bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dosage-sensitive miRNAs trigger modulation of gene expression during genomic imbalance in maize
Authors: Shi Xiaowen , Yang Hua , Chen Chen , Hou Jie , Ji Tieming , Cheng Jianlin , Birchler James A.
Published: May 2022

The genomic imbalance caused by varying the dosage of individual chromosomes or chromosomal segments (aneuploidy) has more detrimental effects than altering the dosage of complete chromosome sets (ploidy). Previous analysis of maize (Zea mays) aneuploids revealed global modulation of gene expression both on the varied chromosome (cis) and the remainder of the genome (trans). However, little is known regarding the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) under genomic imbalance. Here, we report the impact of aneuploidy and polyploidy on the expression of miRNAs. In general, cis miRNAs in aneuploids present a predominant gene-dosage effect, whereas trans miRNAs trend toward the inverse level, although other types of responses including dosage compensation, increased effect, and decreased effect also occur. By contrast, polyploids show less differential miRNA expression than aneuploids. Significant correlations between expression levels of miRNAs and their targets are identified in aneuploids, indicating the regulatory role of miRNAs on gene expression triggered by genomic imbalance.
Acute threat enhances perceptual sensitivity without affecting the decision criterion
Authors: de Voogd Lycia D. , Hagenberg Eline , Zhou Ying Joey , de Lange Floris P. , Roelofs Karin
Published: May 2022

Threatening situations ask for rapid and accurate perceptual decisions to optimize coping. Theoretical models have stated that psychophysiological states, such as bradycardia during threat-anticipatory freezing, may facilitate perception. However, it’s unclear if this occurs via enhanced bottom-up sensory processing or by relying more on prior expectations. To test this, 52 (26 female) participants completed a visual target-detection paradigm under threat-of-shock (15% reinforcement rate) with a manipulation of prior expectations. Participants judged the presence of a backward-masked grating (target presence rate 50%) after systematically manipulating their decision criterion with a rare (20%) or frequent (80%) target presence rate procedure. Threat-of-shock induced stronger heart rate deceleration compared to safe, indicative of threat-anticipatory freezing. Importantly, threat-of-shock enhanced perceptual sensitivity but we did not find evidence of an altered influence of the effect of prior expectations on current decisions. Correct target detection (hits) was furthermore accompanied by an increase in the magnitude of this heart rate deceleration compared to a missed target. While this was independent of threat-of-shock manipulation, only under threat-of-shock this increase was accompanied by more hits and increased sensitivity. Together, these findings suggest that under acute threat participants may rely more on bottom-up sensory processing versus prior expectations in perceptual decision-making. Critically, bradycardia may underlie such enhanced perceptual sensitivity.
High-resolution analysis of long-term serum antibodies in humans following convalescence of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Facciuolo Antonio , Scruten Erin , Lipsit Sean , Lang Amanda , Parker Cates Zoë , Lew Jocelyne M. , Falzarano Darryl , Gerdts Volker , Kusalik Anthony J. , Napper Scott
Published: May 2022

Long-term antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 have focused on responses to full-length spike protein, specific domains within spike, or nucleoprotein. In this study, we used high-density peptide microarrays representing the complete proteome of SARS-CoV-2 to identify binding sites (epitopes) targeted by antibodies present in the blood of COVID-19 resolved cases at 5 months post-diagnosis. Compared to previous studies that evaluated epitope-specific responses early post-diagnosis (< 60 days), we found that epitope-specific responses to nucleoprotein and spike protein have contracted, and that responses to membrane protein have expanded. Although antibody titers to full-length spike and nucleoprotein remain steady over months, taken together our data suggest that the population of epitope-specific antibodies that contribute to this reactivity is dynamic and evolves over time. Further, the spike epitopes bound by polyclonal antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent serum samples aligned with known target sites that can neutralize viral activity suggesting that the maintenance of these antibodies might provide rapid serological immunity. Finally, the most dominant epitopes for membrane protein and spike showed high diagnostic accuracy providing novel biomarkers to refine blood-based antibody tests. This study provides new insights into the specific regions of SARS-CoV-2 targeted by serum antibodies long after infection.
On the remarkable nonlinear optical properties of natural tomato lycopene
Authors: Numan N. , Jeyaram S. , Kaviyarasu K. , Neethling P. , Sackey J. , Kotsedi C. L. , Akbari M. , Morad R. , Mthunzi-Kufa P. , Sahraoui B. , Maaza M.
Published: May 2022

In line with the renewed interest in developing novel Non Linear Optical (NLO) materials, natural Lycopene’s NLO Properties are reported for the first time within the scientific literature. Correlated to its 1-D conjugated π-electrons linear conformation, it is shown that natural Lycopene exhibits a significantly elevated 3rd order nonlinearity χ(3) as high as 2.65 10−6 esu, the largest value of any investigated natural phyto-compound so far, including β-carotene. In addition to a saturable absorption, the corresponding observed self-defocusing effect in Lycopene seems to be the result of a thermal nonlinearity. The nonlinear response coupled to the observed fluorescence in the Visible spectral range points to a potential photodynamic therapy application as well as the possibility of engineering of novel hybrid Lycopene based NLO nano-materials.
Sociality of future outcomes moderates the effects of warmth and competence on social optimism bias
Authors: Dricu Mihai , Jossen Sina Ladina , Aue Tatjana
Published: May 2022

People are overoptimistic about the future of those they like or admire (social optimism bias), expecting significantly more desirable than undesirable outcomes. By contrast, they are pessimistic about those they don’t like. To operationalize the (dis)like of social targets, warmth and competence are used as two universal dimensions of social perception. In this pre-registered study, we replicate previous findings while adding two new levels of complexity. First, we make the distinction between the sociality of future outcomes: “alone” outcomes (e.g., enjoying a quiet afternoon by oneself) and “social” outcomes (e.g., enjoying a vacation with the significant other). Second, we investigate the effect of attachment styles on one’s expectations for alone and social outcomes toward the social targets. In line with our hypotheses, the sociality of outcomes moderates both the additive and the multiplicative effects of the perceived warmth and competence of social targets on social optimism bias. Diverging from our hypotheses, we find that attachment anxiety and avoidance do not influence the effects of warmth and competence on social optimism bias. However, exploratory analyses reveal that attachment dimensions buffer the magnitude of social optimism bias for highly self-relevant social targets but do not impact social pessimism bias for irrelevant targets.
Synthesizing controlled microstructures of porous media using generative adversarial networks and reinforcement learning
Authors: Nguyen Phong C. H. , Vlassis Nikolaos N. , Bahmani Bahador , Sun WaiChing , Udaykumar H. S. , Baek Stephen S.
Published: May 2022

For material modeling and discovery, synthetic microstructures play a critical role as digital twins. They provide stochastic samples upon which direct numerical simulations can be conducted to populate material databases. A large ensemble of simulation data on synthetic microstructures may provide supplemental data to inform and refine macroscopic material models, which might not be feasible from physical experiments alone. However, synthesizing realistic microstructures with realistic microstructural attributes is highly challenging. Thus, it is often oversimplified via rough approximations that may yield an inaccurate representation of the physical world. Here, we propose a novel deep learning method that can synthesize realistic three-dimensional microstructures with controlled structural properties using the combination of generative adversarial networks (GAN) and actor-critic (AC) reinforcement learning. The GAN-AC combination enables the generation of microstructures that not only resemble the appearances of real specimens but also yield user-defined physical quantities of interest (QoI). Our validation experiments confirm that the properties of synthetic microstructures generated by the GAN-AC framework are within a 5% error margin with respect to the target values. The scientific contribution of this paper resides in the novel design of the GAN-AC microstructure generator and the mathematical and algorithmic foundations therein. The proposed method will have a broad and substantive impact on the materials community by providing lenses for analyzing structure-property-performance linkages and for implementing the notion of ‘materials-by-design’.
Epigenetic regulation of BAF60A determines efficiency of miniature swine iPSC generation
Authors: Jiao Hongli , Lee Ming-Song , Sivapatham Athillesh , Leiferman Ellen M. , Li Wan-Ju
Published: May 2022

Miniature pigs are an ideal animal model for translational research to evaluate stem cell therapies and regenerative applications. While the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from miniature pigs has been demonstrated, there is still a lack of a reliable method to generate and maintain miniature pig iPSCs. In this study, we derived iPSCs from fibroblasts of Wisconsin miniature swine (WMS), Yucatan miniature swine (YMS), and Göttingen minipigs (GM) using our culture medium. By comparing cells of the different pig breeds, we found that YMS fibroblasts were more efficiently reprogrammed into iPSCs, forming colonies with well-defined borders, than WMS and GM fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that YMS iPSC lines with a normal pig karyotype gave rise to cells of the three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Mesenchymal stromal cells expressing phenotypic characteristics were derived from established iPSC lines as an example of potential applications. In addition, we found that the expression level of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable component BAF60A regulated by STAT3 signaling determined the efficiency of pig iPSC generation. The findings of this study provide insight into the underlying mechanism controlling the reprogramming efficiency of miniature pig cells to develop a viable strategy to enhance the generation of iPSCs for biomedical research.
Prevalence of left ventricular thrombus formation after mitral valve edge-to-edge repair
Authors: Tichelbäcker Tobias , Körber Maria Isabel , Mauri Victor , Iliadis Christos , Metze Clemens , Adler Christoph , Baldus Stephan , Rudolph Volker , Halbach Marcel , Pfister Roman , ten Freyhaus Henrik
Published: May 2022

The prevalence of left ventricular (LV) thrombus formation following percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair (TMVR) with the MitraClip system is unclear. Decreased total stroke volume and perfusion of the LV apex after mitral valve repair may facilitate thrombus formation especially in the context of reduced LV function. LV thrombus may cause disabling stroke or other thromboembolic events in this elderly and multimorbid patient cohort. Analyses of the prevalence of and risk factors for left ventricular thrombus formation in patients treated with the MitraClip system due to severe mitral valve regurgitation. All discharge and follow-up transthoracic echocardiographic examinations up to 6 months of 453 consecutive patients treated with the MitraClip system were screened for the presence of LV thrombus. Prevalence of LV thrombus formation was 1.1% (5/453). Importantly, LV thrombi were exclusively found in patients with severely depressed left ventricular systolic function (LV-EF < 30%), comprising a prevalence of 4.4% in this subgroup (5/113). Importantly, two of these patients were under active DOAC therapy with Rivaroxaban and Apixaban, respectively. Apart from LV-EF, we did not identify other factors that might have facilitated LV thrombus formation. LV thrombus formation following percutaneous mitral valve repair occurred exclusively in patients with severely depressed LV-EF. As two patients developed LV thrombus despite of DOAC therapy, anticoagulation with a Vitamin K antagonist should be considered in patients with an indication for oral anticoagulation following TMVR.
Population collapse of a Gondwanan conifer follows the loss of Indigenous fire regimes in a northern Australian savanna
Authors: Bowman David M. J. S. , Williamson Grant J. , Johnston Fay H. , Bowman Clarence J. W. , Murphy Brett P. , Roos Christopher I. , Trauernicht Clay , Rostron Joshua , Prior Lynda D.
Published: May 2022

Colonialism has disrupted Indigenous socioecological systems around the globe, including those supported by intentional landscape burning. Because most disruptions happened centuries ago, our understanding of Indigenous fire management is largely inferential and open to debate. Here, we investigate the ecological consequences of the loss of traditional Aboriginal fire management on fire-exposed savannas on the Arnhem Plateau, northern Australia, using the fire-sensitive conifer Callitris intratropica as a bio-indicator. We contrast Kakadu National Park, where traditional Aboriginal fire management was severely disrupted during the early twentieth century following Aboriginal relocation to surrounding settlements, and an adjacent Aboriginal estate where traditional Aboriginal fire management endures. Since 2006, traditional Aboriginal fire management at this site has been overlaid by a program of broad-scale institutionalized burning in the early dry season, designed to reduce greenhouse emissions. Using remote sensing, field survey, and dendrochronology, we show that on the Aboriginal estate, C. intratropica populations depend on the creation of a shifting patch mosaic of long unburned areas necessary for the recruitment of C. intratropica. However, the imposition of broad-scale fire management is disrupting this population patch dynamic. In Kakadu, there have been extreme declines of C. intratropica associated with widespread fires since the mid twentieth century and consequent proliferation of grass fuels. Fire management in Kakadu since 2007, designed to increase the size and abundance of patches of unburned vegetation, has not been able to reverse the population collapse of C. intratropica. Our study demonstrates that colonial processes including relocation of Indigenous people and institutional fire management can have deleterious consequences that are nearly irreversible because of hysteresis in C. intratropica population dynamics.
Epidural anesthesia needle guidance by forward-view endoscopic optical coherence tomography and deep learning
Authors: Wang Chen , Calle Paul , Reynolds Justin C. , Ton Sam , Yan Feng , Donaldson Anthony M. , Ladymon Avery D. , Roberts Pamela R. , de Armendi Alberto J. , Fung Kar-ming , Shettar Shashank S. , Pan Chongle , Tang Qinggong
Published: May 2022

Epidural anesthesia requires injection of anesthetic into the epidural space in the spine. Accurate placement of the epidural needle is a major challenge. To address this, we developed a forward-view endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for real-time imaging of the tissue in front of the needle tip during the puncture. We tested this OCT system in porcine backbones and developed a set of deep learning models to automatically process the imaging data for needle localization. A series of binary classification models were developed to recognize the five layers of the backbone, including fat, interspinous ligament, ligamentum flavum, epidural space, and spinal cord. The classification models provided an average classification accuracy of 96.65%. During puncture, it is important to maintain a safe distance between the needle tip and the dura mater. Regression models were developed to estimate that distance based on the OCT imaging data. Based on the Inception architecture, our models achieved a mean absolute percentage error of 3.05% ± 0.55%. Overall, our results validated the technical feasibility of using this novel imaging strategy to automatically recognize different tissue structures and measure the distances ahead of the needle tip during the epidural needle placement.
Photopic negative response recorded with RETeval system in eyes with optic nerve disorders
Authors: Yamashita Tsutomu , Kato Kumiko , Kondo Mineo , Miki Atsushi , Araki Syunsuke , Goto Katsutoshi , Ieki Yoshiaki , Kiryu Junichi
Published: May 2022

Electroretinography (ERG) is used to evaluate the physiological status of the retina and optic nerve. The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of ERGs recorded with the RETeval system in diagnosing optic nerve diseases. Forty-eight patients with optic nerve disorders, including optic neuritis, ischemic optic neuropathy, traumatic optic neuropathy, and dominant optic atrophy, and 36 normal control subjects were studied. The amplitudes of the photopic negative response (PhNR) were recorded with the RETeval system without mydriasis. The circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (cpRNFLT) was determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The significance of the correlations between the PhNR and cpRNFLT parameters were determined, and the receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses were performed for the PhNR and cpRNFLT. Patients with optic nerve disorders had significantly smaller PhNRs compared to the control subjects (P = 0.001). The ROC analyses indicated that both PhNR and cpRNFLT had comparable diagnostic abilities of detecting optic nerve disorders with PhNR at 0.857 and cpRNFLT at 0.764. The PhNR components recorded with the RETeval system have comparable diagnostic abilities as the cpRNFLT in diagnosing optic nerve disorders.
Angiographic characteristics of vasculopathy in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and systemic sclerosis
Authors: Yeo Jina , Park Eun-Ah , Lee Eun Bong , Park Jin Kyun
Published: May 2022

To describe the peripheral angiographic features of vasculopathy in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) in comparison to polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Angiograms of 47 extremities (24 upper and 23 lower) of 11 patients with IIM (n = 5) and SSc (n = 6), and 12 patients with PAN who presented with critical limb ischemia were retrospectively analyzed with regards to the presence of stenosis, occlusion, aneurysms and delayed distal flow, and degree of neovascularization. Diffuse narrowing was more frequent (66.1 vs. 38.0%, p = 0.001), whereas multifocal stenosis (6.5% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.002), abrupt occlusion (11.3% vs. 29.6%, p = 0.010) and aneurysm formation (1.6% vs. 11.3%, p = 0.037) were less frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN. In distal arteries, tapered occlusion (95.5% vs. 76.0%, p = ns) and delayed flow (77.3% vs. 48.0%, p = 0.039) were more common in IIM/SSc than PAN. After 1 year, auto- or surgical amputation tended to be more frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN (36.4% vs. 16.7%, p = ns). In conclusion, diffuse narrowing, tapered occlusion and delayed distal flow on conventional angiograms tend to be more frequent in IIM/SSc than PAN. Further studies are needed to verify these findings in a larger prospective cohort.
Pharmacologic modulation of 5-fluorouracil by folinic acid and pyridoxine for treatment of patients with advanced breast carcinoma
Authors: Machover David , Goldschmidt Emma , Almohamad Wathek , Castagné Vincent , Dairou Julien , Desterke Christophe , Gomez Léa , Gaston-Mathé Yann , Boucheix Claude
Published: May 2022

High concentration pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, the cofactor of vitamin B6, potentiates cytotoxicity in cancer cells exposed to 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and folinic acid (FA). We studied the effect of high-dose pyridoxine on antitumor activity of regimens comprising FUra and FA in 27 advanced breast carcinoma patients. Of 18 previously untreated patients, 12 had tumors that did not overexpress HER2 (Group I), and 6 that overexpressed HER2 (Group II). Nine patients (Group III) had prior chemotherapy. Group I received AVCF (doxorubicin, vinorelbine, cyclophosphamide, FUra, FA) or FAC (doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, FUra, FA) followed by TCbF (paclitaxel carboplatin, FUra, FA). Groups II, and III received TCbF. Pyridoxine iv (1000–3000 mg/day) preceded each FA and FUra. Group II also received trastuzumab and pertuzumab. 26 patients responded. Three patients in Group I had CRs and 9 had PRs with 62–98% reduction rates; 4 patients in Group II had CRs and 2 had PRs with 98% reduction. Of 7 measurable patients in Group III, 2 attained CRs, and 5 had PRs with 81–94% reduction rates. Median time to response was 3.4 months. Unexpected toxicity did not occur. This pilot study suggests that high-dose vitamin B6 enhances antitumor potency of regimens comprising FUra and FA.
Highly sensitive and selective detection of dopamine with boron and sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots
Authors: Chatterjee Manisha , Nath Prathul , Kadian Sachin , Kumar Anshu , Kumar Vishal , Roy Partha , Manik Gaurav , Satapathi Soumitra
Published: May 2022

In this work, we report, the synthesis of Boron and Sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots (BS-GQDs) and its applicability as a label-free fluorescence sensing probe for the highly sensitive and selective detection of dopamine (DA). Upon addition of DA, the fluorescence intensity of BS-GQDs were effectively quenched over a wide concentration range of DA (0–340 μM) with an ultra-low detection limit of 3.6 μM. The quenching mechanism involved photoinduced electron transfer process from BS-GQDs to dopamine-quinone, produced by the oxidization of DA under alkaline conditions. The proposed sensing mechanism was probed using a detailed study of UV–Vis absorbance, steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. The high selectivity of the fluorescent sensor towards DA is established. Our study opens up the possibility of designing a low-cost biosensor which will be suitable for detecting DA in real samples.
Urinary metabolic modulation in human participants residing in Siachen: a 1H NMR metabolomics approach
Authors: Gandhi Sonia , Chinnadurai Vijayakumar , Bhadra Kuntal , Gupta Isha , Kanwar Ratnesh Singh
Published: May 2022

The main physiological challenge in high altitude environment is hypoxia which affects the aerobic metabolism reducing the energy supply. These changes may further progress toward extreme environment-related diseases. These are further reflected in changes in small molecular weight metabolites and metabolic pathways. In the present study, metabolic changes due to chronic environmental hypoxia were assessed using 1H NMR metabolomics by analysing the urinary metabolic profile of 70 people at sea level and 40 people at Siachen camp (3700 m) for 1 year. Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out, and PLSDA detected 15 metabolites based on VIP score > 1. ROC analysis detected cis-aconitate, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, Tyrosine, Choline and Creatinine metabolites with a high range of sensitivity and specificity. Pathway analysis revealed 16 pathways impact > 0.05, and phenylalanine tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis was the most prominent altered pathway indicating metabolic remodelling to meet the energy requirements. TCA cycle, Glycine serine and Threonine metabolism, Glutathione metabolism and Cysteine alterations were other metabolic pathways affected during long-term high-altitude hypoxia exposure. Present findings will help unlock a new dimension for the potential application of NMR metabolomics to address extreme environment-related health problems, early detection and developing strategies to combat high altitude hypoxia.
Bifunctional CePO4/CeO2 nanocomposite as a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the enhancement of the ozonation recovery effect in the presence of chloride ions
Authors: Fijołek Lilla , Wolski Lukasz
Published: May 2022

The degradation of organics through ozonation is strongly reduced by chloride ions. Although the efficiency of such processes can be recovered in the presence of homogeneous phosphates, the addition of these chemicals to water is problematic because of the generation of secondary wastes. Phosphates are known as one of the most important biogens responsible for the eutrophication of rivers and lakes. Thus, their worldwide application should be limited. The main goal of this work was to characterize the performance of solid-state cerium(III) phosphate (CePO4), cerium dioxide (CeO2), and bifunctional CePO4/CeO2 nanocomposite as substitutes for homogeneous phosphates during the ozonation of benzoic acid (BA) in the presence of chlorides. All solid-state samples used in this study were synthesized by facile hydrothermal method and thoroughly characterized. It was documented that heterogeneous CePO4 showed significantly better ozonation recovery effect than homogeneous phosphates. It was also established that the process efficiency could be further enhanced by using the bifunctional nanocomposite. Tests with the use of tert-butanol as a hydroxyl radical scavenger revealed that the improved ozonation efficiency in the presence of CePO4/CeO2 resulted from the action of HO• radicals which were the key reactive oxygen species responsible for the recovery of BA degradation in the presence of chlorides.
Islet cell replacement and transplantation immunology in a mouse strain with inducible diabetes
Authors: Bhagchandani Preksha , Chang Charles A. , Zhao Weichen , Ghila Luiza , Herrera Pedro L. , Chera Simona , Kim Seung K.
Published: May 2022

Improved models of experimental diabetes are needed to develop cell therapies for diabetes. Here, we introduce the B6 RIP-DTR mouse, a model of experimental diabetes in fully immunocompetent animals. These inbred mice harbor the H2bmajor histocompatibility complex (MHC), selectively express high affinity human diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) in islet β-cells, and are homozygous for thePtprca(CD45.1) allele rather than wild-typePtprcb(CD45.2). 100% of B6 RIP-DTR mice rapidly became diabetic after a single dose of diphtheria toxin, and this was reversed indefinitely after transplantation with islets from congenic C57BL/6 mice. By contrast, MHC-mismatched islets were rapidly rejected, and this allotransplant response was readily monitored via blood glucose and graft histology. In peripheral blood of B6 RIP-DTR with mixed hematopoietic chimerism, CD45.2 BALB/c donor blood immune cells were readily distinguished from host CD45.1 cells by flow cytometry. Reliable diabetes induction and other properties in B6 RIP-DTR mice provide an important new tool to advance transplant-based studies of islet replacement and immunomodulation to treat diabetes.
How the metabolic phenotype in adulthood is affected by long-lasting immunological trajectories since adolescence
Authors: Barroso Isaac , Guimarães João Tiago , Craveiro Vanda , Severo Milton , Ramos Elisabete
Published: May 2022

A close relationship between immune and metabolic systems has been perceived in the recent past. We aimed to assess whether the immunological trajectories of circulating white blood cells (WBC) started in adolescence, affects the metabolic phenotype in adulthood. We used data from 1183 participants of the population-based EPITeen cohort, evaluated at 13, 17, 21, 24 and 27 years of age. The Immunological trajectories from 13 to 27 years old were identified by mixed-effects models, being their association with metabolic features at 27 years old measured by logistic regression. The Higher Inflammatory Activation trajectory (HIA trajectory) had the highest percentage of individuals with metabolic syndrome, while Lowest Levels of WBC trajectory (LLWBC trajectory) showed the lowest percentage. Participants with HIA trajectory had significantly higher triglycerides, waist circumference, serum uric acid and BMI. After adjustment for sex and sports practice and hs-CRP, the odds of having one or more metabolic features in adulthood was significantly lower in LLWBC trajectory. Individuals with immunological trajectories of WBC linked with a pattern of higher immune activation showed a less favorable metabolic profile, while those with the lowest levels of WBC were less likely to have metabolic risk factors in adulthood.
Clinical findings and predictive factors for positive anti-interferon-γ autoantibodies in patients suffering from a non-tuberculosis mycobacteria or Talaromyces marneffei infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study
Authors: Qiu Ye , Tang Mengxin , Zeng Wen , Feng Xin , Pan Mianluan , Li Wei , Zhang Jianquan
Published: May 2022

We investigated the clinical features and screened for predictive factors of anti-interferon-γ autoantibody (AIGA) positivity. We enrolled 63 AIGA-positive (group 1) and 29 AIGA-negative (group 2) HIV-negative patients. White blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), globulin, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and IgM levels were higher, whereas CD4+T cell count and hemoglobin level were lower in group 1 than in group 2. Co-infections, multiple infections, and disseminated infections were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2. Prognosis was worse in group 1 than in group 2, especially for relapse and persistent infections. The number of infecting pathogens and sites involved; WBC and neutrophil counts; globulin, IgG, IgM, and CRP levels; and ESR were significantly positively correlated with AIGA titers; however, CD4+T cell count was significantly negatively correlated with AIGA titers. Therefore, IgG, globulin, and CRP levels; CD4+T cell and WBC counts; the number of infecting pathogens and sites involved; and ESR were considered potential predictors for AIGA positivity. For HIV-negative hosts with double or multiple opportunistic, disseminated infections and high serum IgG and globulin levels, low CD4+T cell count, and an increase in inflammatory marker levels, positive AIGA-associated immunodeficiency should be considered.
Substantiation of propitious “Enzybiotic” from two novel bacteriophages isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Qatar
Authors: Ramadoss Ramya , Al-Shukri Moza , Shomar Basem , Ilyin Valentin Alekseevich , Vincent Annette Shoba
Published: May 2022

Lysin of bacteriophages isolated from a particular ecosystem could be inducted as a bio-controlling tool against the inhabiting pathogenic bacterial strains. Our study aims at both experimental and computational characterization of the identical lysin gene product inherent in the genomes of two novel Myoviridae bacteriophages, Escherichia Phage C600M2 (GenBank accession number OK040807, Protein ID: UCJ01465) and Escherichia Phage CL1 (GenBank Genome accession number OK040806.1, Protein ID: UCJ01321) isolated from wastewater collected from the main water treatment plant in Qatar. The lysin protein, evinced to be a globular N-acetyl-muramidase with intrinsic “cd00737: endolysin_autolysin” domain, was further expressed and purified to be experimentally validated by turbidimetric assay for its utility as an anti-bacterial agent. Comprehensive computational analysis revealed that the scrutinized lysin protein shared 85–98% sequence identity with 61 bacteriophages, all native to wastewater allied environments. Despite varied Host Recognition Components encoded in their genomes, the similitude of lysins, suggests its apparent significance in host–pathogen interactions endemic to wastewater environment. The present study substantiates the identical lysin from Escherichia Phage C600M2 and Escherichia Phage CL1 as propitious “enzybiotic”, a hybrid term to describe enzymes analogous to anti-biotics to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by in silico analysis and subsequent experimental validation.
Reconstruction of functional human epidermis equivalent containing 5%IPS-derived keratinocytes treated with mitochondrial stimulating plant extracts
Authors: Moreau Marielle , Capallere Christophe , Chavatte Laurent , Plaza Christelle , Meyrignac Céline , Pays Karl , Bavouzet Bruno , Botto Jean-Marie , Nizard Carine , Bulteau Anne-Laure
Published: May 2022

Reconstructed human epidermis equivalents (RHE) have been developed as a clinical skin substitute and as the replacement for animal testing in both research and industry. KiPS, or keratinocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are frequently used to generate RHE. In this study, we focus on the mitochondrial performance of the KiPS derived from iPSCs obtained from two donors. We found that the KiPS derived from the older donor have more defective mitochondria. Treatment of these KiPS with a plant extract enriched in compounds known to protect mitochondria improved mitochondrial respiration and rendered them fully competent to derive high-quality RHE. Overall, our results suggest that improving mitochondrial function in KiPS is one of the key aspects to obtain a functional RHE and that our plant extracts can improve in this process.
A new versatile MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device for the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors
Authors: Cabras Paolo , Auloge Pierre , Bing Fabrice , Rao Pramod Prabhakar , Hoarau Stéphanie , Dumont Erik , Durand Alexandre , Maurin Benjamin , Wach Benoit , Cuvillon Loïc , Breton Elodie , Gangi Afshin , Vappou Jonathan
Published: May 2022

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging-guided High Intensity focused Ultrasound (MRgHIFU) is a non-invasive, non-ionizing thermal ablation therapy that is particularly interesting for the palliative or curative treatment of musculoskeletal tumors. We introduce a new modular MRgHIFU device that allows the ultrasound transducer to be positioned precisely and interactively over the body part to be treated. A flexible, MR-compatible supporting structure allows free positioning of the transducer under MRI/optical fusion imaging guidance. The same structure can be rigidified using pneumatic depression, holding the transducer rigidly in place. Targeting accuracy was first evaluated in vitro. The average targeting error of the complete process was found to be equal to 5.4 ± 2.2 mm in terms of focus position, and 4.7° ± 2° in terms of transducer orientation. First-in-man feasibility is demonstrated on a patient suffering from important, uncontrolled pain from a bone metastasis located in the forearm. The 81 × 47 × 34 mm3 lesion was successfully treated using five successive positions of the transducer, under real-time monitoring by MR Thermometry. Significant pain palliation was observed 3 days after the intervention. The system described and characterized in this study is a particularly interesting modular, low-cost MRgHIFU device for musculoskeletal tumor therapy.
Hydrovoltaic technology: from mechanism to applications
Authors: Wang Xiaofan , Lin Fanrong , Wang Xiang , Fang Sunmiao , Tan Jin , Chu Weicun , Rong Rong , Yin Jun , Zhang Zhuhua , Liu Yanpeng , Guo Wanlin
Published: May 2022

This tutorial review provides a fundamental understanding of different mechanisms, material selection, device optimization and applications of hydrovoltaic technology and provides a systematic collection of recent advances.
Intracellular calcium dynamics of lymphatic endothelial and muscle cells co-cultured in a Lymphangion-Chip under pulsatile flow
Authors: Selahi Amirali , Chakraborty Sanjukta , Muthuchamy Mariappan , Zawieja David C. , Jain Abhishek
Published: May 2022

A Lymphangion-Chip consisting an endothelial lumen co-cultured with muscle cells was exposed to step or pulsatile flow. The real-time analyses of intracellular calcium dynamics reveal the coupling of signaling between these cells under complex flows.
A carbon-black-embedded poly(dimethylsiloxane)-paper hybrid device for energy-efficient nucleic-acid amplification in point-of-care testing
Authors: Kim Ye Lin , Kim Donghyeok , Park Jihoon , Kwak Minseok , Shin Joong Ho
Published: May 2022

A paper-based device patterned with a carbon-black–poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) mixture is developed as a heating platform for nucleic-acid amplification tests.
Emerging trends in biliary stents: a materials and manufacturing perspective
Authors: Choudhury Saswat , Asthana Sonal , Homer-Vanniasinkam Shervanthi , Chatterjee Kaushik
Published: May 2022

Bioresorbable biliary stents are poised to be the next-generation medical devices because of their clear advantages of avoiding revision surgery. They provide mechanical support to the occluded bile duct and degrade completely into harmless products.
Synergistic therapy for orthotopic gliomas via biomimetic nanosonosensitizer-mediated sonodynamic therapy and ferroptosis
Authors: Zhu Mingting , Wu Pengying , Li Yan , Zhang Lei , Zong Yujin , Wan Mingxi
Published: May 2022

The design of a biomimetic sonosensitizer, opening the blood–brain barrier by focused ultrasound and synergistic therapy via noninvasive sonodynamic therapy and ferroptosis.
Probing lysine posttranslational modifications by unnatural amino acids
Authors: Maas Marijn N. , Hintzen Jordi C. J. , Mecinović Jasmin
Published: May 2022

Application of structurally and chemically diverse unnatural amino acids in biomolecular studies of lysine posttranslational modifications is described in this Feature Article.
Cycloparaphenylenesvia[2+2+2] cycloaddition
Authors: Kohrs Daniel , Volkmann Jannis , Wegner Hermann A.
Published: May 2022

Syntheses of cycloparaphenylenes utilizing the [2+2+2] cycloaddition have been highlighted and categorized according to the function of this key reaction.
The pressure–temperature phase diagram of tetramorphic pyrazinamide
Authors: Li Kangli , Gbabode Gabin , Vergé-Depré Marine , Robert Benoit , Barrio Maria , Itié Jean-Paul , Tamarit Josep-Lluis , Rietveld Ivo B.
Published: May 2022

All four pyrazinamide polymorphs possess a stable domain under ordinary pressure; α is the stable form at room temperature.
Correlation of solid-state order to optoelectronic behavior in heterocyclic oligomers
Authors: Karunathilaka Dilan , Rajapakse R. M. G. , Hardin April E. , Sexton Thomas More , Sparks Nicholas E. , Mosely Jacquelyn J. , Rheingold Arnold L. , Hammer Nathan I. , Tschumper Gregory S. , Watkins Davita L.
Published: May 2022

Here we address a longstanding challenge in the field of optoelectronic materials by evaluating the molecular and solid-state arrangements of heterocyclic oligomers and correlating their crystal structures to their optical properties.
Thermal conduction and rectification phenomena in nanoporous silicon membranes
Authors: Hahn Konstanze R. , Melis Claudio , Colombo Luciano
Published: May 2022

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations have been applied to study thermal transport properties, such as thermal conductivity and rectification, in nanoporous Si membranes.
Coupling between nucleation and chemical reactions and its importance in understanding the oxidation of iodine by hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Stanisavljev Dragomir , Taylor Annette Fiona , Bubanja Itana Nuša
Published: May 2022

A physicochemical model of iodine oxidation with hydrogen peroxide is extended by heterogeneous processes, conceptually improving the understanding of the reaction mechanism.
Li+ transference number and dynamic ion correlations in glyme-Li salt solvate ionic liquids diluted with molecular solvents
Authors: Sudoh Taku , Shigenobu Keisuke , Dokko Kaoru , Watanabe Masayoshi , Ueno Kazuhide
Published: May 2022

The significant effects of the coordination properties of the diluting solvents on the dynamic ion correlations and Li+ transference numbers have been reported for diluted solvate ionic liquids.
Nanostructure engineering of two-dimensional diamonds toward high thermal conductivity and approaching zero Poisson's ratio
Authors: Hu Yanxiao , Li Ding , Feng Chunbao , Li Shichang , Chen Bole , Li Dengfeng , Zhang Gang
Published: May 2022

Three types of rectangular diamanes are achieved from bi-layer graphene through complete surface passivation within the minimum orthogonal primitive cell, and their outstanding thermal transport and mechanical properties are also revealed.
A heterogeneous cobalt catalyst for C–C bond formation by a borrowing hydrogen strategy
Authors: Suarsih Endah , Kita Yusuke , Kamata Keigo , Hara Michikazu
Published: May 2022

Co–MgO/TiO2 exhibited high activity for α-alkylation of ketones with alcohols through a borrowing hydrogen strategy without the addition of bases which were utilized in reported heterogeneous catalytic systems.
Growth behavior of Ir metal formed by atomic layer deposition in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide
Authors: Zhu Lin , Yang Geng-Lai , Ding Wen-Juan , Cao Yan-Qiang , Li Wei-Ming , Li Ai-Dong
Published: May 2022

The growth behavior of ALD metallic Ir has been explored on various surfaces and in AAO nanopores systematically. The surface hydrophilicity and O2 partial pressure are crucial. The Ir infiltration depth into AAO follows a diffusion-limited model.
Near quantitative conversion of xylose into bisfuran
Authors: Zhang Rui , Eronen Aleksi , Vasko Petra , Du Xiangze , Install Joseph , Repo Timo
Published: May 2022

Xylose is converted to a new type of bisfuranic compound in nearly quantitative yield with acetylacetone, through a Zr-catalysed Garcia Gonzalez reaction-based strategy by losing five molecules of water.
Non-competitive fluorescence polarization immunosensing for CD9 detection using a peptide as a tracer
Authors: Takahashi Kazuki , Chida Shunsuke , Suwatthanarak Thanawat , Iida Mikiko , Zhang Min , Fukuyama Mao , Maeki Masatoshi , Ishida Akihiko , Tani Hirofumi , Yasui Takao , Baba Yoshinobu , Hibara Akihide , Okochi Mina , Tokeshi Manabu
Published: May 2022

A microfluidic-based non-competitive fluorescence polarization immunoassay using a peptide as a tracer enables simple and rapid CD9 detection.
H2O2-responsive lovastatin nanohybrids based on auto-fluorescent perylene diimide reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Xue Changning , Zhang Lifen , Zhang Yuman , Yu Yao , Xu Chenlu , Li Zhi
Published: May 2022

The application of a liver targeting nanometer prodrug system based on an oxalate ester bond for treating NAFLD.
Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-phenoxy-pyridine/pyrimidine derivatives as dual VEGFR-2/c-Met inhibitors
Authors: Yang Feiyi , Zhang Qian , Guo Qiuyan , Pan Qingshan , Wen Chunping , Lv Xinya , Zhu Wufu , Zheng Pengwu
Published: May 2022

A class of 4-phenoxy-pyridine/pyrimidine derivatives (23a–23p and 24a–24h) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as potent dual VEGFR-2/c-Met inhibitors.
Disordered spinel cobalt oxide electrocatalyst for highly enhanced HER activity in an alkaline medium
Authors: Muthukumar Pandi , Pannipara Mehboobali , Al-Sehemi Abdullah G. , Moon Dohyun , Anthony Savarimuthu Philip
Published: May 2022

Calcination of commercial cobalt salts at 800 °C produced a disordered spinel structure with more crystal strain and exhibited highly enhanced HER activity.
In situ synthesis of a porous ZrO2 coated fiber membrane for efficient static and dynamic removal of Se(iv)
Authors: Wang Linjie , Xu Xuechao
Published: May 2022

High-performance static and dynamic removal of Se(iv) from environmental water was achieved by using a porous ZrO2 coated fiber membrane.
Evaluating acid and metallic site proximity in Pt/γ-Al2O3–Cl bifunctional catalysts through an atomic scale geometrical model
Authors: Batista Ana T. F. , Chizallet Céline , Diehl Fabrice , Taleb Anne-Lise , Gay Anne-Sophie , Ersen Ovidiu , Raybaud Pascal
Published: May 2022

We establish a geometrical model which accounts for the global average metallic-acid inter-site distance evolution for Pt/alumina-Cl bifunctional catalysts, as a function of key descriptors.
In situ growth of laser-induced graphene micro-patterns on arbitrary substrates
Authors: Joanni Ednan , Kumar Rajesh , Fernandes Willians. P. , Savu Raluca , Matsuda Atsunori
Published: May 2022

In this article we report a new laser processing method, combining the in situ graphitization of polyimide with simultaneous transfer of the graphene patterns to arbitrary substrates.
Determination of atypical antipsychotics in human plasma by UPLC-UV with polystyrene nanofibers as a solid-phase extraction sorbent
Authors: Fan Liju , An Jing , Gao Jin , Cui Yanjun , Dong Zhanjun
Published: May 2022

A novel extraction procedure was developed using electrospun polystyrene (PS) nanofibers as a solid-phase extraction sorbent to collect atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) from human plasma.
Hydrogel composite mimics biological tissues
Authors: Horkay Ferenc , Basser Peter J.
Published: May 2022

A novel composite hydrogel was developed that shows remarkable similarities to load bearing biological tissues.
Enhanced charge carrier separation by bi-piezoelectric effects based on pine needle-like BaTiO3/ZnO continuous nanofibers
Authors: Zheng Wanxing , Tang Yufei , Liu Zhaowei , Xing Guoxin , Zhao Kang
Published: May 2022

Bi-piezoelectric enhancement mechanism of pine needle-like BaTiO3/ZnO continuous nanofibers can significantly improve piezophotocatalytic degradation performance.
Spatial distribution of triplet excitons formed from charge transfer states at the donor/acceptor interface
Authors: Izawa Seiichiro , Morimoto Masahiro , Naka Shigeki , Hiramoto Masahiro
Published: May 2022

Spatial distribution of triplet excitons near the organic semiconductor interface is clarified. The result indicates that 90% of the triplet excitons are confined to less than 10 nm from the interface, where photoelectric conversion and charge recombination occur.
Self-healable dynamic poly(urea-urethane) gel electrolyte for lithium batteries
Authors: Elizalde Fermin , Amici Julia , Trano Sabrina , Vozzolo Giulia , Aguirresarobe Robert , Versaci Daniele , Bodoardo Silvia , Mecerreyes David , Sardon Haritz , Bella Federico
Published: May 2022

Hindered urea bonds are introduced as self-healing units in a polymer electrolyte for Li-metal batteries. Differently from standard commercial separators, the poly(urea-urethane) system works for hundreds of cycles after several damage/healing steps.
Kinetic processes of phase separation and aggregation behaviors in slot-die processed high efficiency Y6-based organic solar cells
Authors: Xue Jingwei , Naveed Hafiz Bilal , Zhao Heng , Lin Baojun , Wang Yilin , Zhu Qinglian , Wu Baohua , Bi Zhaozhao , Zhou Xiaobo , Zhao Chao , Zhou Ke , Ma Wei
Published: May 2022

Highly efficient organic solar cells were fabricated by slot-die coating in an open-air environment without additives and any additional treatment by modulating kinetic processes of phase separation and aggregation behaviors.
Deep eutectic solvents as cryoprotective agents for mammalian cells
Authors: Bryant Saffron J. , Awad Miyah N. , Elbourne Aaron , Christofferson Andrew J. , Martin Andrew V. , Meftahi Nastaran , Drummond Calum J. , Greaves Tamar L. , Bryant Gary
Published: May 2022

A deep eutectic solvent is an effective cryoprotective agent for several human cell lines.
From main-chain conjugated polymer photosensitizer to hyperbranched polymer photosensitizer: expansion of the polymerization-enhanced photosensitization effect for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Cheng Jingxi , Zhou Yuping , Xu Shidang , Xie Yujun , Mao Duo , Wu Wenbo , Li Zhen
Published: May 2022

A donor–acceptor-type hyperbranched polymer was firstly designed to show both highly efficient Type-I and Type-II photosensitization effects, and has been successfully used for photodynamic therapy with better efficacy than hemoporfin.
A brief review on device operations and working mechanisms of organic transistor photomemories
Authors: Prakoso Suhendro Purbo , Chen Mei-Nung , Chiu Yu-Cheng
Published: May 2022

Transistor photomemories have been vastly progressing along with their potential applications utilized in IoT and AI fields. Hence, it is essential to classify the device working principles with device operations to ease further development.