bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Widespread Occurrence of Two Planktonic Ciliate Species (Urotricha, Prostomatida) Originating from High Mountain Lakes
Authors: Sonntag Bettina , Frantal Daniela , Kammerlander Barbara , Darienko Tatyana , Filker Sabine , Stoeck Thorsten , Gruber Michael , Pröschold Thomas
Published: May 2022

Ciliates of the genus Urotricha are widely distributed and occur in almost any freshwater body. Thus far, almost all species have been described from morphology only. Here, we applied an integrative approach on the morphology, molecular phylogeny and biogeography of two species isolated from high mountain lakes in the Central Alps, Austria. As these remote lakes are known to have water temperatures <15 °C, our hypothesis was that these urotrichs might prefer ‘cold’ environments. We studied the morphological details from living and silver-stained individuals, and their molecular sequences (ribosomal operon, ITS), and screened available datasets for their biogeography. The two Urotricha species resembled morphological features of several congeners. An accurate species assignment was difficult due to several overlapping characteristics. However, we tentatively attributed the investigated species to Urotricha nais and Urotricha globosa. The biogeographic analyses revealed their occurrence in Europe, Africa and Asia, and no correlations to (cold) temperatures were found. Our findings suggest that these two urotrichs, originating from two cold and remote habitats, are probably cryptic species well adapted to their harsh environment.
Simulation-Based Testing of Subsystems for Autonomous Vehicles at the Example of an Active Suspension Control System
Authors: Landersheim Volker , Jurisch Matthias , Bartolozzi Riccardo , Stoll Georg , Möller Riccardo , Atzrodt Heiko
Published: May 2022

Automated driving functions are expected to increase both the safety and ride comfort of future vehicles. Ensuring their functional safety and optimizing their performance requires thorough testing. Costs and duration of tests can be reduced if more tests can be performed numerically in a feasible simulation framework. This simulation setup must include all subsystems of the autonomous vehicle, which significantly interact with the system under test. In this paper, a modular model chain is presented, which is developed for testing systems with an impact on vehicle motion. It includes trajectory planning, motion control, and a model of the vehicle dynamics in a closed loop. Each subsystem can easily be exchanged to adapt the model chain with respect to the simulation objectives. As a use case, the testing of an active suspension control system is discussed. It is designed directly for use in autonomous cars and uses inputs from the vehicle motion planning subsystem for planning the suspension actuator motion. Using the presented closed-loop model chain, the effect of different actuator control strategies on ride comfort is compared, such as curve tilting. Furthermore, the impact of the active suspension system on lateral vehicle motion is shown.
Power Flow Control Using Series Voltage Source Converters in Distribution Grids
Authors: Pinheiro Guilherme , da Silva Carlos , Guimarães Bruno , Gonzatti Robson , Pereira Rondineli , Sant’Ana Wilson , Lambert-Torres Germano , Santana-Filho Joselino
Published: May 2022

This study presents an application for a series VSC (voltage source converter) in distribution grids for power flow management. Series devices have been widely studied for FACTS (flexible AC transmission systems), however, more recently these devices have gained increased interest in applications for loading balance in medium voltage distribution grids. As the number of distributed generation (DG) units increases, increasing the capacity and reliability of distribution grids while maximizing the benefits of installed DGs and loading behavior is an ever more important task. In this paper, we describe a test system and control proposals for a practical application of series converters interconnecting two distribution feeders at 13.8 kV under load variation disturbances. This approach provides solutions when installed at the end of distribution lines by interconnecting two feeders, resulting in capacity increases in the feeders without needing grid reconfigurations using a small-rated series VSC.
Radial Magnetic Bearings for Rotor–Shaft Support in Electric Jet Engine
Authors: Falkowski Krzysztof , Kurnyta-Mazurek Paulina , Szolc Tomasz , Henzel Maciej
Published: May 2022

New technologies are being developed to elaborate cutting-edge electrical jet engines to replace classical constructions. These new concepts consider the possibility of using electrical machines both as starters and generators, as well as suspension systems for the turbine shafts of aircraft engines. The paper will present mathematical analysis regarding active magnetic bearing (AMB) implementation for rotor–shaft support. This technology allows the elimination of friction forces between cooperating kinematic pairs (stator and rotor), reduces the adverse effects of classic bearings, and increases operating speed range and an operational susceptibility. The mathematical and numerical analysis of active magnetic suspension systems are presented. Next, a comparison of the theoretical studies using Comsol Multiphysics software and its experimental verification are described. A discussion regarding the mathematical analysis and experimental effects is also provided. The conclusion summarizes the theoretical and experimental features of heteropolar radial active magnetic bearings in new electric aircraft engines.
Advanced Couplings and Multiphysics Sensitivity Analysis Supporting the Operation and the Design of Existing and Innovative Reactors
Authors: Calgaro Barbara , Vezzoni Barbara
Published: May 2022

Codes and methods are subjected to a continuous update process for answering the regulatory requirements concerning the long-term operation of existing reactors and new concept deployment. In this continuous improvement process, new generation codes are developed for supporting industrial applications and the long-term strategy. In this paper, attention is devoted to selecting codes under development in France for lattice and core steady-state and transient calculations. These codes, APOLLO3® and CATHARE3, have been selected for carrying out the activities of the H2020 CAMIVVER Project oriented to the 3D-multiphysics couplings improvements. Multiscale and multiphysics solutions are key topics to keep competitiveness and answer to newer industrial needs in plant operations, licensing, and safe operating envelope requirements. The paper presents an overview of the activities performed by Framatome to support the definition of benchmarks exercises proposed in the CAMIVVER Project. Small core configurations subjected to a Reactivity Insertion Accident (RIA) are presented with associated preliminary results. To open the discussions toward the development of Best-Estimate Plus Uncertainties (BEPU) solutions, the URANIE statistical platform was used for sensitivity analysis over different configurations. These preliminary results are also presented.
Responses to Climate Change of Maximum Latewood Density from Larix speciosa Cheng et Law and Abies delavayi Franch. in the Northwest of Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Deng Guofu , Li Mingqi , Hao Zhixin , Shao Xuemei
Published: May 2022

Tree-ring density has been used for climate-response analysis and climate reconstruction for many species. However, our knowledge of wood density for the responses of different species to climate remains very limited and inconclusive. To determine the relationship between maximum latewood density (MXD) and climate for deciduous and evergreen coniferous species, MXD chronologies were developed from Larix speciosa Cheng et Law and Abies delavayi Franch. growing at 3200–3300 m a.s.l. in Gongshan county, northwestern Yunnan, in China. Significant positive correlations with late summer mean temperature were found for the MXD chronologies of both species. However, the highest correlation occurred in August–September for L. speciosa (r = 0.551, p < 0.01) and in September–October for A. delavayi (r = 0.575, p < 0.01), which may be associated with the physiological habits of trees. Linear model can describe relationships between late-summer temperature and MXD index for L. speciosa (MXD = 0.0506T8–9 − 0.0509, R2 = 30.3%) and A. delavay (MXD = 0.0317T9–10 + 0.4066, R2 = 33.0%). The composite chronology from the two species can reveal a late summer temperature (August−October) signal with the explained variance 32.2% for its response model. However, in dry areas and or at high altitudes close to upper tree line, the responses of wood densities to climate require further investigation for deciduous and evergreen coniferous species.
Vaccinomics to Design a Multi-Epitopes Vaccine for Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: ud-din Miraj , Albutti Aqel , Ullah Asad , Ismail Saba , Ahmad Sajjad , Naz Anam , Khurram Muhammad , Haq Mahboob ul , Afsheen Zobia , Bakri Youness El , Salman Muhammad , Shaker Bilal , Tahir ul Qamar Muhammad
Published: May 2022

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is the result of microbes’ natural evolution to withstand the action of antibiotics used against them. AR is rising to a high level across the globe, and novel resistant strains are emerging and spreading very fast. Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria, responsible for causing severe nosocomial infections that are treated with several broad spectrum antibiotics: carbapenems, β-lactam, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, gentamicin, impanel, piperacillin, and amikacin. The A. baumannii genome is superplastic to acquire new resistant mechanisms and, as there is no vaccine in the development process for this pathogen, the situation is more worrisome. This study was conducted to identify protective antigens from the core genome of the pathogen. Genomic data of fully sequenced strains of A. baumannii were retrieved from the national center for biotechnological information (NCBI) database and subjected to various genomics, immunoinformatics, proteomics, and biophysical analyses to identify potential vaccine antigens against A. baumannii. By doing so, four outer membrane proteins were prioritized: TonB-dependent siderphore receptor, OmpA family protein, type IV pilus biogenesis stability protein, and OprD family outer membrane porin. Immuoinformatics predicted B-cell and T-cell epitopes from all four proteins. The antigenic epitopes were linked to design a multi-epitopes vaccine construct using GPGPG linkers and adjuvant cholera toxin B subunit to boost the immune responses. A 3D model of the vaccine construct was built, loop refined, and considered for extensive error examination. Disulfide engineering was performed for the stability of the vaccine construct. Blind docking of the vaccine was conducted with host MHC-I, MHC-II, and toll-like receptors 4 (TLR-4) molecules. Molecular dynamic simulation was carried out to understand the vaccine-receptors dynamics and binding stability, as well as to evaluate the presentation of epitopes to the host immune system. Binding energies estimation was achieved to understand intermolecular interaction energies and validate docking and simulation studies. The results suggested that the designed vaccine construct has high potential to induce protective host immune responses and can be a good vaccine candidate for experimental in vivo and in vitro studies.
The Analysis of a Causal Relationship between Career Maturity and Academic Achievement on Korean Adolescents Using Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Modeling
Authors: Bae Sung-Man
Published: May 2022

Academic achievement and career maturity are closely related, but an understanding of the causal direction is lacking. The purpose of this study was to analyze the causal relationship between career maturity and academic achievement using autoregressive cross-lagged modeling. This study analyzed the data of 888 adolescents (mean age = 15.90) from the Youth Panel Survey. Autoregressive modeling indicates that academic achievement and career maturity remained stable over time. Higher academic achievement at a previous time point was associated with higher academic achievement at the next time point and similarly for career maturity. Moreover, as a result of cross-lagged effects, academic achievement at one time had a positive effect on career maturity at the next time point, while career maturity at one time had a positive impact on academic achievement at the next time point. In other words, there was a bidirectional effect between academic achievement and career maturity. This study implies that researchers and educators should consider career maturity as well as academic achievement for career guidance.
The Impact of COVID-19 Incidence on Motivation to Participate in a Triathlon
Authors: Poczta Joanna , Almeida Nuno , Paczyńska-Jędrycka Małgorzata , Kruszyńska Ewa
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes that have influenced the lives of people around the world and have left their mark in the world of sports, as well. Numerous restrictions resulted in the cancellation of the organization of many sports events, and the players themselves had restricted access to training. The main goal of the study was to identify the motivation to participate in a triathlon between athletes who have undergone COVID-19, those who have never been infected and those who do not know if they have ever caught the virus and to evaluate the differences between them. The assessment of the motives for participating in a sports event was conducted according to four types of orientation: social, experience, factual and results to check what benefits for well-being and self-improvement are brought about by participation in a triathlon as a mass sports event. The desire to feel unity, to develop passion, to integrate with other people and to get away from everyday life were the most important motives for those who have never been infected. It turns out that 100% of the respondents who had a history of COVID-19 disease indicated the desire to prove themselves. The desire to maintain good physical condition and health was reported by the majority of researched people, but again, all respondents (100%) who had been infected with COVID-19 indicated these motives as the most important.
The Influence of Low Energy Availability on Bone Mineral Density and Trabecular Bone Microarchitecture of Pubescent Female Athletes: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Ikegami Nodoka , Samukawa Mina , Sakamaki-Sunaga Mikako , Sugawara Makoto , Torashima Shizuka , Ishida Tomoya , Kasahara Satoshi , Tohyama Harukazu
Published: May 2022

The influence of low energy availability (LEA) on bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone microarchitecture in pubescent female athletes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of LEA on BMD and trabecular bone microarchitecture in 21 pubescent female athletes (age, 12–15 years; 11 track and field athletes, 10 gymnasts). We used two indices to assess LEA: energy availability and the percent of ideal body weight. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to obtain total body less head, lumbar spine BMD Z-scores, and lumbar trabecular bone scores (TBS). Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship among EA, percent of ideal body weight, and bone parameters. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The percent of ideal body weight was significantly correlated with the BMD Z-scores of the total body less head (r = 0.61; p < 0.01), lumbar spine (r = 0.55; p < 0.01), and lumbar TBS (r = 0.47; p = 0.03). However, energy availability was not correlated with bone parameters. These findings suggest that screening for low ideal body weight may be a useful predictor of low BMD and insufficient trabecular bone microarchitecture in pubescent female athletes.
Internet Gaming Disorder: Evidence for a Risk and Resilience Approach
Authors: Warburton Wayne A. , Parkes Sophie , Sweller Naomi
Published: May 2022

Although previous research has noted a range of factors that predict developing Problematic Video Game Use (PVGU) and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD), few studies have looked at risk and protective factors together, and there is scant empirical evidence examining whether risk for PVGU or IGD increases or decreases as risk or protective factors accumulate in the individual. The aim of the current study was to examine both issues using predictors from three demonstrated PVGU and IGD risk categories: executive dysfunction, unmet needs in everyday life, and unhelpful family environment. In a survey of N = 866 12–17-year-old school students, the risk/protective factors that most strongly predicted severity of IGD symptomology and meeting IGD diagnostic criteria were self-control and social exclusion. Other significant predictors included impulsivity, self-esteem, mastery, control of one’s external environment, and better parent-child attachment quality. Trend analyses revealed a linear increase in the risk of PVGU as risk and net-risk factors accumulated, and a decrease as protective and net-protective factors accumulated. Thus, a net accumulation of issues around impulse control and unmet needs in everyday life may predispose adolescents to PVGU or IGD. Results support a ‘risk and resilience’ approach to adolescent screen-based disorders and suggest potential benefits to a risk factor focus in treatment.
Foliar Application of Cerium Oxide-Salicylic Acid Nanoparticles (CeO2:SA Nanoparticles) Influences the Growth and Physiological Responses of Portulaca oleracea L. under Salinity
Authors: Hassanpouraghdam Mohammad Bagher , Vojodi Mehrabani Lamia , Bonabian Zahra , Aazami Mohammad Ali , Rasouli Farzad , Feldo Marcin , Strzemski Maciej , Dresler Sławomir
Published: May 2022

In the present study, the effects of foliar application of salicylic acid (100 μM), cerium oxide (50 mg L−1), and cerium oxide:salicylic acid nanoparticles (CeO2: SA-nanoparticles, 50 mg L−1 + 100 μM) on the growth and physiological responses of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) were examined in non-saline and saline conditions (50 and 100 mM NaCl salinity). Foliar applications mitigated salinity-induced adverse effects, and the highest plant height and N, P, Mg, and Mn content were recorded in the variant with non-saline × foliar use of CeO2: SA-nanoparticles. The highest values of fresh and dry weight were noted in the treatment with no-salinity × foliar use of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles. The highest number of sub-branches was observed in the foliar treatments with CeO2-nanoparticles and CeO2:SA-nanoparticles without salinity stress, while the lowest number was noted in the 100 mM NaCl treatment. Moreover, the foliar application of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles and cerium-oxide nanoparticles improved the total soluble solid content, K, Fe, Zn, Ca, chlorophyll a, and oil yield in the plants. The salinity of 0 and 50 mM increased the K content, 1000-seed weight, total soluble solid content, and chlorophyll b content. The use of 100 mM NaCl with no-foliar spray increased the malondialdehyde, Na, and H2O2 content and the Na+/K+ ratio. No-salinity and 50 mM NaCl × CeO2: SA-nanoparticle interactions improved the anthocyanin content in plants. The phenolic content was influenced by NaCl100 and the foliar use of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles. The study revealed that the foliar treatment with CeO2:SA-nanoparticles alleviated the side effects of salinity by improving the physiological responses and growth-related traits of purslane plants.
Open the Technical Black Box of Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB): Factors Affecting Harmonization and Standardization of Panel-Based TMB
Authors: Sung Meng-Ta , Wang Yeh-Han , Li Chien-Feng
Published: May 2022

As tumor mutational burden (TMB) has been approved as a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), next-generation sequencing (NGS) TMB panels are being increasingly used clinically. However, only a few of them have been validated in clinical trials or authorized by administration. The harmonization and standardization of TMB panels are thus essential for clinical implementation. In this review, preanalytic, sequencing, bioinformatics and interpretative factors are summarized to provide a comprehensive picture of how the different factors affect the estimation of panel-based TMB. Among the factors, poor DNA quality, improper formalin fixation and residual germline variants after filtration may overestimate TMB, while low tumor purity may decrease the sensitivity of the TMB panel. In addition, a small panel size leads to more variability when comparing with true TMB values detected by whole-exome sequencing (WES). A panel covering a genomic region of more than 1Mb is more stable for harmonization and standardization. Because the TMB estimate reflects the sum of effects from multiple factors, deliberation based on laboratory and specimen quality, as well as clinical information, is essential for decision making.
Combined Transcriptomic and Protein Array Cytokine Profiling of Human Stem Cells from Dental Apical Papilla Modulated by Oral Bacteria
Authors: Zymovets Valeriia , Razghonova Yelyzaveta , Rakhimova Olena , Aripaka Karthik , Manoharan Lokeshwaran , Kelk Peyman , Landström Maréne , Romani Vestman Nelly
Published: May 2022

Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) are a promising resource for use in regenerative endodontic treatment (RET) that may be adversely affected by oral bacteria, which in turn can exert an effect on the success of RET. Our work aims to study the cytokine profile of SCAP upon exposure to oral bacteria and their supernatants—Fusobacterium nucleatum and Enterococcus faecalis—as well as to establish their effect on the osteogenic and immunogenic potentials of SCAP. Further, we target the presence of key proteins of the Wnt/β-Catenin, TGF-β, and NF-κB signaling pathways, which play a crucial role in adult osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, using the Western blot (WB) technique. The membrane-based sandwich immunoassay and transcriptomic analysis showed that, under the influence of F. nucleatum (both bacteria and supernatant), the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 occurred, which was also confirmed at the mRNA level. Conversely, E. faecalis reduced the secretion of the aforementioned cytokines at both mRNA and protein levels. WB analysis showed that SCAP co-cultivation with E. faecalis led to a decrease in the level of the key proteins of the Wnt/β-Catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways: β-Catenin (p = 0.0068 *), LRP-5 (p = 0.0059 **), and LRP-6 (p = 0.0329 *), as well as NF-kB (p = 0.0034 **) and TRAF6 (p = 0.0285 *). These results suggest that oral bacteria can up- and downregulate the immune and inflammatory responses of SCAP, as well as influence the osteogenic potential of SCAP, which may negatively regulate the success of RET.
Stem Cell-Derived Islets for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Salib Andrew , Cayabyab Fritz , Yoshihara Eiji
Published: May 2022

Since the discovery of insulin a century ago, insulin injection has been a primary treatment for both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). T2D is a complicated disea se that is triggered by the dysfunction of insulin-producing β cells and insulin resistance in peripheral tissues. Insulin injection partially compensates for the role of endogenous insulin which promotes glucose uptake, lipid synthesis and organ growth. However, lacking the continuous, rapid, and accurate glucose regulation by endogenous functional β cells, the current insulin injection therapy is unable to treat the root causes of the disease. Thus, new technologies such as human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived islets are needed for both identifying the key molecular and genetic causes of T2D and for achieving a long-term treatment. This perspective review will provide insight into the efficacy of hPSC-derived human islets for treating and understanding T2D. We discuss the evidence that β cells should be the primary target for T2D treatment, the use of stem cells for the modeling of T2D and the potential use of hPSC-derived islet transplantation for treating T2D.
Generation of Skeletal Muscle Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Myogenesis and Muscle Regeneration
Authors: Shin Min-Kyoung , Bang Jin Seok , Lee Jeoung Eun , Tran Hoang-Dai , Park Genehong , Lee Dong Ryul , Jo Junghyun
Published: May 2022

In vitro organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been developed as essential tools to study the underlying mechanisms of human development and diseases owing to their structural and physiological similarity to corresponding organs. Despite recent advances, there are a few methodologies for three-dimensional (3D) skeletal muscle differentiation, which focus on the terminal differentiation into myofibers and investigate the potential of modeling neuromuscular disorders and muscular dystrophies. However, these methodologies cannot recapitulate the developmental processes and lack regenerative capacity. In this study, we developed a new method to differentiate hPSCs into a 3D human skeletal muscle organoid (hSkMO). This organoid model could recapitulate the myogenesis process and possesses regenerative capacities of sustainable satellite cells (SCs), which are adult muscle stem/progenitor cells capable of self-renewal and myogenic differentiation. Our 3D model demonstrated myogenesis through the sequential occurrence of multiple myogenic cell types from SCs to myocytes. Notably, we detected quiescent, non-dividing SCs throughout the hSkMO differentiation in long-term culture. They were activated and differentiated to reconstitute muscle tissue upon damage. Thus, hSkMOs can recapitulate human skeletal muscle development and regeneration and may provide a new model for studying human skeletal muscles and related diseases.
Kunitz-Type Peptides from Sea Anemones Protect Neuronal Cells against Parkinson’s Disease Inductors via Inhibition of ROS Production and ATP-Induced P2X7 Receptor Activation
Authors: Kvetkina Aleksandra , Pislyagin Evgeny , Menchinskaya Ekaterina , Yurchenko Ekaterina , Kalina Rimma , Kozlovskiy Sergei , Kaluzhskiy Leonid , Menshov Alexander , Kim Natalia , Peigneur Steve , Tytgat Jan , Ivanov Alexis , Ayvazyan Naira , Leychenko Elena , Aminin Dmitry
Published: May 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a socially significant disease, during the development of which oxidative stress and inflammation play a significant role. Here, we studied the neuroprotective effects of four Kunitz-type peptides from Heteractis crispa and Heteractis magnifica sea anemones against PD inductors. The peptide HCIQ1c9, which was obtained for the first time, inhibited trypsin less than other peptides due to unfavorable interactions of Arg17 with Lys43 in the enzyme. Its activity was reduced by up to 70% over the temperature range of 60–100 °C, while HCIQ2c1, HCIQ4c7, and HMIQ3c1 retained their conformation and stayed active up to 90–100 °C. All studied peptides inhibited paraquat- and rotenone-induced intracellular ROS formation, in particular NO, and scavenged free radicals outside the cells. The peptides did not modulate the TRPV1 channels but they affected the P2X7R, both of which are considered therapeutic targets in Parkinson’s disease. HMIQ3c1 and HCIQ4c7 almost completely inhibited the ATP-induced uptake of YO-PRO-1 dye in Neuro-2a cells through P2X7 ion channels and significantly reduced the stable calcium response in these cells. The complex formation of the peptides with the P2X7R extracellular domain was determined via SPR analysis. Thus, these peptides may be considered promising compounds to protect neuronal cells against PD inductors, which act as ROS production inhibitors and partially act as ATP-induced P2X7R activation inhibitors.
Functionalization of Tailored Porous Carbon Monolith for Decontamination of Radioactive Substances
Authors: Bae Joonwon , Gu Gyo Eun , Kwon Yeon Ju , Lee Jea Uk , Hong Jin-Yong
Published: May 2022

As the control over radioactive species becomes critical for the contemporary human life, the development of functional materials for decontamination of radioactive substances has also become important. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) porous carbon monolith functionalized with Prussian blue particles was prepared through removal of colloidal silica particles from exfoliated graphene/silica composite precursors. The colloidal silica particles with a narrow size distribution were used to act a role of hard template and provide a sufficient surface area that could accommodate potentially hazardous radioactive substances by adsorption. The unique surface and pore structure of the functionalized porous carbon monolith was examined using electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS). The effective incorporation of PB nanoparticles was confirmed using diverse instrumentations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A nitrogen adsorption/desorption study showed that surface area and pore volume increased significantly compared with the starting precursor. Adsorption tests were performed with 133Cs ions to examine adsorption isotherms using both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. In addition, adsorption kinetics were also investigated and parameters were calculated. The functionalized porous carbon monolith showed a relatively higher adsorption capacity than that of pristine porous carbon monolith and the bulk PB to most radioactive ions such as 133Cs, 85Rb, 138Ba, 88Sr, 140Ce, and 205Tl. This material can be used for decontamination in expanded application fields.
Fine-Tuning Modulation of Oxidation-Mediated Posttranslational Control of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens FixK2 Transcription Factor
Authors: Parejo Sergio , Cabrera Juan J. , Jiménez-Leiva Andrea , Tomás-Gallardo Laura , Bedmar Eulogio J. , Gates Andrew J. , Mesa Socorro
Published: May 2022

FixK2 is a CRP/FNR-type transcription factor that plays a central role in a sophisticated regulatory network for the anoxic, microoxic and symbiotic lifestyles of the soybean endosymbiont Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens. Aside from the balanced expression of the fixK2 gene under microoxic conditions (induced by the two-component regulatory system FixLJ and negatively auto-repressed), FixK2 activity is posttranslationally controlled by proteolysis, and by the oxidation of a singular cysteine residue (C183) near its DNA-binding domain. To simulate the permanent oxidation of FixK2, we replaced C183 for aspartic acid. Purified C183D FixK2 protein showed both low DNA binding and in vitro transcriptional activation from the promoter of the fixNOQP operon, required for respiration under symbiosis. However, in a B. diazoefficiens strain coding for C183D FixK2, expression of a fixNOQP’-‘lacZ fusion was similar to that in the wild type, when both strains were grown microoxically. The C183D FixK2 encoding strain also showed a wild-type phenotype in symbiosis with soybeans, and increased fixK2 gene expression levels and FixK2 protein abundance in cells. These two latter observations, together with the global transcriptional profile of the microoxically cultured C183D FixK2 encoding strain, suggest the existence of a finely tuned regulatory strategy to counterbalance the oxidation-mediated inactivation of FixK2 in vivo.
Epigenomic Profiling of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Stem-Cell Differentiation Reveals GPD1 Associated Immune Suppressive Microenvironment and Poor Prognosis
Authors: Chen Lin-Yu , Huang Rui-Lan , Su Po-Hsuan , Chu Ling-Hui , Weng Yu-Chun , Wang Hui-Chen , Lai Hung-Cheng , Wen Kuo-Chang
Published: May 2022

Intraperitoneal metastasis is a challenging clinical scenario in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). As they are distinct from hematogenous metastasizing tumors, epithelial ovarian cancer cells primarily disseminate within the peritoneal cavity to form superficially invasive carcinomas. Unfavorable pharmacokinetics for peritoneal tumors and gut toxicity collectively lead to a narrow therapeutic window and therefore limit the opportunities for a favorable clinical outcome. New insights into tumor metastasis in the peritoneal microenvironment are keenly awaited to develop new therapeutic strategies. Epithelial ovarian cancer stem cell (OCSC) seeding is considered to be a critical component of the peritoneal spread. Using a unique and stepwise process of the OCSC differentiation model may provide insight into the intraperitoneal metastasis. The transcriptome and epigenome of OCSC differentiation were characterized by expression array and MethylCap-Seq. The TCGA, AOCS, and KM-Plotter databases were used to evaluate the association between survival outcomes and the methylation/expression levels of candidate genes in the EOC datasets. The STRING database was used to investigate the protein–protein interaction (PPI) for candidates and their associated genes. The infiltration level of immune cells in EOC patients and the association between clinical outcome and OCSCs differentiation genes were estimated using the TIDE and TIME2.0 algorithms. We established an EOC differentiation model using OCSCs. After an integrated transcriptomics and methylomics analysis of OCSCs differentiation, we revealed that the genes associated with earlier OCSC differentiation were better able to reflect the patient’s outcome. The OCSC differentiation genes were involved in regulating metabolism shift and the suppressive immune microenvironment. High GPD1 expression with high pro-tumorigenic immune cells (M2 macrophage, and cancer associated fibroblast) had worst survival. Moreover, we developed a methylation signature, constituted by GNPDA1, GPD1, GRASP, HOXC11, and MSLN, that may be useful for prognostic prediction in EOC. Our results revealed a novel role of epigenetic plasticity OCSC differentiation and suggested metabolic and immune intervention as a new therapeutic strategy.
Deciphering Pleiotropic Signatures of Regulatory SNPs in Zea mays L. Using Multi-Omics Data and Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Haleem Ataul , Klees Selina , Schmitt Armin Otto , Gültas Mehmet
Published: May 2022

Maize is one of the most widely grown cereals in the world. However, to address the challenges in maize breeding arising from climatic anomalies, there is a need for developing novel strategies to harness the power of multi-omics technologies. In this regard, pleiotropy is an important genetic phenomenon that can be utilized to simultaneously enhance multiple agronomic phenotypes in maize. In addition to pleiotropy, another aspect is the consideration of the regulatory SNPs (rSNPs) that are likely to have causal effects in phenotypic development. By incorporating both aspects in our study, we performed a systematic analysis based on multi-omics data to reveal the novel pleiotropic signatures of rSNPs in a global maize population. For this purpose, we first applied Random Forests and then Markov clustering algorithms to decipher the pleiotropic signatures of rSNPs, based on which hierarchical network models are constructed to elucidate the complex interplay among transcription factors, rSNPs, and phenotypes. The results obtained in our study could help to understand the genetic programs orchestrating multiple phenotypes and thus could provide novel breeding targets for the simultaneous improvement of several agronomic traits.
Serological Response to Three, Four and Five Doses of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Osmanodja Bilgin , Ronicke Simon , Budde Klemens , Jens Annika , Hammett Charlotte , Koch Nadine , Seelow Evelyn , Waiser Johannes , Zukunft Bianca , Bachmann Friederike , Choi Mira , Weber Ulrike , Eberspächer Bettina , Hofmann Jörg , Grunow Fritz , Mikhailov Michael , Liefeldt Lutz , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Halleck Fabian , Schrezenmeier Eva
Published: May 2022

Mortality from COVID-19 among kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is high, and their response to three vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 is strongly impaired. We retrospectively analyzed the serological response of up to five doses of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in KTR from 27 December 2020 until 31 December 2021. Particularly, the influence of the different dose adjustment regimens for mycophenolic acid (MPA) on serological response to fourth vaccination was analyzed. In total, 4277 vaccinations against SARS-CoV-2 in 1478 patients were analyzed. Serological response was 19.5% after 1203 basic immunizations, and increased to 29.4%, 55.6%, and 57.5% in response to 603 third, 250 fourth, and 40 fifth vaccinations, resulting in a cumulative response rate of 88.7%. In patients with calcineurin inhibitor and MPA maintenance immunosuppression, pausing MPA and adding 5 mg prednisolone equivalent before the fourth vaccination increased the serological response rate to 75% in comparison to the no dose adjustment (52%) or dose reduction (46%). Belatacept-treated patients had a response rate of 8.7% (4/46) after three vaccinations and 12.5% (3/25) after four vaccinations. Except for belatacept-treated patients, repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of up to five times effectively induces serological response in kidney transplant recipients. It can be enhanced by pausing MPA at the time of vaccination.
Can Blood Ammonia Level, Prehospital Time, and Return of Spontaneous Circulation Predict Neurological Outcomes of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients? A Nationwide, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nojima Tsuyoshi , Naito Hiromichi , Obara Takafumi , Ageta Kohei , Yakushiji Hiromasa , Yumoto Tetsuya , Fujisaki Noritomo , Nakao Atsunori
Published: May 2022

Background: This study aimed to test if blood ammonia levels at hospital arrival, considering prehospital time and the patient’s condition (whether return of spontaneous circulation [ROSC] was achieved at hospital arrival), can predict neurological outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study on data from a nationwide OHCA registry in Japan. Patients over 17 years old and whose blood ammonia levels had been recorded were included. The primary outcome was favorable neurological outcome at 30 days after OHCA. Blood ammonia levels, prehospital time, and the combination of the two were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve to predict favorable outcomes. Then, cut-off blood ammonia values were determined based on whether ROSC was achieved at hospital arrival. Results: Blood ammonia levels alone were sufficient to predict favorable outcomes. The overall cut-off ammonia value for favorable outcomes was 138 μg/dL; values were different for patients with ROSC (96.5 μg/dL) and those without ROSC (156 μg/dL) at hospital arrival. Conclusions: Our results using patient data from a large OHCA registry showed that blood ammonia levels at hospital arrival can predict neurological outcomes, with different cut-off values for patients with or without ROSC at hospital arrival.
Evaluation of a Dedicated Radiofrequency Carotid PET/MRI Coil
Authors: Aizaz Mueez , van der Pol Jochem A. J. , Wierts Roel , Zwart Hans , van der Werf Abe J. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Bucerius Jan A. , Moonen Rik P. M. , Kooi Marianne Eline
Published: May 2022

Carotid radiofrequency coils inside a PET/MRI system can result in PET quantification errors. We compared the performance of a dedicated PET/MRI carotid coil against a coil for MRI-only use. An 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) phantom was scanned without and with an MRI-only coil and with the PET/MRI coil. The decay-corrected normalized activity was compared for the different coil configurations. Eighteen patients were scanned with the three coil configurations. The maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were calculated. Repeated measures ANOVA was performed to assess the differences in SUVmax and SNR between the coil configurations. In the phantom study, the PET/MRI coil demonstrated a slight decrease (<5%), while the MRI-only coil showed a substantial decrease (up to 10%) in normalized activity at the position of coil elements compared to no dedicated coil configuration. In the patient study, the SUVmax values for both no surface coil (3.59 ± 0.15) and PET/MRI coil (3.54 ± 0.15) were significantly higher (p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively) as compared to the MRI-only coil (3.28 ± 0.16). No significant difference was observed between PET/MRI and no surface coil (p = 1.0). The SNR values for both PET/MRI (7.31 ± 0.44) and MRI-only (7.62 ± 0.42) configurations demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.001) SNR values as compared to the no surface coil (3.78 ± 0.22), while no significant difference was observed in SNR between the PET/MRI and MRI-only coil (p = 1.0). This study demonstrated that the PET/MRI coil can be used for PET imaging without requiring attenuation correction while acquiring high-resolution MR images.
Analgesic and Functional Efficiency of High-Voltage Electrical Stimulation in Patients with Lateral Epicondylitis—A Report with a 180-Day Follow-Up
Authors: Dolibog Paweł T. , Porębska Beata , Grzegorczyn Sławomir , Chmielewska Daria , Ślęzak Andrzej , Dolibog Patrycja
Published: May 2022

The available publications describing the beneficial effects of electrostimulation does not unequivocally confirm the clinical utility of high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES) in the treatment of the lateral epicondylitis (LE). The aim of this study was the estimation of the effect of HVES on pain intensity and functional efficiency, both in the short and long term in patients with LE. The trial was registered by the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12621001389897). There were 58 patients allocated into two groups: the HVES group (n = 29, mean age 49.9 ± 11.0 years), treated with HVES (pulse duration: 200μs, frequency: 100 Hz, current amplitude in the range of 18–25 mA, voltage amplitude: 100 V), and the NORM group (n = 29, mean age 48.0 ± 12.6 years), who were healthy and untreated patients. The treatments were performed 5 days a week (from Monday to Friday) for two weeks. Treatment progress was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) for rest pain, night pain, and pain during activity; the Laitinen Pain Scale (LPS); and hand grip strength (HGS) before and after the treatment, as well as after 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks. The reduction of pain (according to the VAS and LPS) and increase in the functional condition (according to the HGS) were observed in all HVES patients in the short- and long-term observation. Therefore, the HVES in treatment of LE was found to be effective and safe.
Lower Life Satisfaction and Inflammation in African American Adults: Body Adiposity Mediation and Sex Moderation
Authors: Wickrama Kandauda A. S. , Ralston Penny A. , Ilich Jasminka Z.
Published: May 2022

Both lower life satisfaction (LLS) and chronic inflammation are underlying conditions for numerous diseases. We investigated their associations in African American adults, within the context of three hypotheses: (a) perceived LLS will be positively associated with inflammation measured by serum C-reactive protein (CRP); (b) this association will be mediated by body adiposity; and (c) these associations will be moderated by sex. Participants (n = 83; >45 years; 59% women) were a subsample of a larger church-based intervention to reduce cardiovascular risks and were assessed at baseline and after 6 months. Body adiposity (BMI/hip/waist circumferences) was measured by standardized methods and CRP with ELISA. LLS was self-reported. The analyses were conducted in the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework. The direct relationship between LLS and CRP was significant for all participants but was mediated by BMI/hip/waist circumferences. Multi-group SEM analysis provided evidence for sex moderation by showing that the mediating pathway from LLS to CRP through BMI, and to a lesser extent through hip/waist circumferences, was significant only in women. In conclusion, perceived LLS was positively associated with the level of inflammation mediated by BMI/hip/waist circumference, with the association between LLS and CRP being stronger in women. These findings contribute to the current literature untangling mediation/moderation processes in which perceived LLS may contribute to adiposity-related inflammation. They also add to precision medicine development, suggesting that stress and inflammation-reducing interventions should focus on African Americans, particularly women.
Titanium Surface Modification for Implantable Medical Devices with Anti-Bacterial Adhesion Properties
Authors: Celesti Consuelo , Gervasi Teresa , Cicero Nicola , Giofrè Salvatore Vincenzo , Espro Claudia , Piperopoulos Elpida , Gabriele Bartolo , Mancuso Raffaella , Lo Vecchio Giovanna , Iannazzo Daniela
Published: May 2022

Pure titanium and titanium alloys are widely used in dentistry and orthopedics. However, despite their outstanding mechanical and biological properties, implant failure mainly due to post-operative infection still remains a significant concern. The possibility to develop inherent antibacterial medical devices was here investigated by covalently inserting bioactive ammonium salts onto the surface of titanium metal substrates. Titanium discs have been functionalized with quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) and with oleic acid (OA), affording the Ti-AEMAC Ti-GTMAC, Ti-AUTEAB, and Ti-OA samples, which were characterized by ATR-FTIR and SEM-EDX analyses and investigated for the roughness and hydrophilic behavior. The chemical modifications were shown to deeply affect the surface properties of the metal substrates and, as a consequence, their bio-interaction. The bacterial adhesion tests against the Gram-negative Escherichia Coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, at 1.5 and 24 h of bacterial contact, showed good anti-adhesion activity for Ti-AUTEAB and Ti-OA samples, containing a long alkyl chain between the silicon atom and the ammonium functionality. In particular, the Ti-AUTEAB sample showed inhibition of bacteria adhesion against Escherichia Coli of about one log with respect to the other samples, after 1.5 h. The results of this study highlight the importance of chemical functionalization in addressing the antimicrobial activity of metal surfaces and could open new perspectives in the development of inherent antibacterial medical devices.
Competition between Sliding and Peeling of Graphene Nanoribbons under Horizontal Drag
Authors: Li Ruiyang , Xu Fan
Published: May 2022

In the process of graphene nanoribbons’ (GNRs) preparation and measurement, mechanical methods such as lifting and dragging are inevitably used to move GNRs, and manipulation of GNRs using these approaches results in intriguing responses such as peeling and sliding. Understanding the mechanical behaviors of GNRs is crucial for the effective use of mechanical deformation as a tool for the measurement and characteristics of low-dimensional material properties. Here, we explore intricate coupling behaviors of peeling and sliding of GNRs under horizontal drag. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we explore effects of lifting height, dragging velocity, length, and orientation of GNRs on mechanical behaviors. We reveal a competition between sliding and peeling of GNRs under horizontal drag and provide a phase diagram. The peeling behavior is found to be originated from the decrease of sliding velocity caused by the sinking of tail atoms. The results not only advance our insightful understanding of the underlying mechanism of different mechanical responses of GNRs but may also guide the precise manipulations of nano surfaces and interfaces.