bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peran Profitabilitas Sebagai Variabel Intervening dalam Menentukan Struktur Modal
Authors: Puspitasari Elen , Sudiyatno Bambang , Irsyad Moch , Irawati Sefiana
Published: July 2022

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine profitability as an intervening variable in influencing the capital structure. This research conducted at mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2015-2018, with the sampling method using purposive sampling. The data used is panel data, which is a combination of time series and cross section data. Data analysis performed using path analysis. The analysis results show that liquidity a negative effect, while business risk a positive effect on profitability. However, the asset structure and company size dont effect on profitability. Liquidity and firm size a positive effect, while profitability a negative effect on capital structure. However, asset structure and business risk dont effect on capital structure.Keywords: Asset Structure; Business Risk; Capital Structure; Firm Size; Liquidity; ProfitabilityAbstrak : Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menguji profitabilitas sebagai variabel intervening dalam mempengaruhi struktur modal. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada perusahaan pertambangan yang terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia periode 2015 2018, dengan metode pengambilan sampel menggunakan purposive sampling. Data yang digunakan adalah data panel, yang merupakan gabungan dari data time series dan cross section. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan analisis jalur. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa likuiditas berpengaruh negatif, sedangkan risiko bisnis berpengaruh positif terhadap profitabilitas. Namun struktur aset dan ukuran perusahaan tidak berpengaruh terhadap profitabilitas. Likuiditas dan ukuran perusahaan berpengaruh positif, sedangkan profitabilitas berpengaruh negative terhadap struktur modal. Namun struktur aset dan risiko bisnis tidak berpengaruh terhadap struktur modal. Hasil uji Sobel menunjukkan bahwa profitabilitas memediasi hubungan antara risiko bisnis dengan struktur modal. Kata Kunci : Likuiditas; Profitabilitas; Risiko Bisnis; Struktur Aset; Struktur Modal; Ukuran Perusahaan
Comparisons of Metastatic Patterns, Survival Outcomes and Tumor Immune Microenvironment Between Young and Non-Young Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Sun Hengwen , Huang Wei , Ji Fei , Pan Yi , Yang Lu
Published: July 2022

Background: Metastases are the main cause of breast cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer has a more aggressive phenotype and less favorable prognosis in young females than in older females. In this study, we aimed to compare the metastatic patterns, survival outcomes and tumor immune microenvironment of young and non-young breast cancer patients.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2010 and 2015. The significance of young age (≤40 years) in the metastatic profile and prognosis of breast cancer was investigated. The transciptome expression data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. And the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and primarily enriched function pathways were identified by comparing between young and non-young breast cancer samples, and tumor immune infiltrating cell types in the tumor microenvironment were compared.

Results: A total of 281,829 female breast cancer patients were included in SEER: 18,331 young (6.5%) and 263,498 non-young (93.5%) women. The metastatic rates of bone, liver and distant lymph nodes (DLNs) in the young cohort were significantly higher than those in the non-young cohort. The most frequent two-site metastatic combination was bone and liver (0.61%) in the young cohort, whereas it was bone and lung (0.32%) in the non-young cohort. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) was significantly shortened among those in the young cohort compared with those in the non-young cohort (p < 0.001). Young age was associated with significantly shorter BCSS only among patients with HR+/HER2- tumors (p < 0.001). The enriched biological pathways based on DEGs between two cohorts were related to the regulation of immune response and several metabolic processes. M2 macrophages were significantly abundant in non-young breast cancer than young breast cancer.

Conclusion: Young and non-young breast cancer patients present with different metastatic patterns. Young age is a negative prognostic factor, particularly for HR+/HER2- breast cancer. The differences in metastatic patterns between young and non-young cohorts should be taken into account in the clinical management of metastatic breast cancer. The young breast cancer patients may gain better response to immunotherapy due to immune activated TME than non-young breast cancer.
Moonlighting at the Poles: Non-Canonical Functions of Centrosomes
Authors: Langlois-Lemay Laurence , D’Amours Damien
Published: July 2022

Centrosomes are best known as the microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) of eukaryotic cells. In addition to their classic role in chromosome segregation, centrosomes play diverse roles unrelated to their MTOC activity during cell proliferation and quiescence. Metazoan centrosomes and their functional doppelgängers from lower eukaryotes, the spindle pole bodies (SPBs), act as important structural platforms that orchestrate signaling events essential for cell cycle progression, cellular responses to DNA damage, sensory reception and cell homeostasis. Here, we provide a critical overview of the unconventional and often overlooked roles of centrosomes/SPBs in the life cycle of eukaryotic cells.
Conceptual DFT, QTAIM, and Molecular Docking Approaches to Characterize the T-Type Calcium Channel Blocker Anandamide
Authors: Rangel-Galván Maricruz , Castro María Eugenia , Perez-Aguilar Jose Manuel , Caballero Norma A. , Melendez Francisco J.
Published: July 2022

The anandamide is a relevant ligand due to its capacity of interacting with several proteins, including the T-type calcium channels, which play an important role in neuropathic pain and depression disorders. Hence, a detailed characterization of the chemical properties and conformational stability of anandamide may provide valuable information to understand its behavior in a biological context. Herein, conceptual DFT and QTAIM analyses were performed to theoretically characterize the chemical reactivity properties and the structural stability of conformations of anandamide, using the BP86/cc-pVTZ level of theory. Global reactivity description, based on conceptual DFT, indicates that the hardness increases and the electrophilicity index decreases for both, the hairpin and U-shape conformers relative to the extended conformers. Also, an increase in the chemical potential value and a decrease in the electronegativity and the electrophilicity index is observed in the ethanolamide open ring conformers in comparison with the corresponding closed ring structures. In addition, regarding the characterization of local reactivity descriptors, the maximum values of the Fukui and Parr functions indicate that the most probable location for a nucleophilic attack is either the hydroxyl oxygen located in the ethanolamide closed ring conformers or the carbonyl oxygen present in the open ring conformers. The most probable location for an electrophilic attack is in the alkyl double bond region in all anandamide conformers. According to the QTAIM results, the intramolecular hydrogen bond formation stabilizing the structure of anandamide has interaction energy values for the closed ring conformations of 12.33–12.46 kcal mol−1, indicating a strong interaction. Lastly, molecular docking calculations determined that a region in the pore, denominate as pore-blocking, is a probable site for the interaction of anandamide with the human Cav3.2 isoform of the T-type calcium channel family. The pore-blocking site contains hydrophobic residues where the non-polar part in the final alkyl region of anandamide established mainly alkyl-alkyl interactions, while the polar part (the ethanolamide group) interacts with the polar residue S900. The information based on conceptual DFT presented may aid in the design of drugs with similar chemical characteristics as those identified in anandamide so as to bind anandamide-interacting proteins, including the T-type calcium channels.
Performance of a Mid-Infrared Sensor for Simultaneous Trace Detection of Atmospheric CO and N2O Based on PSO-KELM
Authors: Li Guolin , Zhang Zecheng , Zhang Xuena , Wu Yunhui , Ma Kun , Jiao Yue , Zhao Hao , Song Yimeng , Liu Yajing , Zhai Shenqiang
Published: July 2022

In this article, a field deployable sensor was developed using a self-developed 4.58-µm continuous wave quantum cascade laser (CW-QCL) for the simultaneous detection of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrous oxide (N2O), both of which have strong fundamental absorption bands in this waveband. The sensor is based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) technology, which combined a multi-pass gas cell (MPGC) with a 41 m optical path length to achieve high-precision detection. Meanwhile, the particle swarm optimization-kernel extreme learning machine (PSO-KELM) algorithm was applied for CO and N2O concentration prediction. In addition, the self-designed board-level QCL driver circuit and harmonic signal demodulation circuit reduce the sensor cost and size. A series of validation experiments were conducted to verify the sensor performance, and experiments showed that the concentration prediction results of the PSO-KELM algorithm are better than those of the commonly used back propagation (BP) neural networks and partial least regression (PLS), with the smallest root mean square error (RMSE) and linear correlation coefficient closest to 1, which improves the detection precision of the sensor. The limit of detection (LoD) was assessed to be 0.25 parts per billion (ppb) for CO and 0.27 ppb for N2O at the averaging time of 24 and 38 s. Field deployment of the sensor was reported for simultaneous detection of CO and N2O in the air.
An overview on the green synthesis and removal methods of pyridaben
Authors: Chen Lingzhu , Pan Mengyuan , Hu Deyu
Published: July 2022

Pyridaben is an acaricide widely used around the world to control phytophagous mites, white flies, aphids, and thrips. It is highly toxic to nontarget organisms such as predatory mites, bees, and fishes. Therefore, the occurrence and removal of pyridaben in food and the environment are worthy of concern. This mini-review focuses on pyridaben residue levels in crops, aquatic systems, and soils, as well as the green synthesis and removal of pyridaben. During the period of 2010–2022, pyridaben was reported in monitoring studies on fruits, vegetables, herbs, bee products, aquatic systems, and soils. Vegetable and agricultural soil samples exhibited the highest detection rates and residue levels. One-pot synthesis offers a green chemistry and sustainable alternative for the synthesis of pyridaben. Among traditional home treatments, peeling is the most effective way to remove pyridaben from crops. Magnetic solid-phase extraction technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the adsorption and separation of pyridaben. Photocatalytic methods using TiO2 as a catalyst were developed as advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of pyridaben in aqueous solutions. Current gaps in pyridaben removal were proposed to provide future development directions for minimizing the exposure risk of pyridaben residues to human and nontarget organisms.
De Novo Transcriptome Assembly and Analysis of the Flat Oyster Pathogenic Protozoa Bonamia Ostreae
Authors: Chevignon Germain , Dotto-Maurel Aurélie , Serpin Delphine , Chollet Bruno , Arzul Isabelle
Published: July 2022

The flat oyster Ostrea edulis is an oyster species native to Europe. It has declined to functional extinction in many areas of the NE Atlantic for several decades. Factors explaining this decline include over-exploitation of natural populations and diseases like bonamiosis, regulated across both the EU and the wider world and caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite Bonamia ostreae. To date, very limited sequence data are available for this Haplosporidian species. We present here the first transcriptome of B. ostreae. As this protozoan is not yet culturable, it remains extremely challenging to obtain high-quality -omic data. Thanks to a specific parasite isolation protocol and a dedicated bioinformatic pipeline, we were able to obtain a high-quality transcriptome for an intracellular marine micro-eukaryote, which will be very helpful to better understand its biology and to consider the development of new relevant diagnostic tools.
Different Impacts on the Heart After COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination: Insights From Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Gröschel Jan , Bhoyroo Yashraj , Blaszczyk Edyta , Trauzeddel Ralf Felix , Viezzer Darian , Saad Hadil , Fenski Maximilian , Schulz-Menger Jeanette
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Myocarditis-like findings after COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) infection and vaccination were reported by applying cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). These results are very heterogenous and dependent on several factors such as hospital admission or outpatient treatment, timing of CMR, and symptomatic load. This retrospective study aimed to identify differences in myocardial damage in patients with persistent symptoms both after COVID-19 infection and vaccine by applying CMR.

Materials and Methods

This study entails a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients referred for CMR between August 2020 and November 2021 with persistent symptoms after COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Patients were compared to healthy controls (HC). All patients underwent a CMR examination in a 1.5-T scanner with a scan protocol including: cine imaging for biventricular function and strain assessment using feature tracking, T2 mapping for the quantification of edema, and T1 mapping for diffuse fibrosis and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) for the detection and quantification of focal fibrosis. Patients were divided into a subacute COVID-19 (sCov) group with symptoms lasting < 12 weeks, post-COVID-19 (pCov) group with symptoms > 12 weeks, and patients after COVID-19 vaccination (CovVac).

Results

A total of 162 patients were recruited of whom 141 were included for analysis. The median age in years (interquartile range (IQR)) of the entire cohort was 45 (37–56) which included 83 women and 58 men. Subgroups were as follows (total patients per subgroup, median age in years (IQR), main gender): 34 sCov, 43 (37–52), 19 women; 63 pCov, 52 (39–58), 43 women; 44 CovVac, 43 (32–56), 23 men; 44 HC (41 (28–52), 24 women). The biventricular function was preserved and revealed no differences between the groups. No active inflammation was detected by T2 mapping. Global T1 values were higher in pCov in comparison with HC (median (IQR) in ms: pCov 1002ms (981–1023) vs. HC 987ms (963–1009; p = 0.005) with other parings revealing no differences. In 49/141 (34.6%) of patients, focal fibrosis was detectable with the majority having a non-ischemic pattern (43/141; 30.4%; patients) with the subgroups after infection having more often a subepicardial pattern compared with CovVac (total (% of group): sCov: 7/34(21%); pCov 13/63(21%); CovVac 2/44(5%); p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Patients after COVID-19 infection showed more focal fibrosis in comparison with patients after COVID-19 vaccination without alterations in the biventricular function.
Using Synthetic ApoC-II Peptides and nAngptl4 Fragments to Measure Lipoprotein Lipase Activity in Radiometric and Fluorescent Assays
Authors: Oldham Dean , Wang Hong , Mullen Juliet , Lietzke Emma , Sprenger Kayla , Reigan Philip , Eckel Robert H. , Bruce Kimberley D.
Published: July 2022

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a crucial role in preventing dyslipidemia by hydrolyzing triglycerides (TGs) in packaged lipoproteins. Since hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide, methods that accurately quantify the hydrolytic activity of LPL in clinical and pre-clinical samples are much needed. To date, the methods used to determine LPL activity vary considerably in their approach, in the LPL substrates used, and in the source of LPL activators and inhibitors used to quantify LPL-specific activity, rather than other lipases, e.g., hepatic lipase (HL) or endothelial lipase (EL) activity. Here, we describe methods recently optimized in our laboratory, using a synthetic ApoC-II peptide to activate LPL, and an n-terminal Angiopoietin-Like 4 fragment (nAngptl4) to inhibit LPL, presenting a cost-effective and reproducible method to measure LPL activity in human post-heparin plasma (PHP) and in LPL-enriched heparin released (HR) fractions from LPL secreting cells. We also describe a modified version of the triolein-based assay using human serum as a source of endogenous activators and inhibitors and to determine the relative abundance of circulating factors that regulate LPL activity. Finally, we describe how an ApoC-II peptide and nAngptl4 can be applied to high-throughput measurements of LPL activity using the EnzChek™ fluorescent TG analog substrate with PHP, bovine LPL, and HR LPL enriched fractions. In summary, this manuscript assesses the current methods of measuring LPL activity and makes new recommendations for measuring LPL-mediated hydrolysis in pre-clinical and clinical samples.
Wearable Sensor Systems for Fall Risk Assessment: A Review
Authors: Subramaniam Sophini , Faisal Abu Ilius , Deen M. Jamal
Published: July 2022

Fall risk assessment and fall detection are crucial for the prevention of adverse and long-term health outcomes. Wearable sensor systems have been used to assess fall risk and detect falls while providing additional meaningful information regarding gait characteristics. Commonly used wearable systems for this purpose are inertial measurement units (IMUs), which acquire data from accelerometers and gyroscopes. IMUs can be placed at various locations on the body to acquire motion data that can be further analyzed and interpreted. Insole-based devices are wearable systems that were also developed for fall risk assessment and fall detection. Insole-based systems are placed beneath the sole of the foot and typically obtain plantar pressure distribution data. Fall-related parameters have been investigated using inertial sensor-based and insole-based devices include, but are not limited to, center of pressure trajectory, postural stability, plantar pressure distribution and gait characteristics such as cadence, step length, single/double support ratio and stance/swing phase duration. The acquired data from inertial and insole-based systems can undergo various analysis techniques to provide meaningful information regarding an individual's fall risk or fall status. By assessing the merits and limitations of existing systems, future wearable sensors can be improved to allow for more accurate and convenient fall risk assessment. This article reviews inertial sensor-based and insole-based wearable devices that were developed for applications related to falls. This review identifies key points including spatiotemporal parameters, biomechanical gait parameters, physical activities and data analysis methods pertaining to recently developed systems, current challenges, and future perspectives.
A Method Proposal for Throughfall Measurement in Grassland at Plot Scale in Temperate Climate: ‘Interception Tubes’
Authors: Demir Gökben , Friesen Jan , Filipzik Janett , Michalzik Beate , Hildebrandt Anke
Published: July 2022

While net precipitation entering the soil is commonly measured in woody ecosystems, there is a lack of field measurements for herbaceous vegetation. Small canopy heights and fragile stem structures are the primary challenges for net precipitation sampling in grasslands under field conditions. We designed a new in situ device, “interception tubes”, for throughfall sampling in temperate grasslands. The instrument allows a natural development of grass canopy and sampling at multiple locations. Although it does not strictly separate throughfall and stemflow, the dominant part of the collected water is throughfall. We tested the interception tubes for splash loss with a drip experiment. Next, we evaluated the tubes’ measurements in a field installation at 25 locations both with and without vegetation cover. Also, we used measurements of gross precipitation, canopy height and soil water content to check the plausibility of the measurements. The experiment showed splash loss for the tubes is small ( < 3%) for the typical rain drop size for the growing season in the region, as well as for throughfall drops of lower falling velocity. In the uncovered period, splash loss corrected tubes’ measurements were generally smaller than classical funnel measurements. But the statistical model revealed that the slope of their relationship is close to unity (0.92) when accounting for topography and was probably related to wind effects. During the covered period, grass height systematically reduced below canopy precipitation measured by the tubes, indicating that they can capture spatial canopy drip patterns under denser grass foliage. The canopy height also altered the wind effect on the tube measurements. As in forest ecosystems, below canopy precipitation patterns were temporally stable and smaller events increased the spatial heterogeneity. The measured below canopy precipitation was between 95% and 22% that above, and grass height amplified the loss. The soil water balance showed the tubes underestimated soil water input at peak grass height, which suggests enhanced occurrence of stemflow in tall grass. Despite the underestimation of stemflow, the interception tubes are a suitable method for estimating the canopy effect on throughfall patterns in temperate grasslands, and stemflow can be quantified by additional soil moisture measurements.
A Fast Prediction Method for Stability Safety and Reliability of Reservoir Bank Rock Slopes Based on Deformation Monitoring Data
Authors: Han Zhang , JianKang Chen , Jian Kou Qing , Liang Pei , Huibao Huang
Published: July 2022

The stability of reservoir bank slopes is critical to the engineering operation’s safety. Due to the complexity of geological conditions, the monitoring mode based on deformation monitoring data cannot directly respond to the structural damage stability state, whereas anther mode based on structural calculation is time-consuming and lacks real-time capabilities. To that end, this paper proposes a method for fast prediction of the safety state of reservoir bank rock slope based on the physical significance of time-dependent deformation and rock creep at monitoring points, with the safety coefficient and reliability obtained by numerical calculation as the dependent variables and the slope deformation monitoring sequence as the independent variable, based on full verification of the rationality of numerical calculation. The model can be used to forecast the stability and reliability coefficients of reservoir bank slopes online using deformation data from the field. The application verification of the left bank slope of the Dagangshan arch dam reveals that the average and maximum error of slope stability safety coefficient prediction is within 5% for 90 and 180 days and the average and maximum error of reliability index prediction is within 10%, which meet the engineering requirements and can provide a new way for rapid prediction of slope engineering safety.
Adipokines, Hepatokines and Myokines: Focus on Their Role and Molecular Mechanisms in Adipose Tissue Inflammation
Authors: Ren Yakun , Zhao Hao , Yin Chunyan , Lan Xi , Wu Litao , Du Xiaojuan , Griffiths Helen R. , Gao Dan
Published: July 2022

Chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue (AT) is a hallmark of obesity and contributes to various metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation in ATs is characterized by macrophage infiltration and the activation of inflammatory pathways mediated by NF-κB, JNK, and NLRP3 inflammasomes. Adipokines, hepatokines and myokines — proteins secreted from AT, the liver and skeletal muscle play regulatory roles in AT inflammation via endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine pathways. For example, obesity is associated with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines (e.g., leptin, resistin, chemerin, progranulin, RBP4, WISP1, FABP4, PAI-1, Follistatin-like1, MCP-1, SPARC, SPARCL1, and SAA) and reduced levels of anti-inflammatory adipokines such as adiponectin, omentin, ZAG, SFRP5, CTRP3, vaspin, and IL-10. Moreover, some hepatokines (Fetuin A, DPP4, FGF21, GDF15, and MANF) and myokines (irisin, IL-6, and DEL-1) also play pro- or anti-inflammatory roles in AT inflammation. This review aims to provide an updated understanding of these organokines and their role in AT inflammation and related metabolic abnormalities. It serves to highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of these organokines and their clinical significance. Insights into the roles and mechanisms of these organokines could provide novel and potential therapeutic targets for obesity-induced inflammation.
Focusing on OB-OC-MΦ Axis and miR-23a to Explore the Pathogenesis and Treatment Strategy of Osteoporosis
Authors: Ma Tian-Liang , Zhu Peng , Ke Zhuo-Ran , Chen Jing-Xian , Hu Yi-He , Xie Jie
Published: July 2022

Osteoporosis is a bone metabolic disorder characterized by decreased bone density and deteriorated microstructure, which increases the risk of fractures. The imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption results in the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis. Osteoblast-mediated bone formation, osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and macrophage-regulated inflammatory response play a central role in the process of bone remodeling, which together maintain the balance of the osteoblast-osteoclast-macrophage (OB-OC-MΦ) axis under physiological conditions. Bone formation and bone resorption disorders caused by the imbalance of OB-OC-MΦ axis contribute to osteoporosis. Many microRNAs are involved in the regulation of OB-OC-MΦ axis homeostasis, with microRNA-23a (miR-23a) being particularly crucial. MiR-23a is highly expressed in the pathological process of osteoporosis, which eventually leads to the occurrence and further progression of osteoporosis by inhibiting osteogenesis, promoting bone resorption and inflammatory polarization of macrophages. This review focuses on the role and mechanism of miR-23a in regulating the OB-OC-MΦ axis to provide new clinical strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.
miR-199a Is Upregulated in GDM Targeting the MeCP2-Trpc3 Pathway
Authors: Guan Chun-Yi , Cao Jing-Li , Zhang Lu , Wang Xue-Qin , Ma Xu , Xia Hong-Fei
Published: July 2022

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the most common medical pregnancy complication, has become a growing problem. More and more studies have shown that microRNAs are closely related to metabolic processes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of up-regulation of miR-199a-5p expression in GDM. We found that miR-199a-5p was significantly up-regulated in the placenta of GDM patients compared with normal pregnant women, and expressed in placental villi. miR-199a-5p can regulate the glucose pathway by inhibiting the expression of methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and down-regulating canonical transient receptor potential 3 (Trpc3). This suggests that miR-199a-5p may regulate the glucose pathway by regulating methylation levels, leading to the occurrence of GDM.
High Prevalence of Common Human Viruses in Thyroid Tissue
Authors: Weider Therese , Genoni Angelo , Broccolo Francesco , Paulsen Trond H. , Dahl-Jørgensen Knut , Toniolo Antonio , Hammerstad Sara Salehi
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Evidence points to viral infections as possible triggers of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), but little is known about the prevalence of common viruses in the thyroid gland. Using a novel approach based on virus enrichment in multiple cell lines followed by detection of the viral genome and visualization of viral proteins, we investigated the presence of multiple human viruses in thyroid tissue from AITD patients and controls.

Methods

Thyroid tissue was collected by core needle biopsy or during thyroid surgery from 35 patients with AITD (20 Graves’ disease and 15 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). Eighteen thyroid tissue specimens from patients undergoing neck surgery for reasons other than thyroid autoimmunity served as controls. Specimens were tested for the presence of ten different viruses. Enteroviruses and human herpesvirus 6 were enriched in cell culture before detection by PCR and immunofluorescence, while the remaining viruses were detected by PCR of biopsied tissue.

Results

Forty of 53 cases (75%) carried an infectious virus. Notably, 43% of all cases had a single virus, whereas 32% were coinfected by two or more virus types. An enterovirus was found in 27/53 cases (51%), human herpesvirus 6 in 16/53 cases (30%) and parvovirus B19 in 12/53 cases (22%). Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus were found in a few cases only. Of five gastroenteric virus groups examined, only one was detected in a single specimen. Virus distribution was not statistically different between AITD cases and controls.

Conclusion

Common human viruses are highly prevalent in the thyroid gland. This is the first study in which multiple viral agents have been explored in thyroid. It remains to be established whether the detected viruses represent causal agents, possible cofactors or simple bystanders.
Comparative Analysis of MPPT Control Techniques to Enhance Solar Energy Utilization and Convergence Time Under Varying Meteorological Conditions and Loads
Authors: Singh Jaswant , Singh S. P. , Verma K. S. , Kumar Bhavnesh
Published: July 2022

The electrical energy generated from solar energy photovoltaic (PV) technology is intermittent, varying, and irregular. With PV technology’s limited energy conversion efficiency, it is imperative to extract the maximum of converted energy. The zero slopes of the power versus voltage curve are utilized to determine the maximum power point. Conventional algorithms provide lower convergence time along with low power oscillations. This paper proposes an adaptive perturb and observe (A-P&O) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for the energy conversion system. The primary objectives of the proposed technique are to obtain a more robust, better tracking capability, improved efficiency, and fast response lesser oscillations under steady-state with a simple structure to implement. Maximum power point (MPP) tracking under varying meteorological conditions and load variations is still a challenge. The proposed P&O technique has been tested under realistic meteorological variations and load variations. The comparative evaluation of the proposed adaptive-step size A-P&O MPPT technique and other conventional techniques such as perturb and observe (P&O), incremental conductance (IC), modified P&O and fuzzy logic control (FLC) have also been performed. The performance of the proposed control technique is evaluated using a MATLAB/Simulink environment. The obtained results confirm that the proposed control technique is superior in performance as compared to the other four conventional techniques.
Polymorphic Distributed Energy Management for Low-Carbon Port Microgrid With Carbon Capture and Carbon Storage Devices
Authors: Shan Qihe , Song Jing , Xu Qi , Xiao Geyang , Yu Feifei
Published: July 2022

In order to reduce the carbon emission of the port and build a green port, a polymorphic distributed energy management method for the low carbon port microgrid with carbon capture and carbon storage device is proposed. Firstly, this paper presents a low carbon port microgrid in a polymorphic network environment to realize the information interaction among energy subjects in different modes and improve network communication performance among port power generation device, main grid, carbon capture and carbon storage device. Secondly, the energy management model of low-carbon port microgrid is constructed considering the additional carbon capture device and carbon storage device in the port. Then, based on the multi-agent consensus algorithm, a distributed energy management method is proposed, which is respectively oriented to the grid-connected operation mode, island operation mode and switching operation mode of the port microgrid, so as to achieve the economic, low carbon and reliable operation of the port microgrid. Finally, the simulation results of Matlab verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Kelp Patch-Specific Characteristics Limit Detection Capability of Rapid Survey Method for Determining Canopy Biomass Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: McPherson Meredith L. , Kudela Raphael M.
Published: July 2022

Kelp forests dominate autotrophic biomass and primary productivity of approximately 30,000 to 60,000 km of shallow temperate and Arctic rocky reef coastline globally and contribute significantly to carbon cycling in the coastal ocean. Rapid biomass turnover is driven by very high growth rates and seasonal environmental drivers. As a result, kelp biomass varies greatly with time, space, and by species. In the northeast Pacific region, bull kelp (Nereocystis leutkeana) and giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) form extensive floating surface canopies with a distinct spectral signature compared to the surrounding water. Studies have shown that remote sensing is advantageous for deriving large-scale estimates of floating surface canopy biomass, which comprises more than 90% of bull and giant kelp standing stock. However, development and validation of remotely derived kelp canopy biomass is lacking because existing approaches are time intensive and costly. This study attempted to close that gap by developing a rapid survey design utilizing diver and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery across six sites in northern and central California. Kelp sporophytes were collected and measured for morphometric characteristics and genera-specific allometry to canopy biomass. Kelp density was measured using in situ diver surveys and coupled with UAV imagery to quantify kelp canopy biomass at a range of ground sampling distances. We successfully estimated kelp canopy biomass from UAV imagery at 33% (2/6) of the survey sites, but consistently determining canopy biomass via this approach was challenged by both survey design and kelp patch-specific spatial characteristics. The morphologies of bull kelp in Monterey were significantly different than other regions measured, but further work should be conducted to fully characterize differences in canopy biomass at the regional and sub-regional scale. We use this opportunity to suggest survey design strategies that will increase the success of future methodological development of UAV biomass retrieval. We also recommend developing long-term, annual genera-specific monitoring programs across the northeast Pacific region and beyond to validate remote sensing derived biomass estimates beyond the small number of existing well-characterized sites.
Construction and Verification of a Fibroblast-Related Prognostic Signature Model for Colon Cancer
Authors: Zhao Zhe , Li Wenqi , Zhu LiMeng , Xu Bei , Jiang Yudong , Ma Nan , Liu LiQun , Qiu Jie , Zhang Min
Published: July 2022

Traditionally, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), an essential component of tumor microenvironment, were exert a crucial part in colon cancer progression. In this study, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 23 and bulk RNA-seq data from 452 colon cancer patients were extracted from the GEO database and TCGA-COAD and GEO databases, respectively. From single-cell analysis, 825 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CAFs were identified between each pair of six newly defined CAFs, named enCAF, adCAF, vaCAF, meCAF, erCAF, and cyCAF. Cell communication analysis with the iTALK package showed communication relationship between CAFs, including cell autocrine, cytokine, and growth factor subtypes, such as receptor-ligand pairs of TNFSF14-LTBR, IL6-F3, and IL6-IL6ST. Herein, we demonstrated the presence and prognostic value of adCAF and erCAF in colon cancer based on CIBERSORTx, combining single-cell marker genes and transcriptomics data. The prognostic significance of the enCAF and erCAF has been indirectly proved by both the correlation analysis with macrophages and CAFs, and the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiment based on 20 paired tumor samples. A prognostic model was constructed with 10 DEGs using the LASSO Cox regression method. The model was validated using two testing datasets, indicate a significant survival accuracy (p < 0.0025). Correlation analyses between clinical information, such as age, gender, tumor stage and tumor features (tumor purity and immune score), and risk scores revealed our CAF-related model’s robustness and excellent performance. Cell infiltration analysis by xCell revealed that the interaction between CAFs and multiple non-specific immune cells such as macrophages and the dendritic cell was a vital factor affecting immune score and prognosis. Finally, we analyzed how common anti-cancer drugs, including camptothecin, docetaxel and bortezomib, and immunotherapy, such as anti-PD-1 treatment, could be different in low-risk and high-risk patients inferred from our CAF-related model. In conclusion, the study utilized refined colon cancer fibroblast subsets and established the prognostic effects from the interaction with nonspecific immune cell.
Imprint of Initial Education and Loss of Ly49C/I in Activated Natural Killer Cells of TAP1-KO and C57BL/6 Wildtype Mice
Authors: Patil Neha D. , Domingues Olivia , Masquelier Cécile , Theresine Maud , Schlienger Oceane , Njinju Amin Asaba Clinton , Thomas Marine , Seguin-Devaux Carole , Slevogt Hortense , Ollert Markus , Zimmer Jacques
Published: July 2022

Natural killer (NK) cells are important effectors of the innate immune system and participate in the first line of defense against infections and tumors. Prior to being functional, these lymphocytes must be educated or licensed through interactions of their major histocompatibility complex class I molecules with self-specific inhibitory receptors that recognize them. In the absence of such contacts, caused by either the lack of expression of the inhibitory receptors or a very low level of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I) proteins, NK cells are hypo-reactive at baseline (ex vivo). After stimulation (assessed through plate-bound antibodies against activating receptors or culture in the presence of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2 or IL-15) however, they can become cytotoxic and produce cytokines. This is particularly the case in transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-deficient mice, which we investigated in the present study. Transporter associated with antigen processing transports endogenous peptides from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum, where they are loaded on nascent MHC class I molecules, which then become stable and expressed at the cell surface. Consequently, TAP-KO mice have very low levels of MHC class I expression. We present a study about phenotypic and functional aspects of NK cells in two mouse strains, C57BL/6 wildtype and TAP1-KO in spleen and lung. We observed that in both types of mice, on the same genetic background, the initial pattern of education, conferred to the cellsviathe inhibitory receptors Ly49C/I and NKG2A, was maintained even after a strong stimulation by the cytokines interleukin-2, interleukin-12, interleukin-15 and interleukin-18. Furthermore, the percentages of activated NK cells expressing Ly49C/I and Ly49I were strongly down-modulated under these conditions. We completed our investigations with phenotypic studies of NK cells from these mice.
Epidemiological Trends in Alopecia Areata at the Global, Regional, and National Levels
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Pan Lifang , Wu Yanfeng
Published: July 2022

Background

No comprehensive studies have been published on the global burden of alopecia areata since 2010.

Objective

We aimed to measure the global, regional, and national incidence of alopecia areata and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI) value from 1990 to 2019.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to quantify temporal trends in the age-standardized rates of alopecia areata incidence and DALYs. The correlations between EAPCs in the age-standardized rates and SDI values were also analyzed.

Results

From 1990 to 2019, the alopecia areata incidence number and the associated number of DALYs increased globally by 49.14%, and 49.51%, respectively. The global age-standardized incidence rate decreased (EAPC, −0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.13 to −0.12) and the age-standardized DALY rate showed a downward trend (EAPC, −0.12; 95% CI, −0.13 to −0.11). The largest increases in the age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized DALY rate were observed in Low SDI quintile and Western Sub-Saharan Africa regions. The regions with the greatest changes in the incidence of alopecia areata were Central Sub-Saharan Africa and Western Sub-Saharan Africa. The three countries with the largest increases in alopecia areata incidence from 1990 to 2019 were Kuwait (EAPC, 0.15), South Sudan (EAPC, 0.12), and Nigeria (EAPC, 0.11). The age-standardized incidence rate was higher in females than in males.

Conclusion

Globally, both the age-standardized incidence rate and age-standardized DALY rate of alopecia areata showed decreasing trends. Future preventive strategies should focus on low-income countries, Central Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Sub-Saharan Africa, Kuwait, South Sudan, Nigeria.
Role of TL1A in Inflammatory Autoimmune Diseases: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Xu Wang-Dong , Li Rong , Huang An-Fang
Published: July 2022

TL1A, also called TNFSF15, is a member of tumor necrosis factor family. It is expressed in different immune cell, such as monocyte, macrophage, dendritic cell, T cell and non-immune cell, for example, synovial fibroblast, endothelial cell. TL1A competitively binds to death receptor 3 or decoy receptor 3, providing stimulatory signal for downstream signaling pathways, and then regulates proliferation, activation, apoptosis of and cytokine, chemokine production in effector cells. Recent findings showed that TL1A was abnormally expressed in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis. In vivo and in vitro studies further demonstrated that TL1A was involved in development and pathogenesis of these diseases. In this study, we comprehensively discussed the complex immunological function of TL1A and focused on recent findings of the pleiotropic activity conducted by TL1A in inflammatory autoimmune disease. Finish of the study will provide new ideas for developing therapeutic strategies for these diseases by targeting TL1A.
Combination Approaches to Target PD-1 Signaling in Cancer
Authors: Moore Emily K. , Strazza Marianne , Mor Adam
Published: July 2022

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the US, accounting for 25% of all deaths nationwide. Immunotherapy techniques bolster the immune cells’ ability to target malignant cancer cells and have brought immense improvements in the field of cancer treatments. One important inhibitory protein in T cells, programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), has become an invaluable target for cancer immunotherapy. While anti-PD-1 antibody therapy is extremely successful in some patients, in others it fails or even causes further complications, including cancer hyper-progression and immune-related adverse events. Along with countless translational studies of the PD-1 signaling pathway, there are currently close to 5,000 clinical trials for antibodies against PD-1 and its ligand, PD-L1, around 80% of which investigate combinations with other therapies. Nevertheless, more work is needed to better understand the PD-1 signaling pathway and to facilitate new and improved evidence-based combination strategies. In this work, we consolidate recent discoveries of PD-1 signaling mediators and their therapeutic potential in combination with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents. We focus on the phosphatases SHP2 and PTPN2; the kinases ITK, VRK2, GSK-3, and CDK4/6; and the signaling adaptor protein PAG. We discuss their biology both in cancer cells and T cells, with a focus on their role in relation to PD-1 to determine their potential in therapeutic combinations. The literature discussed here was obtained from a search of the published literature and ClinicalTrials.gov with the following key terms: checkpoint inhibition, cancer immunotherapy, PD-1, PD-L1, SHP2, PTPN2, ITK, VRK2, CDK4/6, GSK-3, and PAG. Together, we find that all of these proteins are logical and promising targets for combination therapy, and that with a deeper mechanistic understanding they have potential to improve the response rate and decrease adverse events when thoughtfully used in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.
The Immune Pathogenesis of Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure and the Danger Hypothesis
Authors: Qiang Rui , Liu Xing-Zi , Xu Jun-Chi
Published: July 2022

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a group of clinical syndromes related to severe acute liver function impairment and multiple-organ failure caused by various acute triggering factors on the basis of chronic liver disease. Due to its severe condition, rapid progression, and high mortality, it has received increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that the pathogenesis of ACLF mainly includes direct injury and immune injury. In immune injury, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), dendritic cells (DCs), and CD4+ T cells accumulate in the liver tissue, secrete a variety of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and recruit more immune cells to the liver, resulting in immune damage to the liver tissue, massive hepatocyte necrosis, and liver failure, but the key molecules and signaling pathways remain unclear. The “danger hypothesis” holds that in addition to the need for antigens, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) also play a very important role in the occurrence of the immune response, and this hypothesis is related to the pathogenesis of ACLF. Here, the research status and development trend of ACLF, as well as the mechanism of action and research progress on various DAMPs in ACLF, are summarized to identify biomarkers that can predict the occurrence and development of diseases or the prognosis of patients at an early stage.
MHC-independent αβT cells: Lessons learned about thymic selection and MHC-restriction
Authors: Van Laethem François , Bhattacharya Abhisek , Craveiro Marco , Lu Jinghua , Sun Peter D. , Singer Alfred
Published: July 2022

Understanding the generation of an MHC-restricted T cell repertoire is the cornerstone of modern T cell immunology. The unique ability of αβT cells to only recognize peptide antigens presented by MHC molecules but not conformational antigens is referred to as MHC restriction. How MHC restriction is imposed on a very large T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire is still heavily debated. We recently proposed the selection model, which posits that newly re-arranged TCRs can structurally recognize a wide variety of antigens, ranging from peptides presented by MHC molecules to native proteins like cell surface markers. However, on a molecular level, the sequestration of the essential tyrosine kinase Lck by the coreceptors CD4 and CD8 allows only MHC-restricted TCRs to signal. In the absence of Lck sequestration, MHC-independent TCRs can signal and instruct the generation of mature αβT cells that can recognize native protein ligands. The selection model thus explains how only MHC-restricted TCRs can signal and survive thymic selection. In this review, we will discuss the genetic evidence that led to our selection model. We will summarize the selection mechanism and structural properties of MHC-independent TCRs and further discuss the various non-MHC ligands we have identified.