bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of complex flow structures and pressure fluctuation at rotating stall conditions within a centrifugal pump
Authors: Alubokin Anthony A. , Gao Bo , Ning Zhang , Yan Longlong , Jiang Junxiang , Quaye Evans K.
Published: March 2022

Rotating stall contributes to global oscillation vibration problems, accompanied by noise and possible turbomachinery damage. This study with special emphasis on the vaned diffuser investigates the unsteady pressure interaction with the stall within the pump. A low specific speed centrifugal pump (ns = 69), fitted with a vaned diffuser is modeled and studied. The model pump performance curve shows the characteristic positive slope at 30% of the best efficiency point flow rate; 1.0 ΦΝ which is attributed to the stall phenomena. A finite volume method is employed with unsteady computations initialized utilizing shear stress transport k‐ω before proceeding with DDES. Pressure fluctuation and velocity magnitude normalized values are used to investigate the evolution of stall cell generation. The root mean square (RMS) values and normalized pressure (Cp) values are elicited to gain insight into pressure pulsation within the flow domain. The distinguished “starfish” shape is observed for monitor points md1 to md20, with the RMS trend decreasing with increasing flow rate from the pump shut off. Although in the vaned diffuser flow channel, an increase in pressure fluctuation along the flow channel toward the trailing edge is observed, the vaned diffuser channel shows a similar trend. The stall cell propagates at a speed of ΩRS = 0.078 at 0.2 ΦΝ, while at 0.1 ΦΝ propagates at a speed of ΩRS = 0.087; the stall speed tends to increase approaching pump shut off. Three distinguishable stall channels are observed from the flow structure for a five vaned diffuser; entering the stall, stalled, and stall recovery stages, within the flow channels.
Design of a targeted next‐generation DNA sequencing panel for pediatric T‐cell lymphoblastic lymphoma to unravel biology and optimize treatment
Authors: Ruether Charlotte , Wuensch Christian , Randau Gerrit , Michgehl Ulf , Trautmann Marcel , Hartmann Wolfgang , Sandmann Sarah , Dugas Martin , Khanam Tasneem , Burkhardt Birgit
Published: March 2022

Low incidence and molecular heterogeneity of pediatric T‐cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‐LBL) require an international, large‐scale effort to identify novel clinical biomarkers. The ongoing international clinical trialLBL2018(NCT04043494) represents an ideal opportunity to implement a common analytic approach. Targeted next‐generation sequencing is well‐suited for this purpose; however, selection of relevant target genes for T‐LBL remains subject of ongoing debates. Our group has recently designed and evaluated a first target panel of 80 candidate genes for T‐LBL. The present study aimed at developing a novel optimized gene panel for large‐scale application and to promote an international agreement on a common core panel. Small sequence variants obtained from our former study were systematically analyzed and classified with regards to pathogenic relevance, to prioritize candidate genes. Additional genes were curated from literature and online databases for a more comprehensive analysis of relevant functions and signaling pathways. The new target panelTGP‐T‐LBLentails 84 candidate genes which are key actors in NOTCH, PI3K‐AKT, JAK–STAT, RAS signaling, epigenetic regulation, transcription, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and ribosomal function. From our former gene panel, 35 out of 80 candidate genes were selected for the novel panel. Forty‐six out of 84 genes are currently being analyzed in the ongoing international trial LBL2018. Exploratory analysis of prognostic relevance on mutation‐level suggested a potential association ofPIK3CAvariants c.1624G>A(p.Glu542Lys) and c.1633G>A(p.Glu545Lys) to occurrence of relapse, emphasizing particular relevance of mutation analysis in PI3K‐AKT signaling. Our approach promotes comprehensive and clinically relevant mutational profiling of pediatric T‐LBL.
Insect traces on Lower Gondwana plants of Ib River Basin, Odisha: First record from Late Permian sediments of India
Authors: Tripathy Geetika , Goswami Shreerup
Published: March 2022

The Ib River Basin, located in the south‐eastern part of the Son‐Mahanadi Master Basin, is renowned for its reserve of well‐diversified Lower Gondwana plant megafossils. The remains of Glossopteris flora collected from a Late Permian Gondwana (Lower Kamthi Formation) exposure, near Himgir Village, Ib River Basin, Odisha, has demonstrated a record of different types of insect traces. The structures are compatible with a variety of insect activities on fossil leaves. Different feeding traces such as leaf margin and surface feeding traces, cuspate margin feeding traces, obliterated surfaces and blotch marks are found in the Glossopteris leaves. Egg pouches found along the midrib and on the lamina in the Glossopteris leaves are the traces of egg‐laying. The various traces of insect activities recorded in the present investigation reveal the survival of a diverse insect fauna during the Late Permian Glossopteris flora of India. It is the first report of its kind in the Mahanadi Gondwana Master Basin of India, and also it is the first record of insect traces in the Late Permian sediments of India.
3D multi‐resolution attention capsule network for diagnosing multi‐pathological types of pulmonary nodules
Authors: Zhang Zhili , Xiao Taohui , Fu Yu , Gao Yuqiang , Ren Meirong , Cui Wentao , Dong Enqing
Published: March 2022

To achieve effective diagnosis of multi‐pathological types on pulmonary nodules, a three‐dimensional (3D) multi‐resolution attention (MRA) capsule network (3D MRA‐CapsNet‐DL) was proposed by using a self‐constructed lung CT image dataset. In the construction of 3D MRA‐CapsNet‐DL, an improved dynamic routing algorithm (DRA) with limiting the update increment (called DL) was first designed to solve the inactivation problem of a large number of vector neurons. Then, MRA was used to build three kinds of multi‐path 3D MRA‐CapsNet‐DL for multi‐pathological classification. Besides, we also investigated whether the interpolation perturbation introduced by multi‐resolution methods will affect the classification performance. Experiments showed that the proposed 3D MRA‐CapsNet‐DL can achieve a better classification (79.27% ACC and 0.9056 AUC) effect than classical convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and the interpolation disturbance has favorable and unfavorable effects on the classification performance of multi‐path and single‐path models, respectively.
DeepKla: An attention mechanism‐based deep neural network for protein lysine lactylation site prediction
Authors: Lv Hao , Dao Fu‐Ying , Lin Hao
Published: March 2022

As a newly discovered protein posttranslational modification, lysine lactylation (Kla) plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes. High throughput mass spectrometry is the primary approach for the detection of Kla sites. However, experimental approaches for identifying Kla sites are often time‐consuming and labor‐intensive when compared to computational methods. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a powerful tool for identifying Kla sites. For this purpose, we presented the first computational framework termed as DeepKla for Kla sites prediction in rice by combining supervised embedding layer, convolutional neural network, bidirectional gated recurrent units, and attention mechanism layer. Comprehensive experiment results demonstrated the excellent predictive power and robustness of DeepKla. Based on the proposed model, a web‐server called DeepKla was established and is freely accessible at http://lin-group.cn/server/DeepKla. The source code of DeepKla is freely available at the repository https://github.com/linDing-group/DeepKla.
Toward understanding the genetic bases underlying plant‐mediated “cry for help” to the microbiota
Authors: Wang Zhenghong , Song Yi
Published: March 2022

Canonical plant stress biology research has focused mainly on the dynamic regulation of internal genetic pathways in stress responses. Increasingly more studies suggest that plant‐mediated timely reshaping of the microbiota could also confer benefits in responding to certain biotic and abiotic stresses. This has led to the “cry for help” hypothesis, which is supported by the identification of plant genetic regulators integrating biotic/abiotic stress signaling and microbiota sculpting. Although diverse genetic mutants have been reported to affect microbiota composition, it has been challenging to confirm the causal link between specific microbiota changes and plant phenotypic outputs (e.g., fitness benefits) due to the complexity of microbial community composition. This limits the understanding of the relevance of plant‐mediated microbiota changes. We reviewed the genetic bases of host‐mediated reshaping of beneficial microbiota in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, and summarized the practical approaches linking microbiota changes and “functional outputs” in plants. Further understanding of the key regulators and pathways governing the assembly of stress‐alleviating microbiota would benefit the design of crops that could dynamically enlist beneficial microbiota under conditions of stress.
Quantity and quality of maternal consulting: Associations with adolescents' loneliness and peer victimization
Authors: Low Natalie , Mounts Nina S.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The goal of this investigation was to understand the way in which the quantity and quality of maternal consulting are related to adolescents' peer victimization and loneliness and to examine whether these associations were moderated by adolescents' social competence.

Method

An ethnically diverse sample of 70 early adolescents (Mage = 12.39 years; 51.4% girls) and their mothers, living in the United States, completed questionnaires and were video recorded discussing hypothetical peer‐related issues. Quantity of maternal consulting was assessed using adolescents' reports and observers' assessments. Observers' assessments of the quality (e.g., benign interpretation, threatening interpretations, and prosocial strategies) of maternal consulting were also examined.

Results

Analyses revealed that adolescents' reports of higher quantity of consulting predicted lower levels of peer victimization. Observers' assessments of higher quantity of maternal consulting were related to higher levels of peer victimization. More frequent threatening interpretations by mothers were related to higher levels of peer victimization. More frequent benign interpretations by mothers were related to higher levels of loneliness. However, higher use of prosocial strategies by mothers were related to lower levels of loneliness. Social competence moderated the direct associations such that contrasting patterns of results emerged for the adolescents' reports of consulting versus the observers' reports of consulting.

Conclusion

Findings shed light on the way in which quantity and quality of maternal consulting differentially predicts adolescents' peer victimization and loneliness.
Biomimetic development of chitosan and sodium alginate‐based nanocomposites contains zirconia for tissue engineering applications
Authors: Shanmugam Balu Kolathupalayam , Rangaraj Suriyaprabha , Subramani Karthik , Srinivasan Surendhiran , Kandhasamy Narthana , Arumugam Karthik , Periyasamy Manojkumar , Aicher Wilhelm K. , Venkatachalam Rajendran
Published: March 2022

Nanostructured materials possess unique structural and functional properties that play a crucial position in tissue engineering applications. Present investigation is aimed to synthesize chitosan–sodium alginate (CS) nanocomposite using hydrothermally prepared zirconia nanoparticles. In this, three different weight percentages of (0.5, 1, and 1.5) zirconia nanoparticles are utilized for the preparation of biomimetic nanocomposite scaffolds (CSZ) employing 4 wt% of CS by a solvent casting technique. Physico‐chemical and thermal behavior of the prepared nanoparticles and their CSZ scaffolds are comprehensively characterized. Bioactivity of the prepared zirconia nanoparticles and CSZ scaffolds are explored in terms of in vitro biocompatibility, protein absorption in simulated body fluid (SBF), and phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Agar disc diffusion method is employed to identify the antibacterial property againstStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coli. In vitro cytotoxicity of zirconia nanoparticles and CSZ scaffolds is identified against human urothelial carcinoma (UC6) and osteosarcoma (MG‐63) cells. These studies explore that zirconia nanoparticles are suitable for biomedical applications while it is interacted with chitosan and sodium alginate (CS) due to their promising biocompatibility. Biomimetically obtained chitosan/sodium alginate scaffold contain 1 wt% zirconia nanoparticles show higher biocompatibility amenable for tissue engineering applications.
Arglabin regulates microglia polarization to relieve neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Yang Yi , Guo Li , Wang Jin , Li WenYan , Zhou Xiaohong , Zhang Caiqun , Han Chenyang
Published: March 2022

Arglabin (Arg) is a derivative of parthenolide. At present, there are few reports on the pharmacological effects and targets of Arg. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship between Arg and NF‐κB (P50) and the intervention effects of Arg on neuroinflammation. BV2 cells were cultured in vitro. LPS/IFN‐γ was used to induce M1 polarization. After Arg intervention, the cytokine expression of M1 and M2 cell marker was detected, the expression of CD86 was detected by immunofluorescence (IF) staining, the levels of P50 and p‐P50 were detected by Western blot and the expression of ROS was by DCFH‐DA. AfterP50 knockout, we investigated the effect of P50 on the polarization of BV2 cells. Four‐month‐old APP/PS1 (AD) mice were treated with Arg by intragastric administration, followed by detection of the expression of CD86, CD206, and IBA‐1 by IF staining, Finally, molecular‐protein docking and Pull‐down assays were used to validate the targeted binding relationship between P50 and Arg. Arg could inhibit the M1 polarization of BV2 cells, decrease the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, iNOS, and IL‐12, and simultaneously inhibit the expression of P50 and p‐P50. P50 knockout could inhibit the M1 polarization of BV2 cells, and P50 played an important role in the polarization of BV2 cells. Molecular docking and pull‐down assays revealed that Arg and P50 had a targeted binding relationship. Animal experiments showed that Arg could regulate the polarization level of M1‐M2 cells, increase the proportion of M2 cells, decrease the degree of nerve injury and suppress the expression of P50 and p‐P50. In this study, we found that Arg could target P50 to regulate reprogramming of BV2 cells, inhibit M1 polarization, and increase the level of M2 cells, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.
Stigmatization of people diagnosed with a mental disorder in secondary mental health centers in Chile: An ethnographic study
Authors: Jara‐Ogeda Romina , Leyton Daniela , Grandón Pamela
Published: March 2022

To understand how stigmatization of people diagnosed with a mental disorder occurs in secondary mental healthcare staff in mental healthcare centers in Chile was the objective of the study. A descriptive qualitative and interpretative design with an ethnographic approach was used. Participants' observations, ethnographic, and semi‐structured interviews were conducted with professionals at three secondary mental health centers. Qualitative descriptive and interpretative content analysis was used. Stigmatization of users is shaping up in their trajectory in the health center. Identity changes from person to “patient,” which generates dependence on the expert role of healthcare professionals. Stigma is expressed in the interactions between a health institution, a professional team, and a user, reproducing power and control relationships associated with the biomedical model and reinforcing a cycle of chronification in the user. Health teams are stressed by discrepancies between the current mental health policy and the user's biomedical understanding.
Visual interpretation of panoramic radiographs in dental students using eye‐tracking technology
Authors: Gnanasekaran FelsyPremila , Nirmal Latha , P Sujitha , R Bhavyaa , MS Muthu , Cho Vanessa Y , King Nigel M , Anthonappa Robert P
Published: March 2022

Purpose

While eye‐tracking technology is a validated tool in the field of education it is still in its infancy in the field of Pediatric Dentistry. The primary aim of this study was to determine dental undergraduates’ search patterns and visual fixations while viewing panoramic radiographs (PR) using an eye‐tracker. The secondary aim was to decide on the potential opportunities to enhance teaching‐learning strategies when studying these radiographs.

Methods

Sixty‐five dental undergraduates in the final year of their dental education consented to and participated in this study. A Tobii Pro Nano screen‐based eye‐tracking camera was mounted to the lower edge of a laptop with five different PR uploaded onto the Tobii Studio software. Regions of Interest (ROIs) were pre‐determined for the five PR. The participants (17 males and 48 females) viewed all the PR images with no time restrictions and a “think‐aloud” protocol was exercised.

Results

The average view time for the PR was 245.58 ± 106.7 s. Participants spent significantly less time examining the surrounding structures (14.85 s) than the dentitions (primary: 97.58 s and permanent: 37.58 s). Males demonstrated a slightly higher view time (290.88 ± 97.7 s) than females (229.53 ± 106.05 s).

Conclusions

The results revealed that though the participants focused on the ROI, most of them failed to make the correct diagnosis. In addition, the search patterns of the participants unveiled no sequential viewing of PR. Hence the need to revise the teaching‐learning strategies for the systematic interpretation of PR images in the dental curriculum is warranted.
A bacterial extracellular vesicle‐based intranasal vaccine against SARS‐CoV‐2 protects against disease and elicits neutralizing antibodies to wild‐type and Delta variants
Authors: Jiang Linglei , Driedonks Tom A.P. , Jong Wouter S.P. , Dhakal Santosh , Bart van den Berg van Saparoea H. , Sitaras Ioannis , Zhou Ruifeng , Caputo Christopher , Littlefield Kirsten , Lowman Maggie , Chen Mengfei , Lima Gabriela , Gololobova Olesia , Smith Barbara , Mahairaki Vasiliki , Riley Richardson M. , Mulka Kathleen R. , Lane Andrew P. , Klein Sabra L. , Pekosz Andrew , Brayton Cory , Mankowski Joseph L. , Luirink Joen , Villano Jason S. , Witwer Kenneth W.
Published: March 2022

Several vaccines have been introduced to combat the coronavirus infectious disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Current SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines include mRNA‐containing lipid nanoparticles or adenoviral vectors that encode the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike (S) protein of SARS‐CoV‐2, inactivated virus, or protein subunits. Despite growing success in worldwide vaccination efforts, additional capabilities may be needed in the future to address issues such as stability and storage requirements, need for vaccine boosters, desirability of different routes of administration, and emergence of SARS‐CoV‐2 variants such as the Delta variant. Here, we present a novel, well‐characterized SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine candidate based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) of Salmonella typhimurium that are decorated with the mammalian cell culture‐derived Spike receptor‐binding domain (RBD). RBD‐conjugated outer membrane vesicles (RBD‐OMVs) were used to immunize the golden Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) model of COVID‐19. Intranasal immunization resulted in high titres of blood anti‐RBD IgG as well as detectable mucosal responses. Neutralizing antibody activity against wild‐type and Delta variants was evident in all vaccinated subjects. Upon challenge with live virus, hamsters immunized with RBD‐OMV, but not animals immunized with unconjugated OMVs or a vehicle control, avoided body mass loss, had lower virus titres in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and experienced less severe lung pathology. Our results emphasize the value and versatility of OMV‐based vaccine approaches.
Distinguishing functional exosomes and other extracellular vesicles as a nucleic acid cargo by the anion‐exchange method
Authors: Seo Naohiro , Nakamura Junko , Kaneda Tsuguhiro , Tateno Hiroaki , Shimoda Asako , Ichiki Takanori , Furukawa Koichi , Hirabayashi Jun , Akiyoshi Kazunari , Shiku Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

The development of a new large‐scale purification protocol is required for research on the reliable bioactivity and drug discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs). To address this issue, herein, we propose an effective method for preparing high‐performance exosomes (EXOs) by using an anion‐exchange method. Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte (CTL) EVs from 4 L of culture supernatant through a 220 nm cut‐off filter are divided into two populations at a deproteinization rate of over 99.97%, which are eluted at low (0.15 M–0.3 M) and high (0.3 M–0.5 M) NaCl concentrations (approximately 2 × 1012 and 1.5 × 1012 particles, respectively) through the anion‐exchange column chromatography. The former are abundant in EXO proteins, including late endosome‐associated proteins and rab‐family and integrin‐family proteins, and functional micro (mi) RNAs, and have bioactivity for preventing tumour metastasis by depleting mesenchymal cell populations in the primary tumour lesions. By contrast, the latter is microvesicle (MV)‐like particles including DNA, core histone and ribosomal proteins, and GC‐rich miRNAs with unknown function, and are easily phagocytosed by mannose receptor+ Kupffer cells. Thus, the anion‐exchange method is suitable for the large‐scale separation of bioactive EXOs and MV‐like EVs as a cargo for dangerous nucleic acids at high‐purity.
When the eyewitness to a crime is an English language learner: Identifying and resolving troubles in understanding in interviews
Authors: Allison Meredith , Gerwing Jennifer , Gadaire Cecily B.
Published: March 2022

Investigative interviewing can be a difficult task. Challenges may be exacerbated when interviewing English language learners. The field of eyewitness testimony lacks research on what troubles of understanding are generated by non‐native speakers and how these troubles are resolved. Thus, we undertook an exploratory study in which we aimed to provide definitions for identifying and characterising both troubles of understanding and resolutions. Data were simulated interviews between 17 dyads of native English‐speaking student‐interviewers and English language learner witnesses of a mock crime. We identified misunderstandings in each interaction and tracked who misunderstood, when the misunderstanding occurred (free/cued recall), whether it was resolved, and resolution strategies. We validated video analysis by checking for information consistency in the subsequent interviewer notes. Across dyads, 40 misunderstandings were found, with at least one in each interview. Witnesses misunderstood significantly more in the cued recall portion of the interview, while interviewers misunderstood more during free recall. Notably, participants resolved misunderstandings more often than not, used a variety of resolution strategies, and employed more strategies in unresolved instances. Interviewer notes confirmed our resolution analysis in 39/40 instances. The results suggest that the interviewers used creativity, flexibility, and a repertoire of different strategies when misunderstandings occurred.
Factors associated with dexamethasone efficacy in COVID‐19. A retrospective investigative cohort study
Authors: Arcani Robin , Cauchois Raphaël , Suchon Pierre , Jean Rodolphe , Jarrot Pierre‐André , Gomes De Pinho Quentin , Dalmas Jean‐Baptiste , Jean Estelle , Andre Baptiste , Veit Véronique , Koubi Marie , Kaplanski Gilles
Published: March 2022

Dexamethasone has demonstrated efficacy in reducing mortality in COVID‐19. However, its practical use is badly defined. We aimed to investigate factors associated with dexamethasone efficacy in real life. Our retrospective study was conducted in two university hospitals between September and November 2020 and included all the consecutive hospitalized patients with a laboratory‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection assessed by RT‐PCR, treated with intravenous dexamethasone (6 mg/day). Among 111 patients, 10.6% necessitated a transfer into the intensive care unit (ICU) and the 28‐day mortality rate was 17.1%. The 28‐day mortality rate was significantly lower in patients who demonstrated improvement at 48 h (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04–0.78, p = 0.02) and 96 h (HR: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02–0.31, p = 0.0005) after dexamethasone initiation. Apart from well‐known risk factors (age, hypertension, active cancer, severe lesions on chest computed tomography [CT] scan), we found that a high viral load in nasopharyngeal swab (Cycle threshold <30) at dexamethasone initiation was associated with higher 28‐day mortality (66.6% vs. 36.7%, p = 0.03). Patients who did not receive antibiotics at dexamethasone initiation had a higher rate of transfer into the ICU (55.6% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.045) with a trend towards higher mortality in case of severe or critical lesions on CT scan (75.0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.053). Patients who did not improve within 2–4 days after steroid initiation have a bad prognosis and should receive additional anti‐inflammatory drugs. Our data suggest better efficacy of dexamethasone in patients with a low or negative viral load, receiving broad‐spectrum antibiotics.
SARS‐CoV‐2 variants and vulnerability at the global level
Authors: Chavda Vivek P. , Patel Aayushi B. , Vaghasiya Darsh D.
Published: March 2022

Numerous variants of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic have evolved. Viral variants may evolve with harmful susceptibility to the immunity established with the existing COVID‐19 vaccination. These variants are more transmissible, induce relatively extreme illness, have evasive immunological features, decrease neutralization using antibodies from vaccinated persons, and are more susceptible to re‐infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has categorized SARS‐CoV‐2 mutations as variants of interest (VOI), variants of concern (VOC), and variants of high consequence (VOHC). At the moment, four VOC and many variants of interest have been defined and require constant observation. This review article summarizes various variants of SARS‐CoV‐2 surfaced with special emphasis on VOCs that are spreading across the world, as well as several viral mutational impacts and how these modifications alter the properties of the virus.
Metabolomics integrated with transcriptomics reveals the changes during developmental stages in Shiraia bambusicola
Authors: Ren Xiyi , Tian Bing , Wang Luo , Tan Yumei , Huang Yonghui , Jiang Xuanli , Liu Yongxiang
Published: March 2022

Shiraia bambusicola is a fungus with high economic value widely used in medicine, agriculture, and food. We wished to understand the genes and metabolites changes involved in the different developmental stages of S. bambusicola. So, to reveal key genes and metabolites in the main active metabolite, the  were analyzed in different developmental stages of S. bambusicola fruiting body. A total of 29,137 Unigenes were annotated. In the whole growth process, differentially expressed genes were involved in the pathways of cytochrome P450, transcription factors, transporters, and so on, while in the early stage of growth, genes enriching to synthesis pathways of basic substances. In the middle stage of growth, genes with more prominent changes were involved in the pathways of the cell cycle, cancer mechanisms, and aminobenzoate degradation; in the later stage of growth, differentially expressed genes that enriched synthesis pathways of secondary metabolites. A total of 612 metabolites were detected from different growth stages of S. bambusicola. Among them, coumarins, alkaloids, rutin, liquiritigenin, quercetin, and other medically relevant metabolites were detected for the first time. We have identified 31 secondary metabolites,  relevantly only accumulated in the early and middle stage, but not detected in the later stage, such as flavonols, coumarins, nucleotides and its derivates and hydroxycinnamoyl derivatives. The differential genes and metabolites of the same group were enriched in 127 pathways, and more significantly in ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. The correlation networks of several significantly enriched pathways were analyzed, and the relationships within and between these pathways, genes, and metabolites, were analyzed. The synthetic pathway of hypocrellin has been speculated upon. We believe that hypocrellin is synthesized in S. bambusicola via the shikimic acid pathway followed by phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway, then the ubiquinone and other terpenoid quinone biosynthesis pathway, and finally a series of polymerization and modification reactions. Several genes and metabolites involved in the biosynthesis of hypocrellin have been identified. This study provides a reference for further research on S. bambusicola, by providing a basis for its use and development.
The role of disrupted iron homeostasis in the development and progression of arthropathy
Authors: Karim Asima , Bajbouj Khuloud , Qaisar Rizwan , Hall Andrew C. , Hamad Mawieh
Published: March 2022

Arthropathy or joint disease leads to significant pain and disability irrespective of etiology. Clinical and experimental evidence point to the presence of considerable links between arthropathy and iron overload. Previous work has suggested that iron accumulation in the joints is often associated with increased oxidative stress, disrupted matrix metabolism, and cartilage degeneration. However, key issues regarding the role of iron overload in the pathogenesis of arthropathy remain ambiguous. For example, significant gaps in our knowledge of the primary cellular targets of iron overload‐induced damage and the exact molecular mechanism through which disrupted iron homeostasis leads to joint damage still exist. The exact signaling pathway that links iron metabolism and cellular damage in arthropathy also remains largely unmapped. In this review, we focus on the relationship between iron overload and arthropathy with special emphasis on the adversarial relationship between iron that accumulates in the joints over time and cartilage homeostasis. A better understanding of the mechanisms and pathways underlying iron‐induced cartilage degeneration may help in defining new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in arthropathy.
Statistical shape model of the talus bone morphology: A comparison between impinged and nonimpinged ankles
Authors: Arbabi Saeed , Seevinck Peter , Weinans Harrie , de Jong Pim A. , Sturkenboom Joran , van Hamersvelt Robbert W. , Foppen Wouter , Arbabi Vahid
Published: March 2022

Diagnosis of ankle impingement is performed primarily by clinical examination, whereas medical imaging is used for severity staging and treatment guidance. The association of impingement symptoms with regional three‐dimensional (3D) bone shape variaties visible in medical images has not been systematically explored, nor do we know the type and magnitude of this relation. In this cross‐sectional case‐control study, we hypothesized that 3D talus bone shape could be used to quantitatively formulate the discriminating shape variations between ankles with impingement from ankles without impingement, and we aimed to characterize and quantify these variations. We used statistical shape modeling (SSM) methods to determine the most prevalent modes of shape variations that discriminate between the impinged and nonimpinged ankles. Results of the compactness and parallel analysis test on the statistical shape model identify 8 prominent shape modes of variations (MoVs) representing approximately 78% of the total 3D variations in the population of shapes, among which two modes captured discriminating features between impinged and nonimpinged ankles (p value of 0.023 and 0.042). Visual inspection confirms that these two shape modes, capturing abnormalities in the anterior and posterior parts of talus, represent the two main bony risk factors in anterior and posterior ankle impingement. In conclusion, in this research using SSM we have identified shape MoVs that were found to correlate significantly with bony ankle impingement. We also illustrated potential guidance from SSMs for surgical planning.
Potential of chemical stabilizers to prolong urease inhibition in the soil–plant system#
Authors: Ding Fang , Hung Chih‐Yu , Whalen Joann K. , Wang Lingli , Wei Zhanbo , Zhang Lei , Shi Yuanliang
Published: March 2022

Background

Urea is the most common nitrogen fertilizer applied to agricultural lands, and it is often treated with urease inhibitors to prevent loss of ammonia during urea hydrolysis. However, urease inhibitors like N‐(n‐butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) are susceptible to degradation in soil.

Aims

This study tested dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol and glycerol as stabilizers that could extend the inhibition effect of NBPT in a soil–plant system that received liquid urea fertilizer.

Methods

We undertook a pot experiment in which two soil types (brown and black soils) were amended with liquid urea plus NBPT, with and without chemical stabilizers, then planted with bok choy. The urease activity, urea and mineral N concentration in soil and nitrogen uptake in bok choy were monitored for the next 30 days.

Results

Five days after adding fertilizer, urease activity was 27%–51% lower in brown soil amended with the urea‐NBPT solutions and 32%–75% less when black soil received urea‐NBPT solution than in the control soil that received urea solution. Nearly 100% of the urea was hydrolyzed in control soil receiving urea solution after 5 days, but only 21%–41% of urea was hydrolyzed in soil amended with urea‐NBPT solution after 5 days. Stabilizers did not improve the stability of NBPT, nor did they affect the nitrogen uptake by bok choy, which was similar in the urea‐amended control soil (124 mg N pot–1) and the urea‐NBPT‐treated soil (117 mg N pot–1) during the growth period.

Conclusions

Chemical stabilizers did not prolong the NBPT inhibition of urease activity, probably because the stabilizer compounds are vulnerable to degradation in well‐watered and planted soils.
Purification and identification of a novel hypotensive and antioxidant peptide from porcine plasma
Authors: Zhan Junqi , Li Gaoshang , Dang Yali , Pan Daodong
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Pig plasma contains a large amount of protein. Porcine plasma polypeptide can be prepared by the enzymatic hydrolysis of porcine plasma protein. The present study investigated the function, structure, and mechanisms of porcine plasma peptides.

RESULTS

The results showed that WVRQAPGKGL had a major ability to scavenge hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA) (35.25%), 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazo line‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt radical scavenging activity (ABTS RSA) (93.09%) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA) (25.72%), as well as in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition (91.64%). WVRQAPGKGL could inactivate ACE by binding to Zn2+ because of the presence of carboxyl in WVRQAPGKGL. The ACE inhibition, HRSA, and DPPH of synthetic WVRQAPGKGL were improved by 12.70%, 16.06%, and 117.11% respectively after in vitro digestion. It (0.1 mg mL−1) also increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) by 59.78%, 69.05%, and 59.06%, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by 22.08% and 50.59%, respectively, to protect HepG2 cells induced by H2O2. Furthermore, in a spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the peptide group (30 mg kg−1) both decreased by about 33.33% in comparison with captopril.

CONCLUSION

A new difunctional (antioxidant and hypotensive) peptide, WVRQAPGKGL, derived from porcine plasma hydrolyzate was isolated by gel filtration and reverse phase chromatography, and identified by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS)−1. The difunctional peptide WVRQAPGKGL from porcine plasma could therefore be used in formulating functional foods or pharmaceuticals. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Improved retention ratio and bioaccessibility of lutein loaded in emulsions stabilized by egg yolk granules‐lecithin complex
Authors: Li Junhua , Chang Cuihua , Gu Luping , Su Yujie , Yang Yanjun , Zhai Jiali
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

Egg yolk granules (EYGs)‐soy lecithin (SL) complex is a newly developed delivery system that is effective for improving the storage stability of hydrophobic bioactive compounds. However, the formation mechanism of EYGs and SL complex and its effect on the gastrointestinal fate of lutein‐loaded emulsions needs to be investigated further.

RESULTS

Adding SL greatly improved the surface activity of the EYGs, as evidenced by reduced surface tension and an increased adsorption rate to the oil/water interface. Hydrophobic interaction was the dominant force in the formation of EYG‐SL complex, with hydrogen and ionic bonds playing complementary roles. Using the EYG‐SL complex, stable oil‐in‐water emulsions were formed and exhibited an enhanced retention ratio and bioaccessibility of lutein after simulated digestion. Correlation analysis demonstrated that the additional anti‐oxidant activity as a result of EYGs was responsible for the high retention of lutein, whereas low surface tension facilitated the micellization of bioaccessible lutein.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that the EYG and SL have a synergistic effect with respect to improving the retention ratio and bioaccessibility of lutein in emulsions stabilized by EYG‐SL complex after digestion and this will guide the development of value‐added oil‐in‐water emulsion products using protein‐lecithin complex as a promising nutrient delivery vehicle. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Prediction of local tumor control and recurrence‐free survival in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing curative resection after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Suto Hironobu , Okano Keiichi , Oshima Minoru , Ando Yasuhisa , Matsukawa Hiroyuki , Takahashi Shigeo , Shibata Toru , Kamada Hideki , Masaki Tsutomu , Suzuki Yasuyuki
Published: March 2022

Background and Objectives

There is little data on the correlation between the reduction in fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) radioactive accumulation and carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 (CA19‐9) levels with pathological tumor responses (PTRs) and prognosis after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 102 patients with resectable (R‐) and borderline resectable (BR‐) PDAC who received NACRT, followed by curative resection. Data were prospectively collected and compared between the responders and nonresponders to NACRT.

Results

Patients with 60% or more reduction in maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on FDG‐PET, with 75% or more reduction in CA19‐9 levels, or with 50%–100% of tumor cells destroyed due to NACRT had significantly better recurrence‐free survival (RFS) than each of the nonresponders (p = 0.028, <0.001, and 0.022, respectively). The reduction rates of SUVmax and CA19‐9 levels were correlated with PTR. The combined evaluation of these biomarkers reflected RFS.

Conclusions

Reduction rates of FDG uptake and CA19‐9 levels were preoperative predictors of pathological response to NACRT. These biomarkers of local response had prognostic value in R‐PDAC and BR‐PDAC. The combined evaluation of these biomarkers allowed for reliable prediction of RFS after surgery.
Direct coupling of size exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry for the characterization of complex monoclonal antibody products
Authors: Murisier Amarande , Andrie Marie , Fekete Szabolcs , Lauber Matthew , D'Atri Valentina , Iwan Katharina , Guillarme Davy
Published: March 2022

The present study describes the possibilities offered by an innovative bioinert size exclusion chromatography column for size variant characterization of complex monoclonal antibody products. This size exclusion chromatography column includes a novel column hardware surface. The column was prepared from metallic hardware components that were treated to have prototype hydrophilically modified hybrid organic–inorganic silica surfaces called hybrid surface technology. This provides a significant reduction in nondesired hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions that can occur between column and analyte when performing size exclusion chromatography analysis with volatile mobile phase.

Compared to a reference stainless‐steel column packed with the same batch of packing material, peak tailing, band broadening, and above all recovery of high molecular weight species were distinctly improved for all types of monoclonal antibody products. Based on our observations, we found that 50 mM ammonium acetate in water was a suitable mobile phase offering good compromise in terms of liquid chromatography performance and mass spectrometry sensitivity. In addition, method repeatability (intra‐ and interday relative standard deviations) on elution times and high molecular weight species peak areas were found to be excellent.

By using this innovative size exclusion chromatography material, the low and high molecular weight species contained in various stressed and nonstressed monoclonal antibody products were successfully characterized with mass spectrometry detection.
Managing COVID‐19‐related knowledge: A smart cities perspective
Authors: Abdalla Wala , Renukappa Suresh , Suresh Subashini
Published: March 2022

Effective management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) and the urgent need to improve epidemic prevention require rapid response and immediate solutions, deploying appropriate knowledge management procedures and facilitating effective decision‐making and managerial efforts. The increased adoption of smart cities (SC) technologies offers various technologies that can support knowledge capturing, acquisition, sharing, and transferring. However, knowledge management practitioners and decision‐makers face various challenges to manage huge data generated from the various SC platforms. Managing COVID‐19‐related knowledge necessitates filtering, cleaning, keeping, and sharing only useful data. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to investigate managing knowledge related to COVID‐19 from a SC perspective. The methodological approach for this study is a systematic literature review. The findings indicate that SC technologies, through the advanced deployment of information communications technology (ICT) applications, have a crucial role in knowledge capturing and sharing. Smart cities strategies enable knowledge extraction through facilitating data collection and analysis over various disparate databases, as well as facilitating quick and accurate handling and analysis of huge and unpredicted amount of data. Managing knowledge related to COVID‐19 pandemic has the potential to improve the planning, treatment and controlling the pandemic, enhance decision‐making, and enable disaster management. However, the managing of a huge amount of complex, unstructured data and information remains a big challenge for COVID‐19 knowledge management (KM) initiatives. The paper proposes a conceptual model and illustrates the various components and links between SC strategies, KM and COVID‐19, and how this can inform, facilitate, and enhance decision‐making to take steps for the path of recovery.
The sociocultural barriers ofwork‐from‐homearrangement due toCOVID‐19 pandemic in Asia: Implications and future implementation
Authors: Himawan Karel Karsten , Helmi Jessica , Fanggidae Jappy P.
Published: March 2022

The rapidly escalating COVID‐19 pandemic entails many unprecedented life circumstances, including in the way people work. The social distancing policy has forced companies to adopt work‐from‐home (WFH) arrangement to maintain business sustainability amidst both health and economic crises. While in many developed countries, WFH arrangement has been a common practice, this is not the case in some Asian countries, particularly in countries where high power distance emphasising heightened supervision and punishment among workers are still a preferred managerial style, such as Indonesia, China, India, and Thailand. While acknowledging that WFH is considered as beyond an option in this pandemic period, this commentary paper, built on existing literature presented in the narrative fashion, aims to critically identify key barriers of WFH implementation in some Asian countries, particularly in autocratic societies, using both theoretical and contextual approaches. The paper concludes by discussing recommendation for future studies and proposing strategic implications for companies and workers to effectively adopt WFH arrangement, especially in societies where WFH is still a new practice or is involuntarily held.
Surgical management of auricular arteriovenous malformations: A literature review
Authors: Liu Ruiquan , Chen Jianguo , Jia Litao , Pan Bo , Jiang Haiyue
Published: March 2022

Auricular arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can cause a variety of symptoms that seriously impact the patient's appearance, life, and mental well‐being. Surgery is the primary management method for auricular AVMs, but there is no consensus on how to surgically manage auricular AVMs. In this article, we document a comprehensive review of the characteristics, classification, and surgical interventions to treat auricular AVMs.
Depilatory laser miniaturizes hair by inducing bystander dermal papilla cell necrosis through thermal diffusion
Authors: Chiu Hsien‐Yi , Wang Wei‐Hung , Kuan Chen‐Hsiang , Wu Yueh‐Feng , Tseng Chung‐Jen , Huang Wen‐Yen , Wang Shiou‐Han , Lin Sung‐Jan
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Depilatory laser targeting melanin has been widely applied for the treatment of hypertrichosis. Both selective photothermolysis and thermal diffusion have been proposed for its effect, but the exact mechanism of permanent hair reduction remains unclear. In this study, we explore the role of thermal diffusion in depilatory laser‐induced permanent hair loss and determine whether nonpigmented cells are injured by thermal diffusion.

Materials and Methods

C57BL/6 mice in anagen and telogen were treated with alexandrite laser (wavelength 755 nm, pulse duration 3 milliseconds, fluence 12 J/cm2, spot size 12 mm), respectively. Histological analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling assay, and transmission electron microscopic imaging were employed to evaluate the injury to hair follicle (HF) cells. The proliferation status of HF cells was examined by 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine pulse labeling. The number of HF stem cells was quantified by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. The size of the regenerated hair was determined by measuring its length and width.

Results

We found that irradiating C57BL/6 mice in anagen with alexandrite laser led to hair miniaturization in the next anagen. In addition to thermal disruption of melanin‐containing cells in the precortex region, we also detected necrosis of the adjacent nonpigmented dermal papilla cells due to thermal diffusion. Dermal papilla cells decreased by 24% after laser injury, while the number of bulge stem cells remained unchanged. When the laser was delivered to telogen HFs where no melanin was present adjacent to the dermal papilla, thermal necrosis and cell reduction were not detected in the dermal papilla and no hair miniaturization was observed.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that depilatory laser miniaturizes hair by inducing thermal necrosis of dermal papilla cells due to secondary thermal diffusion from melanin‐containing precortex cells in the anagen hair bulbs.