bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The expansion of olive groves is reducing habitat suitability for the Great Bustard Otis tarda and the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax in Southern Spain: could Important Bird Areas (IBAs) reduce this expansion?
Authors: GUERRERO-CASADO JOSÉ , RIVAS CARLOS A. , TORTOSA FRANCISCO S.
Published: May 2022

Olive groves in the Mediterranean basin have undergone a tremendous increase during the last two decades, with most of the new olive groves being planted on arable land. This conversion may affect habitat suitability for steppe birds, which are associated with arable land and other open-land habitats, such as natural pastures. In this work, we evaluate the presence of new olive groves in the distribution of the Great Bustard Otis tarda and the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax in Southern Spain (the largest olive oil production zone in the world), and we compare the percentage of different land uses in 2000 and 2018 using data provided by the Corine Land Cover. From 2000 to 2018, new olive groves occupied 2.14 and 2.61% of the distribution areas of the Great Bustard and the Little Bustard, respectively. The decrease in arable land and the increase in permanent crops were the main drivers of the landscape composition changes during the study period. The fragmentation index of arable land was higher in 2018 than 2000. These changes in the landscape suggest a decrease in habitat availability and suitability for steppe birds that could affect the distribution and abundance of their populations. Moreover, there were no differences in the proportion of new olive groves planted inside and outside the limits of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) from 2000 to 2018, which were created to protect these steppe birds, thus suggesting that the management policy of the IBAs should be reviewed to prevent harmful land-use changes.
An improved congenital heart assessment tool: a quality improvement outcome
Authors: Gaskin Kerry L. , Smith Liz , Wray Jo
Published: May 2022

Background:

CHD was the most prevalent congenital anomaly (60.9 per 10,000, 95% CI 59.0–62.8) in England in 2018, with 1767 babies born with severe cardiac defects. The 30-day survival rates for complex procedures continue to improve; however despite care advances, the early post-operative period and first year of life remain a critical time for these infants. The Congenital Heart Assessment Tool was developed to support parental decision-making, standardise care provision, improve communication, and the safety and quality of care.

Aim:

To further evaluate the Congenital Heart Assessment Tool.

Design:

A four centre collaborative mixed-methods quality improvement project funded by The Health Foundation, involving eight phases conducted during 2016–2018. Phases six to eight (clinical simulation exercise, parent workshop, and updated tool) are reported in this paper.

Results:

Four themes emerged from the clinical simulation exercise (phase six) including: improving documentation; preparation of parents; preparation of health care professionals; and communication. One main theme emerged from the parent workshop (phase seven): “what parents know versus what professionals know [about CHD]”.

Conclusion:

These phases further validated the effectiveness of the CHATm in terms of triggering amber and red indicators and demonstrated parents’ ability to identify deterioration in their infant’s clinical condition. Recommendations arising from the quality improvement project enabled the project team to create an updated version of the Congenital Heart Assessment Tool, CHAT2.
Potential advantages of ketamine over electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of nonrefractory severe depression in older patients with multiple medical comorbidities
Authors: Rocha Fábio Lopes , Cunha Ulisses Gabriel V. , Duarte Débora B. , Hara Cláudia
Published: May 2022

Depression in older adults with multiple medical comorbidities can contribute to clinical deterioration, and increased mortality. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the first-line treatment for these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of subcutaneous (SC) ketamine as an alternative to ECT. We reviewed the medical records of all consecutive older inpatients with severe depression and multiple medical comorbidities who were referred for ECT but treated with SC ketamine over 1 year in our institution. Demographic data, DSM-5 diagnosis, MÅDRS score, and CGI score were analyzed. Twelve patients aged 67–94 years were included. All patients were rated as severely ill, 83% were women, with a mean of 12.6 (SD, 1.4) medical comorbidities. Remission was achieved in 75% of the intention-to-treat population and 100% of treatment completers. The number of sessions ranged from 1 to 6, and days until remission from 1 to 16. Patients remained without relapse for 8–28 months. SC ketamine was safe and well tolerated, and most adverse events were mild and transient. Although limited by the retrospective open-label design of the study and small sample size, our findings provide a potential new indication for ketamine: treatment of severe depression, not necessarily resistant to antidepressants, in older patients with multiple medical comorbidities, at risk of clinical deterioration, and referral for ECT. SC ketamine was highly effective in this population, with no relapse and good tolerance. Randomized controlled trials are needed to adequately test the use of ketamine in this specific group.
“To Speak As an Oracle of Christ”: Bishop G. E. Patterson and the Afterlives of Ecstasy
Authors: Shelley Braxton
Published: May 2022

This article attends to the musical afterlife of the late Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson, a Pentecostal minister who, at the time of his death, served as presiding bishop of the largest African American Pentecostal denomination, the Church of God in Christ. In it, I theorize the nexus of faith, media, and sound that lifted Bishop Patterson to the heights of ecclesial power during his lifetime, while laying the groundwork for a pervasive posthumous presence: broadcast religion. Placing Patterson's life-long preoccupation with various modes of technical mediation in conversation with his extremely musical approach to preaching, I will show that Bishop Patterson's technophilic Pentecostalism takes an enchanted view of devices like microphones, radios, televisions, and cameras, understanding each as a channel through which spiritual power can flow. As Patterson's voice and broadcasting infrastructure produce intimacy with countless scriptural scenes, they commingle mediation and immediacy, cultivating an enduring affect that I refer to as afterliveness. Transcending any single homiletic event, afterliveness depends on sermonic sound reproduction, effected by Patterson through both the practice of recording and through ecstatic acts of musical repetition, a set of recurring musical procedures that endow the bishop's ministry with an eternal pitch.
How Is the Ocean Anthropogenic Carbon Reservoir Filled?
Authors: Davila Xabier , Gebbie Geoffrey , Brakstad Ailin , Lauvset Siv K. , McDonagh Elaine L. , Schwinger Jörg , Olsen Are
Published: May 2022

About a quarter of the total anthropogenic CO2 emissions during the industrial era has been absorbed by the ocean. The rate limiting step for this uptake is the transport of the anthropogenic carbon (Cant) from the ocean mixed layer where it is absorbed to the interior ocean where it is stored. While it is generally known that deep water formation sites are important for vertical carbon transport, the exact magnitude of the fluxes across the base of the mixed layer in different regions is uncertain. Here, we determine where, when, and how much Cant has been injected across the mixed‐layer base and into the interior ocean since the start of the industrialized era. We do this by combining a transport matrix derived from observations with a time‐evolving boundary condition obtained from already published estimates of ocean Cant. Our results show that most of the Cant stored below the mixed layer are injected in the subtropics (40.1%) and the Southern Ocean (36.0%), while the Subpolar North Atlantic has the largest fluxes. The Subpolar North Atlantic is also the most important region for injecting Cant into the deep ocean with 81.6% of the Cant reaching depths greater than 1,000 m. The subtropics, on the other hand, have been the most efficient in transporting Cant across the mixed‐layer base per volume of water ventilated. This study shows how the oceanic Cant uptake relies on vertical transports in a few oceanic regions and sheds light on the pathways that fill the ocean Cant reservoir.
Groundwater Model Impacts Multiannual Simulations of Heat Waves
Authors: Furusho‐Percot C. , Goergen K. , Hartick C. , Poshyvailo‐Strube L. , Kollet S.
Published: May 2022

Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of heat waves, bringing along multiple adverse impacts on ecosystems, human health, societies, and the economy. Groundwater influences the near surface air temperature evolution through land–atmosphere interactions. Using simplified and shallow groundwater representations, reproducing heat waves in a regional climate model (RCM) is challenging. Currently, RCMs applied over Europe exhibit a warm bias. This study analyzes heat waves over a 13‐year evaluation period, comparing the terrestrial systems modeling platform (TSMP) with an explicit groundwater representation to a EURO‐CORDEX RCM ensemble, the ERA5 reanalysis, and observations. The TSMP multiannual heat wave statistics are consistent with observations and reanalysis data. We attribute the lower absolute deviations of heat wave metrics simulated by TSMP to the improved hydrology including 3D groundwater flow. The findings emphasize the importance of hydrological process representation in RCMs.
Impact of Anticyclonic Eddy on Nonlinear Wave‐Wave Interaction in the Southern South China Sea During Late Summer 2020
Authors: Xu Hongzhou , Zhang Zhipeng , Vetter Philip Adam , Xie Qiang , Long Tong , Hong Bo
Published: May 2022

Nonlinear wave‐wave interaction (WWI) in the southern South China Sea (SCS) has rarely been investigated due to sparse field observation. By analyzing datasets recorded by two adjacent moorings, we find active nonlinear WWI among diurnal internal tides (D1 ITs), near‐inertial waves (NIWs), and D1‐f waves in this area. Although the blue shift of NIWs can provide part of the energy for D1‐f waves, the bulk of D1‐f energy was generated from the nonlinear WWI. Driven by the summer monsoon, a dipole of mesoscale eddies was formed off the central Vietnam coast and intruded into the study area. The anticyclonic eddy of the dipole reduced the local effective Coriolis frequency by providing negative vorticity and suppressed the nonlinear WWI locally. During the intrusion period, D1‐f waves almost vanished suggesting the important role of mesoscale eddy on adjusting the nonlinear WWI in the SCS.
Persistence of the Large‐Scale Interior Deep Ocean Circulation in Global Repeat Hydrographic Sections
Authors: Hautala Susan L. , Finucane Garrett
Published: May 2022

An assumption of steady‐state is a common basis for deep ocean circulation theory and observational strategies. We use GO‐SHIP's Easy Ocean uniformly gridded CTD data from repeat hydrographic sections to test this assumption. In particular, we ask: for what regions of the world ocean is there evidence that the planetary scale deep geostrophic shear and potential vorticity fields, related to potential density gradients, are in quasi‐steady‐state over the modern observational period? We find that away from boundary currents, planetary‐scale potential density gradients in most parts of the deep ocean are stable from occupation to occupation, with higher variability in a few expected regions and for shorter sections. Median standard errors from all sections are 12%–17% in the Pacific, 10%–23% in the Atlantic, and 11%–36% in the Indian Ocean, with the highest values at 2,000 dbar and lowest at 4,000 dbar.
An Integral View of the Gulf of Tonkin Seasonal Dynamics
Authors: Zavala‐Garay Javier , Rogowski Peter , Wilkin John , Terrill Eric , Shearman R. Kipp , Tran Lam Hong
Published: May 2022

As part of a U.S. – Vietnam collaborative effort, a numerical model is used to describe the dynamics associated with the Gulf of Tonkin seasonal variability. Unique to this study is the synthesis of historical and recent observations throughout the gulf that are leveraged to validate the model's seasonal component. The dynamics is primarily forced by seasonally reversing monsoons, remote transports through the Qiongzhou Strait and by the western boundary current, and river discharge. Monsoonal winds set up pressure gradients across the gulf that tend to be balanced by geostrophic flows (cyclonic during the winter and anticyclonic during the summer). However, a number of processes modify the wind‐driven dynamics with all of them promoting cyclonic circulation. In the eastern region, the tides influence the seasonal variability via (a) a tidal‐residual flow producing an influx of mass through the Qiongzhou Strait and (b) through modification of the summer baroclinic density field. In the western region, the seasonal variability can be strongly dependent on river buoyancy flows and intrusions of the western boundary current. Southwest summer winds produce a low salinity bulge near the Red River mouth that releases and advects as a southward coastal current during the fall as winds relax and reverse direction. Additionally, the vorticity budget shows that topographic steering constrains the seasonal variability promoting intrusions of the western boundary current during winter monsoon conditions, when the current carries water of shallow origin from the Chinese shelf.
Ultraviolet Photooxidation of Smectite‐Bound Fe(II) and Implications for the Origin of Martian Nontronites
Authors: Rivera Banuchi V. B. , Liu W. , Yee N. , Legett C. , Glotch T. D. , Chemtob S. M.
Published: May 2022

Clay minerals detected with orbital and in situ instruments in ancient Martian terrains constrain Mars' climate and aqueous alteration history. Early in its history, Mars experienced an atmospheric redox change and iron‐bearing clay minerals may preserve the effects of that transition. Ferrous smectites, the thermodynamically predicted product of chemical weathering of basalts under anoxic conditions, may have undergone oxidation by exposure to chemical oxidants in the atmosphere or regolith, or by direct photooxidation at the surface. To assess these potential oxidation pathways, ferrous trioctahedral smectites of varying initial iron content were synthesized and subjected to oxidation by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Experimental UV irradiation under an anoxic atmosphere equivalent to approximately 7 years of flux on the Martian surface caused partial oxidation of smectite‐bound Fe (Fe3+/ΣFe = 16–18%) and octahedral sheet contraction. Metal‐OH vibrational bands in visible/near infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectra of oxidized smectites changed in band depth and asymmetry with higher iron content. X‐ray diffraction patterns of UV irradiated samples indicate the formation of a mixed di‐ and trioctahedral smectite or a secondary nontronite phase, possibly on the surfaces of higher iron content smectites. These experiments suggest that UV irradiation is able to oxidize structurally bound iron in smectites without the presence of other chemical oxidants. Photooxidation may have influenced the mineralogy, both syndepositionally and postdepositionally, of Martian alteration assemblages formed near the surface and this process needs not be limited to one part of their formation history.
Using Simple, Explainable Neural Networks to Predict the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Authors: Martin Zane K. , Barnes Elizabeth A. , Maloney Eric
Published: May 2022

Few studies have utilized machine learning techniques to predict or understand the Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO), a key source of subseasonal variability and predictability. Here, we present a simple framework for real‐time MJO prediction using shallow artificial neural networks (ANNs). We construct two ANN architectures, one deterministic and one probabilistic, that predict a real‐time MJO index using maps of tropical variables. These ANNs make skillful MJO predictions out to ∼18 days in October‐March and ∼11 days in April‐September, outperforming conventional linear models and efficiently capturing aspects of MJO predictability found in more complex, dynamical models. The flexibility and explainability of simple ANN frameworks are highlighted through varying model input and applying ANN explainability techniques that reveal sources and regions important for ANN prediction skill. The accessibility, performance, and efficiency of this simple machine learning framework is more broadly applicable to predict and understand other Earth system phenomena.
The Sediment Green‐Blue Color Ratio as a Proxy for Biogenic Silica Productivity Along the Chilean Margin
Authors: Li Chen , Clementi Vincent J. , Bova Samantha C. , Rosenthal Yair , Childress Laurel B. , Wright James D. , Jian Zhimin ,   Expedition 379T Scientists
Published: May 2022

Sediment cores recently collected from the Chilean Margin during D/V JOIDES Resolution Expedition 379T (JR100) document variability in shipboard‐generated records of the green/blue (G/B) ratio. These changes show a strong coherence with benthic foraminiferal δ18O, Antarctic ice core records, and sediment lithology (e.g., higher diatom abundances in greener sediment intervals), suggesting a climate‐related control on the G/B. Here, we test the utility of G/B as a proxy for diatom productivity at Sites J1002 and J1007 by calibrating G/B to measured biogenic opal. Strong exponential correlations between measured opal% and the G/B were found at both sites. We use the empirical regressions to generate high‐resolution records of opal contents (opal%) on the Chilean Margin. Higher productivity tends to result in more reducing sedimentary conditions. Redox‐sensitive sedimentary U/Th generally co‐varies with the reconstructed opal% at both sites, supporting the association between sediment color, sedimentary U/Th, and productivity. Lastly, we calculated opal mass accumulation rate (MAR) at Site J1007 over the last ∼150,000 years. The G/B‐derived opal MAR record from Site J1007 largely tracks existing records derived from traditional wet‐alkaline digestion from the south and eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) Ocean, with a common opal flux peak at ∼50 ka suggesting that increased diatom productivity in the EEP was likely driven by enhanced nutrient supply from the Southern Ocean rather than dust inputs as previously suggested. Collectively, our results identify the G/B ratio as a useful tool with the potential to generate reliable, high‐resolution paleoceanographic records that circumvent the traditionally laborious methodology.
Density Compressions at Magnetic Switchbacks Associated With Fast Plasma: A Superposed Epoch Analysis
Authors: Liu Ruoyan , Liu Yong C.‐M. , Huang Jia , Huang Zhaohui , Klecker Berndt , Wang Chi
Published: May 2022

Many magnetic field “switchbacks” were detected by the Parker Solar Probe and their origin remains a puzzle. We did a superposed epoch analysis (SEA) to investigate the plasma characteristics in the vicinity of switchbacks and their radial evolution. SEA is good way to get the statistical average features of certain types of events that have obvious boundaries and different durations. For 55 events ranging from 1 to 30 min, the SEA results show that a small parcel of plasma is piling up in front of the reversed field, and that the trailing plasma density enhancement is much lower. This asymmetry can be explained in part by a fast ejecta and plasma piling up around it. The evolution of events at different distances from the Sun also supports that the switchbacks are related to the faster flow near the Sun. However, these features cannot rule out the possibility that these switchbacks and the related fast flows may be caused by the interchange reconnection near the surface of the Sun.
In Recognition of Our 2021 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Montési Laurent G. J. , Määttänen Anni , Rogers A. Deanne , Thomson Bradley J.
Published: May 2022

Peer reviewing is the key to ensuring that the articles published in scientific journals such as JGR: Planets are based on sound scientific principles, follow state‐of‐the‐art techniques, and present exciting discoveries or novel understanding of the fundamental processes that affect solar system objects. Our journal covers an extraordinarily broad range of topics addressing every aspect of geoscience with the only requirement that the work should not be solely focused on the Earth. Our editorial team in 2021 comprised Gareth Collins, Jun Cui, Joel Davis, Caleb Fassett, Leigh Fletcher, Matthias Grott, Ananya Mallik, German Martínez, Molly McCanta, Ryan Park, Andrew Poppe, Beatrix Sanchez‐Cano, Mariek Schmidt, Yasuhito Sekine, Kelsi Singer, Sonia Tikoo, David Trang, and Zhiyong Xiao, in addition to the authors of this note. No matter how eclectic, our team cannot be specialized in every subject. With the universe as our playground, we rely on the expertise of the community to vet the articles submitted to the journal. In 2021, JGR: Planets benefited from 951 reviews provided by 597 unique reviewers. We also received help from 25 guest editors working on 5 active special collections. We know that most juggle many duties, both professional and personal. We are forever grateful that they chose to dedicate their time and energy to evaluating submitted manuscripts and advising us on the suitability of each manuscript for our journal, often suggesting ways to improve the paper. Scientific publishing truly is a community effort. The entire editorial board of JGR: Planets wishes to express here our most heartfelt gratitude to the many scientists who chose to support this journal, their journal. Thank you!
Functional and pathologic association of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases with cancer
Authors: Sung Yulseung , Yoon Ina , Han Jung Min , Kim Sunghoon
Published: May 2022

Although key tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive factors have been unveiled over the last several decades, cancer remains the most life-threatening disease. Multiomic analyses of patient samples and an in-depth understanding of tumorigenic processes have rapidly revealed unexpected pathologic associations of new cellular factors previously overlooked in cancer biology. In this regard, the newly discovered activities of human aminoacyl-tRNA synthases (ARSs) deserve attention not only for their pathological significance in tumorigenesis but also regarding diagnostic and therapeutic implications. ARSs are not only essential enzymes covalently linking substrate amino acids to cognate tRNAs for protein synthesis but also function as regulators of cellular processes by sensing different cellular conditions. With their catalytic role in protein synthesis and their regulatory role in homeostasis, functional alterations or dysregulation of ARSs might be pathologically associated with tumorigenesis. This review focuses on the potential implications of ARS genes and proteins in different aspects of cancer based on various bioinformatic analyses and experimental data. We also review their diverse activities involving extracellular secretion, protein–protein interactions, and amino acid sensing, which are related to cancers. The newly discovered cancer-related activities of ARSs are expected to provide new opportunities for detecting, preventing and curing cancers.
Discovery of lignin-transforming bacteria and enzymes in thermophilic environments using stable isotope probing
Authors: Levy-Booth David J , Navas Laura E , Fetherolf Morgan M , Liu Li-Yang , Dalhuisen Thomas , Renneckar Scott , Eltis Lindsay D , Mohn William W
Published: May 2022

Characterizing microorganisms and enzymes involved in lignin biodegradation in thermal ecosystems can identify thermostable biocatalysts. We integrated stable isotope probing (SIP), genome-resolved metagenomics, and enzyme characterization to investigate the degradation of high-molecular weight, 13C-ring-labeled synthetic lignin by microbial communities from moderately thermophilic hot spring sediment (52 °C) and a woody “hog fuel” pile (53 and 62 °C zones). 13C-Lignin degradation was monitored using IR-GCMS of 13CO2, and isotopic enrichment of DNA was measured with UHLPC-MS/MS. Assembly of 42 metagenomic libraries (72 Gb) yielded 344 contig bins, from which 125 draft genomes were produced. Fourteen genomes were significantly enriched with 13C from lignin, including genomes of Actinomycetes (Thermoleophilaceae, Solirubrobacteraceae, Rubrobacter sp.), Firmicutes (Kyrpidia sp., Alicyclobacillus sp.) and Gammaproteobacteria (Steroidobacteraceae). We employed multiple approaches to screen genomes for genes encoding putative ligninases and pathways for aromatic compound degradation. Our analysis identified several novel laccase-like multi-copper oxidase (LMCO) genes in 13C-enriched genomes. One of these LMCOs was heterologously expressed and shown to oxidize lignin model compounds and minimally transformed lignin. This study elucidated bacterial lignin depolymerization and mineralization in thermal ecosystems, establishing new possibilities for the efficient valorization of lignin at elevated temperature.
MBD3 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression and metastasis through negative regulation of tumour suppressor TFPI2
Authors: Yan Weiwei , Han Qiuying , Gong Lin , Zhan Xiaoyan , Li Wanjin , Guo Zenglin , Zhao Jiangman , Li Tingting , Bai Zhaofang , Wu Jin , Huang Yan , Lv Luye , Zhao Haixin , Cai Hong , Huang Shaoyi , Diao Xinwei , Chen Yuan , Gong Weili , Xia Qing , Man Jianghong , Chen Liang , Dai Guanghai , Zhou Tao
Published: May 2022

Background

The mechanism of recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complex and challenging. Methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3 (MBD3) is a key epigenetic regulator involved in the progression and metastasis of several cancers, but its role in HCC remains unknown.

Methods

MBD3 expression in HCC was detected by immunohistochemistry and its association with clinicopathological features and patient’s survival was analysed. The effects of MBD3 on hepatoma cells growth and metastasis were investigated, and the mechanism was explored.

Results

MBD3 is significantly highly expressed in HCC, associated with the advanced tumour stage and poor prognosis in HCC patients. MBD3 promotes the growth, angiogenesis and metastasis of HCC cells by inhibiting the tumour suppressor tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TFPI2). Mechanistically, MBD3 can inhibit the TFPI2 transcription via the Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex-mediated deacetylation, thus reactivating the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, leading to the progression and metastasis of HCC

Conclusions

Our results unravel the novel regulatory function of MBD3 in the progression and metastasis of HCC and identify MBD3 as an independent unfavourable prognostic factor for HCC patients, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target as well.
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase METTL3-mediated LINC00680 accelerates osteoarthritis through m6A/SIRT1 manner
Authors: Ren Jiangdong , Li Yicheng , Wuermanbieke Shalitanati , Hu Shu , Huang Guangxin
Published: May 2022

Increasing evidence suggest the biological roles of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the bone disease, especially osteoarthritis (OA). However, the interaction of m6A and lncRNA in osteoarthritis is still unclear. Here, we found that a m6A-related lncRNA LINC00680 upregulated in the OA tissue and IL-1β-induced isolated primary chondrocytes. Functionally, in IL-1β-induced chondrocytes, silencing of LINC00680 recovered the proliferation and repressed the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Mechanistically, m6A methyltransferase METTL3 combined tithe the m6A site of LINC00680 to up-regulate its expression. Moreover, LINC00680 interacted with SIRT1 mRNA through binding at m6A site on SIRT1 mRNA 3′-UTR, thereby enhancing the stability of SIRT1 mRNA. Overall, these findings exhibited a role of LINC00680/m6A/SIRT1 mRNA complex in chondrocytes. Taken together, the present study intends to uncover the mechanism by which METTL3-mediated LINC00680 accelerates OA progression, which may provide novel insight for OA.
Roles and mechanisms of the m6A reader YTHDC1 in biological processes and diseases
Authors: Yan Huaqing , Zhang Liqi , Cui Xiaobo , Zheng Sinian , Li Rubing
Published: May 2022

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a key area in Epigenetics and has been increasingly focused these years. In the m6A process, readers recognize the m6A modification on mRNAs or noncoding RNAs and mediate different downstream events. Emerging studies have shown that YTHDC1, an important m6A reader, plays a key role in many biological functions and disease progression, especially cancers. Here we summarized the current mechanisms of YTHDC1 in biological functions and diseases and offered guidance for future researches to provide potential strategy for clinical diagnose and therapy.
Rare and misincorporated DNA N6-methyladenine is a hallmark of cytotoxic stresses for selectively stimulating the stemness and proliferation of glioblastoma cells
Authors: Lyu Cong , Niu Yamei , Lai Weiyi , Wang Yu , Wang Yaning , Dai Peibin , Ma Chunhui , Chen Shaokun , Li Yao , Jiang Guibin , Liang Zhiyong , Ma Wenbin , Gao Zhengliang , Tong Wei-Min , Wang Hailin
Published: May 2022

The entity of DNA N6-methyladenine (6mA) in mammals remains elusive and subsequently its roles in diseases are poorly understood. Here we exploited a bacterial DNA contamination-free and ultrasensitive UHPLC-MS/MS assay to reassess DNA 6mA in human glioblastomas and unveiled that DNA 6mA (~0.08 ppm) is extremely rare. By the use of two independent heavy stable isotope-labeling strategies, we further prove that the observed 6mA is solely generated by DNA polymerase-mediated misinocorporation. In vitro experiments point toward that the generation of misincorporated DNA 6mA is associated with the cellular stresses-caused release of RNA N6-methyladenine (m6A) nucleoside, which is profoundly inhibited by hypoxia milieu. Consistently, compared with normal brain tissues, DNA 6mA decreases in hypoxic human gliomas. Our data also strongly support that rare DNA 6mA rather than relatively abundant DNA 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine is a hallmark of poor prognosis ofIDH1/2mutation-absent glioblastoma patients, reflecting the incidence of cytotoxic stresses and subsequent release of m6A nucleoside. The released m6A nucleoside may selectively preserve a subset of the glioblastoma cells and stimulate their stemness and proliferation. Noteworthily, demethylation-inhibitingIDH1mutation increases the DNA 6mA content in human gliomas, but the depletion of the demethylase candidate ALKBH1 fails to do so, together suggesting the presence of other unknown 6mA demethylase for erasing misincorporated DNA 6mA. This is the first report on the identification of the misincorporated 6mA together with its origin and roles in diseases.
Incidence and criteria used in the diagnosis of hospital-acquired malnutrition in adults: a systematic review and pooled incidence analysis
Authors: Botero Liliana , Young Adrienne M. , Banks Merrilyn D. , Bauer Judy
Published: May 2022

Despite advances in identifying malnutrition at hospital admission, decline in nutritional status of well-nourished patients can be overlooked. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the incidence of hospital-acquired malnutrition (HAM), diagnostic criteria and health-related outcomes. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched up to July 2021. Studies were included if changes in nutritional status was assessed with a validated nutrition assessment tool in acute and subacute adult (≥18 yrs) hospitalised patients. A random-effects method was used to pool the incidence proportion of HAM in prospective studies. The certainty of evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. We identified 12 observational cohort studies (10 prospective and 2 retrospective), involving 35,324 participants from acute (9 studies) and subacute settings (3 studies). Retrospective studies reported a lower incidence of HAM (<1.4%) than prospective studies (acute: 9–38%; subacute: 0–7%). The pooled incidence of HAM in acute care was 25.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 17.3–34.6). Diagnostic criteria varied, with use of different nutrition assessment tools and timeframes for assessment (retrospective studies: >14 days; prospective studies: ≥7 days). Nutritional decline is probably associated with longer length of stay and higher 6-month readmission (moderate certainty of evidence) and may be association with higher complications and infections (low certainty of evidence). The higher incidence of HAM in the acute setting, where nutritional assessments are conducted prospectively, highlights the need for consensus regarding diagnostic criteria and further studies to understand the impact of HAM.
Unique binding pattern for a lineage of human antibodies with broad reactivity against influenza A virus
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Liu Caixuan , Lu Xiao , Ling Zhiyang , Yi Chunyan , Zhang Zhen , Li Zi , Jin Mingliang , Wang Wenshuai , Tang Shubing , Wang Fangfang , Wang Fang , Wangmo Sonam , Chen Shuangfeng , Li Li , Ma Liyan , Zhang Yaguang , Yang Zhuo , Dong Xiaoping , Qian Zhikang , Ding Jianping , Wang Dayan , Cong Yao , Sun Bing
Published: May 2022

Most structurally characterized broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) against influenza A viruses (IAVs) target the conserved conformational epitopes of hemagglutinin (HA). Here, we report a lineage of naturally occurring human antibodies sharing the same germline gene, VH3-48/VK1-12. These antibodies broadly neutralize the major circulating strains of IAV in vitro and in vivo mainly by binding a contiguous epitope of H3N2 HA, but a conformational epitope of H1N1 HA, respectively. Our structural and functional studies of antibody 28-12 revealed that the continuous amino acids in helix A, particularly N49HA2 of H3 HA, are critical to determine the binding feature with 28-12. In contrast, the conformational epitope feature is dependent on the discontinuous segments involving helix A, the fusion peptide, and several HA1 residues within H1N1 HA. We report that this antibody was initially selected by H3 (group 2) viruses and evolved via somatic hypermutation to enhance the reactivity to H3 and acquire cross-neutralization to H1 (group 1) virus. These findings enrich our understanding of different antigenic determinants of heterosubtypic influenza viruses for the recognition of bnAbs and provide a reference for the design of influenza vaccines and more effective antiviral drugs.
Intermolecular diastereoselective annulation of azaarenes into fused N-heterocycles by Ru(II) reductive catalysis
Authors: Zhao He , Wu Yang , Ci Chenggang , Tan Zhenda , Yang Jian , Jiang Huanfeng , Dixneuf Pierre H. , Zhang Min
Published: May 2022

Derivatization of azaarenes can create molecules of biological importance, but reductive functionalization of weakly reactive azaarenes remains a challenge. Here the authors show a dearomative, diastereoselective annulation of azaarenes, via ruthenium(II) reductive catalysis, proceeding with excellent selectivity, mild conditions, and broad substrate and functional group compatibility. Mechanistic studies reveal that the products are formed via hydride transfer-initiated β-aminomethylation and α-arylation of the pyridyl core in the azaarenes, and that paraformaldehyde serves as both the C1-building block and reductant precursor, and the use of Mg(OMe)2 base plays a critical role in determining the reaction chemo-selectivity by lowering the hydrogen transfer rate. The present work opens a door to further develop valuable reductive functionalization of unsaturated systems by taking profit of formaldehyde-endowed two functions.
Placental multi-omics integration identifies candidate functional genes for birthweight
Authors: Tekola-Ayele Fasil , Zeng Xuehuo , Chatterjee Suvo , Ouidir Marion , Lesseur Corina , Hao Ke , Chen Jia , Tesfaye Markos , Marsit Carmen J. , Workalemahu Tsegaselassie , Wapner Ronald
Published: May 2022

Abnormal birthweight is associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases in later life. Although the placenta is critical to fetal development and later life health, it has not been integrated into largescale functional genomics initiatives, and mechanisms of birthweight-associated variants identified by genome wide association studies (GWAS) are unclear. The goal of this study is to provide functional mechanistic insight into the causal pathway from a genetic variant to birthweight by integrating placental methylation and gene expression with established GWAS loci for birthweight. We identify placental DNA methylation and gene expression targets for several birthweight GWAS loci. The target genes are broadly enriched in cardiometabolic, immune response, and hormonal pathways. We find that methylation causally influencesWNT3A,CTDNEP1, andRANBP2expression in placenta. Multi-trait colocalization identifiesPLEKHA1,FES,CTDNEP1, andPRMT7as likely functional effector genes. These findings reveal candidate functional pathways that underpin the genetic regulation of birthweight via placental epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms. Clinical trial registration; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00912132.
A cost-effective alkaline polysulfide-air redox flow battery enabled by a dual-membrane cell architecture
Authors: Xia Yuhua , Ouyang Mengzheng , Yufit Vladimir , Tan Rui , Regoutz Anna , Wang Anqi , Mao Wenjie , Chakrabarti Barun , Kavei Ashkan , Song Qilei , Kucernak Anthony R. , Brandon Nigel P.
Published: May 2022

With the rapid development of renewable energy harvesting technologies, there is a significant demand for long-duration energy storage technologies that can be deployed at grid scale. In this regard, polysulfide-air redox flow batteries demonstrated great potential. However, the crossover of polysulfide is one significant challenge. Here, we report a stable and cost-effective alkaline-based hybrid polysulfide-air redox flow battery where a dual-membrane-structured flow cell design mitigates the sulfur crossover issue. Moreover, combining manganese/carbon catalysed air electrodes with sulfidised Ni foam polysulfide electrodes, the redox flow battery achieves a maximum power density of 5.8 mW cm−2 at 50% state of charge and 55 °C. An average round-trip energy efficiency of 40% is also achieved over 80 cycles at 1 mA cm−2. Based on the performance reported, techno-economic analyses suggested that energy and power costs of about 2.5 US$/kWh and 1600 US$/kW, respectively, has be achieved for this type of alkaline polysulfide-air redox flow battery, with significant scope for further reduction.
Emergent multiferroism with magnetodielectric coupling in EuTiO3 created by a negative pressure control of strong spin-phonon coupling
Authors: Zhao Run , Yang Chao , Wang Hongguang , Jiang Kai , Wu Hua , Shen Shipeng , Wang Le , Sun Young , Jin Kuijuan , Gao Ju , Chen Li , Wang Haiyan , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L. , van Aken Peter A. , Hong Jiawang , Li Weiwei , Yang Hao
Published: May 2022

Negative pressure has emerged as a powerful tool to tailor the physical properties of functional materials. However, a negative pressure control of spin-phonon coupling for engineering magnetism and multiferroicity has not been explored to date. Here, using uniform three-dimensional strain-induced negative pressure in nanocomposite films of (EuTiO3)0.5:(MgO)0.5, we demonstrate an emergent multiferroicity with magnetodielectric coupling in EuTiO3, matching exactly with density functional theory calculations. Density functional theory calculations are further used to explore the underlying physics of antiferromagnetic-paraelectric to ferromagnetic-ferroelectric phase transitions, the spin-phonon coupling, and its correlation with negative pressures. The observation of magnetodielectric coupling in the EuTiO3 reveals that an enhanced spin-phonon coupling originates from a negative pressure induced by uniform three-dimensional strain. Our work provides a route to creating multiferroicity and magnetoelectric coupling in single-phase oxides using a negative pressure approach.
High-performance cavity-enhanced quantum memory with warm atomic cell
Authors: Ma Lixia , Lei Xing , Yan Jieli , Li Ruiyang , Chai Ting , Yan Zhihui , Jia Xiaojun , Xie Changde , Peng Kunchi
Published: May 2022

High-performance quantum memory for quantized states of light is a prerequisite building block of quantum information technology. Despite great progresses of optical quantum memories based on interactions of light and atoms, physical features of these memories still cannot satisfy requirements for applications in practical quantum information systems, since all of them suffer from trade-off between memory efficiency and excess noise. Here, we report a high-performance cavity-enhanced electromagnetically-induced-transparency memory with warm atomic cell in which a scheme of optimizing the spatial and temporal modes based on the time-reversal approach is applied. The memory efficiency up to 67 ± 1% is directly measured and a noise level close to quantum noise limit is simultaneously reached. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the average fidelities for a set of input coherent states with different phases and amplitudes within a Gaussian distribution have exceeded the classical benchmark fidelities. Thus the realized quantum memory platform has been capable of preserving quantized optical states, and is ready to be applied in quantum information systems, such as distributed quantum logic gates and quantum-enhanced atomic magnetometry.
Activation and allosteric regulation of the orphan GPR88-Gi1 signaling complex
Authors: Chen Geng , Xu Jun , Inoue Asuka , Schmidt Maximilian F. , Bai Chen , Lu Qiuyuan , Gmeiner Peter , Liu Zheng , Du Yang
Published: May 2022

GPR88 is an orphan class A G-protein-coupled receptor that is highly expressed in the striatum and regulates diverse brain and behavioral functions. Here we present cryo-EM structures of the human GPR88-Gi1 signaling complex with or without a synthetic agonist(1R, 2R)-2-PCCA. We show that(1R, 2R)-2-PCCA is an allosteric modulator binding to a herein identified pocket formed by the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane segments 5, 6, and the extreme C terminus of the α5 helix of Gi1. We also identify an electron density in the extracellular orthosteric site that may represent a putative endogenous ligand of GPR88. These structures, together with mutagenesis studies and an inactive state model obtained from metadynamics simulations, reveal a unique activation mechanism for GPR88 with a set of distinctive structure features and a water-mediated polar network. Overall, our results provide a structural framework for understanding the ligand binding, activation and signaling mechanism of GPR88, and will facilitate the innovative drug discovery for neuropsychiatric disorders and for deorphanization of this receptor.
Formation of thyroid hormone revealed by a cryo-EM structure of native bovine thyroglobulin
Authors: Marechal Nils , Serrano Banyuhay P. , Zhang Xinyan , Weitz Charles J.
Published: May 2022

Thyroid hormones are essential regulators of metabolism, development, and growth. They are formed from pairs of iodinated tyrosine residues within the precursor thyroglobulin (TG), a 660-kDa homodimer of the thyroid gland, by an oxidative coupling reaction. Tyrosine pairs that give rise to thyroid hormones have been assigned within the structure of human TG, but the process of hormone formation is poorly understood. Here we report a ~3.3-Å cryo-EM structure of native bovine TG with nascent thyroid hormone formed at one of the predicted hormonogenic sites. Local structural rearrangements provide insight into mechanisms underlying thyroid hormone formation and stabilization.
Domain memory effect in the organic ferroics
Authors: Wang Zhong-Xia , Chen Xiao-Gang , Song Xian-Jiang , Zeng Yu-Ling , Li Peng-Fei , Tang Yuan-Yuan , Liao Wei-Qiang , Xiong Ren-Gen
Published: May 2022

Shape memory alloys have been used extensively in actuators, couplings, medical guide wires, and smart devices, because of their unique shape memory effect and superelasticity triggered by the reversible martensitic phase transformations. For ferroic materials, however, almost no memory effects have been found for their ferroic domains after reversible phase transformations. Here, we present a pair of single-component organic enantiomorphic ferroelectric/ferroelastic crystals, (R)- and (S)-N-3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine SA-NPh-(R) and SA-NPh-(S). It is notable that not only can their ferroic domain patterns disappear and reappear during reversible thermodynamic phase transformations, but they can also disappear and reappear during reversible light-driven phase transformations induced by enol–keto photoisomerization, both of which are from P1 to P21 polar space groups. Most importantly, the domain patterns are exactly the same in the initial and final states, demonstrating the existence of a memory effect for the ferroic domains in SA-NPh-(R) and SA-NPh-(S). As far as we are aware, the domain memory effect triggered by both thermodynamic and light-driven ferroelectric/ferroelastic phase transformations remains unexplored in ferroic materials. Thermal and optical control of domain memory effect would open up a fresh research field for smart ferroic materials.
The rapid evolution of lungfish durophagy
Authors: Cui Xindong , Friedman Matt , Qiao Tuo , Yu Yilun , Zhu Min
Published: May 2022

Innovations relating to the consumption of hard prey are implicated in ecological shifts in marine ecosystems as early as the mid-Paleozoic. Lungfishes represent the first and longest-ranging lineage of durophagous vertebrates, but how and when the various feeding specializations of this group arose remain unclear. Two exceptionally preserved fossils of the Early Devonian lobe-finned fishYoungolepisreveal the origin of the specialized lungfish feeding mechanism.Youngolepishas a radically restructured palate, reorienting jaw muscles for optimal force transition, coupled with radiating entopterygoid tooth rows like those of lungfish toothplates. This triturating surface occurs in conjunction with marginal dentition and blunt coronoid fangs, suggesting a role in crushing rather than piercing prey. Bayesian tip-dating analyses incorporating these morphological data indicate that the complete suite of lungfish feeding specializations may have arisen in as little as 7 million years, representing one of the most striking episodes of innovation during the initial evolutionary radiations of bony fishes.
The right bug in the right place: opportunities for bacterial vaginosis treatment
Authors: Wu Shengru , Hugerth Luisa Warchavchik , Schuppe-Koistinen Ina , Du Juan
Published: May 2022

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition in which the vaginal microbiome presents an overgrowth of obligate and facultative anaerobes, which disturbs the vaginal microbiome balance. BV is a common and recurring vaginal infection among women of reproductive age and is associated with adverse health outcomes and a decreased quality of life. The current recommended first-line treatment for BV is antibiotics, despite the high recurrence rate. Live biopharmaceutical products/probiotics and vaginal microbiome transplantation (VMT) have also been tested in clinical trials for BV. In this review, we discuss the advantages and challenges of current BV treatments and interventions. Furthermore, we provide our understanding of why current clinical trials with probiotics have had mixed results, which is mainly due to not administering the correct bacteria to the correct body site. Here, we propose a great opportunity for large clinical trials with probiotic strains isolated from the vaginal tract (e.g., Lactobacillus crispatus) and administered directly into the vagina after pretreatment.