viscous solutions corroborating prior theoretical models. From these perceptual and anatomical data, a new model of filiform-based perception is proposed.
Anti-inflammatory and gut microbiota modulatory effects of polysaccharides from Fuzhuan brick tea on colitis in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium
Authors: Zeng Ziqi , Xie Zhiyong , Chen Guijie , Sun Yi , Zeng Xiaoxiong , Liu Zhonghua
Published: December 2021

Crude polysaccharides from Fuzhuan brick tea (CFBTPS) and FBTPS-3 could promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, maintain the stability of the intestinal barrier and exhibit good anti-inflammatory activity against DSS-induced colitis in mice.
Potential effects of mung bean protein and a mung bean protein–polyphenol complex on oxidative stress levels and intestinal microflora in aging mice
Authors: Zhang Shu , Ma Yan-Tao , Feng Yu-Chao , Wang Chang-Yuan , Zhang Dong-Jie
Published: December 2021

This study investigated the effects of mung bean protein (MPI) and a MPI-polyphenol complex on oxidative stress levels and intestinal microflora in a d-galactose-induced aging mouse model.
The nanotopography of SiO2particles impacts the selectivity and 3D fold of bound allergens
Authors: Mills-Goodlet Robert , Johnson Litty , Hoppe Isabel J. , Regl Christof , Geppert Mark , Schenck Milena , Huber Sara , Hauser Michael , Ferreira Fátima , Hüsing Nicola , Huber Christian G. , Brandstetter Hans , Duschl Albert , Himly Martin
Published: December 2021

A detailed description of the changes that occur during the formation of protein corona represents a fundamental question in nanoscience, given that it not only impacts the behaviour of nanoparticles but also affects the bound proteins.
Supramolecular systems prepared using terpyridine-containing pillararene
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhou Le , Cao Shuai , Zhang Huacheng , Han Jie , Liu Zhaona
Published: December 2021

Recent progresses about the preparation of terpyridine-containing pillararene, as well as the utilization of those building blocks for making external stimulud-responsive supramolecular systems were summarized in this review.
Fully synthetic Mincle-dependent self-adjuvanting cancer vaccines elicit robust humoral and T cell-dependent immune responses and protect mice from tumor development
Authors: Luo Xiang , Lian Qinghai , Li Wenwei , Chen Liqing , Zhang Renyu , Yang Deying , Gao Lingqiang , Qi Xiaoxiao , Liu Zhongqiu , Liao Guochao
Published: December 2021

A new strategy based on a Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) agonist was established to construct synthetic cancer vaccines.
Significant effect of SDS on the optimum operating temperature of ZnO nanosheets gas-sensitive materials
Authors: Yu Hai , Yu Xiaoqi , Liu Chengyou , Zhang Yong
Published: December 2021

Many methods have been used to reduce the operational energy consumption of ZnO gas-sensitive material effectively. In this paper, different morphologies of ZnO nanomaterials are prepared in the anionic hydrophilic surfactant sodium lauryl sulfate (SDS) with varying concentrations as soft templates by hydrothermal method. The influence of SDS concentrations is investigated on the morphology of materials under the conditions of a weak alkali environment with the same pH. Their gas sensitivity after annealing with the same temperature and time. The phase structures and morphologies of all samples are characterized by XRD and FESEM, respectively. The gas-sensitive properties are analyzed by CGS-1TP. Interestingly, the experimental results show that the optimal working temperature of ZnO gas-sensitive materials containing low concentration SDS is reduced by nearly 55% than that containing 10 times this concentration, and its sensitivity is also slightly improved. The possible mechanism by which the SDS concentration affects the gas sensitivity of the material is also proposed.
Plated TOPCon solar cells & modules with reliable fracture stress and soldered module interconnection
Authors: Kluska Sven , Grübel Benjamin , Cimiotti Gisela , Schmiga Christian , Berg Heinrich , Beinert Andreas , Kubitza Irene , Müller Paul , Voss Torsten
Published: December 2021

This work demonstrates that the application of plated Ni/Cu/Ag contacts for TOPCon solar cells and modules is a reliable alternative to screen-printed metallization. Key advantages of plated metallization is a significant reduction of material costs [B. Grübel et al., inProceedings 11th SiliconPV Conference, Hamelin,2021, to be published] due to the substitution of a fully printed silver finger by a stack of a thin nickel seed layer (0.5-1 μm height), highly conductive copper finger (3–10 μm height) and an ultra-thin surface finish by tin (1–3 μm height) or silver (<0.5 μm height). In this study it will be shown that conventional soldering technology can be used to interconnect plated TOPCon solar cells. We manufactured a 60-cell module using industrial processes. The right choice of plating electrolyte allows low stress and ductile metal finger leading to similar reliability in cell breakage experiments compared to state-of-the-art screen-printing metallization.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study of adsorption of hydroxyl groups on graphene surface
Authors: Liu Hong-de , Liu Nai-gui , Wang Dun-you , Ren Jun-feng
Published: December 2021

Reduced graphene oxide is the precursor to produce graphene in a large scale; however, to date, there has been no consensus on the electronic structure of reduced graphene oxide. In this study, we carried out an ab initio molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the adsorption process of hydroxyl groups on graphene surface. During the adsorption process, the OH group needs to firstly pass through a physical adsorption complex with the OH above the bridge site of two carbon atoms, next to surmount a transition state, then to be adsorbed at the atop site of a carbon atom. With a 5×5 graphene surface, up to 6 hydroxyl groups can be adsorbed on the graphene surface, indicating the concentration coverage of the hydroxyl groups on graphene surface is about 12%. The simulation results show that the negative adsorption energy increases linearly as the number of adsorbed hydroxyl groups increases, and the band gap also increases linearly with the number of adsorbed hydroxyl groups.
Parisi shares Nobel Prize for breakthroughs in understanding disordered systems
Authors: Middleton Christine
Published: December 2021

The laureate’s solution to a spin-glass model underlies techniques used in a variety fields, including neuroscience and computer engineering.
Subsurface imaging shows scale of the tragedy of Indigenous children
Authors: Berkowitz Rachel
Published: December 2021

Archaeologists and geophysicists in Canada are trying to pinpoint the signatures of unmarked burials by using geophysical methods in varied terrains.