bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pak2 is essential for meiotic progression and meiotic apparatus assembly in mouse oocytes
Authors: Zeng Juan , Wang Shiwei , Gao Min , Lu Dian , Liu Lu , Chen Diyu , Fan Weimin , Xu Zhiliang , Sun Xiaofang
Published: September 2022

As a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase, p21-activated kinase 2 (Pak2) participates in diverse biologic events. However, its roles in mouse oocyte meiotic maturation remain unclear. The present study revealed that mouse oocytes depleted of Pak2 were unable to completely progress through meiosis and that a majority were arrested at metaphase I. Pak2 depletion thus prompted MI arrest and induced meiotic apparatus assembly defects in mouse oocytes, in part due to a reduction in polo-like kinase (Plk1). We demonstrated that Pak2’s interaction with Plk1 protected it from degradation by APC/CCdh1, and that it promoted meiotic progression and bipolar spindle formation. Our data collectively display critical functions for Pak2 in meiotic progression and meiotic apparatus assembly in mouse oocytes and may mediate the effects of maternal aging on female reproduction.
Exploring extreme thermodynamics in nanoliter volumes through stimulated Brillouin-Mandelstam scattering
Authors: Geilen Andreas , Popp Alexandra , Das Debayan , Junaid Saher , Poulton Christopher , Chemnitz Mario , Marquardt Christoph , Schmidt Markus , Stiller Birgit
Published: September 2022

Examining the physical properties of materials - particularly of toxic liquids - under a wide range of thermodynamic states is a challenging problem due to the extreme conditions the material has to be exposed to. Such temperature and pressure regimes, which result in a change of refractive index and sound velocity can be accessed by optoacoustic interactions such as Brillouin-Mandelstam scattering. Here we experimentally demonstrate Brillouin-Mandelstam measurements of nanoliter volumes of liquids in extreme thermodynamic regimes. We use a fully-sealed liquid-core optical fiber containing carbon disulfide; within this waveguide, which exhibits tight optoacoustic confinement and a high Brillouin gain of 32.2 ± 0.8 1/(Wm), we are able to conduct spatially resolved measurements of the Brillouin frequency shift. Knowledge of the local Brillouin response enables us to control the temperature and pressure independently over a wide range. We observe and measure the material properties of the liquid core at very large positive pressures (above 1000 bar), substantial negative pressures (below -300 bar) and we explore the isobaric and isochoric regimes.
The extensive thermodynamic control allows the tunability of the Brillouin frequency shift of more than 40% using only minute volumes of liquid. This work opens the way for future studies of liquids under a variety of conventionally hard-to-reach conditions.
Online Education Trajectory during the COVID-19 Pandemic Among the Bangladeshi Adolescent Children
Authors: Sakib Farhan
Published: September 2022

Bangladesh adopted both cutting-edge technology and the pandemic almost simultaneously. Because of this, the government and other groups were able to respond quickly to the evolving situation. Although many sectors, including education, went through a difficult adjustment, the process of adapting was relatively swift. There was an attempt to implement the "New Normal". Teachers and educational institutions modified their methods of instruction. But because of a shortage of resources, it wasn't always advantageous for the students. It may be possible to reduce the vulnerabilities of the online learning that started during the pandemic through strategic ways, including introducing a new policy for a defined amount of time and involving community members. The cooperation of multiple stakeholders will make it easier to identify any potential flaws and difficulties in Bangladesh's online education system. Community members can make sure to be present in every aspect of the online and offline classes, including serving as a channel for parent-teacher communication, keeping up with local administration, and organizing volunteer and social awareness campaigns.
Preference of Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) for weed and cultivated species
Authors: Sacilotto Matheus Gerage , Souza Felipe Savieto Furquim , Baldin Edson Luiz Lopes , Carbonari Caio Antonio , Lourenção André Luiz , Faria Rodrigo Donizeti
Published: September 2022

Being capable of infesting a wide variety of plant species, the whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is responsible for severe losses in numerous agricultural crops. In order to increase knowledge regarding interactions involving B. tabaci MEAM1 and plants associated with agricultural landscapes, the present study sought to identify preferential hosts by comparing 15 different common weed species and five cultivated plants (tomato, bell pepper, soybean, maize and cotton) through free and no-choice tests. Additionally, a possible correlation between physical-morphological plant aspects and insect’s colonization behavior was assessed. Positive correlations were verified between the oviposition index and trichome density, and between the number of adults and b* (yellow intensity) index. Negative correlations were observed between the number of adults and L* and a* (luminosity and green intensity, respectively) indexes. In the free choice test, the species Solanum lycopersicum, Senna obtusifolia, Glycine max, Emilia sonchifolia and Euphorbia heterophylla were the most infested during the mean of the evaluation periods, differing from Spermacoce latifolia, Amaranthus viridis and Richardia brasiliensis, which presented the lowest means of insect infestation. In this same test, S. lycopersicum and E. sonchifolia had the greatest oviposition, differing from most of the species. In the no-choice test, E. heterophylla, Galinsoga parviflora and S. latifolia had the highest means of eggs and nymphs per cm². Our results show evidence of the expressive potential of weed species frequently found in Brazilian agricultural fields, such as E. sonchifolia, S. obtusifolia, and E. heterophylla, as alternative hosts of B. tabaci MEAM1.
Effect of replacing soybean meal (Glycine max) with sesame meal (Sesamum indicum) in fattening lamb’s diets
Authors: Trejo Eleazar Pérez , Montemayor Héctor M. Andrade , Jimenez Lizbeth E Robles , Humarán María Concepción Méndez Gómez , Estrada Elba Orozco , Hernandez Jesús Hernández , VARGAS-BELLO-PEREZ EINAR , Ronquillo Manuel González
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing soybean meal (Gly-cine max) with sesame meal (Sesamum indicum) in fattening lamb’s diets. For this, 44 Katahdin lambs were divided into three treatments in duplicate: basal diet + soybean meal (100S), basal diet + sesame meal / soybean meal (50 / 50SA) and basal diet + sesame meal (100A). Dry matter intake, daily weight gain (DWG), total kg gained (KgT), feed conversion (FC) and feed efficiency (FE) were evaluated, upon reaching the weight for sale, the animals were slaughtered, and hot carcass weight (HCW) was evaluated. The results were analyzed with a completely randomized design with repeated measures. Regarding time, no differences were found between treatments, for DWG (0.171 ± 0.006 kg/d), FC (6.7 ± 0.55), EA (0.175 ± 0.02), KgT (2.86 ± 0.13), RCC (50.97 ± 0.79), as well as for chest depth (26.96 ± 0.33), leg width (20.63 ± 0.028), leg diameter (60.7 ± 0.44), and ribs width (24.05 ± 0.14). Gross profitability margin (MUB) was 16.50%, 18.63%, 19.97% for 100S, 50 / 50SA and 100A respectively. Overall, in fatting lamb diets, replacing soybean meal with sesame meal by either 50% or 100% substitution could be a feasible feeding strategy as in both cases, gross profit was increased, and no negative effects were found for productive traits and carcass quality.
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A promotes mitochondrial fission and regulates autophagy by enhancing MFF succinylation in ovarian cancer
Authors: Shao Huanjie , Zhu Yaqin , Wang Yue , Li Ying , Li Zhongqi , Kong Wenhui , Zhao Xiaoxuan , Chen Shuting , Yan Liting , Wang Lenan , Tong Yunli
Published: September 2022

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles and important for cell growth and proliferation. Dysregulated mitochondrial dynamics are highly associated with the initiation and progression of various cancers, including ovarian cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying mitochondrial dynamics is still unclear and needs to be further studied. Previously, our study showed that Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A) is highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells and promotes the development of ovarian cancer. Here, we found that CPT1A regulates mitochondrial dynamics and promotes mitochondrial fission in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, autophagy induced by CPT1A knockdown was also related to mitochondrial dynamics. Further study showed that CPT1A regulates mitochondrial fission and function through MFF to promote the growth and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Mechanistically, CPT1A promotes succinylation of MFF at lysine 302 (K302), which protects against Parkin-mediated ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of MFF. Finally, the study showed that MFF was highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells and that high MFF expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. MFF inhibition significantly inhibited the progression of ovarian cancer in vivo. Together, CPT1A regulates mitochondrial dynamics through MFF succinylation to promote the progression of ovarian cancer. And MFF is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.
Inhibition of CDK4/6 and BET suppresses pancreatic tumor growth and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition independently of PI3K-AKT by regulating phosphorylation of GSK3β induced Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Gu Jiangning , Chen Xiang , Chen Dan , Duan Qingzhu , Yin Menghong , Qi Wenjing , Peng Chenghong , Chen Hao , Li Ying , Zhu Youwei , Wei Gang , Wang Chenqi , Xu Shiqi , Tan Guang , Wang Xiuli , Luo Haifeng
Published: September 2022

The cyclin-dependent kinases, CDK4 and CDK6 are upregulated in various cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. However, monotherapy with CDK4/6 inhibitors has been unsatisfactory and several oncogenic pathways might be activated. We demonstrated that PD-0332991, an FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitor, moderately suppressed tumor growth and induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the performance of this inhibitor was significantly improved and the EMT partly reversed when bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) was inhibited by JQ1. Mechanistically, CDK4/6 inhibition activated the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway through GSK3β Ser9 phosphorylation. Crosstalk between the TGFβ/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways based on GSK3β was disrupted by JQ1 and levels of active β-catenin were suppressed by regulating the phosphorylation status of GSK3β. The simultaneous inhibition of CDK4/6 and BET synergistically suppressed tumor growthin vitroandin vivo. Moreover, CDK4 and CDK6 negatively correlated with overall survival, and the predictive accuracy of a CDK4/6-based nomogram was higher than that of tumor size, nodes, and metastasis (TNM) classification alone. Our findings provide theoretical evidence for the construction of predictive models and new targets with which to treat pancreatic cancer.
Feasibility of home initiation of subcutaneous apomorphine infusion for patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Zagnoli Fabien , Leblanc Amelie , Viakhireva-Dovganyuk Irina , Delabrousse-Mayoux Jean-Philippe , Pouyet Alain , Ziegler Marc , Sogni Laura , Patat Marie , Bouillot Regis , Verin Marc
Published: September 2022

Background: Continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion (CSAI) is increasingly being used to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing motor fluctuations. However, the need to initiate this treatment during a hospital stay, more often than not in a specialist center, may restrict patients’ access to it. Objective: To assess the feasibility and benefits of initiating CSAI in the patient’s own home. Method: A prospective multicenter longitudinal observational study (APOKADO Study) among patients with Parkinson’s disease who required subcutaneous apomorphine, comparing in-hospital versus home initiation. We assessed patients’ quality of life with the 8-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire, rated the improvement in their clinical status on the 7-point Clinical Global Impression – Improvement scale, recorded adverse events, and ran a cost benefit analysis. Results: Participants were145 patients with motor fluctuations (mean age: 70 years; mean disease duration: 11.1 years). Of these, 106 (74%) were initiated onto CSAI at home, and 38 (26%) in hospital. At inclusion, the two groups were comparable on all demographic and clinical characteristics. Quality of life improved more quickly in the home group than in the hospital one, and the percentages of patients whose clinical status was much or very much improved were also higher. Adverse events and early dropout rates were similar and similarly rare across the two groups. Patients in the home group became more autonomous in managing the device than those in the hospital group, and their care cost less. Conclusion: This study shows that home (versus in-hospital) initiation of CSAI is feasible, improves patients’ quality of life more and more quickly, with a greater clinical benefit and exactly the same level of tolerance. It is also less expensive. This finding should make it easier for patients to access this treatment in the future.
Socioeconomic impacts of Australian redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus in Lake Kariba
Authors: Chakandinakira Adroit Takudzwa , Madzivanzira Takudzwa Comfort , Mashonga Shantel , Muzvondiwa John Vengai , South Josie
Published: September 2022

The rapidly spreading Australian red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus in the Zambezi Basin is a cause for concern considering its potential impacts. The assessment the impacts of C. quadricarinatus critical for the prioritisation of policy and management actions in Africa where literature on impacts of C. quadricarinatus is generally scant. We quantified the socioeconomic impacts conferred by C. quadricarinatus on artisanal gillnetting fishery in Lake Kariba to validate anecdotal fisher reports regarding crayfish damage to fish catch on static gillnets. From the catch assessments with registered fishers, fish catch composition, catch per unit effort (CPUE), crayfish entangled on gillnets CPUE, damaged fish CPUE, and damaged areas were recorded. Basin 2 had significantly higher CPUE with respect to fish catch and crayfish, as well as catch damage than other basins. The damage by crayfish on fish was recorded in all the basins except in Basin 5. Damage was significantly correlated with the abundance of crayfish. The most frequently affected species was Oreochromis niloticus. On all fish species, eyes, guts and the tail were the frequently damaged parts. Due to C. quadricarinatus damage, fishers are losing 212 tonnes per year which translates to US$ 512 352.92 in Lake Kariba. This lost amount is significantly high, considering the total income per household which is mainly contributed by fishing. The lack of damage in Basin 5 is likely due to fishers developing adaptive new techniques which are less likely to be affected by crayfish. This study is the first in Africa to quantify the socio-economic losses due to crayfish in the field, and the first globally to derive observed costs for C. quadricarinatus. Data from this study have huge conservation and management implications, as crayfish threaten food security as well as incur personal losses to fishers via damage-related costs.
Relevance studies between the anteromedial osteophyte and anteromedial impingement of the ankle in chronic lateral ankle instability.
Authors: Zhang Jieyuan , Li Xueqian , Fu Shaoling , Wang Cheng , Mei Guohua , Su Yan , Xue Jianfeng , Zou Jian , Yang Kai , Shi Zhongmin
Published: September 2022

PurposeThe aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between anteromedial ankle osteophytes (AMAO) and anteromedial ankle impingement (AMAI) in chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) through visualization and quantification.MethodsForty-three patients with unilateral CLAI between September 2018 and March 2020 accepted arthroscopic repair of an anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and were split into two groups: AMAI (AMAI including intraoperative AMAO resection) and pure CLAI (with AMAO but without AMAI, no AMAO resection). The AMAO protrusion lengths in each direction were measured and compared after all of the ankles were reconstructed. All patients were assessed preoperatively and at 2-year follow-up with ankle dorsiflexion, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score.ResultsIntelligent analysis showed that a large extent of osteophytes was found at the dorsomedial surface of the talar neck in AMAI group. The upper and inner bound protrusion distances of AMAO in AMAI group were greater than in the pure CLAI group. There was no significant difference in anterior bound protrusion distance of AMAO between the two groups. Preoperatively, the ankle dorsiflexion of AMAI group (7.6 ± 1.4°) was considerably lower than that of pure CLAI group (22.4 ± 1.9°) (p༜0.001). When compared to the pure CLAI group, the AMAI group had a substantially lower AOFAS score (62.2 ± 6.7 vs 71.1 ± 9.1; p༜0.001) and VAS score (6.0 ± 1.0 vs 4.9 ± 0.8; p༜0.05). However, there was no significant difference in postoperative ankle dorsiflexion, AOFAS score, or VAS score between the two groups.ConclusionAMAO is formed mostly on the dorsomedial surface of the talar neck in CLAI with AMAI, and the upper and inner bound protrusion lengths of AMAO were shown to be significantly correlated with the existence of AMAI in CLAI.Level of evidence IV.
Staphylococcus aureus in cow milk and milk products in Ambo and Bako towns, Oromia, Ethiopia: Prevalence, associated risk factors, hygienic quality, and antibiogram
Authors: Borena Bizunesh Mideksa , Gurmessa Feyera Tesema , Gebremedhin Endrias Zewdu , Sarba Edilu Jorga , Marami Lencho Megersa
Published: September 2022

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the foodborne gram-positive bacterial pathogens that cause staphylococcal food poisoning worldwide and can contaminate foods of animal origin. The current study was conducted in Ambo and Bako towns, Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence, associated risk factors, hygienic quality, and antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in cow’s raw milk and milk products.Results: The overall prevalence of S. aureus from milk and milk products was 15.6% (94/601) with the highest prevalence detected in bulk tank raw milk at 17.50% (14/80) and the lowest in ‘Ergo’ at 13.11% (8/61). Age of cows, previous history of treatment, stage of lactation, udder washing, use of towel for individual cow, tick infestation, hygiene of the milker and utensils, and use of disinfectant were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05) risk factors for S. aureus isolation at the individual cow level. Accordingly, a higher probability of getting infected with S. aureus was detected in cows aged 5 years old, crossbreeds, had a history of previous treatment, mid-lactation stage, no udder washing practiced, no individual towel used, tick infestation, and poor milking hygiene. Personnel hygiene, container hygiene, and use of disinfectants were the major risk factors that had a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with bulk tank milk contamination with S. aureus. The maximum S. aureus counts at the farm and restaurant levels were 1.92x104 CFU/mL and 1.86x104 CFU/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial susceptibility test showed a higher resistance of S. aureus against amoxicillin (98.48%), oxacillin (98.48%), ampicillin (98.48%), cefoxitin (92.42%), and tetracycline (83.33%), of which 43.94% of isolates showed multidrug resistance. The high prevalence of oxacillin and cefoxitin-resistant isolates, which is indicative of the existence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), was also detected in the current study.Conclusion: Higher prevalence of S. aureus and the multidrug-resistant isolates in milk and milk products is detected in study areas. Therefore, to make milk and milk products safe for human consumption, hygienic handling of milk and milk products, regular surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, and prudent use of drugs are suggested.
The Influence of the Tool Tilt Angle on the Heat Generation and the Material Behavior in Friction Stir Welding (FSW)
Authors: Meyghani Bahman , Awang Mokhtar
Published: September 2022

In practical FSW, tool tilt angle plays a significant role in enhancing the weld quality due to the generated forging force in the trailing side. For thermomechanical analysis of FSW, most models did not consider the tool tilt angle or used a simplified assumption, which caused the inconsistence with the practical cases due to inappropriate treatment of the tool/workpiece contact conditions. To improve the accuracy of numerical simulation of FSW process, the tool tilt angle must be considered. In this study, specific considerations for mechanical boundary conditions in Eulerian domain is employed to investigate the tool tilt angle influence on the thermomechanical behavior in FSW. Aluminum 6061-T6 with the thickness of 6 mm under the rotational speed of 800 RPM, the transverse speed of 120 mm/min and the plunging depth of 0.1 mm were employed for the simulations. Results showed an almost symmetric temperature profile predicted by the model without considering the tool tilt angle, while after incorporating the tool tilt angle, the peak temperature point is moved to the tool backside, resulting in better material bonding, enhancing the weld joint quality. Without accounting for the tool tilt angle the highest temperature of 389°C is observed, while with the tilt angle the maximum temperature of 413°C is achieved. The temperature variations at different points of the leading and the trailing sides of the welding tool were measured. It was observed that, after considering the tilt angle, as the tool moves, a smooth and quick increase for the temperature at the tool leading side achieves. This smooth and quick increasing of the temperature at the leading side results in reducing the possibility of the formation of defects, cracks and voids. Finally, comparisons showed that the model computational time is acceptable and using Eulerian formulation leads to achieving a remarkable accuracy.
Efficiancy of HEPA-filtered extra oral suction unit on aerosols during prosthetic dental preparation
Authors: DERMIRKOL Nermin , KARAGOZOGLU Irem , KOCER Ipek KULEKCI
Published: September 2022

Objectives: Aerosols formed during dental treatments have a great risk for the spread of bacteria and viruses. The aim of this study is to determine in which part of the working area and at what size aerosol is formed and to ensure more effective use of HEPA-filtered devices. Materials and Methods: Anterior tooth preparation was performed by one dentist with one patient. Particle measurements were made using an airborne particle counter and were taken at four different locations; chest of patient, chest of dentist, center of the room and near the window. Three groups were determined for the study; Group 1: measurement in a 24-hour ventilated room (before the tooth preparation, empty room), Group 2: measurement with the use of saliva ejector (SE), Group 3: measurement with the use of saliva ejector and HEPA-filtered extra oral suction (HEOS) unit.Results: The particles generated during tooth preparation were separated according to their sizes, the concentration in different locations of the room and the efficiency of the HEOS unit was examined.Conclusions: The present study showed that as the particle size increases, the rate of spread away from the dentist working area decreases. Hepa-filtered extra oral suction unit is more effective on particles smaller than 0.5 micron. Therefore, infection control methods should be arranged according to these results.Clinical Relevance: The effective and accurate use of HEPA-filtered devices in clinics significantly reduces the spread of bacterial and viral infections and cross-infection.
Different effects of gellan gum and agar on change in root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana by polyploidization: the key role of aluminum
Authors: Kikuchi Suzuka , Horiuchi Arisa , Nishimoto Yuko , Iwamoto Akitoshi
Published: September 2022

Purpose
Agar and gellan gum have been considered to have different effects on polyploidy-dependent growth in plants. We aim to demonstrate that agar and gellan gum differently affect the change in root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana by polyploidization and examined the physico-chemical parameters in each gelling agent to elucidate key factors that caused the differences.
Methods
Each polyploid strain was cultured vertically on agar and gellan gum solidified medium under fixed conditions. Root elongation rate was measured during 4–10 days after sowing. Water potential, gel hardness, and trace elements of each medium were quantified. Subsequently, the physical properties of agar medium were altered and aluminum was added to identify the factor important for change in growth by polyploidization.
Results
Agar promoted root elongation of polyploids more than the gellan gum. Water potential and gel hardness of agar medium were significantly higher than those of gellan gum medium. Lower water potential and gel hardness of agar medium did not affect the effects on change in polyploidy-dependent growth. Elemental analysis showed that gellan gum contained more aluminum than agar. When the polyploids were grown on agar media with additional aluminum, root elongation in tetraploids and octoploids was significantly suppressed.
Conclusion
This study revealed that agar and gellan gum affect the change in growth of root elongation in A. thaliana by polyploidization in different ways. The different effects on change in polyploidy-dependent growth is partially caused by aluminum in the gellan gum, which may be due to cell wall composition of polyploids.
aRDG analysis of asphaltene molecular viscosity and aggregation behaviors based on NEMD simulation
Authors: Lin Qunchao , Deng Lei , Dong Ge , Tang Xianqiong , Li Wei , Long Zhengwu , You Lingyun , Xu Fu
Published: September 2022

Understanding the noncovalent (weak) interactions between asphaltene molecules is the key to further comprehending the viscosity and aggregation behavior of asphaltenes. In the past, intermolecular interactions were characterized indirectly by calculating the radial distribution function and the numerical distribution of distances/angles between atoms, which are far less intuitive than the average reduced density gradient (aRDG) method. This study selected three representative asphaltene molecules (AsphalteneO, AsphalteneT, and AsphalteneY) to investigate the relationship between viscosity and weak intermolecular interactions. Firstly, a non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulation was employed to calculate the shear viscosities of these molecules and analyze their aggregation behaviors. In addition, the types of weak intermolecular interactions of asphaltene were visualized by the aRDG method. Finally, the stability of the weak intermolecular interactions was analyzed by the thermal fluctuation index (TFI). The results indicate that AsphalteneY has the highest viscosity. The aggregation behavior of AsphalteneO is mainly face-to-face stacking, while AsphalteneT and AsphalteneY associate mainly via offset stacking and T-shaped stacking. According to the aRDG analysis, the weak interactions between AshalteneT molecules are similar to those between AshalteneO molecules, mainly due to van der Waals interactions and steric hindrance effects. At the same time, there is a strong attraction between AsphalteneY molecules. Additionally, the results of the TFI analysis show that the weak intermolecular interactions of the three types of asphaltene molecules are relatively stable and not significantly affected by thermal motion. Our results provide a new method for better understanding asphaltene molecules' viscosity and aggregation behavior.
Association between handgrip strength and heart failure in adults aged 45 years and older from NHANES 2011-2014
Authors: Li Run-Min , Dai Guo-Hua , Guan Hui , Gao Wu-Lin , Ren Li-Li , Wang Xing-Meng , Qu Hui-Wen
Published: September 2022

Background
Growing evidence indicates that handgrip strength (HGS) is a conspicuous marker for assessing some diseases affecting middle-aged and elderly individuals. However, research regarding HGS and heart failure (HF) is sparse and controversial. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between HGS and HF among adults aged 45 years and older in the United States.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, we included 4880 adults older than 45 years who were part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2014). A general linear model was used to estimate the association between HGS and HF. Age, gender, race, income level, education level, body mass index level, smoking status, drinking status, diabetes, hypertension and stroke covariates were adjusted using a multiple regression model. And further subgroup analysis was conducted.
Results
We documented 206 cases of HF, including 112 men and 94 women. HGS was negatively associated with HF after adjusting for all the covariates (odds ratio = 0.97, 95% confidence interval = 0.96, 0.98; P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quintile, the highest quintile was associated with an 83% lower incidence of HF (odds ratio = 0.17, 95% confidence interval = 0.07, 0.40; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the results remained stable.
Conclusions
In US adults older than 45, HGS level was an independent negative correlation with the incidence of HF after adjusting for covariates. Based on our findings, HGS may be a marker for predicting HF in middle-aged and elderly individuals.
Groundwater Sustainability under Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes
Authors: Mohsenifard Mehrasa , Koupai Jahangir Abedi , Shokri Ali
Published: September 2022

In recent decades, agricultural activities have increased water withdrawals from the Shazand Plain in the Markazi Province (Iran). In this study, the Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was used to estimate recharge content as an essential component of groundwater models. MODFLOW2000 in the GMS10.5 software was used for groundwater modeling, and the extent of land use change in the Shazand Plain was investigated. The results showed that the agricultural sector allocated the largest change with an 18% increase. During 2009–2016, the water table declined by 5 m due to the decrease in recharge and the increase in exploitation. Therefore, the management scenarios of removal of irrigated crops, optimization of cultivated area, and reduction of the cultivated area by 10, 20, and 30% were applied. The results showed 3, 0.28, 0.49, 1, and 1.5 m increases in the water table at the end of the 7-year study period.
WITHDRAWN: Biological nitrogen fixation in field pea and vetch: contribution from above and belowground structures to the partial N balance.
Authors: Kehoe Esteban , Rubio Gerardo , Salvagiotti Fernando
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The inclusion of winter legumes during fallow periods allows the addition of N to the system through biological N fixation (BNF), which will depend on management practices and crop species (for grain production or a cover crop). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the BNF and biomass and N accumulation in pea and vetch crops growing under field conditions and to study the impact of including belowground structures in the partial N balance of both crops.
Methods
Biomass, BNF and N uptake, including belowground structures (determined in field monoliths to 0.3m depth), were quantified in a two-year field study evaluating two genotypes (semi-leafless and conventional-leaved) in field pea, and contrasting sowing dates in vetch.
Results
Belowground BNF inputs improved the partial N balances and averaged 1 and 4 kg N ha− 1 in field pea and vetch, respectively. The partial N balance in field pea was negative in most cases (average − 7 kg N ha− 1), determined to a greater extent by a high NHI, while in vetch net N inputs increased with the delay of sowing date (from 60 to 295 kg N ha− 1).
Conclusions
In field pea, the different genotypes exerted minor effects on biomass and %Ndfa, whereas in vetch sowing dates had a strong impact on these variables. BNF-derived N at full bloom in vetch proved to be higher when delaying sowing dates, despite plants reaching lower total biomass with a higher partial N balance.
Patterns of Early Myelination Identify Functionally Relevant Brain Networks
Authors: Deoni Sean CL , Bruchhage Muriel , Dean Douglas , D’Sa Viren , Schnieder Nora
Published: September 2022

Myelination of the brain’s white and cortical gray matter is a critical neurodevelopmental process that underpins efficient brain messaging and communication and, accordingly, contributes to the development and refinement of cognitive skills and abilities. While this is conceptually supported by the concurrent timelines of myelination derived from histological assays and cognitive development from behavioral studies, in vivo demonstration of myelin-cognitive associations across human infancy and childhood is limited. From histological studies, myelination proceeds in a known and characteristic caudal-cranial and posterior-to-anterior arc, driven by the increasingly coherent synaptic activity associated with emerging cognitive and behavioral functions. Patterns of myelination, therefore, may intrinsically inform on the rate and sequence of these developing skills and abilities, as well as the brain regions that contribute to them. In this work, we used longitudinal and myelin-sensitive MRI measures from a large cohort of neurotypical children to examine patterns of myelination throughout the brain and link these patterns to concurrently evolving motor, visual, and language skills. Results revealed a core system of central brain regions that contributed broadly across cognitive domains as well as individual and domain-specific regions that align with known functional specialization. These results provide important new insight into the sequence of emerging skills and the underlying myeloarchitectural changes that support them. This information provides context and reference for how early alterations may affect cognitive outcomes depending on their timing and anatomical location.
Ferroptosis Related Gene Signature in T Cell-Mediated Rejection After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Zhang Weixun , Gong Lian , Zhang Di , Hu Xiaopeng
Published: September 2022

Background
T cell-mediated rejection is an important factor affecting early transplant kidney survival. Ferroptosis has been shown to play a pathogenic role in a variety of diseases, which was not reported in TCMR. Here we developed a model for assessing activation of ferroptosis-related genes in TCMR to find a better screening method and explore the contribution of ferroptosis in TCMR.
Methods
We performed unsupervised consensus clustering according to expression of ferroptosis-related genes based on RNA-seq data from kidney transplant biopsies, and developed an assessment model characterized by ferroptosis gene expression through PCA, which was evaluated in multiple external datasets as well as blood and urine samples. Pathway enrichment and immune cell infiltration analysis were used to explore the possible targets and pathways involved in ferroptosis and TCMR.
Results
A ferroptosis gene expression scoring model was established. The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of TCMR in renal biopsy samples were both over 80%, AUC = 0.843, and AUC was around 0.8 in multi-dataset validation, and was also close to 0.7 in blood and urine samples, while in predicting of graft survival at 3 years, scoring model had a good prognostic effect as well. Pathway enrichment and PPI network speculated that TLR4, CD44, IFNG, etc. may be the key genes of ferroptosis in TCMR.
Conclusions
Ferroptosis scoring model could better diagnose TCMR and predict graft loss, and could be used as a potential screening method in blood and urine samples. We speculate that ferroptosis plays an important role in TCMR.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Kenaf/Carbon Hybrid Composites
Authors: Malik Khurshid , Ahmad Faiz , Yunus Nurul Azhani , Gunister Ebru
Published: September 2022

This research article studied the manufacturing of bi-directional kenaf fabric reinforced epoxy composites hybridized with carbon fabrics in various stacking sequences and the effect of hybridization on these composites' physical and mechanical properties. Pure and hybrid composites were fabricated utilizing the vacuum-assisted resin infusion method. The hybridization of 16 vol. % carbon fabrics increased the density of pure kenaf/epoxy composites by around 5%. The mechanical performance of kenaf/epoxy composites improved by changing the fiber volume fraction and stacking sequence of carbon fabrics in the hybrid composites. Approximately 16 vol. % carbon fiber volume fractions in hybrid composites improved the tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear performance of kenaf/epoxy composites up to 400%, 268.8%, and 281%, respectively. The stacking sequence affected the tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear, water absorption, and fracture toughness performance. The highest tensile strength and modulus were shown by hybrid KC2 among all tested hybrid composites. Hybrid KC4 had higher flexural strength, flexural modulus, interlaminar shear strength and lower water absorption and thickness swelling. The highest fracture toughness can be achieved using the KC1 (Ft) hybrid. As a result, carbon fabrics can be used as a skin layer in various stacking sequences with kenaf fabrics in epoxy composites, depending on the targeted structural application.
Teriflunomide Promotes Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity by Upregulating Claudin-1 via the Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Yipeng Zhao , Chen Chen , Xiuqing Xiao , Ling Fang , Yanyu Chang , Xi Cheng , Fuhua Peng , Jingqi Wang , Shishi Shen , Shilin Wu , Wei Cai , Wei Qiu
Published: September 2022

Background：The blood-brain barrier (BBB) and tight junction (TJ) proteins maintain the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). The dysfunction of BBB allows peripheral T cells infiltration into CNS and contributes to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Teriflunomide is an approved drug for the treatment of MS by suppressing lymphocytes proliferation. However, whether teriflunomide has a protective effect on BBB in MS is not understood.Methods：The analysis of MS patient samples, experiment autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model and BBB cell models were performed to evaluate the function of teriflunomide on BBB. The promotion of teriflunomide on TJ proteins was assessed by qPCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurement and NaF transmittance. After RNA sequencing, downstream signaling pathway were screened and verified using agonists, inhibitors and gene knockdown. The protective effect of teriflunomide-regulated pathway on BBB was further examined in EAE model. Results：Teriflunomide restored the injured BBB in EAE model. Furthermore, teriflunomide treatment over six months improved BBB permeability and reduced peripheral leakage of CNS proteins in MS patients. Teriflunomide increased human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) viability and promoted BBB integrity in an in vitro cell model. The TJ protein claudin-1 was upregulated by teriflunomide and responsible for the protective effect on BBB. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that the Wnt signaling pathway was affected by teriflunomide. The activation of Wnt signaling pathway increased claudin-1 expression and reduced BBB damage in cell model and EAE rats.Conclusion：Our study demonstrated that teriflunomide upregulated the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 in endothelial cells, and promoted the integrity of BBB through Wnt signaling pathway.
Electronic and optical properties of the buckled and puckered phases of phosphorene and arsenene
Authors: Hernandez Jose Mario Galicia , Fernandez-Escamilla H. N. , Guerrero-Sanchez J. , Takeuchi Noboru
Published: September 2022

Using first-principles calculations, we have investigated the structural, electronic, and optical properties of phosphorene and arsenene, group V two-dimensional materials. Phosphorene and arsenene are not planar monolayers; the most common structures were considered for each system: puckered and buckled. All four monolayers have a bandgap from near-infrared to the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum, as evidenced by the GW approach. The band gap values are in good agreement with experimental measurements. On the other hand, the study of optical properties relies on analyzing the dielectric function imaginary part, which was obtained using the Bethe-Salpeter approach. Results indicate strong exciton binding energies, as in other 2D monolayers. Our study points to the possibility of using these materials in electronic and optoelectronic devices working with visible light.
Submarine paleoseismology in the Japan Trench of northeastern Japan: turbidite stratigraphy and sedimentology using paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic analyses
Authors: Kanamatsu Toshiya , Ikehara Ken , Hsiung Kan-Hsi
Published: September 2022

Previous studies on sediment recovered from the Japan Trench document distinctive turbidite beds induced by huge earthquakes along the Japan Trench and their wide occurrences in area of 37°25’- 38°30’N. We studied two sedimentary cores at 39°N in order to investigate the depositional earthquake record in the further spatio-extened areas of the Japan Trench. We examined specifically the precise stratigraphy of turbidite beds using paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV), and a tephra correlation. Additionally, anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) was investigated to understand the depositional conditions of each turbidite bed. The inferred ages of turbidite beds in this study closely approximate their earlier reported, which are correlated to the historical and pre-historical huge earthquakes off Tohoku, northeastern Japan. The paleo current directions during deposition of turbidite are inferred from their grain alignment based on AMS data. The directions of basal part reveal northeastward in the slope-side basin and north-northeast in oceanward basin. The directions of basal and upper thick muddy part of a turbidite bed are not always consistent, which suggests the hydraulic condition in the narrow elongated deep-sea basin. This fact could be essential information to elucidate a unique hydraulic condition during the turbidite deposition in the confined basin in the Japan Trench basin.
A Deep Transcriptome Meta-Analysis Reveals Sex Differences in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Català-Senent José Francisco , Andreu Zoraida , Hidalgo Marta R. , Roig Francisco José , Yanguas-Casás Natalia , Neva-Alejo Almudena , López-Cerdán Adolfo , Soler-Sáez Irene , Iglesia-Vayá María de la , Stranger Barbara E. , Garcia Francisco Garcia
Published: September 2022

Background:Multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic auto-immune, inflammatory, and degenerative disease of the central nervous system, affects both males and females; however, females suffer from a higher risk of developing MS (2-3:1 ratio relative to males). The precise sex-based factors influencing risk of MS are currently unknown. Here, we explore the role of sex in MS to identify molecular mechanisms underlying observed MS sex differences that may guide novel therapeutic approaches tailored for males or females.Methods:We performed a rigorous and systematic review of genome-wide transcriptome studies of MS that included patient sex data in the Gene Expression Omnibus and ArrayExpress databases following PRISMA statement guidelines. We analyzed differential gene expression for each selected study and performed 3 meta-analyses to evaluate common features and sex bias: the first meta-analysis of 4 neurologic tissue studies, a second in 5 blood studies, and a third integrating 9 studies from both tissues. Finally, we performed a gene set analysis on the meta-analyzed differential transcriptomic profiles of the nervous system to characterize sex differences in biological pathways and phenotypes (physiological and pathological states).Results:After screening 122 publications, the systematic review provided a selection of 9 studies (5 in blood and 4 in neurologic tissue) with a total of 474 samples (189 females with MS and 109 control females; 82 males with MS and 94 control males). Blood and nervous tissue meta-analyses identified, respectively, 1 (KIR2DL3) and 13 (ARL17B, CECR7, CEP78, IFFO2, LOC401127, NUDT18, RNF10, SLC17A5, STMP1, TRAF3IP2-AS1, UBXN2B, ZNF117, ZNF488) MS-associated genes that differed between males and females. The combined-tissue meta-analysis highlighted a single RNA gene (LOC102723701) altered according to sex in MS patients. Functional analyses revealed different altered immune patterns in females and males. A pro-inflammatory environment and innate immune responses related to myeloid linage predominate in females, while in males, adaptive responses associated with the lymphocyte linage. Additionally, females with MS displayed alterations in mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, purine, and glutamate metabolism, while MS males displayed alterations in stress response to metal ion, amine, and amino acid transport.Conclusion:We found transcriptomic and functional differences between MS males and females (especially in the immune system), which may support the development of sex-specific treatments. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the role of biological sex in MS.
Microbiome Revel the Effects of Biogas Fertilizer on Soil Microbial Community Structure and Diversity in Perennial Apple Orchards
Authors: cong Han , ZhongXing Zhang , YanLong Gao , Jiao Cheng , YanXiu Wang
Published: September 2022

Fruit trees are perennial crops that grow in one place for whole life, all of this leads to deteriorate of soil and decline of fruit quality and yield. Microbial diversity and structure are important soil factors affecting stress-resistance and quality of fruit trees. Biogas fertilizer plays an important role in improving resistance and quality. Whether and how it can improve the microbial structure of orchard need to be discovered. In order to study the effects of biogas fertilizer on orchard soil microbial diversity and community structure in rainfed loess plateau of China, 7-year-old Fuji apple orchard was used as material, and biogas fertilizer was applied continuously for three years. Results showed that fruit quality and soil microbial community structure were significantly improved after applying biogas fertilizer.