bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen bonding-induced high-performance stretchable organic semiconductors: a Review
Authors: Chen Jinhan , Wang Zheng , Deng Zhifeng , Chen Ligui , Wu Xuhui , Gao Yihan , Hu Yumeng , Li Mei , Wang Hongzhen
Published: April 2023

Semiconductors are widely used in electron devices. With the development of wearable soft-electron devices, conventional inorganic semiconductors are unable to meet the demand because of their high rigidity and high cost. Thus, scientists construct organic semiconductors with high charge mobility, low cost, eco-friendly, stretchable, etc. Due to the excellent performance of stretchable organic semiconductors, they can be widely used as wearable soft-electron devices, such as stretchable organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), organic solar cells (OSCs), etc. Contains flexible display devices and flexible power sources, which are of great interest for applications of future electron devices. However, there are still some challenges that need to be solved. Commonly, enhancing the stretchability may cause the degradation of charge mobility, because of the destruction of the conjugated system. Currently, scientists find that hydrogen bonding can enhance the stretchability of organic semiconductors with high charge mobility. Thus in this review, based on the structure and design strategies of hydrogen bonding, various hydrogen bonding induced stretchable organic semiconductors are introduced. In addition, the applications of the hydrogen bonding induced stretchable organic semiconductors are reviewed. Finally, the stretchable organic semiconductors design concept and potential evolution trends are discussed. The final goal is to outline a theoretical scaffold for the design of high-performance wearable soft-electron devices, which can also further advance the development of stretchable organic semiconductors for applications.
A two-branch multimodal fake news detection model based on multimodal bilinear pooling and attention mechanism
Authors: Guo Ying , Ge Hong , Li Jinhong
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Fake news spread in various areas has a major negative impact on social life. Meanwhile, fake news with text and visual content is more compelling than text-only content and quickly spreads across social media. Therefore, detecting fake news is a pressing task for the current society.

Methods

Concern the problem of extracting insufficient features, and the inability to merge multi-modality features effectively in detecting fake news. In this article, we propose a method for detecting fake news by fusing text and visual data. Firstly, we use two-branch to learn hidden layer information of modality to obtain more helpful features. Then we proposed a multimodal bilinear pooling mechanism to better merge textual and visual features and an attention mechanism to capture multimodal internal relationships for the detection of fake news.

Results and discussion

The experimental results demonstrated that our methodology outperformed the current state-of-the-art methodology on publicly accessible Weibo and Twitter datasets.
What’s new in flow biocatalysis? A snapshot of 2020–2022
Authors: Crotti Michele , Robescu Marina S. , Bolivar Juan M. , Ubiali Daniela , Wilson Lorena , Contente Martina L.
Published: April 2023

Flow biocatalysis is a key enabling technology that is increasingly being applied to a wide array of reactions with the aim of achieving process intensification, better control of biotransformations, and minimization of waste stream. In this mini-review, selected applications of flow biocatalysis to the preparation of food ingredients, APIs and fat- and oil-derived commodity chemicals, covering the period 2020-2022, are described.
Application and discussion of the borehole radial deformation method in deep borehole geostress measurement
Authors: Han Zengqiang , Li Minghong , Wang Chao , Wang Jinchao , Huang Xiaohua
Published: April 2023

Geostress is an important parameter in rock-related fields, such as civil engineering, mining engineering, and energy engineering. There are kinds of methods for geostress measurement; however, many methods still have some limitations, especially when facing deep vertical boreholes. In this paper, we studied the characteristics of borehole radial deformation under the action of geostress. First, the rule of borehole radial deformation under the action of a two-dimensional geostress was studied, and the shape of the borehole radial changes to an ellipse under the action of geostress was proved. We derived the relationship between the magnitude of principal stresses and the parameters of the borehole ellipse, revealing the rule that the principal axis direction of the borehole ellipse is the direction of principal stress, which is the theoretical basis for the geostress calculation method based on borehole radial deformation measurement. Furthermore, we developed an apparatus that can simultaneously measure the changes in borehole diameters in multi-directions. The apparatus was designed with a multi-contact equidistant arrangement, micro-optical imaging measurement, electronic compass azimuth measurement, etc. It can adapt to the complex testing environment of deep boreholes and realize real-time monitoring of the borehole deformation process. Indoor tests were carried out to verify the working performance of the apparatus. The results showed that the measuring accuracy of the apparatus can reach 6.987 μm, meeting the requirement of geostress measurement. Also, the results are well consistent with the loading force and direction of the testing machine. A field test was carried out in a deep borehole, and the borehole radial deformation data were obtained in the process of stress relief. The feasibility of the instrument and method was verified by comparison with the hydraulic fracturing method. This paper provides a new idea and method for geostress measurement, especially in deep vertical boreholes.
X-ray tomographic microscopy of Eocene coprolites from Pipestone Springs Main Pocket, southwest Montana
Authors: Jacquet Sarah M. , Webb Jeremy-Louis , Huntley John Warren , Selly Tara , Schiffbauer James D.
Published: April 2023

The Eocene Pipestone Springs Main Pocket (Renova Formation, Jefferson County, Montana, United States of America) is a locality renowned for its diverse Chadronian (late Eocene; ∼38–33.9 million years ago) mammalian fauna and abundant coprolites. Two distinct coprolite size classes were previously identified in the trace fossil assemblage from which we selected representatives to investigate feeding behaviors and dietary selection of the producers. A subset of the selected coprolites was analyzed based on their compositional and taphonomic attributes using non-destructive x-ray tomographic microscopy in combination with more traditional methods including thin-section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Among the features extracted in the tomographic data were skeletal fragments, including those showing evidence of bone-crushing; delicate hair molds; encrusted lithic fragments; and several irregular pores and cracks throughout the coprolites. Segmentation and volumetric renders permit quantitative assessment of the relative proportions of inclusions, revealing porosity as a primary volumetric element aside from the matrix and bone inclusions. There was no significant difference in the total volume of bone extracted between coprolite size class, though the smaller coprolites preserved a relatively higher volumetric proportion of undigested skeletal material. This multi-visualization approach provides a means to observe and evaluate differences in the coprolite gross morphology and inclusions across the two size classes, thereby offering valuable insights into the broader paleoecology of the Pipestone Springs Main Pocket coprolite producers and holding promise for comparable paleo-dietary studies of other coprolite-rich deposits.
Soft-sediment deformation structures of mottled clay in Huizhou Quaternary basin, coastal South China
Authors: Chen Zhen , Wang Wen , Huang Ping , Tang Yongjie , Wang Jing , Zeng Qiang , Chen Cong
Published: April 2023

Tectonically induced liquefaction and the resulting soft-sediment deformation structure (SSDS) can provide useful information on paleo-earthquakes, which is vital for the assessment of geohazard susceptibility in tectonically active regions. In this study, we combined sedimentary and chronological methods to the reveal detailed characteristics of the mottled clay in the Huizhou Quaternary Basin. The dating results suggest that mottled clay usually developed during the late Pleistocene, overlying the fluvial deposit or embedding homogeneous aeolian yellow silt. Mottled clay has a typical bimodal frequency distribution with modal sizes at 5 and 80–90 μm, which are identical to those of the yellow silt and the underlying fluvial sand, respectively. Micro-X-ray fluorescence mapping revealed high concentrations of Fe and Si in the red and white fraction, respectively. In addition, the red fraction of mottled clay has a high hematite content, similar to loess-like yellow silt, whereas the white fraction and the underlying fluvial sediments are dominated by goethite. This sedimentary evidence together suggests that the mottled clay could be an admixture of aeolian yellow silt and the underlying fluvial sand. Furthermore, diverse deformed structures (e.g., fragmented structures, sand veins, sand dykes and flame structures) were observed in mottled clay. Therefore, we suggest that the mottled clay structure in the Huizhou Basin is a product of liquefaction-induced SSDS. Tectonic activity was considered to have triggered the liquefaction and SSDS, which is supported by the close spatial relationship between the mottled clay and regional faults. We propose that the SSDS of mottled clay could be a potential indicator of paleo-earthquakes in the coastal Quaternary basins of the northern South China Sea.
Changes in drought characteristics over China during 1961–2019
Authors: Wen Qixin , Chen Huopo
Published: April 2023

Drought is extremely complex and can be influenced by various factors. This study uses Penman-Monteith (PM) method to calculate the potential evapotranspiration and get the monthly drought metric of Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) across China during the period of 1961–2019. Results show that the regions of the west of Northwest China (WNWC), Northeast China (NEC), and South China (SC) are reported to experience a wetting trend, while the droughts in the regions of the east of Northwest China (ENWC), North China (NC), and Southwest China (SWC) deteriorated over the past decades. Seasonally, the significant wetting trends mainly occurred in summer, autumn, and winter for WNWC, while mainly in winter for the region of NEC. Additionally, the droughts in China show an obvious interdecadal variability, with more severe droughts for the periods of 1961–1979 and 2000–2019, but with relatively fewer events in the period of 1980–1999. During the 1960 s and 1970 s, droughts in China are observed to mainly happen in summer and winter, while the droughts mainly occurred in autumn and winter during the 1980 s and 1990 s. Since the early 21st century, both the frequency and intensity of spring droughts have increased obviously and played a dominant role in seasonal droughts. Further studies indicate that the drought changes in southern China are mainly affected by the precipitation anomalies, while that in northern China are mainly influenced by the temperature and wind speed anomalies. Hence, our analyses provide theoretical basis for further understanding the drought changes and the prevention control of drought disasters in China.
Facilitating epistemic fluency of undergraduate students during the interdisciplinary research process
Authors: van Lambalgen Rianne M. , de Vos Febe
Published: April 2023

Introduction

In this article we show how students share knowledge when integrating disciplinary insights in an interdisciplinary research project. More specifically, this research looks at how students communicate to create a shared mental model during moderated sessions with use of CoNavigator as an interdisciplinary collaboration tool or Miro as an online mind map tool. The study focuses on the interdisciplinary capstone of the Liberal Arts and Sciences bachelor program at Utrecht University (LAS), where students collaborate in multidisciplinary groups by going through the interdisciplinary research process (IRP).This process asks students to define an interdisciplinary research question, to define disciplinary insights and combine each other’s disciplinary insights to create a more comprehensive understanding of their research question. The integration of disciplinary insights requires working with different perspectives and acknowledging uncertainty, thereby requiring epistemic fluency and higher modes of knowledge. This research looks at how a structured session with CoNavigator or Miro can help students use these processes when integrating insights.

Methods

Seven groups participated in this research, with whom we moderated a session using either CoNavigator or Miro at the start of the integration phase with the purpose of sharing disciplinary insights and finding common ground. We observed each group, looking at communication related to construction, constructive conflict and co-construction. In addition, we looked at evaluation of the tool immediately after the session and the assessment of the integration chapter of all groups.

Results

We found that each phase of the moderated session elicited different responses in terms of constructive conflict and co-construction, thereby helping students to actively work with different ways of knowing and to define and connect disciplinary differences. In their communication, students show examples of epistemic fluency and higher modes of knowledge, although this did not directly translate into a better assessment of their integration chapter.

Discussion

These results show that discussing disciplinary differences and finding common ground through a session with CoNavigator or Miro gives students a structured way to start with their interdisciplinary integration. We argue that LAS-students exhibit epistemic fluency when working with the tools, but also develop this throughout the session. It appears that the epistemic fluency students already possess prior to the IRP can be further developed by the epistemic fluency expressed by teammates during the tool session. The practice and development of epistemic fluency will always involve uncertainties, but facilitating interdisciplinary integration in this way is valuable as it provides an opportunity to work with these uncertainties and offer students space to speak and integrate freely.
A unified droop control of AC microgrids under different line impedances: Revisiting droop control and virtual impedance method
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Tiecheng , Cheng Ziwei , Hu Xuekai , Li Zifan , Liu Zhangjie , Huang Jungao , Hou Xiaochao
Published: April 2023

Classical droop control and virtual impedance methods play crucial roles in improving the system voltage/frequency stability and autonomous power control. Usually, these two methods are often applied as a combination to facilitate load sharing under different line impedance among distributed generators (DGs) in microgrids. They have been developed in two separate concepts, but present strong similarities. In this paper, the comparison of basic droop control and virtual impedance methods is revisited from a new analogy perspective. By combing both of them, a unified multi-degree-of-freedom droop control is proposed with systematic consideration of steady-state power-sharing performance, dynamic performance, and universal applicability of complex line impedance, which is suitable for arbitrary transmission line impedance characteristics. Moreover, this study gives a clear mechanism analysis of virtual inductance to facilitate the P-f & Q-V droop control in complex resistive-inductive microgrid. Finally, the experiment results verify the feasibility of the proposed unified droop control.
Mitochondria dysfunction in airway epithelial cells is associated with type 2-low asthma
Authors: Zhao Lu , Gao Jiali , Chen Gongqi , Huang Chunli , Kong Weiqiang , Feng Yuchen , Zhen Guohua
Published: April 2023

Background: Type 2 (T2)-low asthma can be severe and corticosteroid-resistant. Airway epithelial cells play a pivotal role in the development of asthma, and mitochondria dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the role of epithelial mitochondria dysfunction in T2-low asthma remains unknown.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using gene expression omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE4302, which is originated from airway epithelial brushings from T2-high (n = 22) and T2-low asthma patients (n = 20). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was implemented to analyze the potential biological pathway involved between T2-low and T2-high asthma. T2-low asthma related genes were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The mitochondria-related genes (Mito-RGs) were referred to the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB). T2-low asthma related mitochondria (T2-low-Mito) DEGs were obtained by intersecting the DEGs, T2-low asthma related genes, and Mito-RGs. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was performed to further explore the potential function of the T2-low-Mito DEGs. In addition, the hub genes were further identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI), and the expressions of hub genes were verified in another GEO dataset GSE67472 and bronchial brushings from patients recruited at Tongji Hospital.

Results: Six hundred and ninety-two DEGs, including 107 downregulated genes and 585 upregulated genes were identified in airway epithelial brushings from T2-high and T2-low asthma patients included in GSE4302 dataset. GSEA showed that mitochondrial ATP synthesis coupled electron transport is involved in T2-low asthma. Nine hundred and four T2-low asthma related genes were identified using WGCNA. Twenty-two T2-low-Mito DEGs were obtained by intersecting the DEGs, T2-low asthma and Mito-RGs. The GO enrichment analysis of the T2-low-Mito DEGs showed significant enrichment of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex assembly, and respiratory electron transport chain. PPI network was constructed using 22 T2-low-Mito DEGs, and five hub genes, ATP5G1, UQCR10, NDUFA3, TIMM10, and NDUFAB1, were identified. Moreover, the expression of these hub genes was validated in another GEO dataset, and our cohort of asthma patients.

Conclusion: This study suggests that mitochondria dysfunction contributes to T2-low asthma.
The regulatory role of alternative splicing in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Zhou Jianli , Zhang Qiao , Zhao Yuzhen , Song Yuchen , Leng Yanan , Chen Moxian , Zhou Shaoming , Wang Zhaoxia
Published: April 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mainly includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These diseases have a progressive course of chronic relapse and remission and affect a large number of children and adults worldwide. The burden of IBD is rising worldwide, with levels and trends varying greatly in countries and regions. Like most chronic diseases, the costs associated with IBD are high, including hospitalizations, outpatient and emergency visits, surgeries, and pharmacotherapies. However, there is no radical cure for it yet, and its therapeutic targets still need further study. Currently, the pathogenesis of IBD remains unclear. It is generally assumed that the occurrence and development of IBD are related to the environmental factors, gut microbiota, immune imbalance, and genetic susceptibility. Alternative splicing contributes to a various diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy, liver diseases, and cancers. In the past, it has been reported that alternative splicing events, splicing factors, and splicing mutations were associated with IBD, but there were no reports on the practical application for clinical diagnosis and treatment of IBD using splicing-related methods. Therefore, this article reviews research progress on alternative splicing events, splicing factors, and splicing mutations associated with IBD.
A strategy for high antibody expression with low anti-drug antibodies using AAV9 vectors
Authors: Davis-Gardner Meredith E. , Weber Jesse A. , Xie Jun , Pekrun Katja , Alexander Eric A. , Weisgrau Kim L. , Furlott Jessica R. , Rakasz Eva G. , Kay Mark A. , Gao Guangping , Farzan Michael , Gardner Matthew R.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is complicated by host immune responses that can limit transgene expression. Recent clinical trials using AAV vectors to deliver HIV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) by intramuscular administration resulted in poor expression with anti-drug antibodies (ADA) responses against the bNAb.

Methods

Here we compared the expression of, and ADA responses against, an anti-SIV antibody ITS01 when delivered by five different AAV capsids. We first evaluated ITS01 expression from AAV vectors three different 2A peptides. Rhesus macaques were selected for the study based on preexisiting neutralizing antibodies by evaluating serum samples in a neutralization assay against the five capsids used in the study. Macaques were intramuscularly administered AAV vectors at a 2.5x10^12 vg/kg over eight administration sites. ITS01 concentrations and anti-drug antibodies (ADA) were measured by ELISA and a neutralization assay was conducted to confirm ex vivo antibody potency.

Results

We observed that ITS01 expressed three-fold more efficiently in mice from AAV vectors in which heavy and light-chain genes were separated by a P2A ribosomal skipping peptide, compared with those bearing F2A or T2A peptides. We then measured the preexisting neutralizing antibody responses against three traditional AAV capsids in 360 rhesus macaques and observed that 8%, 16%, and 42% were seronegative for AAV1, AAV8, and AAV9, respectively. Finally, we compared ITS01 expression in seronegative macaques intramuscularly transduced with AAV1, AAV8, or AAV9, or with the synthetic capsids AAV-NP22 or AAV-KP1. We observed at 30 weeks after administration that AAV9- and AAV1-delivered vectors expressed the highest concentrations of ITS01 (224 µg/mL, n=5, and 216 µg/mL, n=3, respectively). The remaining groups expressed an average of 35-73 µg/mL. Notably, ADA responses against ITS01 were observed in six of the 19 animals. Lastly, we demonstrated that the expressed ITS01 retained its neutralizing activity with nearly the same potency of purified recombinant protein.

Discussion

Overall, these data suggest that the AAV9 capsid is a suitable choice for intramuscular expression of antibodies in nonhuman primates.
Induction of unique macrophage subset by simultaneous stimulation with LPS and IL-4
Authors: Ishida Kei , Nagatake Takahiro , Saika Azusa , Kawai Soichiro , Node Eri , Hosomi Koji , Kunisawa Jun
Published: April 2023

Macrophages manifest as various subtypes that play diverse and important roles in immunosurveillance and the maintenance of immunological homeostasis in various tissues. Many in vitro studies divide macrophages into two broad groups: M1 macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and M2 macrophages induced by interleukin 4 (IL-4). However, considering the complex and diverse microenvironment in vivo, the concept of M1 and M2 is not enough to explain diversity of macrophages. In this study, we analyzed the functions of macrophages induced by simultaneous stimulation with LPS and IL-4 (termed LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages). LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages were a homogeneous population showing a mixture of the characteristics of M1 and M2 macrophages. In LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages, expression of cell-surface M1 markers (I-Ab) was higher than in M1 macrophages, but lower expression of iNOS, and expression of M1-associated genes (Tnfα and Il12p40) were decreased in comparison to expression in M1 macrophages. Conversely, expression of the cell-surface M2 marker CD206 was lower on LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages than on M2 macrophages and expression of M2-associated genes (Arg1, Chi3l3, and Fizz1) varied, with Arg1 being greater than, Fizz1 being lower than, and Chi3l3 being comparable to that in M2 macrophages. Glycolysis-dependent phagocytic activity of LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages was strongly enhanced as was that of M1 macrophages; however, the energy metabolism of LPS/IL-4-induced macrophages, such as activation state of glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation, was quite different from that of M1 or M2 macrophages. These results indicate that the macrophages induced by LPS and IL-4 had unique properties.
Late-stage MC38 tumours recapitulate features of human colorectal cancer – implications for appropriate timepoint selection in preclinical studies
Authors: Shields Nicholas J. , Peyroux Estelle M. , Ferguson Angela L. , Steain Megan , Neumann Silke , Young Sarah L.
Published: April 2023

Anti-tumour T cell responses play a crucial role in controlling the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), making this disease a promising candidate for immunotherapy. However, responses to immune-targeted therapies are currently limited to subpopulations of patients and specific types of cancer. Clinical studies have therefore focussed on identifying biomarkers that predict immunotherapy responses and elucidating the immunological landscapes of different cancers. Meanwhile, our understanding of how preclinical tumour models resemble human disease has fallen behind, despite their crucial role in immune-targeted drug development. A deeper understanding of these models is therefore needed to improve the development of immunotherapies and the translation of findings made in these systems. MC38 colon adenocarcinoma is a widely used preclinical model, yet how it recapitulates human colorectal cancer remains poorly defined. This study investigated the tumour-T cell immune landscape of MC38 tumours using histology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. We demonstrate that early-stage tumours exhibit a nascent TME, lacking important immune-resistance mechanisms of clinical interest, while late-stage tumours exhibit a mature TME resembling human tumours, with desmoplasia, T cell exhaustion, and T cell exclusion. Consequently, these findings clarify appropriate timepoint selection in the MC38 model when investigating both immunotherapies and mechanisms that contribute to immunotherapy resistance. Overall, this study provides a valuable resource that will enable appropriate application of the MC38 model and expedite the development and clinical translation of new immunotherapies.
Assessment of adjunct cognitive functioning through intake interviews integrated with natural language processing models
Authors: Igarashi Toshiharu , Umeda-Kameyama Yumi , Kojima Taro , Akishita Masahiro , Nihei Misato
Published: April 2023

In this article, we developed an interview framework and natural language processing model for estimating cognitive function, based on an intake interview with psychologists in a hospital setting. The questionnaire consisted of 30 questions in five categories. To evaluate the developed interview items and the accuracy of the natural language processing model, we recruited participants with the approval of the University of Tokyo Hospital and obtained the cooperation of 29 participants (7 men and 22 women) aged 72–91 years. Based on the MMSE results, a multilevel classification model was created to classify the three groups, and a binary classification model to sort the two groups. For each of these models, we tested whether the accuracy would improve when text augmentation was performed. The accuracy in the multi-level classification results for the test data was 0.405 without augmentation and 0.991 with augmentation. The accuracy of the test data in the results of the binary classification without augmentation was 0.488 for the moderate dementia and mild dementia groups, 0.767 for the moderate dementia and MCI groups, and 0.700 for the mild dementia and MCI groups. In contrast, the accuracy of the test data in the augmented binary classification results was 0.972 for moderate dementia and mild dementia groups, 0.996 for moderate dementia and MCI groups, and 0.985 for mild dementia and MCI groups.
Subsurface biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in the actively serpentinizing Samail Ophiolite, Oman
Authors: Rempfert Kaitlin R. , Nothaft Daniel B. , Kraus Emily A. , Asamoto Ciara K. , Evans R. Dave , Spear John R. , Matter Juerg M. , Kopf Sebastian H. , Templeton Alexis S.
Published: April 2023

Nitrogen (N) is an essential element for life. N compounds such as ammonium (NH4+) may act as electron donors, while nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) may serve as electron acceptors to support energy metabolism. However, little is known regarding the availability and forms of N in subsurface ecosystems, particularly in serpentinite-hosted settings where hydrogen (H2) generated through water–rock reactions promotes habitable conditions for microbial life. Here, we analyzed N and oxygen (O) isotope composition to investigate the source, abundance, and cycling of N species within the Samail Ophiolite of Oman. The dominant dissolved N species was dependent on the fluid type, with Mg2+-HCO3- type fluids comprised mostly of NO3-, and Ca2+-OH− fluids comprised primarily of ammonia (NH3). We infer that fixed N is introduced to the serpentinite aquifer as NO3-. High concentrations of NO3- (>100 μM) with a relict meteoric oxygen isotopic composition (δ18O ~ 22‰, Δ17O ~ 6‰) were observed in shallow aquifer fluids, indicative of NO3- sourced from atmospheric deposition (rainwater NO3-: δ18O of 53.7‰, Δ17O of 16.8‰) mixed with NO3- produced in situ through nitrification (estimated endmember δ18O and Δ17O of ~0‰). Conversely, highly reacted hyperalkaline fluids had high concentrations of NH3 (>100 μM) with little NO3- detectable. We interpret that NH3 in hyperalkaline fluids is a product of NO3- reduction. The proportionality of the O and N isotope fractionation (18ε / 15ε) measured in Samail Ophiolite NO3- was close to unity (18ε / 15ε ~ 1), which is consistent with dissimilatory NO3- reduction with a membrane-bound reductase (NarG); however, abiotic reduction processes may also be occurring. The presence of genes commonly involved in N reduction processes (narG, napA, nrfA) in the metagenomes of biomass sourced from aquifer fluids supports potential biological involvement in the consumption of NO3-. Production of NH4+ as the end-product of NO3- reduction via dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) could retain N in the subsurface and fuel nitrification in the oxygenated near surface. Elevated bioavailable N in all sampled fluids indicates that N is not likely limiting as a nutrient in serpentinites of the Samail Ophiolite.
Comparative genomic analyses of the clinically-derived Winkia strain NY0527: the reassignment of W. neuii subsp. neuii and W. neuii subsp. antitratus into two separate species and insights into their virulence characteristics
Authors: Cai Xunchao , Peng Yao , Li Meng , Qiu Yifeng , Wang Yuhan , Xu Long , Hou Qi
Published: April 2023

Background

Winkia neuii, previously known as Actinomyces neuii, is increasingly recognized as a causative agent of various human infections, while its taxonomy and genomic insights are still understudied.

Methods

A Winkia strain NY0527 was isolated from the hip abscess of a patient, and its antibiotic susceptibility was assessed. The genome was hybrid assembled from long-reads and short-reads sequencing. Whole-genome-based analyses on taxa assignment, strain diversity, and pathogenesis were conducted.

Results

The strain was found to be highly susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics, but resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, and amikacin. The complete genome sequences of this strain were assembled and found to consist of a circular chromosome and a circular plasmid. Sequence alignment to the NCBI-nt database revealed that the plasmid had high sequence identity (>90%) to four Corynebacterium plasmids, with 40–50% query sequence coverage. Furthermore, the plasmid was discovered to possibly originate from the sequence recombination events of two Corynebacterium plasmid families. Phylogenomic tree and genomic average nucleotide identity analyses indicated that many Winkia sp. strains were still erroneously assigned as Actinomyces sp. strains, and the documented subspecies within W. neuii should be reclassified as two separate species (i.e., W. neuii and W. anitratus). The core genome of each species carried a chromosome-coded beta-lactamase expression repressor gene, which may account for their broadly observed susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics in clinical settings. Additionally, an ermX gene that expresses fluoroquinolone resistance was shared by some W. neuii and W. anitratus strains, possibly acquired by IS6 transposase-directed gene transfer events. In contrast, tetracycline resistance genes were exclusively carried by W. neuii strains. In particular, W. neuii was found to be more pathogenic than W. anitratus by encoding more virulence factors (i.e., 35–38 in W. neuii vs 27–31 in W. anitratus). Moreover, both species encoded two core pathogenic virulence factors, namely hemolysin and sialidase, which may facilitate their infections by expressing poreformation, adhesion, and immunoglobulin deglycosylation activities.

Conclusion

This study highlights the underappreciated taxonomic diversity of Winkia spp. and provides populational genomic insights into their antibiotic susceptibility and pathogenesis for the first time, which could be helpful in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Winkia spp. infections.
Minimally invasive treatment for glioblastoma through endoscopic surgery including tumor embolization when necessary: a technical note
Authors: Sakata Tomohiro , Tanikawa Motoki , Yamada Hiroshi , Fujinami Ryota , Nishikawa Yusuke , Yamada Shigeki , Mase Mitsuhito
Published: April 2023

Background

Although there have been some reports on endoscopic glioblastoma surgery, the indication has been limited to deep-seated lesions, and the difficulty of hemostasis has been a concern. In that light, we attempted to establish an endoscopic procedure for excision of glioblastoma which could be applied even to hypervascular or superficial lesions, in combination with pre-operative endovascular tumor embolization.

Methods

Medical records of six consecutive glioblastoma patients who received exclusive endoscopic removal between September and November 2020 were analyzed. Preoperative tumor embolization was performed in cases with marked tumor stain and proper feeder arteries having an abnormal shape, for instance, tortuous or dilated, without passing through branches to the normal brain. Endoscopic tumor removal through a key-hole craniotomy was performed by using an inside-out excision for a deep-seated lesion, with the addition of an outside-in extirpation for a shallow portion when needed.

Results

Endoscopic removal was successfully performed in all six cases. Before resection, endovascular tumor embolization was performed in four cases with no resulting complications, including ischemia or brain swelling. Gross total resection was achieved in three cases, and near total resection in the other three cases. Intraoperative blood loss exceeded 1,000 ml in only one case, whose tumor showed a prominent tumor stain but no proper feeder artery for embolization. In all patients, a smooth transition to adjuvant therapy was possible with no surgical site infection.

Conclusion

Endoscopic removal for glioblastoma was considered to be a promising procedure with minimal invasiveness and a favorable impact on prognosis.
Effects of ABVD chemotherapy on ovarian function: epidemiology, hormonal dosages and ultrasound morphologic analyses in 270 patients with Hodgkin’s disease
Authors: Ciccarone Mariavita , Cavaceppi Paola , Tesei Cristiano , Brunetti Stefania , Pulsoni Alessandro , Annibali Ombretta , Gasparoli Cristiano , Battistini Roberta , Hohaus Stefan , Pelliccia Sabrina , Tafuri Agostino , Cox Maria Christina , Cantonetti Maria , Rigacci Luigi , Abruzzese Elisabetta
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) is a lymphoproliferative disease typically diagnosed in the young. The excellent results obtained with current treatment lead to long survival with age-related complications affecting patients’ survival and quality of life. One issue affecting HL patients is infertility. This problem can be easily overcome in males with seminal liquid cryopreservation, however, in females it is more complex either in terms of the quality of the cryopreserved material or the patients’ age at diagnosis. Moreover, not all chemo- or radio-therapies have the same negative impact on fertility.The main objectives of this study was to collect epidemiological information on HL patients involved in fertility preservation counseling and to analyze the impact of ABVD (adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine), the standard treatment for HL, on ovarian function, hormonal levels and ovarian and uterine tissue morphologies. Patterns of fertility preservation were also reported.

Methods

Data were obtained from 270 female patients at HL onset who were interested in fertility counseling prior to therapy initiation. Each patient was assessed at HL diagnosis for levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and 17β-oestradiol (17β-oe), with additional assessments at 6 and 12 months after chemotherapy. Patients were evaluated with ultrasound scans to study the number of ovarian follicles and the degree of uterine thickness at the same timepoints.

Results

The average patient AMH level showed a statistically significant reduction at 6 months after chemotherapy (p=0.05) and by the 12 month time point returned to near pre-chemotherapy values. FSH and 17β-oe levels did not significantly vary throughout the study period. ABVD chemotherapy was associated with a significant reduction of both ovarian follicles and endometrial thickness at the 6 month time point followed by a recovery at the 12 time point in both ovaries. Different results were observed when patients changed treatment to a more intensive one.

Discussion

Based on the results from the hormonal measurements and the follicle echography, it appears that the toxic effect of ABVD on fertility is transient, whereas, in contrast, more intensive therapies may potentially be more harmful and long-lasting.
Case Report: Rapid renal response to venetoclax monotherapy in a CLL patient with secondary membranous glomerulonephritis
Authors: Lovato Ester , Gangemi Concetta , Krampera Mauro , Visco Carlo , Ferrarini Isacco
Published: April 2023

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a rare extra-hematological autoimmune complication of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), clinically characterized by nephrotic-range proteinuria and, less frequently, renal failure. Because of the rarity of this condition, there is no standardized treatment. Chlorambucil and fludarabine-based regimens, possibly combined with rituximab, have been historically the most frequent therapeutic approaches, with renal response obtained in about two-third of the patients. However, responses are often transient and partial. Here we describe the first patient with rituximab-refractory, CLL-related MGN successfully treated with the Bcl-2 antagonist venetoclax. Nephrotic syndrome resolved as soon as three months after venetoclax initiation, with no unexpected toxicities. At the last follow-up, 17 months after venetoclax start, renal response persists, with proteinuria below 0.5 g/24 hours. This case suggests that targeted agents, particularly Bcl-2 antagonists, might be suitable options for patients with renal autoimmune disorders arising in the context of CLL.
Acute kidney injury post-abdominal surgery in infants: implications for prevention and management
Authors: Duong Minh Dien , Kwak Silvia , Bagrodia Naina , Basalely Abby
Published: April 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill infants and is associated with long-term sequelae including hypertension and chronic kidney disease. The etiology of AKI in infants is multifactorial. There is robust literature highlighting the risk of AKI after cardiothoracic surgery in infants. However, risk factors and outcomes for AKI in infants after abdominal surgery remains limited. This article reviews the epidemiology and association of abdominal surgery with postoperative AKI and suggests methods for AKI management and prevention. Postoperative AKI may result from hemodynamic shifts, hypoxia, exposure to nephrotoxic medications, and inflammation. Infants in the intensive care unit after intraabdominal surgeries have a unique set of risk factors that predispose them to AKI development. Prematurity, sepsis, prolonged operation time, emergent nature of the procedure, and diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis increase risk of AKI after intrabdominal surgeries. Prevention, early diagnosis, and management of AKI post-abdominal surgery is imperative to clinical practice. Close monitoring of urine output, serum creatinine, and fluid status is necessary in infants after abdominal surgery. A recent study suggests elevated levels of a urinary biomarker, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), 24 h after an abdominal procedure may improve early prediction of AKI. Identification of risk factors, avoidance of nephrotoxic medications, careful fluid balance, early detection of AKI, and maintenance of hemodynamic stability is imperative to potentially prevent and/or mitigate AKI.
Focusing higher-order Lamb waves based on the Luneburg lens
Authors: Ye Tianming , Zhou Shengzeng , Du Xuanmin , Liu Jiaqi
Published: April 2023

In order to improve the spatial resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio of Lamb waves in structural health monitoring systems or non-destructive testing techniques, this study presents the construction of Luneburg lenses for focusing higher-order Lamb waves based on the thickness variation. The dispersion curves of Lamb waves are calculated firstly, from which the relation between the phase velocity of a specific mode and the plate thickness is quantified. After that, the plate thickness is determined via the refractive index variation. To demonstrate the generality of this design scheme, two lenses, i.e., the A1-wave-based Luneburg lens and the S2-wave-based Luneburg lens are constructed, and their focusing abilities are examined via numerical simulations in both the time domain and frequency domain. It is revealed that the A1 wave and S2 wave can be focused with a focusing size smaller than one wavelength. The design methodology is easy to realize and can be used to control higher-order Lamb waves efficiently, which also provides potential application values in wave detections and energy collections.
Correlates of physical activity habits in adolescents: A systematic review
Authors: Shao Tianyi , Zhou Xiaogang
Published: April 2023

Physical activity habits are crucial for the physical and mental wellbeing of adolescents (individuals aged 10–19 years). However, few studies over the last two decades have systematically aggregated the influential factors of physical activity habits for adolescents. Five online databases (EBSCOhost (Eric), Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies published before 14 August 2022. Our systematic review indicated the following: 1) boys performed more physical activity habits than girls, whereas girls preferred to engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; 2) physical activity in adolescents decreased with age; 3) African American adolescents performed significantly more habitual physical activities than white adolescents; 4) adolescents with higher literacy had better physical activity habits; 5) support from parents, teachers, friends, and others helped adolescents in developing physical activity habits; 6) adolescents who spent less time participating in habitual physical activity had a higher body mass index; 7) adolescents who reported higher levels of self-efficacy and satisfaction with school sports tended to have stronger physical activity habits; 8) sedentary behavior, smoking, drinking, prolonged screen time, negative emotions, and excessive use of media technology were correlated with reduced habitual physical activity in adolescents. These findings could help develop interventions to motivate adolescents and promote physical activity habits among them.
Labeled breath tests in patients with NASH: Octanoate oxidation relates best to measures of glucose metabolism
Authors: Mucinski Justine M. , Perry Alisha M. , Fordham Talyia M. , Diaz-Arias Alberto , Ibdah Jamal A. , Rector R. Scott , Parks Elizabeth J.
Published: April 2023

In vivo methods to estimate human liver mitochondrial activity are lacking and this project’s goal was to use a non-invasive breath test to quantify complete mitochondrial fat oxidation and determine how test results changed when liver disease state was altered over time. Patients with suspected non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD; 9 men, 16 women, 47 ± 10 years, 113 ± 23 kg) underwent a diagnostic liver biopsy and liver tissue was histologically scored by a pathologist using the NAFLD activity score (0–8). To assess liver oxidation activity, a labeled medium chain fatty acid was consumed orally (23.4 mg 13C4-octanoate) and breath samples collected over 135 min. Total CO2 production rates were measured using breath 13CO2 analysis by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Fasting endogenous glucose production (EGP) was measured using an IV infusion of 13C6-glucose. At baseline, subjects oxidized 23.4 ± 3.9% (14.9%–31.5%) of the octanoate dose and octanoate oxidation (OctOx) was negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r = −0.474, p = 0.017) and EGP (r = −0.441, p = 0.028). Twenty-two subjects returned for repeat tests 10.2 ± 1.0 months later, following lifestyle treatment or standardized care. OctOx (% dose/kg) was significantly greater across all subjects (p = 0.044), negatively related to reductions in EGP (r = −0.401, p = 0.064), and tended to correlate with reduced fasting glucose (r = −0.371, p = 0.090). Subjects exhibited reductions in steatosis (p = 0.007) which tended to correlate with increased OctOx (% of dose/kg, r = −0.411, p = 0.058). Based on our findings, the use of an 13C-octanoate breath test may be an indicator of hepatic steatosis and glucose metabolism, but these relationships require verification through larger studies in NAFLD populations.
Identification of GA20ox2 as a target of ATHB2 and TCP13 during shade response
Authors: Son Ora , Zhang Chaoyue , Yang Xiaoyu , Duc Le Thi , Hur Yoon-Sun , Nam Kyoung Hee , Choi Soon-Young , Cheon Choong-Ill , Kim Sunghan
Published: April 2023

The shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) is a collective adaptive response of plants under shade highlighted by characteristic phenotypes such as hypocotyl elongation, which is largely mediated by concerted actions of auxin and GA. We identified ATHB2, a homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) domain transcription factor known to be rapidly induced under shade condition, as a positive regulator of GA biosynthesis necessary for the SAS by transactivating the expression of GA20ox2, a key gene in the GA biosynthesis pathway. Based on promoter deletion analysis, EMSA and ChIP assay, ATHB2 appears to regulate the GA20ox2 expression as a direct binding target. We also found that the GA20ox2 expression is under negative control by TCP13, the effect of which can be suppressed by presence of ATHB2. Considering a rapid induction kinetics of ATHB2, this relationship between ATHB2 and TCP13 may allow ATHB2 to play a shade-specific activator for GA20ox by derepressing a pre-existing activity of TCP13.