bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunological Modulation and Control of Parasitaemia by Ayahuasca Compounds: Therapeutic Potential for Chagas's Disease
Authors: Katchborian‐Neto Albert , Santos Mário Ferreira Conceição , Vilas‐Boas Diego Fernandes , dos Santos Elda Gonçalves , Veloso Márcia Paranho , Bueno Paula Carolina Pires , Caldas Ivo Santana , Soares Marisi Gomes , Dias Danielle Ferreira , Chagas‐Paula Daniela Aparecida
Published: September 2022

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive and psychedelic decoct composed mainly of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis plant species. The beverage is rich in alkaloids and it is ritualistically used by several indigenous communities of South America as a natural medicine. There are also reports in the literature indicating the prophylaxis potential of Ayahuasca alkaloids against internal parasites. In the present study, Ayahuasca exhibited moderate in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes (IC50 95.78 μg/mL) compared to the reference drug benznidazole (IC50 2.03 μg/mL). The β‐carboline alkaloid harmine (HRE), isolated from B. caapi, was considered active against the trypomastigotes forms (IC50 6.37), and the tryptamine N, N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT), isolated from P. viridis was also moderately active with IC50 of 21.02 μg/mL. Regarding the in vivo evaluations, no collateral effects were observed. The HRE alone demonstrated the highest trypanocidal activity in a dose‐responsive manner (10 and 100 mg/kg). The Ayahuasca and the association between HRE and DMT worsened the parasitaemia, suggesting a modulation of the immunological response during the T. cruzi infection, especially by increasing total Immunoglobulin (IgG) and IgG1 antibody levels. The in silico molecular docking revealed HRE binding with low energy at two sites of the Trypanothione reductase enzyme (TR), which are absent in humans, and thus considered a promissory target for drug discovery. In conclusion, Ayahuasca compounds seem to not be toxic at the concentrations of the in vivo evaluations and can promote trypanocidal effect in multi targets, including control of parasitaemia, immunological modulation and TR enzymatic inhibition, which might benefit the treatments of patients with Chagas’ disease. Moreover, the present study also provides scientific information to support the prophylactic potential of Ayahuasca against internal parasites.
Chemical Recycling for Plastic Waste: Status and Perspectives
Authors: Maisels Arkadi , Hiller Andreas , Simon Franz‐Georg
Published: September 2022

Industrial‐scale mechanical recycling of plastics has been established for years, but has technical and economic limits. Chemical recycling processes lead back to monomers or to the raw materials, so that in the end new goods can be produced for all areas of application of plastics. The variety of chemical recycling processes is large. The capacities of the plants are still low today. The profitability of the plants is strongly influenced by the price of oil; the profitability limit is currently between 50 and 60 US $ per barrel.
Competitive Options for Bio‐Syngas in High‐Temperature Heat Demand Sectors: Projections until 2050
Authors: Mutlu Özge , Jordan Matthias , Zeng Thomas , Lenz Volker
Published: September 2022

Germany aims to accomplish climate neutrality by 2045. Thus, it is important to take actions, especially to decarbonize the industrial heat sector. In this study, competitive options for bio‐syngas as substitute for natural gas in the German industry sectors with high‐temperature heat demand were projected until 2050 by integrating selected gasification technologies into the existing BenOpt (BioENergyOPTimisation) model for energy system modeling. The results showed that the integration of heat production from selected technologies is still not competitive for large‐scale applications, but other existing biomass technologies have the potential to become competitive. Methanation can be a possible option to tailor bio‐syngas quality for specific high‐temperature industrial applications.
Detection of skin defects in loquats based on grayscale features combined with reflectance, absorbance, and Kubelka–Munk spectra
Authors: Li Bin , Han Zhaoyang , Wang Qiu , Yang Akun , Liu Yande
Published: September 2022

Skin defects are one of the main problems that occur during postharvest grading and processing of loquat, leading to deterioration of loquat, reducing the economic value of the commodity, and causing food quality and safety problems. Improving the identification rate of skin defects in loquat can reduce the economic loss caused by transportation and storage. In this paper, hyperspectral imaging technology was used to collect the reflectance (R), absorbance (A), and Kubelka–Munk (KM) spectra of loquat with skin defects for classification of defects types. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to obtain the characteristic wavelength images. Competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), successive projections algorithm (SPA), uninformative variables elimination (UVE), and Monte Carlo combined with uninformative variables elimination (MCUVE) were used to reduce the dimension of spectral data to obtain the characteristic wavelength. The spectral data and grayscale features were used to establish the spectral model (SPEC) and grayscale features combined with spectral model (MIX). Extreme learning machine (ELM), least squares support vector machine (LS‐SVM), and k‐nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm were applied to establish a classification model for skin defects in loquat. Comparing the model classification results of the three spectral parameters combined image features, it was found that the A‐CARS‐MIX‐ELM model had the highest accuracy, with a classification accuracy of 98.18%. The number of selected characteristic spectra was 37, accounting for 21.02% of the total spectral number of the whole band. In the online detection process of a large number of fruits, we usually need to improve the detection speed on the premise of high‐precision detection. In this case, the R‐SPA‐MIX‐ELM model can be selected, and the classification accuracy is 94.55%. The number of selected spectra is 10, accounting for 5.68% of the number of wavelengths in the whole band. Consequently, it also provides a theoretical reference for the rapid, nondestructive, and high‐precision fruit online detection technology in the future.
Engineering the Morphologies of Block Copolymer Particles from the Confined Self‐assembly within Emulsion Droplets†
Authors: Hu Dengwen , Chang Xiaohua , Zhu Yutian
Published: September 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Block copolymers (BCPs) can automatically assemble into various regulated nanoparticles when they are confined within the emulsion droplet because of the structural frustration of polymer chains and the soft template effect of the oil/water interface. In the past few years, great efforts have been made to regulate the morphologies of the resulting BCP particles. In this review article, various strategies for tuning oil/water interfacial properties to engineer the as‐formed BCP particles were summarized. Then, the comprehensive scenarios of the applications of the resulting BCP particles were discussed. Finally, the future tendency and challenge of the self‐assembly of BCPs confined in emulsion droplet were suggested.
The EAS approach for graphical selection consistency in vector autoregression models
Authors: Williams Jonathan P. , Xie Yuying , Hannig Jan
Published: September 2022

As evidenced by various recent and significant papers within the frequentist literature, along with numerous applications in macroeconomics, genomics, and neuroscience, there continues to be substantial interest in understanding the theoretical estimation properties of high‐dimensional vector autoregression (VAR) models. To date, however, while Bayesian VAR (BVAR) models have been developed and studied empirically (primarily in the econometrics literature), there exist very few theoretical investigations of the repeated‐sampling properties for BVAR models in the literature, and there exist no generalized fiducial investigations of VAR models. In this direction, we construct methodology via the ‐admissible subsets (EAS) approach for inference based on a generalized fiducial distribution of relative model probabilities over all sets of active/inactive components (graphs) of the VAR transition matrix. We provide a mathematical proof of pairwise and strong graphical selection consistency for the EAS approach for stable VAR(1) models, and demonstrate empirically that it is an effective strategy in high‐dimensional settings.
Recent Drug Development and Medicinal Chemistry Approaches for the Treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection and COVID‐19
Authors: Ghosh Arun K. , Mishevich Jennifer L. , Mesecar Andrew , Mitsuya Hiroaki
Published: September 2022

COVID‐19, caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, continues to be a major public health crisis around the globe. Development of vaccines and the first cluster of antiviral drugs has brought promise and hope for prevention and treatment of severe coronavirus disease. However, continued development of newer, safer, and more effective antiviral drugs are critically important to combat COVID‐19 and counter the looming pathogenic variants. Studies of the coronavirus life cycle revealed several important biochemical targets for drug development. In the present review, we focus on recent drug design and medicinal chemistry efforts in small molecule drug discovery, including the development of nirmatrelvir that targets viral protein synthesis and remdesivir and molnupiravir that target viral RdRp. These are recent FDA approved drugs for the treatment of COVID‐19.
Autophagic flux restoration of senescent T cells improves antitumor activity of TCR‐engineered T cells
Authors: Zhang Chaoting , Sun Yizhe , Li Shance , Shen Luyan , Teng Xia , Xiao Yefei , Zhou Ping , Lu Zheming
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Although adoptive cell therapy with T‐cell receptor‐engineered T cells (TCR‐Ts) has mediated effective antitumor responses in several cancers, senescence of T cells could impair the therapeutic effect of TCR‐Ts. Thus, it is essential to elucidate the characteristics of senescent TCR‐Ts and how to subsequently improve their antitumor effect. Here, we focused on the influence of autophagy on TCR‐Ts, since autophagy is tightly associated with the regulation of T‐cell activation, proliferation and differentiation.

Methods

We first evaluated autophagy level of senescent TCR‐Ts, and then the senescent TCR‐Ts were expanded in vitro for 7 days with and without spermidine treatment, respectively. Furthermore, the proliferative potential, phenotypical characteristics and functionality of the propagated senescent TCR‐Ts were analysed in vitro and in vivo after 7‐day ex vivo expansion.

Results

We found that autophagic flux of senescent TCR‐T cells was significantly impaired. The restoration of autophagic flux via spermidine treatment reduced the expression of inhibitory immunoreceptors (PD‐1, TIM‐3 or LAG‐3), enhanced proliferation and effector functions and subsequently demonstrated the superior in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of TCR‐Ts.

Conclusion

These data suggest that spermidine treatment presents an opportunity to improve the antitumor effect of TCR‐Ts for the treatment of solid tumors.
CD44v6 chimeric antigen receptor T cell specificity towards AML with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations
Authors: Tang Ling , Huang Hongming , Tang Yutong , Li Qing , Wang Jue , Li Dengju , Zhong Zhaodong , Zou Ping , You Yong , Cao Yang , Kong Yingjie , Guo Anyuan , Zhou Shu , Li Huimin , Meng Fankai , Xiao Yi , Zhu Xiaojian
Published: September 2022

Background

Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) has thus far been elusive, in part due to target restriction and phenotypic heterogeneity of AML cells. Mutations of the FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) genes are common driver mutations that present with a poor prognosis in AML patients. We found that AML patients with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations had higher expression of CD44 isoform 6 (CD44v6) compared to normal specimens. Therefore, we intended to demonstrate CD44v6 could be a specific option for AML with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations.

Methods

Internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutations of FLT3 (FLT3/ITD) knock‐in clone and DNMT3A‐R882H mutant clones of SKM‐1 cells were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 and lentiviral transfection, respectively. CD44v6 CAR‐T cells were constructed by transfecting T cells with lentivirus containing CD44v6 CAR. CD44v6 expression in AML cell lines, AML patients and healthy donors was evaluated by flow cytometry. DNA methylation assays were used to analyse the mechanisms of FLT3 and DNMT3A mutations affecting CD44v6 expression.

Results

Aberrant overexpression of CD44v6 was observed in AML cell lines with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations compared to the wild‐type SKM‐1 or K562 cells. AML patients with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations had higher expression of CD44v6 compared to normal specimens. Then we constructed CD44v6 CAR‐T cells and found that CD44v6 CAR‐T specifically lysed CD44v6+ cells, accompanied by cytokines release. No significant killing effect was observed from CD44v6‐ AML cells and normal cells after co‐culture with CD44v6 CAR‐T. These results were also observed in vivo. Furthermore, we found that FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations induced CD44v6 overexpression by downregulating the CpG methylation of CD44 promoter.

Conclusions

Collectively, CD44v6 is a promising target of CAR‐T for AML patients with FLT3 or DNMT3A mutations.
Benzo[c][1,2]thiazine‐Based Analogs in the Inverse Electron Demand [4+2] Hetero Diels‐Alder Reaction with Glycals: Access to Tetracyclic Fused Galactose and Fucose Derivatives
Authors: Biagiotti Giacomo , Legnani Laura , Aresta Giusi , Chiacchio Maria A. , Richichi Barbara
Published: September 2022

The synthesis and reactivity in an [4+2] inverse electron demand hetero Diels‐Alder reaction (ihDA) of an original class of electron‐poor heterodienes, the N‐substituted‐1H‐benzo[c][1,2]thiazin‐4‐one‐2,2‐dioxides, are described. These are highly reactive electrophiles that allow easy access to unprecedented benzo‐thiazine glyco‐fused derivatives in a remarkably selective way, even when using acetylated glycals, previously unexplored within this version of ihDA. DFT calculations support the experimental data, and moreover show that acetylated dienophiles can easily react making cycloadditions feasible.
Synthesis of Non‐anomeric Spiro‐Fused Bicyclic Sugar Derivatives by Light‐Mediated 1,5‐Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) Process
Authors: Aghi Anjali , Singh Baghel Akanksha , Kumar Amit
Published: September 2022

We report a metal‐free, diastereoselective approach for the syntheses of conformationally locked spiro bicyclic sugars bearing a quaternary center at C5 position. The oxazoline‐containing spiro‐bicyclic system has been built in one step from easily synthesizable C6‐glycosylimidates under visible light conditions. The overall transformation proceeds with the formation of an intramolecular C−N bond through the activation of appropriately positioned C−H bond via in situ generation of an imidate nitrogen radical followed by an intramolecular 1,5‐hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) in the presence of NaI/PIDA reagents. Mild reaction conditions, green source of energy, broad substrate scope, scale‐up synthesis, and high reaction yields are some of the key features of the developed protocol.
Highly Selective Catalyst‐Free Oxidative Synthesis of N‐Formamides from C2‐ and C3‐Feedstocks
Authors: Gokhale Tejas A. , Gulhane Sanjivani C. , Bhanage Bhalchandra M.
Published: September 2022

The application of bio‐derived feedstocks as building blocks in organic syntheses holds great value with goals of high product yield and minimizing carbon loss. As contribution to this effort, present work explores 5 different C2‐ and C3‐feedstocks (derived from biomass and conventional sources) such as glycerol (GLY), 1,3‐dihydroxyacetone (DHA), ethylene glycol (EG), glycolic acid (GLYAC) and glyoxal (GLYOX) as carbon sources for highly selective, catalyst‐free oxidative synthesis of N‐formamides from primary and secondary amines. Both DHA and GLYOX showed the best carbon efficiency through carbon source: amine ratio of 1 : 2, resulting in 100 % selectivity of N‐formanilide with tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. GLYOX was applied further for synthesizing a N‐formamide library of 21 substrates exemplifying substantial yields ranging from 68–98 %. Moreover, pilot scalability of this methodology achieved a yield of 87 % and 72 % for aniline substrate at 5‐gram scale using GLYOX and DHA respectively in 24 hours.
Detecting changes in mixed‐sampling rate data sequences
Authors: Lowther Aaron Paul , Killick Rebecca , Eckley Idris Arthur
Published: September 2022

Different environmental variables are often monitored using different sampling rates; examples include half‐hourly weather station measurements, daily data, and six‐day satellite data. Further when researchers want to combine the data into a single analysis this often requires data aggregation or down‐scaling. When one is seeking to identify changes within multivariate data, the aggregation and/or down‐scaling processes obscure the changes we seek. In this article, we propose a novel changepoint detection algorithm which can analyze multiple time series for co‐occurring changepoints with potentially different sampling rates, without requiring preprocessing to a standard sampling scale. We demonstrate the algorithm on synthetic data before providing an example identifying simultaneous changes in multiple variables at a location on the Greenland ice sheet using synthetic aperture radar and weather station data.
Review on recent advances in two‐dimensional nanomaterials‐based cathodes for lithium‐sulfur batteries
Authors: Xu Hongyuan , Kong Zhao , Siegenthaler James , Zheng Bocong , Tong Yihong , Li Jiawei , Schuelke Thomas , Fan Qi Hua , Wang Keliang , Xu Hui , Jin Hong
Published: September 2022

With the advantages of superior energy density, lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been considered as one of the promising next‐generation batteries. However, some key issues, such as the shuttle effect of the intermediate lithium polysulfides, poor conductivity of the sulfur, Li2S and Li2S2, and huge volume variation during charge/discharge process, have hindered its development. In this respect, a variety of nanomaterials have been used to overcome the above‐mentioned defects. Among them, two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials present unique merits for enhancing the electrochemical performance of LSBs owing to their unique structural properties. Nevertheless, the variation of 2D nanomaterials used in LSBs is rarely discussed. Herein, this work systematically reviews the state‐of‐the‐art progress in LSB cathode development through 2D materials such as graphene, MXenes, 2D compounds, and so forth. With a comprehensive analysis, the challenges and perspectives for 2D nanomaterials in LSBs application are proposed and discussed.

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An Environmentally Relevant Mixture of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid and Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid Does Not Conform to Additivity in Northern Leopard Frogs Exposed Through Metamorphosis
Authors: Hoskins Tyler D. , Allmon Elizabeth B. , Flynn R. Wesley , Lee Linda S. , Choi Youn , Hoverman Jason T. , Sepúlveda Maria S.
Published: September 2022

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals associated with adverse health effects. At aqueous film–forming foam sites, they occur as mixtures, with perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) commonly co-occurring in the highest concentrations. Although PFOS and PFHxS toxicities have been studied, few studies have tested their potential interaction. Using Rana pipiens, the present study compared toxicities of a 1:1 PFOS:PFHxS mixture to PFOS and PFHxS individually with the prediction that responses would be additive. Gosner stage 25 (GS 25) tadpoles were exposed through metamorphosis (GS 46) to 0.5 and 1 ppb PFOS or PFHxS alone or to a mixture of 0.5 ppb PFOS and 0.5 ppb PFHxS. Tadpoles were weighed and measured (snout-vent length [SVL]) at day 31, metamorphic climax (GS 42), and GS 46. These values were used to calculate the scaled mass index (SMI), a measure of body condition. Body burdens were quantified on day 31 and at GS 46. The PFOS and PFHxS body burdens were elevated relative to controls at GS 46. No effects were observed on survival, SVL, or mass. Single PFAS effects included a 17% reduction in SMI at day 31 (0.5 ppb PFHxS) and a 1.1-day longer metamorphic period (1 ppb PFHxS) relative to controls. Mixture results deviated from additivity—SMIs were higher than expected on day 31 and lower than expected at GS 42. In addition, time to GS 42 in the PFAS mixture exceeded expected additivity by 12 days. Results from a chronic exposure to a 1:1 PFOS:PFHxS mixture resulted in changes in body condition and length of metamorphosis that deviated from additivity. More PFAS mixture toxicity studies conducted at relevant ratios and concentrations are needed. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:3007–3016. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Fish Fingerprinting: Identifying Crude Oil Pollutants using Bicyclic Sesquiterpanes (Bicyclanes) in the Tissues of Exposed Fish
Authors: Spilsbury Francis D. , Scarlett Alan G. , Rowland Steven J. , Nelson Robert K. , Spaak Gemma , Grice Kliti , Gagnon Marthe Monique
Published: September 2022

In the present study, we investigated the possibility of identifying the source oils of exposed fish using ratios of bicyclic sesquiterpane (bicyclane) chemical biomarkers. In the event of an oil spill, identification of source oil(s) for assessment, or for litigation purposes, typically uses diagnostic ratios of chemical biomarkers to produce characteristic oil “fingerprints.” Although this has been applied in identifying oil residues in sediments, water, and sessile filtering organisms, so far as we are aware this has never been successfully demonstrated for oil-exposed fish. In a 35-day laboratory trial, juvenile Lates calcarifer (barramundi or Asian seabass) were exposed, via the diet (1% w/w), to either a heavy fuel oil or to Montara, an Australian medium crude oil. Two-dimensional gas chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were then used to measure selected ratios of the bicyclanes to examine whether the ratios were statistically reproducibly conserved in the fish tissues. Six diagnostic bicyclane ratios showed high correlation (r2 > 0.98) with those of each of the two source oils. A linear discriminatory analysis model showed that nine different petroleum products could be reproducibly discriminated using these bicyclane ratios. The model was then used to correctly identify the bicyclane profiles of each of the two exposure oils in the adipose tissue extracts of each of the 18 fish fed oil-enriched diets. From our initial study, bicyclane biomarkers appear to show good potential for providing reliable forensic fingerprints of the sources of oil contamination of exposed fish. Further research is needed to investigate the minimum exposure times required for bicyclane bioaccumulation to achieve detectable concentrations in fish adipose tissues and to determine bicyclane depuration rates once exposure to oil has ceased. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:7–18. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Validation of an SH-SY5Y Cell–Based Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Assay for Water Quality Assessment
Authors: Lee Jungeun , Huchthausen Julia , Schlichting Rita , Scholz Stefan , Henneberger Luise , Escher Beate I.
Published: September 2022

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay has been frequently applied for environmental monitoring to capture insecticides such as organothiophosphates (OTPs) and carbamates. However, natural organic matter such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) co-extracted with solid-phase extraction from environmental samples can produce false-negative AChE inhibition in free enzyme-based AChE assays. We evaluated whether disturbance by DOC can be alleviated in a cell-based AChE assay using differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. The exposure duration was set at an optimum of 3 h considering the effects of OTPs and carbamates. Because loss to the airspace was expected for the more volatile OTPs (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, and parathion), the chemical loss in this bioassay setup was investigated using solid-phase microextraction followed by chemical analysis. The three OTPs were relatively well retained (loss <34%) during 3 h of exposure in the 384-well plate, but higher losses occurred on prolonged exposure, accompanied by slight cross-contamination of adjacent wells. Inhibition of AChE by paraoxon-ethyl was not altered in the presence of up to 68 mgc/L Aldrich humic acid used as surrogate for DOC. Binary mixtures of paraoxon-ethyl and water extracts showed concentration-additive effects. These experiments confirmed that the matrix in water extracts does not disturb the assay, unlike purified enzyme-based AChE assays. The cell-based AChE assay proved to be suitable for testing water samples with effect concentrations causing 50% inhibition of AChE at relative enrichments of 0.5–10 in river water samples, which were distinctly lower than corresponding cytotoxicity, confirming the high sensitivity of the cell-based AChE inhibition assay and its relevance for water quality monitoring. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:3046–3057. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Abstract

Pesticides in the environment can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE). However, natural organic matter such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) can be co-extracted from the environmental samples and can interfere with the AChE inhibition assays that use purified enzymes. We confirmed that there was no bias by DOC in our cell-based AChE inhibition assay. In addition, loss of well-known AChE inhibitors to the airspace was evaluated, and it was shown that the 3-h AChE inhibition assay can be run without substantial loss of chemicals.
Soils, agriculture, and land use in island socio‐ecosystems: Three case studies from Southeastern Polynesia
Authors: Kirch Patrick V. , Kahn Jennifer G. , Chadwick Oliver A.
Published: September 2022

The availability of nutrient‐rich soils capable of supporting intensive cultivation was a key factor in the relative vulnerability and resilience of traditional Polynesian societies, whose economies were based on agricultural production. We tested the hypothesis that geological age was a key controlling factor in determining the nutrient status of island soils, extensively sampling soils on two islands and a small archipelago in southeastern Polynesia: Mo‘orea (1.5–1.72 Ma), Maupiti (3.9–4.5 Ma), and the Gambier Islands (5.6–6.3 Ma). Rather than supporting a hypothesis of island age primarily determining soil fertility, our results indicate that topographic relief, the presence of active slope processes such as landslides and mass wasting, and rainfall are more important controlling factors. Rejuvenation of soil nutrients due to mass wasting, in particular, appears to be the most important factor contributing to soil fertility. Our field surveys also provide archaeological evidence showing that precontact Polynesians were finely attuned to local soil properties, targeting high soil fertility areas for agriculture and reserving lower fertility areas for other land use practices.
Deep‐water delivery model of Ruppia seeds to a nearshore/terrestrial setting and its chronological implications for Late Pleistocene footprints, Tularosa Basin, New Mexico
Authors: Rachal David M. , Mead Jim I. , Dello‐Russo Robert , Cuba Mathew T.
Published: September 2022

Ruppia cirrhosa (Ruppia) seed layers have been used to constrain the age of footprints along the eastern shoreline of Paleolake Otero in southern New Mexico to around 21,000–23,000 calibrated years before the present. However, there remain two unresolved questions that can affect the reliability of the age(s) of the footprints. First, what is the nature of the geological context of the seed layers? Second, did the hard‐water effect impact the accuracy of the radiocarbon dates? It has been argued that the dated Ruppia plants grew in situ in a very shallow, freshwater‐infused system that minimized the hard‐water effect. Many of these Ruppia seed layers contain ball‐like aggregations made of Ruppia plant materials. We provide new evidence that these balls and seed layers were introduced to the discovery site by high wind seiche events during Late Pleistocene thunderstorms. In our proposed site formation model, the Ruppia plants and seeds originated in deeper water settings outside the site, thus it is very likely that the hard‐water effect has impacted the accuracy of the radiocarbon dates. As such, the radiocarbon assays of Ruppia seeds previously used to date the prehistoric footprints along Paleolake Otero could be thousands of years too old.
The floating astronomical time scale for the terrestrial Early Permian Fengcheng Formation from the Junggar Basin and its stratigraphic and palaeoclimate implications
Authors: Tang Yong , Zheng Menglin , Wang Xiatian , Wang Tao , Cheng Hu , Hei Chenlu
Published: September 2022

The Permian Fengcheng Formation of the Mahu Sag in the Jungar Basin is one of the most important hydrocarbon source rocks in Xinjiang oil field. The preservation of the geological records of Milankovitch cycles can be studied to understand the history of the Earth's evolution and sedimentary processes, and high‐resolution astronomical time scales (ATS) can be obtained by analysing (quasi) periodic sedimentary signals in geological records. In this study, the natural gamma ray (GR) and density (DEN) logging data are used to carry out a detailed spectrum analysis, including 2π‐Multi‐taper Method (MTM), Evolutive Harmonic Analysis (EHA), Correlation coefficient method (COCO) and DYNOT simulation. GR and DEN data analysis results show sedimentary cycles of 39.3, 9.1 m, 3.6–2.7 m and 2.1–1.7 m, 37.5, 9.7, 3.7 m and 2.4–1.9 m in MY‐1 well; MH‐15 well recorded the significant peaks at 81, 20, 8.6 m and 3.6–3.4 m and 66, 17.6, 6.8 m and 3.3–2.7 m; FN‐14 well revealed high‐confidence level frequencies with wavelength of 97, 23, 8.8 and 3.9 m and 88, 22, 8.5 m and 4–3.4 m respectively. The average sediment accumulation rates (SAR) are estimated at 9–9.7 cm/kyr for MY‐1, 14.5–19 cm/kyr for MH‐15, 13.5–14.5 cm/kyr for FN‐14 by using the COCO. In addition, we construct a continuous time scale for Fengcheng Formation, yielding a deposition duration of about 3.5 ± 0.2 Myr for these three drilling cores. Finally, we used the DYNOT sea‐level change model to analyse the GR and DEN logging series of three wells, for reconstructing the lake‐level changes of the Fengcheng Formation in the Junggar Basin.
Sex‐specific analysis of microRNA profiles in HBV‐associated cirrhosis by small RNA‐sequencing
Authors: Chan Kristy Kwan‐Shuen , Au Kwan‐Yung , Fung Wai‐Ching , Wong Cheuk‐Yan , Chan Albert Chi‐Yan , Lo Regina Cheuk‐Lam
Published: September 2022

Liver cirrhosis represents an advanced stage of chronic liver disease and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and risk of cancer development. While sex disparity of liver diseases has been observed, understanding at a genetic level awaits more thorough investigation. In this study, we performed a sex‐specific analysis of the microRNA (miR) profiles in hepatitis B virus (HBV)–associated cirrhosis by small RNA‐sequencing using clinical tissue samples. Potential associated signaling pathways, downstream gene targets, and upstream regulators were highlighted by computational prediction analyses based on the differentially expressed miRs (DEmiRs). From our results, deregulation of miRs in cirrhosis showed a marked difference between males and females by the degree and pattern. Sixty‐five (64 up‐regulated, 1 down‐regulated) and 12 (6 up‐regulated, 6 down‐regulated) DEmiRs were found in males and females, respectively, when compared with their respective control group. A number of DEmiRs were only observed in one sex but not the other. In addition, 26 DEmiRs were identified between cirrhosis female and cirrhosis male groups. Fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, extracellular matrix–receptor interaction, p53 signaling, Hippo signaling, tumor necrosis factor signaling, the forkhead box O signaling, as well as gene targets ribosomal protein S27 like, methyl CpG binding protein 2, and estrogen receptor 1, may contribute to the pathogenesis and biological behavior of cirrhosis in a sex‐specific manner. Analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas data set suggested a role of sex‐specific DEmiRs in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Conclusion: Our findings illustrate that miR profiles in HBV‐associated cirrhosis are distinct between the males and females and suggest a potential role of sex‐specific biomarkers and molecular mechanisms in disease development and progression.
Numerical analysis of the longitudinal size of the partition on natural convection heat transfer and fluid flow within a differentially heated porous enclosure
Authors: Chordiya Jayesh , Sharma Ram Vinoy
Published: September 2022

The article deals with the effect of longitudinal size and shape partition embedded within a differentially heated porous enclosure. The objective is to curtail the heat transfer rate across such porous enclosures by means of partitions embedded within. The partition shapes under consideration are straight vertical left‐inclined, right‐inclined, L‐shaped, wavy, corrugated, and square‐wave. It is sought to find the most effective combination of partition length and shape that could serve the required objective. Also, many times, due to the constructional constraints of the porous enclosure or cavity, using full‐length partitions may not be feasible. In this regard, it is also sought to find the partition length that is to be maintained for achieving a significant reduction in heat transfer without much compromise. The results of the current study are useful for thermal design engineers particularly in the field of thermal insulation, solar heating application, and packed bed energy storage systems where the major challenge is to reduce the heat transfer across the system. The parameters under consideration are the longitudinal length L and Rayleigh number Ra. All the partitions under study are evaluated for bottom‐wall and top‐wall attached conditions. Some of the notable findings are that for smaller‐sized partitions (B < 0.5), L‐shaped partitions are most effective in controlling the convection heat transfer rate across the enclosure while for larger‐sized partitions (L > 0.5), square‐wave‐shaped partitions should be preferred for effective reduction in the rate of convection heat transfer.
Quantifying sediment and particulate phosphorus accumulation in restored floodplain wetlands using beryllium‐7 as a tracer
Authors: Blake William H. , Hoffmann Carl Christian , Poulsen Jane Rosenstand , Taylor Alex , Kronvang Brian
Published: September 2022

Floodplain wetlands in agricultural river basins provide critical ecosystem services such as nutrient retention, flood mitigation, carbon sequestration and ecological habitats and are a key component of a nature‐based solution approach to restoration. In the context of the global challenge to reducing impact increasingly intensive food production on downstream ecosystems, restoration of wetlands in river floodplains offers a practical means for downstream retention and mitigation of P flux from upstream agricultural land. Data on short term, flood event related, accretion rates are, however, difficult to acquire via conventional monitoring yet such information is essential for restoration planning and scenario testing. Here, we evaluate a promising approach that applies naturally‐occurring short‐lived fallout radionuclide (FRN) 7Be as a tracer to quantify sediment and, by association, particulate phosphorus retention rates in restored floodplain wetlands. Following a series of major inundation events, a restored floodplain unit was sampled to determine 7Be inventories of the floodplain relative to an undisturbed reference site. This was undertaken in conjunction with direct measurement of sedimentation as an independent check of FRN results. Accretion rates up to 27 kg m−2 were recorded using 7Be for recent deposition events compared to a longer term annual average rate of ca. 6 kg m−2 derived from 137Cs measurements. While accretion rates varied spatially and temporally, there was excellent coherence between FRN‐based measurements and direct measurements once rigorous correction for particle size effects on tracer properties had been undertaken. The study demonstrates the important contribution that FRN technology can make to support wetland management and restoration initiatives and the essential need for a systems thinking approach across the soil‐sediment continuum. Such decision support tools will become increasingly important in the 21st century with growing anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems related to upstream food production, and implementation of more nature‐based solutions such as restored wetlands to counteract these pressures.
Nonlinear relationships of runoff and sediment yield with natural and anthropogenic factors at event scale
Authors: Huang Xuan , She Dongli
Published: September 2022

Understanding how natural and anthropogenic factors affects the watershed runoff and sediment yield at event scale can provide useful insights into watershed hydrological processes to guide watershed management. This article investigates the nonlinear relationships between natural and anthropogenic factors and event runoff and sediment yield with a boosted regression tree (BRT) model for 38 watersheds within the Loess Plateau in China during 2006 to 2016. The BRT model captures the relative importance of each natural and anthropogenic factors to the variability in runoff and sediment yield. The results show that these relationships are complex and highly nonlinear. The event runoff was most related to NDVI in the grass land (NDVI_g), with a 21.3% contribution, followed by 3‐day antecedent precipitation index (AP3), 10‐day antecedent precipitation index (AP10), precipitation (P), and 7‐day antecedent precipitation index (AP7). For event sediment yield, the strongest factor is AP3, with contribution of 33.3%, followed by P, NDVI in the forest land (NDVI_f), AP7, and NDVI in the crop land (NDVI_c). The marginal effect curves produced by the BRT are often characterized by thresholds. For instance, NDVI_f has the greatest effect on event sediment yield reduction when NDVI_f = 0.42, suggesting that a very intense green coverage is not necessary to achieve maximal soil erosion control. Vegetation coverage and meteorological factors can explain 54.7% of event runoff variation and 55.6% of event sediment yield variation. Our study identify the nonlinear relationships between runoff and sediment yield with vegetation cover and meteorological factors and provide scientific support for the planning of subsequent reforestation projects in the Loess Plateau.
Cell division cycle 42 positively correlates with T helper 2 cytokine, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree in otitis media with effusion patients
Authors: Wu Dan , Yang Yang , Duan Chuanxin
Published: September 2022

Objective

Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) participates in the pathogenesis of some T‐cell‐mediated inflammatory diseases via regulating CD4+ T‐cell differentiation and inflammation response. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation of CDC42 and T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokines with disease risk, effusion viscosity, and hearing loss degree of otitis media with effusion (OME).

Methods

CDC42, interleukin (IL)‐4, and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) in effusion and serum of 78 OME patients were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Besides, the effusion (irrigating fluid) and serum samples of 30 controls (adenoid hypertrophy patients without OME) were also obtained for CDC42, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ determination.

Results

Effusion CDC42 and IL‐4 were elevated in OME patients compared with controls (both p < 0.001). Effusion CDC42 was positively correlated with effusion IL‐4 in OME patients (p = 0.004) and controls (p = 0.012) but was not related to effusion IFN‐γ (both p > 0.050). Additionally, effusion CDC42 (p = 0.025) and IL‐4 (p = 0.023) were increased in OME patients with mucoid effusion compared to patients with serous effusion, while effusion IFN‐γ was of no difference between those patients (p = 0.215). Meanwhile, elevated effusion CDC42 (p = 0.012) and IL‐4 (p = 0.033) were linked with increased hearing loss degrees, whereas effusion IFN‐γ was not related to hearing loss degrees (p = 0.057). Moreover, the findings of serum CDC42, IL‐4, and IFN‐γ showed similar trends as effusion ones; nonetheless, their correlation with disease features was generally weaker.

Conclusion

OME patients present with elevated CDC42 and IL‐4 levels; the latter factors are intercorrelated and positively associate with effusion viscosity and hearing loss degree.
Differential identification of urine crystals with morphologic characteristics and solubility test
Authors: Lee A‐Jin , Yoo Eun‐Hyung , Bae Young‐Cheol , Jung Sang Bong , Jeon Chang‐Ho
Published: September 2022

Background

Urinary crystals are the most diverse forms of urine sediments. Reference images for typical urinary crystals are common, however, but images for interpreting atypical urinary crystals are very rare. The authors reviewed various forms and solubility tests of urine crystals to interpret atypical crystals found in clinical specimens.

Methods

We reviewed textbooks on urinary crystals and articles published in PubMed. Some atypical crystals were confirmed using a solubility test.

Results

The classification, shape, chemical structure, and solubility of the crystals were summarized. In the solubility test, some crystals showed different results; therefore, a new solubility test was proposed based on the literature review. We presented various types of calcium oxalates.

Conclusions

These review articles will be helpful in the examination of atypical crystals found in clinical specimens. The solubility test requires additional studies to discriminate the inconsistent results between the authors.
Metformin protects against vascular calcification through the selective degradation of Runx2 by the p62 autophagy receptor
Authors: Phadwal Kanchan , Koo Eve , Jones Ross A. , Forsythe Rachael O. , Tang Keyi , Tang Qiyu , Corcoran Brendan M. , Caporali Andrea , MacRae Vicky E.
Published: September 2022

Vascular calcification is associated with aging, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis, and increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is an active, highly regulated process that resembles physiological bone formation. It has previously been established that pharmacological doses of metformin alleviate arterial calcification through adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)‐activated autophagy, however the specific pathway remains elusive. In the present study we hypothesized that metformin protects against arterial calcification through the direct autophagic degradation of runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). Calcification was blunted in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by metformin in a dose‐dependent manner (0.5−1.5 mM) compared to control cells (p < 0.01). VSMCs cultured under high‐phosphate (Pi) conditions in the presence of metformin (1 mM) showed a significant increase in LC3 puncta following bafilomycin‐A1 (Baf‐A; 5 nM) treatment compared to control cells (p < 0.001). Furthermore, reduced expression of Runx2 was observed in the nuclei of metformin‐treated calcifying VSMCs (p < 0.0001). Evaluation of the functional role of autophagy through Atg3 knockdown in VSMCs showed aggravated Pi‐induced calcification (p < 0.0001), failure to induce autophagy (punctate LC3) (p < 0.001) and increased nuclear Runx2 expression (p < 0.0001) in VSMCs cultured under high Pi conditions in the presence of metformin (1 mM). Mechanistic studies employing three‐way coimmunoprecipitation with Runx2, p62, and LC3 revealed that p62 binds to both LC3 and Runx2 upon metformin treatment in VSMCs. Furthermore, immunoblotting with LC3 revealed that Runx2 specifically binds with p62 and LC3‐II in metformin‐treated calcified VSMCs. Lastly, we investigated the importance of the autophagy pathway in vascular calcification in a clinical setting. Ex vivo clinical analyses of calcified diabetic lower limb artery tissues highlighted a negative association between Runx2 and LC3 in the vascular calcification process. These studies suggest that exploitation of metformin and its analogues may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for clinical intervention through the induction of AMPK/Autophagy Related 3 (Atg3)‐dependent autophagy and the subsequent p62‐mediated autophagic degradation of Runx2.
Faculty diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic dentistry: Has dental education missed the call of #MeToo?
Authors: Zarkowski Pamela , Brady Michelle , Saeed Sophia G.
Published: September 2022

Faculty, students, and staff experience sexual harassment in the workplace and educational environment. Frequently, the victim takes no action either due to a lack of understanding of their rights or concern about retaliation or adverse outcomes if an incident is reported. The #MeToo movement has enhanced awareness of sexual harassment and its impact on victims. However, dental institutions vary in their approach to creating an environment free from harassment and supportive of individuals subject to inappropriate or illegal behaviors. In this article, four vignettes provide examples of harassment, mistreatment, or bias. Common themes and critical issues within the vignettes are then identified, discussing the potentially illegal, unethical, inappropriate, and unprofessional behaviors and comments. Strategies to address the issues identified are described. Recommendations are also provided to assist dental institutions and educators in evaluating their current practices and policies and implementing change.
Minimum degree and the graph removal lemma
Authors: Fox Jacob , Wigderson Yuval
Published: September 2022

The clique removal lemma says that for every and , there exists some so that every ‐vertex graph with fewer than copies of can be made ‐free by removing at most edges. The dependence of on in this result is notoriously difficult to determine: it is known that must be at least super‐polynomial in , and that it is at most of tower type in . We prove that if one imposes an appropriate minimum degree condition on , then one can actually take to be a linear function of in the clique removal lemma. Moreover, we determine the threshold for such a minimum degree requirement, showing that above this threshold we have linear bounds, whereas below the threshold the bounds are once again super‐polynomial, as in the unrestricted removal lemma. We also investigate this question for other graphs besides cliques, and prove some general results about how minimum degree conditions affect the bounds in the graph removal lemma.