bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-Educational Impact of Ukraine War Murals: Jasień Railway Station Gallery
Authors: Perzycka-Borowska Elżbieta , Gliniecka Marta , Kukiełko Kalina , Parchimowicz Michał
Published: May 2023

Exploring the role of public art in conveying complex socio-political messages, this article investigates the multifaceted socio-educational impact of 32 murals representing the war in Ukraine, located in Jasień Railway Station, Gdansk, Poland. Employing an interdisciplinary research approach, the study combines critical theory and visual communication methodologies to uncover the deeper messages conveyed by these thought-provoking murals. The analysis encompasses six diverse perspectives—historical, personal, ethical, cultural, technical, and critical—leading to the identification of six distinct mural categories: (1) resistance and hope, (2) family and courage, (3) suffering and death, (4) torturers and the oppressed, (5) animals, and (6) idyllic. The study underscores the significance of murals as a public art form for symbolically communicating social, cultural, and political events while introducing novel interpretations and expanding visual communication possibilities. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the potential of interdisciplinary approaches in exploring the intricate relationships between public art and the messages they convey, showcasing their capacity to shape public opinion and foster dialogue.
Experimental Evaluation of an IoT-Based Platform for Maritime Transport Services
Authors: Noto Sandro , Gharbaoui Molka , Falcitelli Mariano , Martini Barbara , Castoldi Piero , Pagano Paolo
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the adoption of innovative technologies in maritime transport and logistics systems has become a key aspect towards their development and growth, especially due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of the maritime environment. On the other hand, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions are gaining importance in the shipping industry thanks to the huge number of distributed cameras and sensors in modern ships, cargoes and sea ports, which can be exploited to improve safety, costs and productivity. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of a maritime platform, which enables a wide range of 5G-based services in the context of logistics and maritime transportation. Its core is a Narrow Band (NB)-IoT framework used to run massive IoT services on top of a hybrid terrestrial–satellite network and feed a OneM2M platform with significant data on maritime transport to develop high-level and value-added logistic applications on top. Among the many different services that could be provided by the maritime platform, we focus on the cargo-ship container tracking use case through the Global Tracking System, which allows for continuous container monitoring all over the seas in a port-to-port service scenario. The results of the experimental tests illustrate the capacity of the platform in managing the high number of messages transmitted by the container tracking devices (i.e., more than 3000) and its efficiency in limiting the average maximum latency and packet loss below 5.5 s and 0.9%, respectively.
Machine Learning for Fog-and-Low-Stratus Nowcasting from Meteosat SEVIRI Satellite Images
Authors: Bari Driss , Lasri Nabila , Souri Rania , Lguensat Redouane
Published: May 2023

Fog and low stratus (FLS) are meteorological phenomena that have a significant impact on all ways of transportation and public safety. Due to their similarity, they are often grouped together as a single category when viewed from a satellite perspective. The early detection of these phenomena is crucial to reduce the negative effects that they can cause. This paper presents an image-based approach for the short-term nighttime forecasting of FLS during the next 5 h over Morocco, based on geostationary satellite observations (Meteosat SEVIRI). To achieve this, a dataset of hourly night microphysics RGB product was generated from native files covering the nighttime cold season (October to April) of the 5-year period (2016–2020). Two optical flow techniques (sparse and dense) and three deep learning techniques (CNN, Unet and ConvLSTM) were used, and the performance of the developed models was assessed using mean squared error (MSE) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM) metrics. Hourly observations from Meteorological Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METAR) over Morocco were used to qualitatively compare the FLS existence in METAR, where it is also shown by the RGB product. Results analysis show that deep learning techniques outperform the traditional optical flow method with SSIM and MSE of about 0.6 and 0.3, respectively. Deep learning techniques show promising results during the first three hours. However, their performance is highly dependent on the number of filters and the computing resources, while sparse optical flow is found to be very sensitive to mask definition on the target phenomenon.
Association between Short-Term Exposure to Criteria Air Pollutants and Daily Mortality in Mexico City: A Time Series Study
Authors: Cerón Rosa María , Cerón Julia Griselda , Rangel Marcela , Ruíz Alejandro , Aguilar Claudia , Montalvo Carlos , Canedo Yunúen , García Rocío , Uc Martha , Galván Alma
Published: May 2023

The short-term effects of air pollution on the health of residents in the metropolitan area of Mexico City (MAMC) were assessed in 11 municipalities from 2012 to 2015 using a time-series approach. Site 11 (Azcapotzalco) presented values above the limit of the Mexican regulations for SO2, while values above the limit were found for CO for the city’s other municipalities. Site 8 (Cuauhtemoc) presented the highest number of values above the maximum permissible limit for NO2, while site 1 (Alvaro Obregon) presented the highest number of values above the limit for O3. Finally, site 7 (Venustiano Carranza) presented the highest number of values above the limit for PM10. In general, the southeast and northwest of the city presented high levels of pollution for the criteria air pollutants: SO2, NO2, and PM10, while the southeast presented the highest levels for O3. A great number of associations were found between daily mortality and a 10% increase in the concentrations of most of the pollutants tested, for most of the municipalities of the city. Significant relative risk index (RRI) increases were found for people >60 years of age for all pollutants and municipalities, increases which resulted from a 10% increase in the daily mean concentrations of all pollutants tested. As the RRIs observed were low but significant, the findings are, thus, of public concern. The present study demonstrated that older people are at considerable risk from atmospheric pollution.
Correlations between Summer Discharge and South Asian Summer Monsoon Subsystems in Mekong River Basin
Authors: Guo Anan , He Li
Published: May 2023

Hydrological conditions are strongly regulated by monsoon systems in the Mekong River Basin (MRB), while relevant studies investigating the intensity of the rainy season are still insufficient. This study employed the Mann-Kendall (M-K) test, Sen’s slope estimator, and innovation trend analysis to detect the variation of summer discharge in the MRB. Wavelet analysis is used to investigate the correlation between discharge and two South Asian summer monsoon subsystems (SAMI1 and SAMI2). Results show that the summer discharge in the MRB generally shows significant downward trends during 1970–2016 with a Z value range of −3.59–−1.63, while the high discharge at Vientiane, Mukdahan, and Pakse increases after 1970. The mutation years of the summer discharge series are around 2010 for Chiang Sean and Vientiane, and in 2015 for Luang Prabang, which resulted from the newly built large dams, Xiaowan and Nuozhadu. The wavelet analysis shows that the SAMI1 can be used to predict the summer discharge at Chiang Sean at a ~8-year timescale, while the SAMI2 correlates with the summer discharge well at a 1–8-year scale, especially at Mukdahan and Kratie during 1980–2016.
The Guiding Role of Rossby Wave Energy Dispersion Theory for Studying East Asian Monsoon System Dynamics
Authors: Huang Ronghui , Huangfu Jingliang , Liu Yong , Lu Riyu
Published: May 2023

This paper is written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of academician Ye Duzheng (Yeh T.C.) pass away and his great contributions to the development of atmospheric dynamics. Under the inspiration and guidance of the theory of Rossby wave energy dispersion, remarkable progresses have been made in research on planetary wave dynamics and teleconnections of atmospheric circulation anomalies. This paper aims to make a brief review of the studies on the propagating characteristics of quasi-stationary planetary waves in a three-dimensional spherical atmosphere and the dynamic processes of the interannual and interdecadal variabilities of the East Asian summer and winter monsoon systems. Especially, this paper systematically reviews the progresses of the studies on the impacts of the interannual and interdecadal variabilities of the East Asia/Pacific (EAP) pattern teleconnection wave train propagating along the meridional direction over East Asia and the “Silk Road” pattern teleconnection wave train propagating along the zonal direction within the subtropical jet from West Asia to East Asia on the East Asian summer monsoon system and the summer precipitation variability in China, under the guidance of the theory of Rossby wave energy dispersion. Moreover, this paper reviews the dynamic processes of the impact of the interannual and interdecadal oscillations of the propagating waveguides of boreal quasi-stationary planetary waves on the variability of the East Asian winter monsoon system.
Signatures of Quantum Chaos of Rydberg-Dressed Bosons in a Triple-Well Potential
Authors: Yan Tianyi , Collins Matthew , Nath Rejish , Li Weibin
Published: May 2023

We studied signatures of quantum chaos in dynamics of Rydberg-dressed bosonic atoms held in a one-dimensional triple-well potential. Long-range nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor interactions, induced by laser dressing atoms to strongly interacting Rydberg states, drastically affect mean-field and quantum many-body dynamics. By analyzing the mean-field dynamics, classical chaos regions with positive and large Lyapunov exponents were identified as a function of the potential well tilting and dressed interactions. In the quantum regime, it was found that level statistics of the eigen-energies gain a Wigner–Dyson distribution when the Lyapunov exponents are large, giving rise to signatures of strong quantum chaos. We found that both the time-averaged entanglement entropy and survival probability of the initial state have distinctively large values in the quantum chaos regime. We further showed that population variances could be used as an indicator of the emergence of quantum chaos. This might provide a way to directly probe quantum chaotic dynamics through analyzing population dynamics in individual potential wells.
Noninertial Proper Motions of the Minkowski Metric, the Sagnac Effect, and the Twin Paradox
Authors: Popov Nikolay , Matveev Ivan
Published: May 2023

The Sagnac effect and related twin paradox with a rotating disc are analyzed. It may seem that the special theory of relativity gives an easy and exhaustive treatment here. However, such consideration is deceptive since the principles of special relativity are originally established only for the inertial frames of reference, whereas the Sagnac experiment and the twin paradox exist in a noninertial one. We introduce an additional group of motions related to the rotation with uniform angular speed and show that these transformations leave the Minkowski metric invariant. Thus, we can give a firm mathematical ground to a usual easy consideration of the Sagnac effect. It should be noted that the presented result is true for a special case of motions; general coordinate transformations into accelerating frames of reference do not preserve the metric.
Composition and Explosibility of Gas Emissions from Lithium-Ion Batteries Undergoing Thermal Runaway
Authors: Amano Kofi Owusu Ansah , Hahn Sarah-K. , Butt Noman , Vorwerk Pascal , Gimadieva Elena , Tschirschwitz Rico , Rappsilber Tim , Krause Ulrich
Published: May 2023

Lithium-based batteries have the potential to undergo thermal runaway (TR), during which mixtures of gases are released. The purpose of this study was to assess the explosibility of the gaseous emission from LIBs of an NMC-based cathode during thermal runaway. In the current project, a series of pouch lithium-based battery cells was exposed to abuse conditions (thermal) to study the total amount of gases released and the composition of the gas mixture. First, the battery cells were placed in a closed vessel, and the pressure and temperature rise inside the vessel were measured. In a second step, the composition of gases was analysed using a Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. We found that the amount of released gases was up to 102 ± 4 L, with a clear dependence on the battery capacity. This study showed that the concentration of gaseous emissions such as carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), ethylene (C2H4), ethane (C2H6), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) increased with higher cell capacity. Of the five studied flammable gases, the maximum concentrations of carbon monoxide (16.85 vol%), methane (7.6 vol%), and ethylene (7.86 vol%) were identified to be within their explosible range. Applying Le Chatelier’s law, a calculated lower explosion limit (LEL) of 7% in volume fraction was obtained for the gas mixture. The upper explosion limit (UEL) of the gas mixture was also found to be 31% in volume. A filter comprising pyrobubbles was used for the removal of the studied gas components released during the thermal abuse. The investigation revealed that the pyrobubbles filter was highly effect in the removal of HCN (up to 94% removal) and CO2 (up to 100% removal). Herein, we report the dependency of the method of thermal runaway trigger on the measured maximum temperature.
Maximizing Efficiency in Smart Adjustable DC Link Powertrains with IGBTs and SiC MOSFETs via Optimized DC-Link Voltage Control
Authors: Xu Yu , Kersten Anton , Klacar Simon , Sedarsky David
Published: May 2023

In recent years, the push towards electrifying transportation has gained significant traction, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) emerging as a viable alternative. However, the widespread adoption of BEVs faces multiple challenges, such as limited driving range, making powertrain efficiency improvements crucial. One approach to improve powertrain energy efficiency is to adjust the DC-link voltage using a DC-DC converter between the battery and inverter. Here, it is necessary to address the losses introduced by the DC-DC converter. This paper presents a dynamic programming approach to optimize the DC-link voltage, taking into account the battery terminal voltage variation and its impact on the overall powertrain losses. We also examine the energy efficiency gains of IGBT-based and silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET-based adjustable DC-link voltage powertrains during WLTC driving cycles through PLECS and Matlab/Simulink simulations. The findings indicate that both IGBT and MOSFET-based adjustable DC-link voltage powertrains can enhance the WLTC drive-cycle efficiency up to 2.51% and 3.25% compared to conventional IGBT and MOSFET-based powertrains, respectively.
Pullout Strength of Pedicle Screws Inserted Using Three Different Techniques: A Biomechanical Study on Polyurethane Foam Block
Authors: Wu Lien-Chen , Hsieh Yueh-Ying , Tsuang Fon-Yih , Kuo Yi-Jie , Chen Chia-Hsien , Chiang Chang-Jung
Published: May 2023

Pullout strength is an important indicator of the performance and longevity of pedicle screws and can be heavily influenced by the screw design, the insertion technique and the quality of surrounding bone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pullout strength of three different pedicle screws inserted using three different strategies and with two different loading conditions. Three pedicle screws with different thread designs (single-lead-thread (SLT) screw, dual-lead-thread (DLT) screw and mixed-single-lead-thread (MSLT) screw) were inserted into a pre-drilled rigid polyurethane foam block using three strategies: (A) screw inserted to a depth of 33.5 mm; (B) screw inserted to a depth of 33.5 mm and then reversed by 3.5 mm to simulate an adjustment of the tulip height of the pedicle screw and (C) screw inserted to a depth of 30 mm. After insertion, each screw type was set up with and without a cyclic load being applied to the screw head prior to the pullout test. To ensure that the normality assumption is met, we applied the Shapiro–Wilk test to all datasets before conducting the non-parametric statistical test (Kruskal–Wallis test combined with pairwise Mann–Whitney-U tests). All screw types inserted using strategy A had a significantly greater pullout strength than those inserted using strategies B and C, regardless of if the screw was pre-loaded with a cyclic load prior to testing. Without the use of the cyclic pre-load, the MSLT screw had a greater pullout strength than the SLT and DLT screws for all three insertion strategies. However, the fixation strength of all screws was reduced when pre-loaded before testing, with the MSLT screw inserted using strategy B producing a significantly lower pullout strength than all other groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, the MSLT screw using insertion strategies A and C had a greater pullout strength than the SLT and DLT screws both with and without pre-loading. In conclusion, the MSLT pedicle screw exhibited the greatest pullout strength of the screws tested under all insertion strategies and loading conditions, except for insertion strategy B with a cyclic pre-load. While all screw types showed a reduced pullout strength when using insertion strategy B (screw-out depth adjustment), the MSLT screw had the largest reduction in pullout strength when using a pre-load before testing. Based on these findings, during the initial screw insertion, it is recommended to not fully insert the screw thread into the bone and to leave a retention length for depth adjustment to avoid the need for screw-out adjustment, as with insertion strategy B.
Mechanical Properties of Three-Dimensional Printed Provisional Resin Materials for Crown and Fixed Dental Prosthesis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alzahrani Saeed J. , Hajjaj Maher S. , Azhari Amr Ahmed , Ahmed Walaa Magdy , Yeslam Hanin E. , Carvalho Ricardo Marins
Published: May 2023

The emergence of digital dentistry has led to the introduction of various three-dimensional (3D) printing materials in the market, specifically for provisional fixed restoration. This study aimed to undertake a systematic review of the published literature on the Mechanical Properties of 3D- Printed Provisional Resin Materials for crown and fixed dental prosthesis (FDP). The electronic database on PubMed/Medline was searched for relevant studies. The search retrieved articles that were published from January 2011 to March 2023. The established focus question was: “Do provisional 3D-printed materials have better mechanical properties than conventional or milled provisional materials?”. The systematically extracted data included the researcher’s name(s), publication year, evaluation method, number of samples, types of materials, and study outcome. A total of 19 studies were included in this systematic review. These studies examined different aspects of the mechanical properties of 3D-printed provisional materials. Flexural Strength and Microhardness were the frequently used mechanical testing. Furthermore, 3D-printed provisional restorations showed higher hardness, smoother surfaces, less wear volume loss, and higher wear resistance compared to either milled or conventional, or both. 3D-printed provisional resin materials appear to be a promising option for fabricating provisional crowns and FDPs.
Induction of Systemic Resistance in Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. to Control Root Rot and Wilt Diseases Using Biotic and Abiotic Inducers
Authors: Ahmed Hamada F. A. , Elnaggar Sameh , Abdel-Wahed Gomaa A. , Taha Ragab S. , Ahmad Awais , Al-Selwey Wadei A. , Ahmed Hoda M. H. , Khan Naeem , Seleiman Mahmoud F.
Published: May 2023

The possibility of inducing systemic resistance in roselle against root rot and wilt diseases was investigated using biotic and abiotic inducers. The biotic inducers included three biocontrol agents (i.e., Bacillus subtilis, Gliocladium catenulatum, and Trichoderma asperellum) and two biofertilizers (i.e., microbein and mycorrhizeen), while the abiotic inducers included three chemical materials (i.e., ascorbic acid, potassium silicate, and salicylic acid). In addition, preliminary in vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the tested inducers on the growth of pathogenic fungi. The results show that G. catenulatum was the most efficient biocontrol agent. It reduced the linear growth of Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, and Macrophomina phaseolina by 76.1, 73.4, and 73.2%, respectively, followed by B. subtilis by 71.4, 69, and 68.3%, respectively. Similarly, potassium silicate was the most effective chemical inducer followed by salicylic acid, each at 2000 ppm. They reduced the linear growth of F. solani by 62.3 and 55.7%; M. phaseolina by 60.7 and 53.1%; and F. oxysporum by 60.3 and 53%, respectively. In the greenhouse, all inducers applied as a seed treatment and/or foliar spray strongly limited the development of root rot and wilt diseases. In this regard, G. catenulatum, at 1 × 109 CFU mL−1, achieved the highest values of disease control, followed by B. subtilis; while T. asperellum, at 1 × 105 CFU mL−1, recorded the lowest values. In addition, the plants treated with potassium silicate followed by salicylic acid, each at 4 g/L, recorded the highest disease control compared to ascorbic acid at 1 g/L, which had the lowest values. The mixture of mycorrhizeen + microbein (at 10 g/kg seeds) was the most effective compared to either of them alone. All treatments, applied alone or in combination in the field, significantly reduced the incidence of diseases. The most effective treatments were a mixture of G. catenulatum (Gc) + Bacillus subtilis (Bs) + Trichoderma asperellum (Ta); a mixture of ascorbic acid (AA) + potassium silicate (PS) + and salicylic (SA); G. catenulatum; potassium silicate; and a mixture of mycorrhizeen + microbein. Rhizolix T had the highest disease-reducing efficacy. In response to the treatments, significant improvements in growth and yield, changes in biochemicals, and increased activities of defense enzymes were achieved. This research points to the activity of some biotic and abiotic inducers that can play a vital role in managing the root rot and wilt of roselle through the induction of systemic plant resistance.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with the NS5A Gene of Hepatitis C Virus Induce a Cellular Immune Response Exceeding the Response to DNA Immunization with This Gene
Authors: Masalova Olga V. , Lesnova Ekaterina I. , Kalsin Vladimir A. , Klimova Regina R. , Fedorova Natalya E. , Kozlov Vyacheslav V. , Demidova Natalya A. , Yurlov Kirill I. , Konoplyannikov Mikhail A. , Nikolaeva Tatyana N. , Pronin Alexander V. , Baklaushev Vladimir P. , Kushch Alla A.
Published: May 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the basic culprits behind chronic liver disease, which may result in cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma. In spite of the extensive research conducted, a vaccine against HCV has not been yet created. We have obtained human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and used them for expressing the HCV NS5A protein as a model vaccination platform. Sixteen hMSC lines of a different origin were transfected with the pcNS5A-GFP plasmid to obtain genetically modified MSCs (mMSCs). The highest efficiency was obtained by the transfection of dental pulp MSCs. C57BL/6 mice were immunized intravenously with mMSCs, and the immune response was compared with the response to the pcNS5A-GFP plasmid, which was injected intramuscularly. It was shown that the antigen-specific lymphocyte proliferation and the number of IFN-γ-synthesizing cells were two to three times higher after the mMSC immunization compared to the DNA immunization. In addition, mMSCs induced more CD4+ memory T cells and an increase in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The results suggest that the immunostimulatory effect of mMSCs is associated with the switch of MSCs to the pro-inflammatory phenotype and a decrease in the proportion of myeloid derived suppressor cells. Thus, the possibility of using human mMSCs for the creation of a vaccine against HCV has been shown for the first time.
Impact of the Invasive Alien Macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala on Freshwater Ecosystems: Evidence from Field Data
Authors: Pelella Emanuele , Questino Beatrice , Luzi Beatrice , Mariani Flaminia , Ceschin Simona
Published: May 2023

Biological invasions are a serious threat to biodiversity conservation, especially in freshwater ecosystems. The American macrophyte Ludwigia hexapetala, which colonizes both the aquatic and bank habitats of lakes, rivers, and canals, is invading many waterbodies in Europe, becoming an increasingly worrisome threat in several European countries, including Italy. However, only fragmentary information is available on the actual impact of its invasion in these habitats. This study aims to collect field data from various freshwater habitats in central and northern Italy, to assess the possible impact of L. hexapetala on the environmental parameters and plant biodiversity of the invaded habitats. The results show that in aquatic habitats, dense floating L. hexapetala populations reduce the light levels and oxygen available in the water, consequently limiting the growth of other aquatic plants. Indeed, L. hexapetala populations negatively affect aquatic plant diversity, as an increase in L. hexapetala cover corresponded to a decrease in Simpson’s diversity index. In contrast, in bank habitats, L. hexapetala has no significant impact on plant diversity. Evidence suggests that some native species, such as Phragmites australis, which generally form compact populations along the banks, effectively counteract the invasion of L. hexapetala. This information may prove valuable for the environmental managers of those freshwater habitats where L. hexapetala invasion needs to be addressed and controlled.
Different Recognition of Protein Features Depending on Deep Learning Models: A Case Study of Aromatic Decarboxylase UbiD
Authors: Watanabe Naoki , Kuriya Yuki , Murata Masahiro , Yamamoto Masaki , Shimizu Masayuki , Araki Michihiro
Published: May 2023

The number of unannotated protein sequences is explosively increasing due to genome sequence technology. A more comprehensive understanding of protein functions for protein annotation requires the discovery of new features that cannot be captured from conventional methods. Deep learning can extract important features from input data and predict protein functions based on the features. Here, protein feature vectors generated by 3 deep learning models are analyzed using Integrated Gradients to explore important features of amino acid sites. As a case study, prediction and feature extraction models for UbiD enzymes were built using these models. The important amino acid residues extracted from the models were different from secondary structures, conserved regions and active sites of known UbiD information. Interestingly, the different amino acid residues within UbiD sequences were regarded as important factors depending on the type of models and sequences. The Transformer models focused on more specific regions than the other models. These results suggest that each deep learning model understands protein features with different aspects from existing knowledge and has the potential to discover new laws of protein functions. This study will help to extract new protein features for the other protein annotations.
Key Factors Regulating the Interdomain Dynamics May Contribute to the Assembly of ASC
Authors: Li Tongtong , Gil Pineda Laura I. , Stevens Amy O. , He Yi
Published: May 2023

The canonical ASC domains, PYD and CARD, are interconnected by a lengthy, semi-flexible linker. The molecular basis and purpose of ASC’s highly dynamic feature remain elusive. In this study, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to examine the role of the linker and the interdomain dynamics of the ASC monomer. As revealed in the principal component analysis (PCA), the flexible linker enables interdomain dynamics and rotation. The stumbling between domains is partially attributed to the helical portion of N-terminal residues in the linker. Additionally, the linker exhibits a certain structural preference due to the turn-type structural inclination of the N-terminal and the presence of several prolines on the linker. Such structural preferences lead to the unavailability of regions for PYD type I interactions to CARDs, as evidenced by the CARD spatial restraint analysis. In conclusion, the semi-flexible linker introduces functionally relevant interdomain dynamics, potentially enhancing PYD self-assembly and the subsequent assembly of the inflammasome complex.
Escherichia coli RimI Encodes Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Activity and Its Overexpression Leads to Enhanced Growth and Melatonin Biosynthesis
Authors: Lee Kyungjin , Back Kyoungwhan
Published: May 2023

Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) functions as the penultimate or final enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis, depending on the substrate. The Escherichia coli orthologue of archaeal SNAT from Thermoplasma volcanium was identified as RimI (EcRimI), with 42% amino acid similarity to archaeal SNAT. EcRimI has been reported to be an N-acetyltransferase enzyme. Here, we investigated whether EcRimI also exhibits SNAT enzyme activity. To achieve this goal, we purified recombinant EcRimI and examined its SNAT enzyme kinetics. As expected, EcRimI showed SNAT activity toward various amine substrates including serotonin and 5-methoxytryptamine, with Km and Vmax values of 531 μM and 528 pmol/min/mg protein toward serotonin and 201 μM and 587 pmol/min/mg protein toward 5-methoxytryptamine, respectively. In contrast to the rimI mutant E. coli strain that showed no growth defect, the EcRimI overexpression strain exhibited a 2-fold higher growth rate than the control strain after 24 h incubation in nutrient-rich medium. The EcRimI overexpression strain produced more melatonin than the control strain in the presence of 5-methoxytryptamine. The enhanced growth effect of EcRimI overexpression was also observed under cadmium stress. The higher growth rate associated with EcRimI expression was attributed to increased protein N-acetyltransferase activity, increased synthesis of melatonin, or the combined effects of both.
Genetic Dissection of Spike Productivity Traits in the Siberian Collection of Spring Barley
Authors: Rozanova Irina V. , Grigoriev Yuriy N. , Efimov Vadim M. , Igoshin Alexander V. , Khlestkina Elena K.
Published: May 2023

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the most commonly cultivated cereals worldwide. Its local varieties can represent a valuable source of unique genetic variants useful for crop improvement. The aim of this study was to reveal loci contributing to spike productivity traits in Siberian spring barley and to develop diagnostic DNA markers for marker-assisted breeding programs. For this purpose we conducted a genome-wide association study using a panel of 94 barley varieties. In total, 64 SNPs significantly associated with productivity traits were revealed. Twenty-three SNP markers were validated by genotyping in an independent sample set using competitive allele-specific PCR (KASP). Finally, fourteen markers associated with spike productivity traits on chromosomes 2H, 4H and 5H can be suggested for use in breeding programs.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of CD93 in Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Piani Federica , Tossetta Giovanni , Cara-Fuentes Gabriel , Agnoletti Davide , Marzioni Daniela , Borghi Claudio
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Cluster of Differentiation (CD) 93 (also known as complement protein 1 q subcomponent receptor C1qR1 or C1qRp) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that can also be present in a soluble (sCD93) form. Recent studies have investigated the role of this protein in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present systematic review aims to assess the associations between CD93 and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and disease at both the proteomic and genomic levels. Methods. We conducted systematic searches in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify all human studies since inception to February 2023 that investigated the role of CD93 in CV risk factors, CVD, and CV-associated outcomes. The data collection and analysis have been independently conducted by two reviewers. The search terms included: cardiovascular, heart failure, acute stroke, myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral artery disease, cardiovascular death, MACE, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, hyperuricemia, diabetes, cd93, c1qr, C1qR1, complement protein 1 q subcomponent receptor. Results. A total of 182 references were identified, and 15 studies investigating the associations between CD93 protein levels or CD93 genetic polymorphisms and the development or prevalence of CV risk factors (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity) and CVD (i.e., heart failure, coronary artery disease, and ischemic stroke) were included. Although promising, the quality and dimension of the analyzed studies do not allow for a definitive answer to the question of whether CD93 may hold diagnostic and prognostic value in CVD.
Learning and Investigation of the Role of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme in Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Ding Yanan , Xiu Huanhuan , Zhang Yanling , Ke Miaola , Lin Letao , Yan Huzheng , Hu Pan , Xiao Meigui , He Xu , Zhang Tao
Published: May 2023

Ionizing radiation (IR) is an important treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) that mainly kills tumor cells by producing large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intracellular ROS levels affect the sensitivity of tumor cells to IR. Recently, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) have been found to affect the intracellular levels of ROS. Therefore, we performed a health informatics assessment of ACE in the TCGA database. We explored the effect of ACE in NPC cells. We found that either knockdown of ACE or inhibition of ACE by enalaprilat could decrease ROS levels in NPC cells. Furthermore, knockdown of ACE or inhibition of ACE by enalaprilat could reduce IR-induced ROS levels. ACE knockdown or inhibition reduced IR-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. ACE overexpression increased the level of ROS in NPC cells and further increased sensitivity to IR. These findings indicate that ACE influences the effect of IR by regulating the level of ROS in NPC cells.
Using the Microbiome as a Regenerative Medicine Strategy for Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Williams Kaitlin L. , Enslow Ryan , Suresh Shreyas , Beaton Camille , Hodge Mitchell , Brooks Amanda E.
Published: May 2023

Autoimmune (AI) diseases, which present in a multitude of systemic manifestations, have been connected to many underlying factors. These factors include the environment, genetics, individual microbiomes, and diet. An individual’s gut microbiota is an integral aspect of human functioning, as it is intimately integrated into the metabolic, mechanical, immunological, and neurologic pathways of the body. The microbiota dynamically changes throughout our lifetimes and is individually unique. While the gut microbiome is ever-adaptive, gut dysbiosis can exert a significant influence on physical and mental health. Gut dysbiosis is a common factor in various AI, and diets with elevated fat and sugar content have been linked to gut microbiome alterations, contributing to increased systemic inflammation. Additionally, multiple AI’s have increased levels of certain inflammatory markers such as TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-17 that have been shown to contribute to arthropathy and are also linked to increased levels of gut dysbiosis. While chronic inflammation has been shown to affect many physiologic systems, this review explores the connection between gut microbiota, bone metabolism, and the skeletal and joint destruction associated with various AI, including psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, irritable bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. This review aims to define the mechanisms of microbiome crosstalk between the cells of bone and cartilage, as well as to investigate the potential bidirectional connections between AI, bony and cartilaginous tissue, and the gut microbiome. By doing this, the review also introduces the concept of altering an individual’s specific gut microbiota as a form of regenerative medicine and potential tailored therapy for joint destruction seen in AI. We hope to show multiple, specific ways to target the microbiome through diet changes, rebalancing microbial diversity, or decreasing specific microbes associated with increased gut permeability, leading to reduced systemic inflammation contributing to joint pathology. Additionally, we plan to show that diet alterations can promote beneficial changes in the gut microbiota, supporting the body’s own endogenous processes to decrease inflammation and increase healing. This concept of microbial alteration falls under the definition of regenerative medicine and should be included accordingly. By implementing microbial alterations in regenerative medicine, this current study could lend increasing support to the current research on the associations of the gut microbiota, bone metabolism, and AI-related musculoskeletal pathology.
Inhibition of PERK Kinase, an Orchestrator of the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), Significantly Reduces Apoptosis and Inflammation of Lung Epithelial Cells Triggered by SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Protein
Authors: Keramidas Panagiotis , Papachristou Eleni , Papi Rigini M. , Mantsou Aglaia , Choli-Papadopoulou Theodora
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a accessory protein was found to be involved in virus release, immunomodulation and exhibited a pro-apoptotic character. In order to unravel a potential ORF3a-induced apoptotic and inflammatory death mechanism, lung epithelial cells (A549) were transfected with in vitro synthesized ORF3a mRNA. The protein’s dynamic involvement as “stress factor” for the endoplasmic reticulum, causing the activation of PERK kinase and other UPR-involved proteins and therefore the upregulation of their signaling pathway executioners (ATF6, XBP-1s, PERK, phospho eIF2a, ATF4, CHOP, GADD34), has been clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, the overexpression of BAX and BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein PUMA, the upregulation of Bcl-2 family genes (BAX, BAK, BID, BAD), the reduced expression of Bcl-2 in mRNA and protein levels, and lastly, the cleavage of PARP-1 and caspase family members (caspase-3,-8 and -9) indicate that ORF3a displays its apoptotic character through the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Moreover, the upregulation of NFκB, phosphorylation of p65 and IκΒα and the elevated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-18) in transfected cells with ORF3a mRNA indicate that this protein causes the inflammatory response through NFκB activation and therefore triggers lung injury. An intriguing finding of our study is that upon treatment of the ORF3a-transfected cells with GSK2606414, a selective PERK inhibitor, both complications (apoptosis and inflammatory response) were neutralized, and cell survival was favored, whereas treatment of transfected cells with z-VAD (a pan-caspase inhibitor) despite inhibiting cell death, could not ameliorate the inflammatory response of transfected A549 cells. Given the above, we point out that PERK kinase is a “master tactician” and its activation constitutes the main stimulus for the emergence of ORF3a apoptotic and inflammatory nature and therefore could serve as potential target for developing novel therapeutic approaches against COVID-19.
Gut Microbiome in Patients after Heart Transplantation—Current State of Knowledge
Authors: Olek Katarzyna , Kuczaj Agnieszka Anna , Warwas Szymon , Hrapkowicz Tomasz , Przybyłowski Piotr , Tanasiewicz Marta
Published: May 2023

The human gut microbiota include over 10 trillion microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa. Many reports indicate the strong correlation between dysbiosis and the severity of cardiovascular diseases. Microbiota seem to interact with the host’s alloimmunity and may have an immunomodulatory role in graft rejection processes. In our study, we present the current state of the knowledge of microbiota in heart transplant recipients. We present up-to-date microbiota diagnostic methods, interactions between microbiota and immunosuppressive drugs, the immunomodulatory effects of dysbiosis, and the available strategies (experimental and clinical strategies) to modulate host microbiota.
Familial Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Associated with Zebra-like Pigmentation
Authors: Hayashi Takuma , Konishi Ikuo
Published: May 2023

Purpose: According to clinical studies, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are predominantly sporadic. GISTs associated with familial syndromes are very rare, and most patients exhibit wild-type KIT and platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA). To date, GISTs associated with germline KIT pathogenic variants have been observed in only 30 kindreds worldwide. The efficacy of imatinib, a multityrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with GIST presenting germline KIT variants has been poorly reported, and the efficacy in clinical trials of treatments with tyrosine kinase inhibitors remains unclear. Therefore, imatinib is not yet recommended for treating GIST patients with germline KIT variants. Experimental Design: We performed cancer genomic testing on samples from a 32-year-old male patient with advanced GISTs throughout the upper stomach and cutaneous hyperpigmentation to determine diagnosis and treatment strategies. Results: We detected a germline W557R pathogenic variant of KIT. The patient was diagnosed with familial multinodular GIST based on the clinical findings and familial history of malignant tumors. Treatment with imatinib resulted in long-term regression of GISTs. Conclusions: Pathogenic variants detected by cancer genome testing can be used to diagnose malignant tumors and select new therapeutic agents for patients with advanced malignancies.
Heart Rate Variability as a Translational Dynamic Biomarker of Altered Autonomic Function in Health and Psychiatric Disease
Authors: Agorastos Agorastos , Mansueto Alessandra C. , Hager Torben , Pappi Eleni , Gardikioti Angeliki , Stiedl Oliver
Published: May 2023

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for the precise regulation of tissue functions and organs and, thus, is crucial for optimal stress reactivity, adaptive responses and health in basic and challenged states (survival). The fine-tuning of central ANS activity relies on the internal central autonomic regulation system of the central autonomic network (CAN), while the peripheral activity relies mainly on the two main and interdependent peripheral ANS tracts, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). In disease, autonomic imbalance is associated with decreased dynamic adaptability and increased morbidity and mortality. Acute or prolonged autonomic dysregulation, as observed in stress-related disorders, affects CAN core centers, thereby altering downstream peripheral ANS function. One of the best established and most widely used non-invasive methods for the quantitative assessment of ANS activity is the computerized analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). HRV, which is determined by different methods from those used to determine the fluctuation of instantaneous heart rate (HR), has been used in many studies as a powerful index of autonomic (re)activity and an indicator of cardiac risk and ageing. Psychiatric patients regularly show altered autonomic function with increased HR, reduced HRV and blunted diurnal/circadian changes compared to the healthy state. The aim of this article is to provide basic knowledge on ANS function and (re)activity assessment and, thus, to support a much broader use of HRV as a valid, transdiagnostic and fully translational dynamic biomarker of stress system sensitivity and vulnerability to stress-related disorders in neuroscience research and clinical psychiatric practice. In particular, we review the functional levels of central and peripheral ANS control, the main neurobiophysiologic theoretical models (e.g., polyvagal theory, neurovisceral integration model), the precise autonomic influence on cardiac function and the definition and main aspects of HRV and its different measures (i.e., time, frequency and nonlinear domains). We also provide recommendations for the proper use of electrocardiogram recordings for HRV assessment in clinical and research settings and highlight pathophysiological, clinical and research implications for a better functional understanding of the neural and molecular mechanisms underlying healthy and malfunctioning brain–heart interactions in individual stress reactivity and psychiatric disorders.
Insight on Oxygen-Supplying Biomaterials Used to Enhance Cell Survival, Retention, and Engraftment for Tissue Repair
Authors: Rafique Muhammad , Ali Onaza , Shafiq Muhammad , Yao Minghua , Wang Kai , Ijima Hiroyuki , Kong Deling , Ikeda Masato
Published: May 2023

Oxygen is one of the essential requirements for cell survival, retention, and proliferation. The field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering (TE) has realized considerable achievements for the regeneration of tissues. However, tissue regeneration still lacks the full functionality of solid organ implantations; limited cell survival and retention due to oxidative stress and hypoxia in the deeper parts of tissues remains a perpetual challenge. Especially prior to neovascularization, hypoxia is a major limiting factor, since oxygen delivery becomes crucial for cell survival throughout the tissue-engineered construct. Oxygen diffusion is generally limited in the range 100–200 μm of the thickness of a scaffold, and the cells located beyond this distance face oxygen deprivation, which ultimately leads to hypoxia. Furthermore, before achieving functional anastomosis, implanted tissues will be depleted of oxygen, resulting in hypoxia (<5% dissolved oxygen) followed by anoxic (<0.5% dissolved oxygen) microenvironments. Different types of approaches have been adopted to establish a sustained oxygen supply both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we have summarized the recent developments in oxygen-generating and/or releasing biomaterials for enhancing cell survival in vitro, as well as for promoting soft and hard tissue repair, including skin, heart, nerve, pancreas, muscle, and bone tissues in vivo. In addition, redox-scavenging biomaterials and oxygenated scaffolds have also been highlighted. The surveyed results have shown significant promise in oxygen-producing biomaterials and oxygen carriers for enhancing cell functionality for regenerative medicine and TE applications. Taken together, this review provides a detailed overview of newer approaches and technologies for oxygen production, as well as their applications for bio-related disciplines.